Need Advice On New Baitcasting Rod And Reel

[DanielSweeney]

So I got my first baitcaster this spring (Abu Black Maxx/Vengeance combo) with the thought that if I liked it, I would upgrade over the summer. Well, so far I've loved fishing it.  Next week I'm making my first trip to a Bass Pro Shop and was planning on making my upgrade purchase.  I've been online researching different brands, and thought I had settled on the Abu Revo S and Veritas.  I figured since I like the Black Max combo, it made sense to stick with Abu Garcia. 

 

My problem is that I've kept checking product reviews and forum threads, and now my head is spinning. 

 

Any suggestions for me to look at?  I'll mainly be throwing crankbaits, and topwater lures.  I've also just discovered jigs.  I'm looking to spend around $250 combined.  I'm hoping to get a few solid recommendations to give me an idea what to focus on.

 

Any suggestions are appreciated!

[TNBassin']

The Revo S/Veritas combo is great. I loved mine. I kept having issues with my Revo S though, with the last issue being that the brakes that you had turned off would turn themselves on during a cast and that would kill casting distance. I talked to an Abu rep and they are aware of the issue and claim that all reels that are at retail now have been fixed and the issue no longer persists. I got my S when they first came out. I believe it was the first week they became available, so the early ones always have little kinks in them that get worked out later, and according to Abu that is exactly the case. Like I said, that is a GREAT combo and it fishes amazing, and it's well worth the money. Just make sure you keep an eye on everything, and if any issues arise be sure to exchange it or contact Abu's customer service for help getting it fixed. 

[smalljaw67]

For $250 you can get a nice set up but there is one problem, you are discovering jigs and you want to fish crankbaits, that calls for 2 rods as jigs are at the opposite end in action for what you need to fish a crankbait. The best you will do to get close is to find a medium power fast action rod, it will be forgiving enough to fish cranks but still enough backbone for small jigs and texas rigs, and that is the problem, you will be limited in what you can throw weight wise with the medium. The other problem is you aren't going to get a medium Veritas that is forgiving enough for cranks, you will have to get the winch which is designed for cranks and not jigs and before others beat me up, I like abu garcia rods, I got a vendetta when they first came out and I really like it, and that being said the medium power in the "V" seris rods is too fast of an action for cranks.

[DanielSweeney]

Thanks for the replies guys.  I've been fishing for years, but was always just happy to get out and was more into the "mental-health" benefits than I was into catching the fish.  In the last year or so, I've been reading a lot more and trying a lot of different things so I can actually start catching some fish.  lol.  I obviously still have quite a bit to learn!

[livetofish28]

250 for a combo has a lot of options look at the St Croix mojo bass series this series is one of my favorites by them and the run from 100 to 130 I'd look at their jerkbait rod it handles jigs rather well and should work for cranks also and for a reel I'd look at the Lew's tournament mg for 124(outstanding reel my favorite) or a revo sx 159 both great reels

[DanielSweeney]

250 for a combo has a lot of options look at the St Croix mojo bass series this series is one of my favorites by them and the run from 100 to 130 I'd look at their jerkbait rod it handles jigs rather well and should work for cranks also and for a reel I'd look at the Lew's tournament mg for 124(outstanding reel my favorite) or a revo sx 159 both great reels

 

Thanks for the suggestion.  I'm definitely looking for a rod that is more of a jack-of-all-trades.  I don't have the cash for a setup for everything, and don't want to limit myself to trying new things because my rod can't handle it.  I'll check out the Mojo at the store.

[nocluefisher]

Unless you have gift cards fo not limit yourself to Bass Pro. You can find better deals on line usually, though you would not be able to handle them first. There are also some really good buys in the classifides here. Look at the great gear sell off thread.

[Arv]

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/119365-the-big-gear-sell-off-shimano-chronarchs-curados-crucials/

 

I'd snag the 7'2 MH/XF rod for your jigs. You can also use it for spinnerbaits, swim jigs, texas rigging and a lot of other things. Especially if you can toss treble hook presentations on your blackmax combo I would just get a set up that can do more than just cranks, top water, etc. They definitely require different rods. Also, if you are right handed, go ahead and snag either the G6 or G7.

 

If you don't decide to get one of those I would check out the Powell Endurance online at the fish ranger. I paired one of mine with a BPS PQ and I really like the combo. I'd recommend the 723c but the 703 and 704 are great rods as well

[Brackish Angler 228]

My opinions:

Stay away from the Revo SX unless you flip/pitch.  The solo mag brakes are terrible for casting.  Stay away from Abu rods.  In my experience the quality is sub-par.  The performance is there, just not for the money.  That said the S and STX are fine reels.  There are good deals on a few STXs in the Flea MArket section. 
 

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/119365-the-big-gear-sell-off-shimano-chronarchs-curados-crucials/

 

I'd snag the 7'2 MH/XF rod for your jigs. You can also use it for spinnerbaits, swim jigs, texas rigging and a lot of other things. Especially if you can toss treble hook presentations on your blackmax combo I would just get a set up that can do more than just cranks, top water, etc. They definitely require different rods. Also, if you are right handed, go ahead and snag either the G6 or G7.

 

If you don't decide to get one of those I would check out the Powell Endurance online at the fish ranger. I paired one of mine with a BPS PQ and I really like the combo. I'd recommend the 723c but the 703 and 704 are great rods as well

 

I wouldn't buy the rod Arv suggested.  The xf tip will work well for jigs and worms and that's it.  A fast tip will be more versatile for topwaters, spinners and shallow squarebills (very limited cranking).  I would buy that Chonarch 200e7 (7:1 not very good for cranking, though).  I bought the 50e from that same seller and the reel and jbsooner fan are amazing.

Can't help much on rods or brands other than I loved my 7' MH F Cashion before it broke on a 4lb... Amazing sensitivity but it had weakness problem and unresponsive customer support.  My temporary rod is a 6'6" MH F Falcon Bucoo Micro.  I would say it's a little softer than a fast taper, but that might be good for your application.  I fish spooks, wakebaits/ shallow cranks, and buzzbaits with it but mostly T-rigged worms.  I'd say it's sensitive, but way less so than my Cashion ($50 cheaper though).

 

My buddy is sponsored by Duckett rods and he loves the Micro Magics.  From what I've heard, their softer than advertised(ex. MH feels more like M) but really sensitive.  They might be something to look into if you want kind of a mix between a sensitive worm/jig rod and a semi-limber topwater rod.  I'd love to give you a first hand review, but I'm still waiting on my 7' MH Duckett Micro Magic.    

 

[Arv]

My opinions:

Stay away from the Revo SX unless you flip/pitch.  The solo mag brakes are terrible for casting.  Stay away from Abu rods.  In my experience the quality is sub-par.  The performance is there, just not for the money.  That said the S and STX are fine reels.  There are good deals on a few STXs in the Flea MArket section. 

 

 

 

I wouldn't buy the rod Arv suggested.  The xf tip will work well for jigs and worms and that's it.  A fast tip will be more versatile for topwaters, spinners and shallow squarebills (very limited cranking).  I would buy that Chonarch 200e7 (7:1 not very good for cranking, though).  I bought the 50e from that same seller and the reel and jbsooner fan are amazing.

Can't help much on rods or brands other than I loved my 7' MH F Cashion before it broke on a 4lb... Amazing sensitivity but it had weakness problem and unresponsive customer support.  My temporary rod is a 6'6" MH F Falcon Bucoo Micro.  I would say it's a little softer than a fast taper, but that might be good for your application.  I fish spooks, wakebaits/ shallow cranks, and buzzbaits with it but mostly T-rigged worms.  I'd say it's sensitive, but way less so than my Cashion ($50 cheaper though).

 

My buddy is sponsored by Duckett rods and he loves the Micro Magics.  From what I've heard, their softer than advertised(ex. MH feels more like M) but really sensitive.  They might be something to look into if you want kind of a mix between a sensitive worm/jig rod and a semi-limber topwater rod.  I'd love to give you a first hand review, but I'm still waiting on my 7' MH Duckett Micro Magic.    

Maybe I didn't make myself clear. I wasn't recommending the Shimano for the cranking purposes. I appologize if it sounds like I did. My intentions were to make the suggestion that, if he can throw treble hooks on his other set up then to get another combo for different applications. I would not recommend using an XF tip for treble hooks. I personally wouldn't use a F tip either. Just not my preference. I prefer a moderate tip when using trebles.

[DanielSweeney]

Thanks for all the replies!  I really appreciate it.  Like I said, I have a lot to learn and you guys gave me a lot of good info to sort through and keep in mind.

[Brackish Angler 228]

Maybe I didn't make myself clear. I wasn't recommending the Shimano for the cranking purposes. I appologize if it sounds like I did. My intentions were to make the suggestion that, if he can throw treble hooks on his other set up then to get another combo for different applications. I would not recommend using an XF tip for treble hooks. I personally wouldn't use a F tip either. Just not my preference. I prefer a moderate tip when using trebles.

 

I know an F tip isn't necessarily ideal for treble hooks, but an F would be better than an XF for trebles.  I don't crank really, but I use an F tip for topwaters with trebles without a problem.  With topwaters you can set the hook with an F tip you just have to wait longer.  I'd like a mod tip, but for people like me who fish mostly banks and small water in a kayak,  a cranking rod isn't absolutely necessary.

[Arv]

I know an F tip isn't necessarily ideal for treble hooks, but an F would be better than an XF for trebles.  I don't crank really, but I use an F tip for topwaters with trebles without a problem.  With topwaters you can set the hook with an F tip you just have to wait longer.  I'd like a mod tip, but for people like me who fish mostly banks and small water in a kayak,  a cranking rod isn't absolutely necessary.

Definitely agree. If I'm out on the yak and I don't bring the cranking rod I don't have a problem tying a lipless crank on a M/F rod.

[lmbfisherman]

Your current setup, what is the power/action of the rod?  Was this one sufficient for the type of crankbaits your were using?  Another way to tackle it is, don't get rid of your current setup, I'd buy the next combo that would "compliment" it.  A Veritas MH/F would work fine as jig rod, but if you don't have a cranking rod the Winch series would be my recommendation if you want to stay with Abu Garcia. 

 

If I were to recommend something that could handle most techniques barring crankbaits, it would be a MH/F rod.  It is the closest you can get to the best all around, as I stated in the other thread all MH/F aren't created equal.  I like for instance the Shimano Compre's MH/F rating more than the Veritas.  To me the Compre fishes more true to the rating and the Veritas fishes heavier than specced.

[DanielSweeney]

Your current setup, what is the power/action of the rod?  Was this one sufficient for the type of crankbaits your were using?  Another way to tackle it is, don't get rid of your current setup, I'd buy the next combo that would "compliment" it.  A Veritas MH/F would work fine as jig rod, but if you don't have a cranking rod the Winch series would be my recommendation if you want to stay with Abu Garcia. 

 

 

My current rod is 6'9" MH/F Vengeange.  It seemed to handle the crankbaits well, but it also seemed to handle my topwaters and jigs well too.  I'm new to a lot of this, so just because I think it handled well, doesn't mean that it was really performing as it should.  I really don't have anything to compare it to.