Good Combos For Cheap

[BigOnFishin]

What are some rod and reel combos that you would recommend. I have an Abu Garcia ProMax combo, 7.1:1, Medium Heavy 24 ton Graphite rod. Im looking for rods and reels that ARE NOT 200-300 dollars. Also, what types of combinations would you use for certain techniques? (cranking, carolina rigging, frog, pitching and flipping, swimbait, spinnerbaits, jigs)

[Hanover_Yakker]

Skip technique specific rods and stick with three rods total to get you started.  Here's what I would go with:

 

1 - MH XFast casting combo (which you might have) for skirted jig-n-craws, frogs, carolina rigs. Spooled with 15-17lb flouro or 20-30lb. braid

1 - M F casting combo for lipless cranks, spinnerbaits, square bills, larger top water walking baits.  Spooled with 12-15lb. flouro.

1 - M/XF spinning combo for senkos, weightless flukes, shakey heads, small top waters like Zara Pups or Rebel Pop-Rs. Spooled with 8-10lb. flouro.

 

Keep it simple.

[Diggy]

Posting a max budget would be a better idea for answers imo, then we go from there.

 

example of what you may want..

 

Inexpensive/quality combo from academy: h20 mettle reel(50 bucks) ethos rod 50-60 dollars= 110 total

 

BPS has a combo for 70 dollars at the moment (bionic plus)

 

 

video of the academy combo for eye candy purposes

 

[Snakehead Whisperer]

I do a lot of backwater fishing in a canoe using inexpensive gear because I don't want to chance breaking/ruining it. Usually I will carry these combos...

 

-BPS Pro Qualifier 7.1:1 reel ($99 retail) with a BPS Graphite Series 7' MH rod ($40 retail) - this is my power fishing/frogging/pitching/worm setup

 $140 total

 

-Abu Garcia Ambassadeur C3 5.3:1 reel ($95 retail) and Berkeley Lightning Rod 7' M ($40-50 retail) - crankbait rod

 $135 total 

 

-Pflueger President 6900 spinning reel 5.2:1 ($50 retail) and BPS Graphite Series 6'6" M ($40 retail) - finesse/small lures rod 

 $90 total

 

Like said earlier, a specific price range would help to narrow it down. I've found that these are the cheapest combos that I can effectively fish with. You might also want to check the classifieds here or on craigslist for some deals. BTW I would try to acquire some inexpensive gear, not cheap gear. You may just be wasting your hard earned money. You don't always get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get

[rabidsquirrel]

Craiglist, as others have said, is a good option - just pay attention for scams and price check everything. Deals can also be had on Ebay, but those are infrequent. 

[Arv]

BPS PQ/Carbonlite Combo. For 160 thats a great deal.

[Snakehead Whisperer]

BPS PQ/Carbonlite Combo. For 160 thats a great deal.

Yeah it is. 

[Arv]

M/M or MH/M, for cranks and topwaters. Power will depend on the depth, cover, etc. that you will be fishing.

 

MH/F-XF and H/F-XF for Jigs, T and C rigs, Spinners, etc. Just depends on how heavy lures you will be throwing.

 

Since you already have a MH rod you might consider getting a M/F-XF or ML/F-XF set up as well for lighter finesse styler presentations like drop shots, shakey heads, splitshot rigs, weightless plastics, etc.

[new2BC4bass]

New:  Like Diggy said...Academy rod and reel.  They get very good reviews.  No experience with them yet, but sure want to give them a try.  As previously stated, the Berkley Lightning or Lightning Shock.

 

My least expensive (but definitely not cheap) new outfit is a Berkley Lightning with Daiwa Procaster 100HN...total $47.  Purchased for my oldest grandson, but I'm the only to use it so far.  One of my more expensive (at retail) outfits cost me about $165...both new...retail about $430.  Reel was on sale, but rod was on closeout and saved about $225 on it.

 

The absolute best way to go inexpensive for quality products is to buy used or buy closeouts.

 

If you are seriously looking for an outfit right now, then give this rod some serious consideration....$69 + $18 shipping for a $230 rod.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/QUANTUM-SUPERLITE-PT-QTC6107F-610-HEAVY-BAITCAST-ROD-/310410629409?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4845ea5121

 

 

This seller also has some $120 Quantum rods selling for $49.

 

EDIT: The person who turned me onto this rod says its sensitivity is about the same as his IMX rod and is definitely a $200 rod.

[gallowaypt]

I have the academy ethos rod described above and like it very much for a $60 rod. It is nearly as sensitive as my veritas. As for the mettle reel that was on it, I cannot say the same. I mean it was a decent reel while it lasted (3 months).

[Muskrat_]

If you are seriously looking for an outfit right now, then give this rod some serious consideration....$69 + $18 shipping for a $230 rod.

 

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/QUANTUM-SUPERLITE-PT-QTC6107F-610-HEAVY-BAITCAST-ROD-/310410629409?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4845ea5121

 

 

I appreciate you posting this information. I bought this rod today ! Thanks !

[new2BC4bass]

If you are seriously looking for an outfit right now, then give this rod some serious consideration....$69 + $18 shipping for a $230 rod.

 

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/QUANTUM-SUPERLITE-PT-QTC6107F-610-HEAVY-BAITCAST-ROD-/310410629409?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4845ea5121

 

 

I appreciate you posting this information. I bought this rod today ! Thanks !

 

Welcome to the forum.  Glad it helped someone.  Won't have a chance to use mine for about another month, but have to say it is a nice looking rod.

[Muskrat_]

Welcome to the forum.  Glad it helped someone.  Won't have a chance to use mine for about another month, but have to say it is a nice looking rod.

 

Thanks friend. I noticed that rod was priced back at $229.00 with that same link now. I got quite a deal - thanks again.

[Flukeman]

I stopped at a DSG last night and noticed the had their Quantum combo's on sale from $59 to $89. I did not have time to handle any of them and do not own any of them, you would have to do your homework their. Abu makes combo's like the Silver Max and Black Max that some people on here have said they had good luck with. I think they are $89 to $109 combos. I was at the BPS Classic and they had the Bionic casting combo for $79. I did handle this combo and was surprised at how nice it was for that price point.

If you are young or just getting started and cash is an issue I am sure these combo's would serve you well until your situation changes. Do a search on this site for some of the above combo's and see what others experiences are.

[andamtoft]

I would look into the Diesel series by powell, the rods are fantastic. unfortunately the series is pretty limited but the models they do offer cover a wide variety of techniques. 

 

As far as the reel wait around here and be patient, great deals are often found 

[200racing]

normal price of bps pq plus free rod

http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Pro-Qualifier-Tournament-Rod-and-Reel-Baitcast-Combos/product/1210200646593/

 

-$10 compared to reel alone. so free rod and $10

http://www.basspro.com/Quantum-KVD-Signature-Series-Reel/Accurist-Rod-Baitcast-Combos/product/1211100657003/

[wisconsin heat]

normal price of bps pq plus free rod

http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Pro-Qualifier-Tournament-Rod-and-Reel-Baitcast-Combos/product/1210200646593/

 

-$10 compared to reel alone. so free rod and $10

http://www.basspro.com/Quantum-KVD-Signature-Series-Reel/Accurist-Rod-Baitcast-Combos/product/1211100657003/

that's a pretty good deal, PQ's are alot like revo's I hear. Other than that the shimano caius is 69.99 and is identical to the caenan (except breaking system is external on caius-not a bad thing) the caenan retails 89.99 both cast very well.