Question About Rods And Reels.

[CiMo]

First and foremost, Hi my name is Preston. I am new to bass fishing. I would like some advice on a good rod and reel ( hopefully 2 set ups ) I will have roughly 250$ to spend ( at academy sports due to taking stuff back ) what I want is a good baitcaster and rod with some good back bone i suppose because it may be used for every lure, bait anything I gpt really. I was told I need a light set up as well maybe spinning rod for rooster tails senkos, soft baits ect. Just curious if anyone could tell me some good items to buy for my price range. Maybe even some tips on lures and such. I'll be fishing in good ole Lake Heartwell in S.C from the shores mostly.

Thanks,

Preston.

[JeziHogg]

Hello and welcome, honestly for $250 id buy one combo - You can get some decent quality stuff for that price range. For starters there are a lot of good rods for $99 retail, such as the Abu Garcia Veritas and St Croix Mojo Bass (St Croix all the way!) and a good starting bait casting reel is the new Gen 3 Revo S for about $120 (It matches really nice with the Veritas)

[JeziHogg]

Almost forgot to mention, if you spend $70+ dollars on Abu Garcia stuff you get a $25 mail in rebate and you can also get an Abu Garcia sweater for $9.95 mail in.

[CiMo]

Wouldn't that leave me stuck without having something for lighter lures though? Or would that be able to cast my rosster tails ect as well?

[ww2farmer]

If you want a casting outfit, on your budget, personally I would buy this:

 

Shimano Citica.............about $130

 

St Croix Mojo 7' M/F rod..........about $100

 

That set up is about as "all purpose" as it gets for casting, and is well made gear that will last you. Save your money for a second combo. Better to have less, when the "less" is better quality. Buy once and be done with it IMHO.

 

But, if your worried about casting lighter lures, go with spinning first, in that case: 

 

Shimano Sahara 2500..........$70ish

 

St Croix Mojo 6'8" M/XF...........$100.

 

If it were me I would get the spinning set up first.

[JunkYard814]

First off, welcome to the forum. If I were you,  I would go with a lighter set-up and a MH set up. 

 

My light set up would be: Berkley Amp Medium XFast (around $25) paired with a Pflueger President (between $40-60)

 

My heavier set up would be: Berkley Lightning rod MH Fast (around $40). That would leave you somewhere around $125 for a reel. If it's going to be a casting reel I would look at either a Shimano Citica or try to see if you can find a Lew's Tournament Pro in the $125 range. If it's going to be a spinning set-up, I would get another Pflueger President and split the remaining money upgrading the rods. 

 

I think those would  be perfect starting set-ups. Not sure if you can get that at Academy, but that's what I would buy with that budget. 

[CiMo]

So should I stay away from the garcia reels like , silver max, black max, pro max or the orra as or sx-hs? I been lookin at those because of the price range and have been told I'd be better off having at least 2 set ups.

[JunkYard814]

I've never used any of the max series or any Abu reel for that matter. Many people on here like them, so hopefully they will chime in. Personally, I found there to be a significant drop off once casting reels get below the $100 mark. Plus a nice casting reel makes fishing a lot more fun. 

[Blues19]

I would go with the H2O Mettle baitcast reel and Pfleuger President Spinning reel for the two reels. both are $50.  For the President I would probably go with the 2000 size if possible. That can throw your smaller things as well as some medium sized baits like shakey heads.  For rods I would look at the Abu Garcia Vendetta rods. I would go with a M or ML for the spinning while I would go MH for baitcaster

[Jrob78]

The main thing I would recommend when buying a casting reel is to get one with an aluminum frame.  In my experience, graphite framed reels, (Black Max, Silver Max, Pro Max, Shimano Caenan, various Pinnacles...etc) won't last as long as one with an aluminum frame.  I would get one combo now, casting or spinning, and save up for another later.  Spending $250 on one combo will be cheaper in the long run because you won't have to replace it as quickly.  Buy decent quality gear from the start instead of cheaper gear that you won't be happy with in a year. 

[PondBoss]

You can't go wrong with H2O Mettle reels and Ethos rods.  If you are wanting a spinning outfit the new H2O spinning reels are really nice too.  All in all for the price you can't beat any of the H2O products.

[EvanT123]

I would focus the majority of my funds on the baitcasting combo. Like was said above a berkley shock rod or even cherry wood paired with a pflueger prez/abu garcia cardinal/shimano or daiwa in the $40-50 dollar range would be a good start for finesse. That would probably set you back around $70-80 bucks.

I would also recommend doing a search on the forum here for 100 dollar rods. There have been many and I mean many discussions on the topic. Personally I would look at the shimano compre, powell desiel and st.croix mojo. The 7''m/f mojo that farmer mention above is a real nice rod and is very versitale. As for reels I would look to ebay and see if I can find a nib revo s gen 2 or a used citica d/e series. I only say focus the funds on the baitcasting combo because basically anybody can cast a spinning reel; it is going to take practice and patience to cast a baitcaster (I'm assuming you don't have alot I'd experience in that arena) and a better quality rod and reel with make the learning curve easier.

[new2BC4bass]

I have to agree with PondBoss & ataris41 given the amount of money you have to spend and that you need to spend it at Academy.  You might want to also consider the Hurricane Calico Jack rods.  At least one guy on here highly recommends them in their price range.  The President 6920 is $10 off, but if you go with that reel, I would be using 10# braid on it.  Personally I would consider the next size up to be a more versatile bass reel.

 

Even with these selections, by the time you buy a spinning and baitcasting rod and a reel for both, pay tax on them,. you aren't going to have any money left for line.  Unless you wait for their Rod and Reel Riot Sales.  Of course, doing that means you won't be fishing for awhile.

[SirSnookalot]

My first consideration would be looking at your fishing conditions, is it open water, heavily vegetated and how much top slime accumulates on the water.  As mentioned I would probably start off with one outfit, for me spinning rules. I use a med 7' inshore rod 8/17 3/8-3/4 oz, but I use pretty much any weight lures I choose with no problem, size 35 (@ 8.8 oz  the reel matches the rod near perfect), 15# braided line, MSRP $160 with out the line. I can fish for hours with no fatigue, plenty of hook setting power and handling the fish isn't a concern.  I've been using this outfit 3-4 years with but a drop of oil every now and then,service never required.  If interested pm me, I tell you what I use.

[Ima Bass Ninja]

You can't go wrong with H2O Mettle reels and Ethos rods. If you are wanting a spinning outfit the new H2O spinning reels are really nice too. All in all for the price you can't beat any of the H2O products.

X2 on this. H20 is some good stuff!!

[TNBassin']

Abu Revo S and a Veritas 7'MH micro guide rod is the way to go. 

[lmbfisherman]

I would definitely go for a baitcaster combo first.  I agree you should spend on one combo..... get one of the following reels:  BPS Pro Qualifier and Shimano Citica. 

 

As for the rod in my experience you can get any 7' M or MH/F.  They would be the most versatile all purpose rod for length/power/action.  These are the rods you could buy: 

 

Avid (you can find used for 100, if you get this one I'd recommend getting a M), Crucial (MH/F..depending if you like cork or not, the cork version can be found in local shops as clearance items, but newer one is around 150).  Although I haven't fished it yet, I'd recommend a Fenwick Aetos.  I bought a 7'6" H/F one this year over a Cumara, it has very good components and can be found for 150.  I bought mine for 135, Just the components alone it feels like it should be a 200+ priced rod. 

[mjseverson24]

since you are just starting out, I would suggest getting as many rods and reels that your budget will allow. with a budget like $250.00 I would suggest two combos for right about that $125 range. for a baitcvasting combo a 7' MH st. croix Triumph with a abu black max. this costs $120.00 for a spinning rod get the 7' ML st. croix triumph with a pflueger president in the mid size reel. This will cost $120.00. for a total combined of $240.00. thses are good rods decent reels but the ability to have two is key. You could even go with three rods two baitcasters and one spinnin if you want. the black max combos are $70.00 get one that is a 7'MH and 1 6'6" M that would cost 140.00 then get a berkley shock 7'6" ML with the pflueger president this costs $100.00. three rods and reels all in less than $250.00.

 

Mitch

[CiMo]

I'm so excited and overwhelmed all at the same time! My only draw back I believe is that this has to be spent at academy and I think a lot of people neglected the fact. Thank you all for your input though it is much appreciated, and always room for more suggestions before I go do my trade wed sometime. I'm torn between so many reels that I think I'd like being newer though I'd like user friendly which to me means magnetic break system vs centrifugal as I'm not sure how they really work or maybe they'd be the better choice! Sooooo many choices for reels... rods too I guess lol. Thanks again and more suggestions are welcome!

[nocluefisher]

Since you have to stay at academy, the lews baitcaster speed spool 7" mh combo is $99, and the pfleuger purist spinning 6"6 m combo is $99. That will leave you some money for line and tackle.