Buying New Baitcast Setups

[Cody0707]

I am wanting to by 2 new setups. I have a budget of $400 for both. I would like them to be able to fish everything except for the finesse fishing that I will be doing with a spinning setup.

Which rods do you recommend?

Which reels do you recommend?

Pound test for each setup?

If possible I would like to keep it on the lower side of the budget so I can upgrade my spinning setup as well.

[tomustang]

I suggest looking used so you get more bang for your buck.

[smalljaw67]

That is a little vague, you basically have $200 per outfit and there are a lot of good choices but you need to point out things like prefered length, and maybe even brands that you would consider as there are some who have brands they don't even consider. I can tell you though that you are going to get an all purpose type set up and a cranking set up, it is just how it is when you want to be able to do a little oferverything effectively.

[Bair]

A good utility BC rod for me would be a 7'2 Shimano Clarus in MH with a Shimano Curado with a higher gear ratio(6.4-7.0). It was my first bait-casting set up and I still use it religiously. That rod is a Jig/Worm rod but can pretty much do a lot of the spectrum. The rod runs from $70-$100, just depends on how well you do your shopping and for the Curado, find one used. I would avoid the hassle of a brand new reel.

[Capt.Bob]

Yo don't get much new for 200, I would add one at a time and have a setup that would last most casual fisherman a life time even pro's if they didn't abuse them. I would buy an St' Sroix Avid in a AVC70MF or AVC70MM more of a cranckbait spinnerbait rod, but very light sensative and good backbone, and a Lews Tounament Pro 6.4:1 for a general all aroung gear ratio, about $330.00 and will do a good job of a general purpoe outfit,

[outdoorsman110]

Ardent Edge Inshore Pro on a Gl2.

[Cody0707]

I don't understand how you all are saying $200 per setup is not enough. A Mojo bass rod is $100. Then a BPS Pro Qualifier is another $100. Is this not a good setup? Or would it still be better to get my spinner bait, jerkbait rod first then save for a crank bait rod? I say that order because I don't use crank baits as much.

[smalljaw67]

I don't understand how you all are saying $200 per setup is not enough. A Mojo bass rod is $100. Then a BPS Pro Qualifier is another $100. Is this not a good setup? Or would it still be better to get my spinner bait, jerkbait rod first then save for a crank bait rod? I say that order because I don't use crank baits as much.

Some anglers prefer more refined gear. I often say that a Quantum Kinetic, Accurist, Shimano Citica, Lews Speed spool can all be had for $100 and they are what I call "work horse reels". That means they do what you need them to do effectively and will last but they lack the creature comforts of more expensive offerings. Some of those comforts are advanced braking systems, better bearings which makes for a smoother reel overall, bearing supported knobs that again offer a more smooth and refined feel. The best way to put it is going to a car dealer and you can buy the plain jane no option truck that will tow your boat and get you around just as well as any other, or you can pay more money and get the truck with 4 doors, alloy wheels, premier sound system and a fancy paint job. Now don't take that the wrong way because out of those trucks, even the plain jane has to have a tow package with a tranny or oil cooler and a tow/haul mode and that is like bass fishing reels, any less than the typical work horse reel and you end up with the budget reel that will still get the job done but it will wear out pretty quick if you use it more than just a day or two a month. Is there a difference in performance between a normal 100 dollar casting reel versus a Steez? Yes but how much more? The answer is different, some need that refined feel and anything less doesn't give them confidence while others will say that it isn't enough to justify the price and both answers would be true, it just depends on the angler. I have some high end gear but most of my tackle is what I call mid tier level, rods in the $100 to $250 range and reels in the $120 to $270 range and that is what works for me so yes, $200 per set up like a PQ and mojo is a good set up but for some it doesn't have quite enough in the way of refined performance.

[Michael DiNardo]

Sure some anglers like more refined gear. But, if someone is asking what they should buy without any qualifiers, then they have no business spending over $200 per outfit. Seriously, you can't get much of an outfit for $200???? C'mon stop teasing. : )

Mike

[guest]

Right now you can pick up a Revo S for $99 from TW and a veritas rod for $99.95. If you purchase them before June 30th you get a 25$ mail in rebate off the combo. That is a killer $175 combo.

If you are buying two setups, make sure you get two that cover a wide range of fishing styles. A flipping stick can double as a punching setup, frog rod, and small swimbait rod, it will not be perfect for all these techniques but it will most likely be able to get the job done. A 7' MH fast action rod will cover worming, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, etc.

The favorite rod and reel in my arsenal are not the most expensive in my arsenal.

[Cody0707]

What I am trying to do is fill the 3 basic setups that Roadwarrior has posted a few times:

#1 6 1/2' or 7' MH baitcaster for jigs, some soft plastics and spinnerbaits

#2 6 1/2' or 7' MM baitcaster for treble hook lures

#3 7' MF spinning rod for lighter lures and a variety of techniques

With this $400 I would like to get 1 and 2 completed. If you think it would be worth it to spend more money on just one setup then I would rather it be for rig #1.

[guest]

That generic three rod choice does not work everywhere. Down in South Louisiana you would be much better off taking #3 off the list and adding a long, heavy slop rod.

If you do not have any baitcasting combos, don't spend $400 on one combo. Buy two/three combos that will cover a wide range of applications that are useful in areas that you fish.

Decent budget rods:

Powell Diesel for cranking

Veritas, BPS Carbonlite, Powell endurance (discounted at TW) for worming/jigging

Decent budget reels:

Daiwa exceller

BPS pro-q

AG Orra SX

AG Revo S

Okuma alumina (discontinued, check ebay for bnib)

Citica

[Capt.Bob]

I said a St. Croix Avid because I think that is as inexpensive rod as you can get and call it a refined setup, the other options to get into the same quality rod from other makers with a lifetime warranty is about the same $150.00 to $180.00. It is not sensible to spend $100.00 or more to save a little and have a rod that in 1 to 5 years later can get broke and it is just a throw away. plus when you want to sell it and buy a top of the line rod like a Legend Elite ( as smalljaws67 put get the big engine with all the options model) You wont get half what you paid out of the no name premium rod. or the entry level cheapest rod from the same maker. The mojo in a couple years wont recoup half the original cost.The Avid will get most of your original price back, You get better guides reel seat a lighter more sensitive rod, simply more bang for the buck. If you are happy with it and ever break it it gets replaced no cost!! win win

Same as with the reel you get a Tournament Pro or Curado and it will be a better longer lasting reel than the less expensive Speed Spool or the cheaper Shimano's. I like the Lews after buying one, when I sold the three Curados and Castiac I had I got almost all my inital investment back, I believe I sold my Curado 200B for more than I paid for it. BANG FOR THE BUCK! If you ask the best for any one of those purposes, I would have said Legend Elite and Shimano CTE100DC or CTE200DC, to go first class with all the so called options that would be well over $850.00 to m$950.00 so for $300.00 to $350.00 you are getting the best bang for your buck not the best product available.

[Chris at Tech]

In this price range, Bass Pro combos are hard to beat. Here are some options. And as a bonus, BPS combos go on sale quite a bit:

http://www.basspro.com/Abu-Garcia-Revo-S-LowProfile-Reel/Bass-Pro-Shops-XPS-Extreme-Trigger-Rod-Baitcast-Combos/product/11100805013016/280156

http://www.basspro.com/Abu-Garcia-Revo-S-LowProfile-Reel/Bass-Pro-Shops-CarbonLite-Rod-Baitcast-Combos/product/10205079/92207

http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Johnny-Morris-CarbonLite-Reel-and-Original-Trigger-Rod-Baitcast-Combos/product/11100205014416/274258

Alternatively, you can also get a few BPS Pro Qualifiers, which often go on sale for ~$80, and pick your favorite rod in the remaining price range.

[hatrix]

For a good cheap rod you can get a Shimano Convergence for easily under $100. I don't know what they really cost but I bought one on sale for $40 and it's a lifetime warranty I think. I have the same rod but in the Crucial line and really I would just buy more Convergence. I can flip flop between them both and I still catch the same amount of fish no matter what rod I use. They also have a up locking reel seat so you don't rub your finger on the threads. It also will look nice on a black reel like a PQ or Lew's.

[MediumHeavy]

I'd look at the Powell Diesel series rods and scour the flea market or inernet for Shimano Citica 200E series reels.