BaconStealer303 Posted January 20, 2013 Posted January 20, 2013 So here comes the 2013 Fishing season for Illinois. It's right around the corner. I'm going to purchase 1 bait casting combo for the season, and my limit is 300$, and in no way could I exceed that limit by very much. I've taken a lot of time looking at different set-ups. I've gone to Bass pro and tried holding some. The real thing is that I'm definitely not as experienced as you guys on here, so I wanted your opinions. Preferably I'm looking for high gear ratio reel , but If it's not in the cards I'll look elsewhere. And a 7ft rod is a must. This is what I've found- Bass Pro Shops® Johnny Morris® CarbonLite™ Reel and micro guide Rod Baitcast Combos (7:1:1 7ft MH) .... This is the first set-up I was recommended. I was told by an employee at BPS that it would exceed the performance of the KVD reel and rod I was looking at. It feels great in the hands but I've heard it's made cheaply and it is not durable. (200$) Bass Pro Shops® Johnny Morris® Signature Series Bass Caster Baitcast Reel/Signature Series II Trigger Rod Combos.(7:1:1 7'2" MH).... I saw this on BPS website and it has great reviews. I know it's going to be a little heavier than the carbonlite but it seems solid. (260$) THESE REELS---PFlueger Patriarch(200$0/ Abu Garcia Revo-S(130$0/ Shimano Chronarch(200$), and then both Johnny morris reels(130/150$). Paired WITH Element 21 Carrot Stix® Wild Black Casting Rods(140$)/ Johhny Morris signature series rod(100$)/Johnny morris Carbonlite rod(120). This is what I've found. The reels that are in the 3rd bullet point seem really solid. There are hundreds of setups out there, please tell me what you think of these and others that would be better if they are not on here. I put a lot of time into making this so I would be really grateful for some helpful responses. Thanks so much, -Austin Quote
Super User Teal Posted January 20, 2013 Super User Posted January 20, 2013 The following rods are simply awesome at their price point of 139 - 169 Dobyns Savy, Ducket rods, Powell, The following reels are really good for their price as well. Lews Tournament, Shimano Citaca, Revo S. If you look on TW you can find alot of these on sale. I would also search ebay. 300 is a great budget for a combo. Any of the above combinations make an awesome combo. Quote
Flywatersmallie Posted January 20, 2013 Posted January 20, 2013 Dobyns Savvy 703 or 704 depending on your intended techniques. If you want a general purpose rod, go with the 704, the 703 is a little soft for jigs etc. as far as a reel, Lews Tournament in your choice of retrieve speed. You will have a nice, well balanced rig with enough money left for line and perhaps a lure or 2. 1 Quote
BaconStealer303 Posted January 20, 2013 Author Posted January 20, 2013 Thanks so much guys, I'll definitely look into those! Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted January 20, 2013 Super User Posted January 20, 2013 Pinnacle Perfecta: DHC5-701CAMH Medium Heavy/Casting Shimano Curado 50E7 The rod is $160 and the reel can be found for ~$125-$135 Quote
Super User jbsoonerfan Posted January 20, 2013 Super User Posted January 20, 2013 Shimano Crucial 7'2" MH Shimano Citica 200 G7 Quote
upnorthbassin Posted January 20, 2013 Posted January 20, 2013 If I had to spend $300 on a setup I would get a Lews Tourney Pro and a St Croix Avid rod. MSRP on these together is over $300 but I recently bought a new Lew's Tourney Pro online for $130 w/ free shipping so deals are out there. the St Croix MH rods are somewhat heavy so depending on what you want to use it for you might want to consider the medium versus medium heavy. Quote
GOOCHY Posted January 20, 2013 Posted January 20, 2013 My plan is to put together a Lew's Tourney Pro and a Powell Max Square Bill rod for shallow cranking this Spring. 1 Quote
JunkYard814 Posted January 20, 2013 Posted January 20, 2013 I was going to say the same as upnorth, but with the Lew's Tournament Speed Spool. Quote
JunkYard814 Posted January 20, 2013 Posted January 20, 2013 Also, check out the St. Croix bargain room. They have some crazy deals in there and you get probably put together a set-up worth closer to $500 for a little less than $300 Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted January 20, 2013 Super User Posted January 20, 2013 Here ya go: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/110991-stcroix-avids/ Quote
Super User deep Posted January 20, 2013 Super User Posted January 20, 2013 OP, are you limited to buying from BPS only? Quote
BaconStealer303 Posted January 20, 2013 Author Posted January 20, 2013 Looked into the Lew's reel. It looks pretty nice I'll check out the rods soon. Thank you so much everybody, Austin And nope, I just enjoy buying from them. I'm open to buy from any store. Quote
Arv Posted January 20, 2013 Posted January 20, 2013 Powell Endurance, Phenix M1 or Recon for rods. Shimano Citica, Abu Garcia Revo S, BPS PQ for reels. Quote
Super User LgMouthGambler Posted January 21, 2013 Super User Posted January 21, 2013 Chronarch E $199.95, Compre $99.95. Does it get any closer or perfect? No it doesnt. Quote
Super User rockchalk06 Posted January 21, 2013 Super User Posted January 21, 2013 Here is my input. Grab a 130 dollar new Revo S and pair it with a 100 dollar Veritas. Save the 70 dollars and buy 70 dollars worth of Strike King Rage Craws, NSCB jigs and spinner baits!!!! Quote
Super User MCS Posted January 21, 2013 Super User Posted January 21, 2013 Rockchalk is pretty much right. Spend around a 100 on a rod and 130-150 on a reel and it will be more than enough for the average fisherman. Carbonlites are great rods, there are a few on here that own them and like them alot. For $100 bucks they probably out perform half the other rods mentioned. Pair it with light wieght reel and you are good to go. Quote
Diggy Posted January 21, 2013 Posted January 21, 2013 You could just get a bps combo during the classic and end up with 2 if you felt like splurging examples this new is 200 http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Johnny-Morris-CarbonLite-Reel-and-Micro-Guide-Trigger-Rod-Baitcast-Combos/product/95697502/ http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Pro-Qualifier-Reel/CarbonLite-Trigger-Rod-Baitcast-Combos/product/12041705055310/ 160 during the classic, prices a droppin, savings a growing or match a rod n reel during the trade in and save Quote
BaconStealer303 Posted January 21, 2013 Author Posted January 21, 2013 Thanks again guys, i have a lot of choices now! I'll start some researching, and i have more than enough lures! , i have to pick up a new tackle bag too haha. Quote
Super User *Hootie Posted January 21, 2013 Super User Posted January 21, 2013 Chronarch E $199.95, Compre $99.95. Does it get any closer or perfect? No it doesnt. .ob·ses·sion (b-sshn, b-) n. 1. Compulsive preoccupation with a fixed idea. 2. A compulsive, often unreasonable idea or emotion.....lol Hootie Quote
Addicted to Smallies Posted January 21, 2013 Posted January 21, 2013 Here is my input. Grab a 130 dollar new Revo S and pair it with a 100 dollar Veritas. +1 I absolutely love my Revo S and Veritas rod, and actually prefer the new Revo S to some of my more expensive reels. Quote
bassinbrian Posted January 21, 2013 Posted January 21, 2013 .ob·ses·sion (b-sshn, b-) n. 1. Compulsive preoccupation with a fixed idea. 2. A compulsive, often unreasonable idea or emotion.....lol Hootie Quote
Super User J Francho Posted January 21, 2013 Super User Posted January 21, 2013 Daiwa Lexa and a Saint Croix Avid. Quote
Fishin24/7 Posted January 21, 2013 Posted January 21, 2013 Like some others have said I really love my abu Garcia veritas and revo s combo, I have yet to find anything better for under$300. I personally wouldn't recommend the dobyns savvy series, I think they use cheap cork and it has almost no sensitivety. Quote
BaconStealer303 Posted January 21, 2013 Author Posted January 21, 2013 Is the lew's tournament pro speed spool a better buy than the tournament speed spool? It seems like its just a little extra weight. And also with all of these rod choices, are they all going to be very light? Quote
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