Spinning Reel/rod

[Bassfisherman94]

I am wanting to get a new spinning rod and reel. I use it for flukes, shakey heads, dropshots, pretty much anything finesse. I am wanting to try a new brand. I have been using Quantum for the past couple of years and my rod and reel right now have been giving me trouble. Has anyone tried the Lew's spinning reels? My budget would be under $150 for a reel and under $150 for a rod. Thanks for the help!

 

 

[NorcalBassin]

You're going to have a lot of really good options in that price range. I'm going to mix up your ratio and just go with the $300 total. My recommendation for an all-purpose rod would be a G Loomis SJR782, 783 or 843 teamed up with a Shimano Symetre 2500. TheHookUpTackle has some of the "rep" IMX rods left on sale @$205/$210 and the new version of the Symetre with X-Ship is just $99 and plenty of a reel for your needs. Best of luck with your search!

[Teal]

You can go on ebay and get a stradic FJ shipped for less than 140. Definitly worth it.

I love Lews Casting reels but its hard to bat shimano Spinning reels.

As for spinning rods, theres alot of good option in the 125-150 range.

[flyfisher]

I currently am using a st croix rage 6'8" MXF paired with a Stradic FH for the exact presentations you mentioned and have been very pleased with the combo.

[Capt.Bob]

I agree with TeaI, I would go with a Shimano FJ series for under $150.00 online, I would get the Shimano 1000FJ, but if you want the extra drag tension (not needed for your application) or more line capacity you can get the larger 2500FJ but that would be the only reel I looked at if I was spending more that $75.00.

 

Like flyfisher said, a good St. Croix in MXF or MLXF at 6'8" to 7' would be great!! For the rod,,,, well I only buy St. Croixs after over 50 years fishing them all I think the make the best rod's on the planet, and have a series to match any price range, if you watch you can snag a 6'10" MLXF or 7' MF Avid both would be great for around your $150.00 limit.

 

I sent you a PM.  

[JunkYard814]

I just bought a St Croix Legend Tournament and paired it with a Pflueger President (kind of a large gab between rod and reel price) but I haven't gotten to fish it yet. I've heard a lot of good things about the St. Croix Avid though. 

[jchez444]

ive used alot of reels in that range and lower and this year i finally saved abit more and got a denali rosewood shakeyhead rod and paired it with a stradic ci42500. completely love this combo, im actually selling my falcon t7cara spinning rod and pflugeur supreme xt newer black and gold one and get the exact same setup.

[jerzeeD]

If you have 300 dollars total budget on a finesse spinning combo, I would spend more on the rod than on the reel. I would go with a 6'8" M/XF St Croix Avid ($180) and pair it with a Pflueger Purist or Supreme reel ($80 for the Purist, $100 for the Supreme.)

[lmbfisherman]

You're going to have a lot of really good options in that price range. I'm going to mix up your ratio and just go with the $300 total. My recommendation for an all-purpose rod would be a G Loomis SJR782, 783 or 843 teamed up with a Shimano Symetre 2500. TheHookUpTackle has some of the "rep" IMX rods left on sale @$205/$210 and the new version of the Symetre with X-Ship is just $99 and plenty of a reel for your needs. Best of luck with your search!

You can also find the older version of the Symetre on clearance too, so you can stay under your budget further.

[Darren.]

I am wanting to get a new spinning rod and reel. I use it for flukes, shakey heads, dropshots, pretty much anything finesse. I am wanting to try a new brand. I have been using Quantum for the past couple of years and my rod and reel right now have been giving me trouble. Has anyone tried the Lew's spinning reels? My budget would be under $150 for a reel and under $150 for a rod. Thanks for the help!

 

Plenty of good recommendations. Shimano is hard to beat for quality spinning reels. I own two Stradic FI reels, they're excellent. But I've also become a HUGE fan of Daiwa's Lexa spinning (and casting) reels. For the money, they are incredibly smooth, and in your budget. Try to get your hands on one at a Bass Pro so you can compare reels side-by-side.

 

As for rods, take your pick. Many available in your price range. St. Croix, Shimano, Abu, etc. I will probably buy Croix rods from here on, but I own Shimano Compre's and really like them. Hard to go wrong with Shimano's lifetime warranty on most of their rods.

 

St. Croix Avid would be my choice, and if you buy a Lexa for $115 via ebay, your budget will allow you to buy a $180 Avid. Well worth the money, IMHO. A MXF 6'6" or 6'8" will be a formidably sensitive rod.

[new2BC4bass]

Give the Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth 6'9" ML Fast, 4-10#, 1/16-5/8 oz. a serious look. I have a couple of the casting models and plan on getting another couple.  Great rods for the price.

[Silas]

Great suggestions on rods and reels.  Since you asked for opinions on Braid, I have one.

 

I'm currently trying the Sunline SX-1 Braid on 2 of my spinning reels.  The 12#.  About $20 for 125 yards, or $35 for 250.   By using the method mentioned on the forum of filling the reel first with cheap mono, then cast out, and double that.....cut it off and  top off spool with the braid.....I've gotten 2 reels done and will do another.  So, it's not so expensive that way.

 

And, more importantly, I find it casts smoothly, effortlessly, and has NO problems at all.  I'm very pleased.  I use a 7# Sunline Biwako FC leader.

[mjseverson24]

$300.00 on a spinning rod and reel... well personally you can get some very quality gear for quite a bit less than $300.00. for a rod and reel combo that is In your budget I would go with either the 6' 10" M or the 6'8" M in the st croix legend tournament bass, this is $250.00 and for a reel a pflueger president for $60.00. the pfluegers have some of the best drag systems on any spinning reel i have ever used, and for the techniques you are wanting to use that is the most important thing, they also have 10 bearings so they operate very smooth. I would not spend that much on a spinning set up if it were me, I would go with a combo about $150.00 and it owuld be a st croix mojo bass 6' 9" ML for $100 with that same pflueger reel. JMO

 

Mitch

[pkpence]

Guys,

 

I was excited to find this topic, as I am in the market. I just want to say that I appreciate the input from all of you guys, and it makes decisions a lot easier, and gives me more confidence in certain items that I have no experience with. Thanks!