Any Better Suggestions?

[CiMo]

So I have figured my total credit at Academy to be between 198.99+tax or 256.99+tax refunded or store credit. The options I like so far are combos with a twist.

Abu Garcia - Pro Max combo with a 6'6 M rod

Abu Garcia - Blue Max combo with a 6'6 MH rod.

I though about these combos and putting the Pro Max Reel on the Blue Max MH rod, And the Blue Max reel on the M Pro Max Rod.

Any better suggestions? Since starting out I figure these would be some good choices, without breaking the bank and should still allow me to get a light spinning set up for lighter lures and baits. I was orginally wanting the silver max but academy doesn't have a combo for it that I seen.

So is this a good option or choice to make or could I do better just picking up the reels and rods seperate and buying or pairing another set up for spinning in that price range? I'd like a strong backbone rod for my prp max 7.1:1 with fast or extra fast action. Thanks.

[Quitlimpin]

I wouldn't pigeonhole myself into buying a "combo". I'd find the rod & reel I want and them pair em up. May cost you a few extra bucks but in the long run you'll be happier.

[CiMo]

Yeah I'm not sure which direction to go, maybe just one decent bait caster set up and a decent spinner set up willbe the best option, since I'm New with bait casting especially not sure jumping into the 125 $ reels would be the best idea just yet... but I was told I need a fast bait caster for burning spinners and such and a slower one as well... but that would probably leave me without anything for light lures like my rooster tails.

[Quitlimpin]

I'm not really much with spinning gear but sounds to me like you need an all purpose casting setup; ie 6._:1 reel with a 6'6" to 7' MH/F rod and then a spinning setup to compliment it.

[flyfisher]

If you are not set on getting two rods then i would go with a 7' MHF veritas (since you seem to like Abu) and a Revo S and you will have a great et up that can handle pretty much everything you want as the consensus is this type of set up is probably the most versatile.  Then save up some more cash and get another set up in the near future.  There is also a $25 rebate going right now if you buy an Abu rod and reel so that is always nice.

 

When i got back into fishing a few years back i went out and bought a few combos and before the summer was over i replaced them with more quality gear and was kicking myself for not listening to people telling me to just get a decent set up from the start. 

[Quitlimpin]

^^^I agree fully^^^^ I'd much rather have 1 setup that I love than 2-3 that I'm "ok" with.

[GoTakeANap]

If you are not set on getting two rods then i would go with a 7' MHF veritas (since you seem to like Abu) and a Revo S and you will have a great et up that can handle pretty much everything you want as the consensus is this type of set up is probably the most versatile.  Then save up some more cash and get another set up in the near future.  There is also a $25 rebate going right now if you buy an Abu rod and reel so that is always nice.

 

When i got back into fishing a few years back i went out and bought a few combos and before the summer was over i replaced them with more quality gear and was kicking myself for not listening to people telling me to just get a decent set up from the start. 

 

 

Agree 100%. I bought 2 baitcaster combo's last year and I hate them. I would buy a good rod and reel and pair them up. Combos like that are a waste of money IMO. Didnt see it this way at 1st, until I bought a Abu Garcia Revo STX.

[lmbfisherman]

I'm not really much with spinning gear but sounds to me like you need an all purpose casting setup; ie 6._:1 reel with a 6'6" to 7' MH/F rod and then a spinning setup to compliment it.

x2 I would recommend the same thing, get a 6 gear ratio.

[slonezp]

First off, most of the time the stores are selling combos, the rods are low end and heavy. My advice is to step up to a reel in the $100 range, like a Revo S or a Shimano Citica and match it up to a Veritas like others have suggested or my preference a Fenwick HMG in MH/F. That will give you a good quality combo for all around use 

[TNBassin']

Revo S and a Veritas can't be beat for a nice combo that wont break the bank.

[Hogsticker]

If you have 2 bills to spend I would look at the *** Black rods for 100 bucks, and spend the 2nd half on a reel of your liking. 

[CiMo]

Doesn't the revo s have centrifugal breaks though? I'm new to bait casters seems like a reel with magnetic breaks where I can just turn a knob would be easier for me to learn... or can someone point me in the right direction to learn the proper way to use centrifugal breaks?

[CiMo]

Okay at the risk of sounding stupid or more so than I already have, I know price isn't everything but would I be better off getting the garcia revo sx-hs and still using the veritas mh 7' rod? Or is there a better choice when spending that much money 159.99 for the revo sx-hs. The only reason I lean towards garcia is because everyone I know ( friends and family ) swear by them.. I am new so I have a lot to learn and don't want to make the wrong choice. I know a lot of you have spent years using them and prefer one brand or another.... I've yet to reach that point I just want something good for that price range. That will last me a good long while. Thanks for putting up with the new annoying guy!

[CiMo]

Ps. I will be leaving in a few hours to go get my new set up lol.

[TNBassin']

Doesn't the revo s have centrifugal breaks though? I'm new to bait casters seems like a reel with magnetic breaks where I can just turn a knob would be easier for me to learn... or can someone point me in the right direction to learn the proper way to use centrifugal breaks?

You want centrifugal brakes. Much more user friendly. Much more.

[CiMo]

You want centrifugal brakes. Much more user friendly. Much more.

so that would make the 130 $ revo s better than the revo sx-hs for breaks at le was st right?

[mjseverson24]

I would still suggest buying two rods for your budget. try using a dropshot on your 7' mh rod, or using a crankbait, or a weightless senko. then try using a hollow body frog. one rod cannot do all you want. two rods cant do all of this effectively but it can get a lot closer to it than one rod. as far as centrifigal breaking systems you still have the spool tension knob that can be used easily on the fly. Get two rods one 7'MH casting and 6'6" M spinning. you will not regret having more flexibility.  

 

Mitch

[TNBassin']

For general casting? IMO yes. I have the s, Sx, and stx and my sx gets used the least because it's not as user friendly and as forgiving as my s and stx. Mag brake only reels are harder to master imo, and they don't tolerate sloppy whip like casts like centrifugal or dual brake system reels. If you're new to baitcasters, you want centrifugal brakes or centrifugal and mag brakes like the stx. Mag brake reels are awesome for flipping and pitching though.

[CiMo]

Thanks for the tips ill be leaving shortly to go mske my swap out (s).