New Rod Or A New Reel

[JWOA]

  Hello ladies and gents, Im looking at getting a new reel or rod the next pay check around. My price range is 130 for either one. I tried the Ethos and its a great rod dont get me wrong but thats my tourney rod and I dont like fishing with it if im not fishing a tourney. I need a new reel, the one that was given to me was a bass Pro shops Tourney Special...it feels rather cheap and I put it on my nice set up. I honestly havent fished with yet but only casting around in the yard. I dont think its going to hang up at all...now u may say that ive answered my own question but...to think that it may hold up I could go get a rod. 

  I would just like you guys to put some insight into this for me please. I'm looking at some Shimano's, i believe the Citca and the one below that, that cost about 90 bucks looks decent. Ive also looked at the Lew's Laser MG speed spool. 

  If i decided to get a rod it would be for fishing everything from a spinnerbait, to a buzzbait.

 

 Thanks guys

[Arv]

I don't have any experience with Arigs or swimbaits, but I wouldn't use a Citica or a Laser MG for throwing those. I'm not sure all the reels out there for HEAVY stuff like that, but I'm pretty sure any low profile reel capable of throwing an Arig or heavy swimbait is going to be well above 130. I would look for a round reel to handle those lures. From what you described, that seems to be your greatest need, IMO.

[michael68w]

I recently bought the new diawa tatula hs and i think that would do you well for the spinnerbait and buzzbaits but its a little over that price range. if you are set on 130 for the reel id say lews will give you the best bang for your buck overall and you would probably be happy with it. I have zero time with and A rig or swimbaits so i cant say how those reels would hold up. I do however use my tatula for 1/2-1oz jigs and it works well. When it comes to rods in the 130.00 range it gets tricky. lots of choices there st.croix premier or mojo but i also recommend you look at falcon. A lot of people really enjoy the *** rods as well around 99.00. Good luck! and i hope that helped some.

[rippin-lips]

The tatula can be had for under $120 from that popular auction site we all love to hate.

[Loop_Dad]

I have some old (very old) stuff. I do feel old 'good' rod is still good today. Just like old 'Porche" is still Porche. (Not that I have every owned one ) When it come to old reel, the technology advancement is great and you do feel the difference between the new ones and old ones. So I would get a new reel before new rod too.

 

That's exactly what I just did by picking up a Lexa 100. I do also own Citicas. They are in the same price range and very compatible. Lexa has a bit more line capacity. Lexa 100 has $25 rebate btw, which helps.

 

I only took the Lexa out once so far. I'm still trying to figure out about mag-break. I do feel it applys too much break when it is not needed. If I decrease the break, it tents to overrun a bit when the spool speed is at the max. I just have to play it more, I guess. With Citica, I didn't have to spent any time with setting. Body and cover of Lexa felt more solid and fit is tighter than Citica. 

 

I have since cleaned out the bearings of Lexa, just like my Citica. I'm going out tomorrow, hopefully Lexa does well as Citicas. (If it does, I'll buy one more.)

[lmbfisherman]

Honestly I'd stick with the BPS Pro Qualifier, in my opinion it is the better bang for your buck.  If you wait for BPS sale then you can get it even cheaper.  Not that there is anything wrong with the Citica or Lexa,(own both) just think you don't see a huge jump in performance in that range.  So get one of those, I'd recommend a Chronarch if you can spend more.  (70). 

[ww2farmer]

Okay.... I will say it.... Why fish a tournament with different gear than you would usually use? Makes no sense to me.

[Chris at Tech]

Okay.... I will say it.... Why fish a tournament with different gear than you would usually use? Makes no sense to me.

 

I was wondering the same thing.

[JWOA]

I was wondering the same thing.

    Against club rules too do that. Plus i leave all of my tourney stuff in McDonough 

[Chris at Tech]

    Against club rules too do that. Plus i leave all of my tourney stuff in McDonough 

 

Wait, huh?  The tourney trail you fish dictates that you cannot pleasure fish with the same equipment you use in the tourney???

[JWOA]

Wait, huh?  The tourney trail you fish dictates that you cannot pleasure fish with the same equipment you use in the tourney???

  Yea Im not sure if it has to do with sponsors or what not but thts the rules

[MarkH024]

What club are you a part of?  

[new2BC4bass]

I like reels.  LOTS of reels.  Guess which item I would suggest for your next purchase. 

[roadwarrior]

Rods might be more important for "catching", but reels are what makes "fishing" more fun!

 

 

[JWOA]

Rods might be more important for "catching", but reels are what makes "fishing" more fun!

 

 

  So which one do I choose the catching or the fun???

[roadwarrior]

Start with "the fun" and upgrade your rod later.

[Virtuoso]

  Hello ladies and gents, Im looking at getting a new reel or rod the next pay check around. My price range is 130 for either one. I tried the Ethos and its a great rod dont get me wrong but thats my tourney rod and I dont like fishing with it if im not fishing a tourney. I need a new reel, the one that was given to me was a bass Pro shops Tourney Special...it feels rather cheap and I put it on my nice set up. I honestly havent fished with yet but only casting around in the yard. I dont think its going to hang up at all...now u may say that ive answered my own question but...to think that it may hold up I could go get a rod. 

  I would just like you guys to put some insight into this for me please. I'm looking at some Shimano's, i believe the Citca and the one below that, that cost about 90 bucks looks decent. Ive also looked at the Lew's Laser MG speed spool. 

  If i decided to get a rod it would be for fishing everything from a spinnerbait, to a buzzbait.

 

 Thanks guys

 

I would take that money to the bay, the flea market here, craigslist, etc.

 

you can get a $200 reel if your reel patient. Its getting cold, people sell their stuff, less people willing to buy the stuff = cheaper prices.

 

A shimano curado supertuned with abec's I've seen go for $130 tooooooo many times, that would be pretty cool.  Or you could get custom parts for a reel you already have.

[JWOA]

I would take that money to the bay, the flea market here, craigslist, etc.

 

you can get a $200 reel if your reel patient. Its getting cold, people sell their stuff, less people willing to buy the stuff = cheaper prices.

 

A shimano curado supertuned with abec's I've seen go for $130 tooooooo many times, that would be pretty cool.  Or you could get custom parts for a reel you already have.

  WHat about the Revo Inshore

[Virtuoso]

Jay,

 

I noticed in another thread you posted that you have used this rod for fishing stripers and such with big swimbaits? And you are looking to see if it could fish well for bass fishing?

 

I guess I would need more questions answered. This reel would be out of the price range that you mentioned earlier. So has that price range increased now? Also, what rod do you plan on putting it on? What techniques do you plan on fishing? What weight range do you plan on throwing? I do not feel I can give you accurate information without a little more imput, or some more understanding from my perspective.

[Chris at Tech]

  Yea Im not sure if it has to do with sponsors or what not but thts the rules

 

I dunno, man.  Granted I'm not a tournament fisherman, but something seems REALLY strange here.  I've never heard of a tournament trail that dictates the type of equipment used in this manner.  And I don't even know how the heck they'd be able to enforce such a rule.

[JWOA]

Jay,

 

I noticed in another thread you posted that you have used this rod for fishing stripers and such with big swimbaits? And you are looking to see if it could fish well for bass fishing?

 

I guess I would need more questions answered. This reel would be out of the price range that you mentioned earlier. So has that price range increased now? Also, what rod do you plan on putting it on? What techniques do you plan on fishing? What weight range do you plan on throwing? I do not feel I can give you accurate information without a little more imput, or some more understanding from my perspective.

 My price has gone up but thats not without saying  tht I get discounts at Academy

[Loop_Dad]

I dunno, man.  Granted I'm not a tournament fisherman, but something seems REALLY strange here.  I've never heard of a tournament trail that dictates the type of equipment used in this manner.  And I don't even know how the heck they'd be able to enforce such a rule.

 

I feel the same as Chris. I'm no tourney guy, but something sounds very fishy