new2BC4bass

Spinning rods are something I haven't been into for the past few years. If your girlfriend likes green, Lew's has a 6'6" MF Mach Speed Stick. Okuma has the SST pink Ladies Edition. Can even get a pink reel for it. I think the shortest rod offered is 7'. BPS has the Browning Lady Buckmark and the Trion Lady combo. Not as brightly colored as the SST. In white the Phenix Maxim 6'10" MLF is a bit over your budget unless you can find one on sale or maybe ebay. Too bad she doesn't like black. I can highly recommend the original Berkley Lightning. The 6'6" Medium Moderate-Fast would make an excellent option for those lures. I have a 6' rated 1/8-3/8 oz. that is over 40 years old and has caught more fish than any other rod I own.

Try 15# McCoy Mean Green, 14# Silver Thread AN40, Sufix Siege or Sunline Super Natural. All should have less memory than Big Game. No doubt there are others. Especially in the more expensive lines...which I haven't tried. Sufix Elite handles very well. I have a feeling it is more often thought of for use with spinning reels, but I have had some 12# spooled on one of my favorite reels for awhile. Still handles well. As others have mentioned one of the best ways to keep memory down is to constantly keep the line in use. Something I'm sure we all wish for.

I have an older RainShadow RX7 and an RX8 blank....both casting and both in 7' MHF that I purchased used. Couldn't say why, but I really like the RainShadow RX7. Actually I stopped this afternoon for a little casting practice with it and a Concept A. Surprisingly I still haven't forgotten how to cast.

I have one of the older Trions mounted on a 6'10" HF. It is a casting machine. Thank you DVT. Personally I would switch the reels for those techniques.

I'll have to keep an eye on mine. I am a bit anal about treating my gear. Also thanks to my rod to days fishing ratio I don't normally use any one rod a lot since I try to rotate my combos. However, that is gradually slowing down as I've been upgrading my gear and would rather use a more expensive combo to justify spending the money on it. And as I come to prefer some rods over the rest.

As you can see.....a positive answer on which to get. I have no experience with the Fury. I do have a couple HMG rods and like them a lot. Also Aetos, Smallmouth and Elite Tech. I've always felt I got good value for my money with Fenwick. My only Dobyns is a Champion. It is also a rod I like. Yup. A definitive answer from me, too. Dobyns are known to fish a bit lighter than rated....Fenwick often a bit higher than rated. Dobyns are also known to balance well....at least for the casting models. Hopefully you (or the better half) can get to handle each before buying. I don't have a Smallmouth spinning rod, but an Online friend told me the handle is one of the best for comfort. Don't know if that carries over to the HMG. The HMG casting models feel good to me.

Be sure to post back and let us know how you like it.

I have to go with the majority....Medium Fast. Last February's Florida trip found me having taken only one baitcast reel having braid on it.....60# for my frog rod. I had shipped an older Fenwick Elite Tech MF spinning rod down before the trip. As luck would have it the spinning reel I had brought was spooled with braid (guessing 30# as it was on the reel when I bought it). Almost all my catches were on this rod. I had no problems casting worms into the lily pads and dragging bass out of them. A MF spinning rod is very versatile. I like your choice of reel. I bought a BG1500 for my Ned Rig rod. I think it is an extremely nice looking reel that feels built like a little tank.

Now that is just plain being mean to some of us.

I don't think so. I have an Endurance MH-XF that I really like. Otherwise I all my MH rods are Fast or Med-Fast or Moderate.

Guess the rules have eased up on this company. It wasn't long ago that I posted "I envy you.", and it posted as "I **** you.".

Not a company we are allowed to talk about on this site. Sorry.

I don't skip, but would like to learn. This is one reel I wouldn't have considered. Was planning on an SV spooled reel or a DC. This info is nice to know. Thanks. Love my 50th Anniversary. It is a favorite reel.

I put a BG1500 on mine. Using light braid so I still had to lay down some backing on it so I wouldn't be spooling 300 yards of braid.

I prefer 7' or longer baitcast rods, but when it comes to spinning rods I prefer shorter. I don't have any of the new Tatula models (and only casting in the old model), but they offer a 6'6" MF rated 1/8-3/4 oz. right at your upper limit (if you pay full price). The older model Tatula rods were excellent buys. One of the best in their price range AFAIC. Dobyns has a 6'6" MF in the Fury line and a 6'9" MF in the Sierra line. Both lines are very well liked around here. TW is closing out the Powell Nusance and have one 6'10" M-EF left. St. Croix has the Bass X 6'8" M-EF. This size and action St. Croix is loved by many around here....although many are using that rod from a different St. Croix line. I really like my Daiwa BG. Can find a good deal on them occasionally on ebay. They are a bit heavier, tho. Daiwa offers several other models in your price range. The Pflueger President is often mentioned here. I have the older XT model. Nice reel. You might want to upgrade to the Supreme or Supreme XT. You have an awful lot of choices in that price range. Narrowing the field to just one is tough. Good luck, and be sure to let us know which way you went.

It is nice that people keep offering advice, but the OP bought his rods Friday. Still............I appreciate reading the new posts anyway. Just reminds me of all the different rods I'd like to try.

Good to see youngsters interested in the sport. As you can see everyone has there own ideas as to what is best. I would second the idea of buying used. Closeouts and clearance sales are also a great way to get a quality reel at a decent price. I wouldn't worry too much about brand names at your age. Your preferences are bound to change as you get older and more financially able to spend more. Just do your homework before buying. Personally I like trying different reels. Majority are Daiwas, but I enjoy many other brands as well. Shimanos have a reputation for reliability. I don't want junk, but I wouldn't care if I had to replace a part or two in a reel at some point down the road if I liked the reel.

I will agree when it comes to spending money................no "his" can beat a "her".

Junebug #1 by a long shot. Then black. I'll have to look up Cali 420.

Her? I personally feel his grip is more like Paul Bunyan's.

I agree whole heartedly. If I could only have one combo, I'd save up and spend at least $150 on just the rod.

Take a look at the 7' MF Villain 2.0 rod. Read Tackletour's reviews on this new line. Sensitivity is said to be excellent. They do fish a bit heavy....so I've been told. I will know more about that this coming year as I bought a ML and MH (although I wanted the Medium). I know the original Villains fish heavy.

I'm fishing from the back seat of the wrong boat. And from the wrong shore.

I started with the side arm cast. Now I always suggest using a side arm roll cast. Much less chance of backlashing. Yup. Smooth is the name of the game. OP. Once you get used to the reel you should be able to cast in the 35-45 yard range consistently with most lures. I've made quite a bit longer casts with the right combination of lure/rod, but have never been one of those guys able to empty the spool.

I would hope that Eric bought his rod months ago.