new2BC4bass

You are lucky. I have a.....forgot how to use English's Sporting Goods not too far away.....but fishing sucks in this area so even Dick's selection (rods especially...and reels) isn't very good for the enthusiast. Lots of cheaper stuff for people that fish once or twice a year. Closest Walmart sells even cheaper stuff. They have decent lures, but never a sale. I buy lures when Dick's has them marked down. EDIT: Apparently I mentioned a store I wasn't supposed to. Sorry.

Sad. I like Internet prices, but spending time in a mom and pop shop talking to the owners and other customers, seeing and handling gear is a good time for me. The mom and pop store I always visit on my vacations to Florida was no longer there this year. Enough to make a grown man I will pay a few dollars more for an item to help them stay in business. Unfortunately it takes more than a couple dedicated people to support such places.

I've purchased rods in the past year, but still have several more reels than rods. Think I am down to about 8 more reels than rods. Very few rods so far have a dedicated reel. Would be a lot more dedicated combos if I could afford to retire and move near my fishing buddy in Florida. Would have much more time on the water to try out different combinations.

Nope. Only place I could do this would be at Cabela's....about a 45 minute drive. Have purchase 2 rods there, but had no plans to do so when I went. Didn't consider taking a reel. I've purchased 3 rods that I got to handle before buying. All the rest of my rods...and all of my reels have been purchased sight unseen. Luckily I'm not fussy about feel and have no physical problems that might require me to need certain criteria to be met before purchasing. Guess there are some benefits to being clueless.

What I use. Helps to buy a few when you buy a reel from them. Pay $2.99 each instead of $5.99. I've always had a few reels purchased elsewhere that need covers. I never buy just one reel cover when buying a reel from TW.

Yup. Thousands. Rods: ALX Zolo Deputy or Toadface. Shimano Expride 7'2" MHF or 6'10" MF. Megabass Orochii XX Extreme Mission Type F, Diablo Spec R or Flat Side Special, GLoomis GLX 843 MBR or 844 MBR, Daiwa Steez SVS AGS 7'2" MHR...and this isn't even the tip of the iceberg. Reels: Shimano Bantam MGL, Chronarch MGL or 150G, or Metanium MGL, Daiwa Steez of any flavor, Zillion or one of the Tatulas, Lew's Pro-Ti SLP or Tournament Pro LFS, Okuma Helios SX...and I haven't even gotten rolling yet. The fishing world is your oyster. A wide open budget gives you more options than you can look at during a week of researching several hours a day. Hopefully you have a few nearby stores where you can handle a ton of gear. I've bought almost all my gear sight unseen. I've depended on reviews and opinions of posters on here and a couple other forums. Lucky for me I am not as picky as some and easily satisfied. (Or maybe not so lucky as I like just about every reel so I am not limited to one brand.) Good luck. You will need it deciding on just one rod and one reel.

Currently $109.97 at Sportsman's Warehouse. https://www.sportsmans.com/fishing-gear-supplies/fishing-reels/casting-reels/lews-tournament-mb-speed-spool-lfs-casting-reel/p/1401739?channel=shopping&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkK3vprne5QIVBm6GCh2ICgF3EAQYASABEgL2GvD_BwE What I paid for mine a few years ago. Nice reel.

Kastking makes 2-piece rods.

to the forum. First let me say fishing light lures on a baitcaster isn't as easy as many portray. How light do you fish? Light isn't the same for everyone, but to me most trout lures aren't something I want to use a baitcast reel for because any trout lure I'd use in my area would be very small (fishing creeks for smaller fish). Fishing for bigger trout in a lake is another story. Many will tell you that you need to spend a lot of money for a finesse baitcast reel. Again how light makes a difference. I know from personal experience that you don't need to spend much to get a baitcast reel capable of casting 3/16 oz. However, 3/16 oz. isn't light to many. I have to qualify my opinions by admitting that I was 61 before using my first low profile baitcast reel. I don't get to spend as much time fishing as many do. Nothing beats practice. At your age you should pick it up better than I did. Be aware that the proper rod is going to become more important the lighter you go. Personally I feel a trout rod (as I'd use one) is going to be on the light side for many bass techniques. Seriously doubt you will want to fish a 1/16 oz. trout lure on the same rod you fish a 1/2 oz. jig. You are going to have a major problem setting the hook...even if you can cast the jig. Two of the reels I used to learn casting a 3/16 oz. Shad Rap cost me $65 apiece...used. You can buy a new Tsurinoya for about $70. The few reviews I've read on it say it handles light lures quite well. Or you can spend about $480 for an Aldlebarn BFS XG or about $280 for a JDM Alphas Air. Both way above your budget. Others can suggest other options. This has been a long winded way to say that if you will be casting 3/16 oz. or heavier for both species, then yes a baitcast combo will do well for both species. You won't need a special baitcast reel. Just be aware that...although the reel can handle them...a rod capable of casting a 3/16 oz. finesse lure probably won't handle a 7/8 oz. lipless crankbait very well. And vice versa. BUT, never fear. If you come to like fishing, this won't be your only purchase. Specifics. I've not used a Daiwa Aird X, but reviews say it is an excellent rod for the money. $55 (regular price) for a 7' MF. Pair with a Fuego CT....$110, but can be found for $69 here: https://www.ebay.com/p/566114829 The Dobyns Fury (normal price $120) often gets recommended. I'd look at the 7' MHF for an all around rod. Be aware that power (and action) have no industry standards. A Dobyns fishes a bit lighter than its listing while something like a St Croix or Abu fish heavier than listed. I have a ML Abu that fishes as heavy as any Medium I've ever owned. Definitely not a ML power rod. I'd also look at a Shimano SLX and one of the Lew's as other reel options. Sportsman's Warehouse has some good deals on Lew's. The Lew's Tournament MB at $110 is a fine reel. https://www.sportsmans.com/fishing-gear-supplies/fishing-reels/casting-reels/c/cat101039?q=%3Arelevance%3Abrand%3ALew%27s%2BFishing&text=#

Never handled a Fritts, but an older 7' ML Crankin' Stick is one of the rods I used to learn casting a #5 Shad Rap. Full cork handle...a bit larger diameter than most, but I don't mind it. I see the new ones are split grip EVA and from the picture I'd say better looking than the older model I have. I'd have to say it is a pretty good rod for the money.

I picked up a Villain 2.0 6'10" ML-EF casting rod I found at a great price. TackleTour (and a few posters) have given the new series high marks for sensitivity. I was hoping it would fish true to its rating of 1/8-1/2 oz. I've not fished many Abu rods, but they all fished a bit heavy. This rod is no exception. Originally tried it with a Curado 51E spooled with 8# Big Game. Lure was a jig and 4 inch finesse worm. Weight 8.65 grams (.3051 oz.). 119/390 oz. for that gentleman who prefers his fractions to be close. Slightly less than 5/16 oz. for most of us. Wasn't impressed. Tried it with a Steez SV103H and 8# AN40. Cast further, but not great. #5 Shad Rap (3/16 oz.) only casts fair. I have other rods that do better with this lure. So...for me...I wouldn't fish lower than 5/16 oz. with this rod. No way would I try the 1/8 oz. low end of its rating. I could try a Pixy. See if it does better than the other 2 reels. Not holding my breath, tho. So, yeah. Ratings are only a guide. And not even a good guide sometimes.

Would a custom rod be a good option?

The 3000 is a little bigger than 'most' bass fishermen would use. I'd definitely go that size if I planned on using heavier mono...say in the 12#-14# area. It is a fairly heavy reel (by bass fishing standards). I like its IPT. I have an old Penn 430SS that I use with 4# mono. I consider it a very nice reel. But then my experience with newer model spinning reels is quite limited. I prefer baitcast whenever possible. Do you plan on using the combo for freshwater or saltwater? Maybe Tom will expound on why a Fuego 7'2" MHF wouldn't work. Balance? I have only one MH spinning rod and it has an Advantage 2000A on it which feels fine to me. Might feel like crap with a 3000 Battle.

Zero experience with an Aird X, but reviews seem to be all good. Light and pretty sensitive for the money. The 7' ML should make a good choice for your spinning reel. Some don't like where the hook keeper is located. If able to spend more, I like WRB's suggestion for a Major Craft. I only have one (it is not a model sold by TW), and it seems like a very nice rod. Unfortunately it hasn't seen much use because this year has been a bad one as far as my getting out to fish. Personally I like a MHF or MH-MedFast (or ModFast) casting rod for versatility. On the low end another Aird X...a 7' or 7'3" MHF. ww2farmer can give you some advice from actual experience using a few Aird X rods. For a bit more many suggest the Fury. No experience with them. I do have a few older Fenwick HMGs. I like them. For the weight lures I normally fish, I would go with the 7' MF rated 1/4-3/4 oz. Or possibly the 7'2" Med-ModFast rated 3/8-1 oz.

First to the forum. Quite a few knowledgeable people here. Afraid I can't help with the newer reels. I see the Tournament MB comes in a 5.6 ratio. I like the 7.5 one I have. I assume you won't want anything faster than the low to mid 6s. Now that I have a couple dedicated crankbait rods I am using older Daiwa reels in 5.7 and 5.8 ratios. I don't fish deep crankbaits. Not a lot of reels below 6:1 being offered today. Much larger choice in the 6 ratios. As already stated, reels are getting faster and faster as that seems to be what people want.

I am guessing because spinnerbaits have a lot more drag than a jig. I know my rod arm tired out pretty fast hauling a 1/2 oz. spinnerbait with Colorado blades through the tops of weed beds. Of course, I am an old fart that hasn't exercised since....??

Delaware Valley Tackle sponsors this forum. He cleans, repairs and upgrades reels and builds custom rods. Probably could repair a rod, too, but I've only had Mike work on reels.

I send all my reels out for work or cleaning.

I used Trilene XL for years. Never a problem. Hardly ever pay full price for lures. Many years ago little Beetlespins were a favorite lure with the grub replaced with a small Mr. Twister. Caught many, many fish with very few. A spinnerbait is still a favorite lure of mine. Package deal $100 for three Black Max 1600C reels. Not the tightest tolerances, but cast surprisingly well and wind be damned. Daiwa Procaster 100HN on closeout...$30. Fine reel...even at full price. 6' ML Berkley Lightning spinning rod. Around 40 or so years old. Has caught hundreds of fish. Mostly panfish with a Beetlespin or Roostertail. No idea what I paid for it. Still sits in the basement with a Penn 430SS on it. A nice little reel. Too bad I haven't fished a spinning rod in years. Few years ago I bought 3000 yard spools of 8# and 12# Silver Thread AN40. Use it on a lot of reels. Probably have to will the remaining line to my daughter. Think price was somewhere in the mid $30s.

I bought one last year, put it away, and forgot I had it. The Okuma Helios SX. Ebay has a 7.3 for $104.99 + $8.30 shipping ($230 at TW). This reel has a long handle and big knobs, but the reel itself is small. 7.3 may be a bit too fast for that size spinnerbaits, but what a great deal on the reel. I'd grab another one, but my reel collection is getting out of hand. You are going to be able to cast those things quite far. Curious. What rods are you planning on using with them?

Will. Thanks.

Just bought it last night. Estimated delivery is Nov. 6. Reel finish looks like chrome. After purchasing it and researching a couple reviews, I was thinking this would be a model older than 2012 which means it will be the heavier model. Not that a few extra ounces bothers me. Supposed to be in excellent shape. Coming from Japan. I can't complain if it is an older model considering what I paid. Thanks. Was it called Antares back then or Calais?

Just purchased a used Antares off ebay at a great price. Ratio 6.2:1. What year would this be? I only saw 5.6"1 and 7.4:1 ratios listed on the reviews I read. Thanks.

Like several others my first reel was a Mitchell 300 back in '54. However, my first nice combo was a Penn 430SS and 6' ML Berkley Lightning in the late '60s. Yes, I still have it. Yes, I'd use it, but almost never grab a spinning rod. My first nice baitcast reel was a TD Fuego. Still have it and use it. Although I still have the first baitcast rod I bought, I don't use it because it feels dead to me. Not sure which rods were my next purchase, but an early purchase was a 3-rod package deal of original Falcon Experts. The Medium was a favorite. Fell face first into a pile of rocks and broke two 4 inch pieces off the tip. Have since replaced it and still use it.

Check out Tackletour's review of the 7' M Okuma Helios (in the Archive Review section). TW has them on sale for $144.97. I found one for $122.40, but don't know if shipping was free. Add a Daiwa Fuego CT for a total of about $200. I've read good things about the Okuma TCS rods, but have zero experience with that line. EDIT: Would you consider used for the reel? Some very good deals can be had on reels that look practically brand new if you keep an eye on the classifieds. Probably my best reel deal was $65 for a $250 (when new) reel. Shelton's Clothing & Outdoors has the Tatula CT Type R for $120 (6.3 ratio in right hand). This seems too good to be true. A $230 reel for $105 plus $8.30 shipping. It is the Helios SX. I've got one, but haven't used it yet. Bought it last winter, put it away, and forgot I had it. Small reel, large handle and large knobs. Nice looking reel. https://www.ebay.com/p/23024456707?iid=333359936850&rt=nc