$125-$175 Rod/reel Set Up

[moken12]

Been fishing since I was young and never thought the gear really matter much, set the hook and reel in your fish.  This past weekend I used a friends St Croix Mojo Bass rod and was blown away by the sensitivity of it.  Don't have that kind of money to spend but would like to know some upgrade options from wally world rods and reels I've been using.  Looking mainly at spinning but want to try bait casters soon.  Mainly river bass fishing.  Any advice on rod length and weight, line choices welcomed also.

[moken12]

Found some Temple Fork rods for $60 new.  ????

[MrSwimJig]

For that price range in spinning you have alot of options.

For reels Pflueger or Shimano has very nice spinning reels and for rods you have Shimnao, Abu Garcia, *** etc....

I would look at a Pflueger President spinning reel with a *** 7 foot MH/F rod and for line probably Power Pro or Suffix Braid in 30lbs test.

[Arv]

For that price range in spinning you have alot of options.

For reels Pflueger or Shimano has very nice spinning reels and for rods you have Shimnao, Abu Garcia, *** etc....

I would look at a Pflueger President spinning reel with a *** 7 foot MH/F rod and for line probably Power Pro or Suffix Braid in 30lbs test.

This

[webertime]

Shimano Sonora 2500 and a Denali Jadewood 7' M Spinning rod

OR

Shimano Sahara 2500 and a Power Diesel Spinning rod

 

Both at or less than $150

[moken12]

I have a President, like it but was looking to upgrade above that.  If the price jumps that much then guess I'll stick with it. 

 

Thinking the rod is more important than the reel. Yes/No?

[Arv]

I have a President, like it but was looking to upgrade above that.  If the price jumps that much then guess I'll stick with it. 

 

Thinking the rod is more important than the reel. Yes/No?

I will almost always spend more money on the rod. Especially if you plan on using plasitcs and jigs.

[down4ttown]

Go to academy and get an ETHOS/H2O Mettle combo. Will spend right at 100 for it and it will suit your needs just fine. Then when you are ready to take it to the next level, we can talk Dobyn's and Team Lew's! 

[MrSwimJig]

I have a President, like it but was looking to upgrade above that. If the price jumps that much then guess I'll stick with it.

Thinking the rod is more important than the reel. Yes/No?

The rod is more important. But if you would like to ugrade your reel as well then look at the Shimano Symetre or the Pinnacle Performa XT.

[motodmast]

thats reel you have is a pretty good spinning rel. dont let the price of it fool you. so i wold stick with it, and like the others said, spend the money on a good rod. *** *** is the craze right now

[moken12]

*** *** seems to be highly recommended, but for $100 I could pick up the St Croix Mojo Bass.  Is the *** going to be considered better than the mojo.   Also was reading that Loomis is now helping TFO design their rods are they worth checking out, or just stop looking and get the ***!

[lmbfisherman]

*** *** seems to be highly recommended, but for $100 I could pick up the St Croix Mojo Bass.  Is the *** going to be considered better than the mojo.   Also was reading that Loomis is now helping TFO design their rods are they worth checking out, or just stop looking and get the ***!

I'd stick with the others and more proven rods.  Not knocking TFO, but lets be real...it's not a Loomis rod, he may have given them recommendations..etc, but I'm sure it's just a marketing thing. 

 

Right now you can nab a 59.99 Symetre FJ on sale at American Fishing Legacy, if you sign up to the news letter you can get 10 dollar off coupon.  You can order your *** through them 100+59.99 - 10 = 149.99, there you go!  Free shipping too.  However, I have no experience with an *** rod.  If you wanted me to give you a recommendation at that price point..it would be a Shimano Compre or a Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth series.  Love these two rods, especially the latter....it's grown to be one of my favorite rods I use on the daily. 

[MrSwimJig]

*** *** seems to be highly recommended, but for $100 I could pick up the St Croix Mojo Bass. Is the *** going to be considered better than the mojo. Also was reading that Loomis is now helping TFO design their rods are they worth checking out, or just stop looking and get the ***!

The *** *** Black rod is far superior to the Mojo rods in my opinion.

Gary Loomis is designing the rods for TFO he is not affiliated with GLoomis anymore.

[webertime]

Symetre at ALFC is sold out. TFO "Loomis" rods have his name on it, that's as far as that relationship goes(went).

[s freud]

So academy is having its rod riot now. This may get me banned just for asking, but how does the ethos rod stack up against the ***?

[MichBassMan]

The *** *** Black rod is far superior to the Mojo rods in my opinion.

.

By far !!

[MichBassMan]

*** *** seems to be highly recommended, but for $100 I could pick up the St Croix Mojo Bass.  Is the *** going to be considered better than the mojo.   Also was reading that Loomis is now helping TFO design their rods are they worth checking out, or just stop looking and get the ***!

YES, just get the ***.

[moken12]

Thinking Powell Diesel/Pflueger President spinning combo

Then ***/Performa XT or Pflueger Surpreme MG??

[moken12]

Just ordered *** 7'1" medium and the Performa XT 40.

 

Was thinking of trying the Seagaur fluorocarbon but was reading that some flourocarbons can break while tying a knot.  Should I just stick with mono (what brand) or braid (power pro or ?)?  I fish "cover" very rarely. 

[new2BC4bass]

I have the *** 7'3" Medium Fast baitcasting rod.  It is a nice rod, but I like my 6'10" Medium Fast Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth rod better.

 

Didn't know even cheap fluorocarbon could break tying a knot.  Have you read tackletour's fluorocarbon articles?  Personally I would stick with braid or mono.  Lots of good lines from several companies.

 

Tuf-Line Supercast has been getting very good reviews on spinning gear.  It is thicker per pound test than other braids because of its coating.  However, it has been stated that it doesn't wrap around the rod tip like most braids or get wind knots.  I have some 12# to try, but haven't gotten out any spinning gear yet this year so can't comment from personal experience.  Some guys I trust use nothing but braid on their spinning reels.

 

Sufix 832 and PowerPro Super 8 Slick are both excellent braids.  There are others as well.  Daiwa Samurai is very good....and very expensive.  I've got some 55# on one b/c reel.  Have 10# Ghost 832 on one spinning reel.

 

I'm cheap so I also use mono.  Always used Trilene XL.  Been trying several other brands just because.  I like Sufix Elite.  Last couple days I was using Sunline Super Natural on a b/c reel.  I like how it lays and how it casts.  Only caught one smallmouth with it so far.  (An accident....or miracle...cuz I was only practicing my casting at a boat ramp on the river & have never caught a fish there before.)  A friend loves P-Line C21.

 

You will get many other options such as Yozuri Hybrid....a favorite of many.

 

I have also been using RedCast and Big Game, and just received some Izorline XXX Super Co-Polymer to try.  I personally feel it is hard to buy bad mono or braid if you stick to known names.  Heck, even some house brand lines have good reputations.  The problem today is that you have too many choices.  I suppose to some that is a good thing.