New Versatile Rod/reel Combo!

[Mike Nenon]

Hello everyone,

I am a new fellow to this forum so let me know if I did any rules wrong regarding this forum . I am in the market for an incredibly versatile rod and reel combo. This would be the set up I would keep, if for some reason rods and reels suddenly stopped being produced and such you couldn't buy any rods and reels. First attribute I would want is a VERY durable SPINNING rod that would last a LONGGGGG time (warranty not in play). second attribute I would want is an incredibly versatile rod, since I would still want to catch all kinds of fish! And to finish off the rod attributes I would want all the other things to come into play (sensitivity, feel, weight, etc), but it doesn't matter as much as the first two attributes. For the SPINNING reel I would want hassle free dependability and versatility. What are your thoughts? Price range is under $250. Remember this is a spinning rod and reel! I was thinking of a medium 6'6"-7' fast/x fast shimano clarus, compre, or crucial paired with a wavespin reel. I definitely want to give the wavespin a try, so I doubt you guys can talk me out of the wavespin reel (I was specifically thinking of the DH 3000z or maybe something a little smaller, since I mainly fish out of a small lake in the mountains that mostly has fish <20 lbs.). I am completely open on rods though! Because this situation isn't happening I picked shimano for dependability and their GREAT warranty and customer service?

If this situation was really happening what would you pick?

Regards,

Mike

[Stasher1]

If you're looking for a bullet-proof spinning rig that'll outlast you, pick up a 6'6"-7' Ugly Stick and a Daiwa SS Tournament spinning reel. Now if you want something that'll actually be enjoyable to fish with, you need to be a little more flexible on the durability.

Durability (like all features) comes at a price, and that price is often sensitivity and weight.

[Mike Nenon]

Thanks for the quick contribution to the thread! You did pick the most durable rod and reel in your opinion,cut I actually miss stated how durable I wanted.....I just don't want a rod that will cause me trouble, unless it is my fault. I don't want the guides to break because a fish hits the bait aggressively. I don't want the rod to snap when pulling it out of thin brush, or when a 20lb fish comes on the line. I want a DEPENDABLE rod, not a brick of a rod haha. I do want some sensitivity, and less weight, but I also want a durable rod. It seems like an oxymoron, but what are some rods that you think are great all around. This is why I am leaning towards the shimano compre, since it has a great backbone, but because of this backbone it has only decent sensitivity and will last awhile, especially with the shimano warranty. I have been reading (http://www.tackletour.com/reviewshimanocompre.html) some stuff and the compre seems like a great rod. I am now down to specifics, such as the balance of the compre with a 3000 size reel on it (wavespin dh 3000z)? How do you compare the crucial and compre to each other for the fishing I will mostly be doing(mostly flicking the senko worms, but I will probably end up using jigs,jerk baits,swim baits, spinner bait, and tube haha)? I know th crucial is more sensitive, but has notably less backbone, which is one main thing I need. A strong backbone.

Thanks again,

Mike

[Michael DiNardo]

St. Croix Premiere and any spinning reel you want. i think spinning reels are waaaay overpriced and besides being lighter I don't see how they are better. The spool is stationary an expensive one can't help you cast farther. oops I forgot about the triple platinum-gold plated cryogenically hardened spool lip. But seriously a St. Croix Premiere is probably a good mix of durability and quality.

Mike

[Stasher1]

The Premier is a good choice, as is the Compre. If you're looking for a deal on a Compre, there's a 6'6" model in the Flea Market for a good price. The seller is a good guy, and if he says it's in great condition, it is.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/99891-fs-shimano-compre-2pc-66-mf-spinning-rod/

[Jake P]

Hands down without a doubt a Shimano Symetre 2500 FD and a Shimano Crucial 7 M/F rod. Compre is a very nice rod too but the crucial is THE BOMB. If money was not an issue i would have a boat full of them!

[thehooligan]

Id go with my exact setup, lol. 6'3 medium fenwick smallmouth elite tech paired with a 2500 ci4. Super light and very versatile. Look around, you can find that rod for under $100 shipped on amazon, and a ci4 on ebay in the $150-170 range.

Cant go wrong with the stradic 1000 fj or ci4 1000/2500, paired with dobyns, fenwicks, or st croix's.

[Stasher1]

Hands down without a doubt a Shimano Symetre 2500 FD and a Shimano Crucial 7 M/F rod. Compre is a very nice rod too but the crucial is THE BOMB. If money was not an issue i would have a boat full of them!

I found the previous generation M/F Crucial spinning rod to be very underpowered and too light to cast anything over 3/8 oz without feeling like I was overloading it. I haven't tried the current model, though.

[Mike Nenon]

I have been looking in the flea market and skey44 (trusted seller) has a cumara up for $140! Seems like a good mix between the compre and the crucial. Am I right?

[Jake P]

Never fished a Cumara but i have never heard anything bad about them. For 140$ you might oughta grab it!

[unionman]

If you want your dream rod....get a St. Croix.

[jtesch]

I've fished with the wave spin a couple of times and I hate it. I think it's just a gimmick reel at best. I just got a Daiwa Aird as a throw in the truck reel and for 80 bucks it's a great reel but a Shimano in the 100 dollar range is your best bet. As for a rod I have a couple of Crucials and they are awsome rods. I also have St. Croix Rage, Avid, and Legend tourny and I'll take the Crucial over all of them. Don't get me wrong the Croixs are great rods but the Shimano's are in a class all there own for bang for your buck. Back to the Wave reel, Don't do it. The spool cuts casting distance and the reel has a knack for getting the line caught under the spool which is my pet peave in spinning reels. I know it happens but the Wave was way worse at it than any other reel I've fished. Just a thought, the Daiwa tournament ss reel will last you 20 years if you can handle the worm drive system in it.