new2BC4bass

I'm not familiar with many of the rods at that price. I have fished a 6' ML Lightning for many years. Has caught more fish than all my new rods put together. Not fished the Fenwick Eagle, but have handled them in store. Seem very nice for the price. There is a 6'6" MLF model...1/8-5/8 oz. I've read good things about the Aird X, but there is none listed in ML and the MF is rated 1/4-3/4 so may not do well with your 1/8 oz. I like the Okuma gear I have, but know nothing about their spinning rods. The Celilo model has a couple that should do very well with 1/8 oz. and they come in 6'6" and shorter.

Awaiting answers. It's a bit over an hour south of me. Never knew a Sportsman's Warehouse was that close.

If you can find a used one...Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth 6'10" MH-MF. EDIT: 3/8-1 oz. 10-20lb.

I'm using mono or co-polymer lines on at least 95 percent of my baitcast reels. I like graphite. I like my 704CB Glass and B-Hittay. I've just started to get into fly rods. There are quite a few fly guys loving 'glass. Don't have one yet, but liking the idea of having one.

Jeff, I grew up with spinning. Six foot or less was normal. I find I still prefer spinning rods of less than 7 feet. When I got into baitcast rods, I purchased several 6'6" rods. I soon found I preferred longer. Shorter rods may be more accurate, but practice can even the score. In the fall my targets when I practice are leaves floating downstream. I can get pretty close sometimes. Occasionally a hit. Of course coffee cups and plastic water bottles are also often targets. Love how people take care of their trash. It's nice that you can build your own rods. The world is your oyster. Let us know what you wind up going with. EDIT: I seldom cast one handed. Much prefer 2 hands on the rod.

I like your conclusion. I've not used my Ned Rig enough yet to determine if I like braid (current set up) or mono (not tried yet). I think I went a little too light with my braid. It's less than 10#. Definitely need a leader on my braid for abrasion resistance. I don't fish where abrasion is normally a concern, but the braid I'm using is so thin it frays with twigs in the water.

The only pistol grip rod I have is an ultralight Daiwa combo that came with a mini Daiwa spincast reel spooled with 4lb line...I think. It's over 46 years old.

Before opening up the thread I was going to suggest a Piscifun Sword 8'6" 4wt fly rod with the 3/4 Sword reel. Rod is about $50 and I've bought the 3/4 reel for as low as $30. You have to check daily in order to find one at that price. But for spinning I can't beat islandbass' suggestion.

What reel would you suggest for 6/8 pound mono?

Never fished from a kayak, but have from a canoe with my B-I-L in Florida. I use all 7' rods. Last visit (2-1/2 years ago) he had made a seat for me that put my butt above the gunwales. I had sent down an OG Tatula 7'4" HF for use as a frog rod. I had no problems casting it, but can't comment on landing a fish with it as none were caught on a frog. I'm 5' 10-1/2". Well I was 55 years ago (last time measured). Old age and gravity probably has made me shorter. I am not familiar with rods in that price range. You could look for a used 6'9" MHF Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth or 6'10" MHF Daiwa Tatula. Both have shorter handles if that is important. The Smallmouth fishes quite a bit above its (original list) price and the Tatula isn't a slouch.

Nice picture! I like my 1600C and would love a 2500. Maybe even a 3600, but after that the physical size gets to be more than I'd prefer. I suppose one could get used to the larger size.

I get the feeling some of you are defining 'most bang for the buck' reels as 'work horse' reels. Sometimes the 'most bang' can fit in the 'work horse' stable. New Curado 51E for $98 on closeout, Primmus HS Xi $104.10 on closeout, used Black Max 1600C for $33.33, older Cabela's Prodigy (by Daiwa) for $60 on sale, used gold colored Carbonlite for $65 all fit both categories in my mind. Heck. I'd even put my $30 Procaster ($70 list) in both categories.

I don't think price has anything to do with it...other than what a person's budget allows. Doesn't matter if it was $100 or $600 new. If it gets used day in and day out and continues to work well, then it is a work horse reel AFAIC. Why should price be a factor? I've got reels that cost me less than $70 that I expect to still be working when I die. Same for my PXL Type R that cost much, much more.

I forgot about those. They are one of the reels (and TD-Z 105H) that I learned to cast #5 Shad Raps on. Nice reels.

$90 for lubrication and shipping charges is ridiculous. Shame on Daiwa. I've never used a manufacturer's warranty. I've sent brand new reels to DVT for cleaning and proper lubrication. At least then I knew it was done right.

PJ: Wish I had a solid answer. I don't use any one reel enough to call it a work horse. Normally I rotate combos. The past few years have seen me getting out less than normal. I feel I have quite a few that could be used for work horse duty. Some have already been mentioned. Like you I love my OG Fuegos. It was my first baitcast reel. They were being closed out when I bought mine. Posting a list seems too much like bragging. I've been buying baitcasting reels for almost 13 years, and I don't sell. I've purchased several that were out of production before I got into baitcasting reels. A few of those reels that probably could be considered work horse reels are Black Max 1600C, Chronarch 100B, TD-Z 105H and TD-X 100 HSDF.

How much is 'much further'? I've got 60# braid on a frog rod that I keep in Florida. When fishing there I am sitting on a raised seat (about 9-11") that fits over the built in seat in a 14' canoe. It will cast a frog far enough that I can't see it in the lily pads. Some people have no problem using 15# braid on a baitcast reel. Others do. I received a used reel with 30# Sufix 832 Ghost. Took me 15-20 minutes of casting and pulling line to remove all the tight spots left by the previous owner. I haven't had any more tight spots since and I've been snagged with it several times. I'm tempted to try some 15# braid on a ML rod next year.

Okay. I think I figured it out. Am I right?

My eyes crossed just trying to read what is in your arsenal.

No experience with the newer models. I like my older Fenwicks. The Elite Tech Smallmouth was a great rod for the price. As Mike L said, the older Techna AV makes for a pretty decent stick. Once I got more into baitcast rods I found I didn't like the 6'6" rods nearly as well as longer models. Then I bought the 6'6" MLM Aetos. That and the PXL Type R put a smile on my face every time I take the combo out. Got the rod on closeout. Wish I'd bought two. My last visit to Florida found me with only one baitcast reel spooled with braid, and it was for my dedicated frog rod. As luck would have it I had shipped an older Elite Tech (not the Smallmouth) spinning rod down along with a couple baitcast rods. The luck is that the only spinning reel I took with me was spooled with braid. So the 7' MF Elite Tech became the rod I used for casting into the lily pads. Worked out okay even if it wasn't my first choice.

This is true for some, not true for others. Ratio unknown. OP, I grew up with spinning. Got first reel at 6. Got first baitcast reel at 61. Left hand retrieve for both. About 2 years later I purchased my first right hand retrieve baitcast reel. Cranking with either hand was easy for me. Casting with either hand took more time and I'm still not as accurate casting with the left. BUT nothing says you have to switch arms to cast. At my age I find it beneficial to be able to alternate the arm holding the rod during a long day of fishing. Certain lures can tire out some of us oldies (but not necessarily goodies) after awhile.

I'm a fan of the original Tatula rods. Not used a new one, but assume they didn't get worse. Couple others to look at are the Falcon Lowrider and iRod Genesis III. Possibly an Ark Invoker Pro. Really can't add much to the reels already mentioned. Daiwa Fuego or Tatula CT, Lew's MP, Shimano SLX MGL. You have Medium power and lighter covered with your spinning rods, so I agree with others that a MH 7' or longer is a good option. Be aware that Falcon and Dobyns fish a little light. Abu and St. Croix fish a bit heavy. One rod under 7' I can recommend is the Lowrider 6'10" HF...known as the 'Head Turner'. Very versatile rod. Lure rating is more in line with a MH rod.

Welcome to the forum. And for resurrecting a thread that asks this question a lot (favorite rod or favorite reel).

I hope your offer gets accepted. It wasn't too long ago that I saw a NIB or LNIB 50th Anniversary Zillion for either $350 or $375. MSRP was $300. Don't know if it sold at the asking price. I just know I love mine. Although I have many brands...and enjoy them all...I am something of a Daiwa fan myself. I have about 45 of their casting reels and 11 spinning reels.

Agree. I bought a new monitor for my 13 inch laptop because I've been doing some work from home while on medical leave. I use a CadCam for it and the 13 inch screen is the pits. So I took a closer look after your post. I did originally see that the reels were filthy, but upon looking closer I think I agree with you. Some of what I originally thought were scratches could very well be cobwebs. The seller obviously didn't store them properly. If I were to buy them, the first thing I'd do is send them out for a thorough cleaning...since I don't take my reels apart. Got to spread my income around for those more deserving of it than me.