Please Help Me Choose My 3Rd Rod/reel Setup!

[Jtd1216]

I've decided to add a rod for pitching/flipping/frogging/heavier jigs. I only want to have about 3-4 rods in the boat, so I'm thinking a 7' MH to Heavy rod should cover this. What are your thoughts on below? I'm sort of on a budget, so I don't want to break the bank. I have two choices narrowed down:

 

AbuGarcia Silver Max reel with BPS Graphite series rod combo ($89) http://www.basspro.com/Abu-Garcia-Silver-Max-Reel/Bass-Pro-Shops-Graphite-Series-Rod-Baitcast-Combos/product/1209280857575/

 

OR

 

BPS Pro Qualifer Reel (7:1) with a SC Mojo Bass Rod (7' Heavy) or BPS Johnny Morris Carbonlite Rod (7' Heavy) (Reel on sale now for $79 and rod about $100)

 

I realize there's a big difference in price and probably quality here. Basically what I'm asking is, do you think the rod combo is good enough quality to serve me well? The only thing is, in left retrieve, the combo does not come in 7' Heavy, only MH--not sure if that's enough for what I need it for) I'd hate to spend almost $200 on another setup. I fish about 4-5 times a month and no tournaments (for now). If you think I should go another route altogether, please let me know. Maybe the BPS Pro Qualifier with a different cheaper rod like Berkley Lightning Rod Shock????

Here are my current setups (can use some review here too):

BPS Pro Qualifer 6.4:1 with BPS Carbonlite Rod (6'6" MH fast) - light jigs, senkos

Quantum Accurist PT 6:1 with Shimano Convergence Rod (6' M Fast) - spinnerbaits, crank baits 

[lmbfisherman]

No question the PQ and Carbonlite. 

 

As for others, I see no issues with what you are using them for. 

[coak]

Well J, if it were me, based on my experiences so far I would buy the combo that you truly want.  If you're willing to go the cheaper route with the Abu setup, and you're anything like me or most other fisherman for that matter, you'll probably end up wanting to spend the extra money later on just to see what you're "missing out on".  If you're single this may not be a prob, but if you're married it can become a headache trying to explain WHY YOU MUST purchase another setup !!!!

Also something to consider, how do the manu's blanks fish.  I don't know personally, but have heard that St. Croix's fish 'heavy', meaning a MH really feels like a H and a H feels like you're holding a broomstick.  I know that for me I happen to use a Shimano Convergeance 7'2" MH/F for the above mentioned techniques and have been pleased.  Just my $.02 though, do with it what you will.

[Alpha Male]

If your looking at the st croix mojo I would consider the 7'6" med-hvy mod-fast.

[Banned-99884]

I would get a 7'2-7'6 Heavy action rod with a 7.1:1 reel with 65 lb braid

[CincyBassMan]

I would get a 7'2-7'6 Heavy action rod with a 7.1:1 reel with 65 lb braid

I agree. Definitely add that 7.1:1 reel. Every boat needs at least one moderately fast reel so you dont burn yourself out.

[WIGuide]

I'd go with the BPS PQ reel and the 7' Mojo in MH. I think you'll be very pleased with that setup. If you are having second thoughts about it though, I'd go down to your local Bass Pro and test them out. If you are set on that reel, go ahead and tell them you'll be buying one and you'd really like to feel it on the rod your looking at. They should be pretty accommodating, especially since they know you are planning to buy. See how they feel in your hand and make your decisions based on that. 

[Grizzn N Bassin]

I do no recommend the mojo heavy for froging its very very stiff . Im just going on the mojo here. If,you go this route mh 7'2 to 7'6 heavy mod fast. The heavy action is a broom stick.

[Jtd1216]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I definitely do not NEED another setup (it's a WANT for sure). In fact, I'm not sure I even want to spend the money on a 3rd. I'm thinking I should maybe get through this season on those other two rods and see how I like them. The BPS Pro Qualifier on the Carbonlite combo that I already have is brand new itself, I might find the 6'6" MH CL is too stiff for my yum dingers and IT maybe becomes my frog/jig rod. I may even find that I don't even like the BPS qualifier after fishing with it. I'm sure I'm being overly cautious here. I'm just being tempted by the sale on another BPS qualifier that I believe ends today.

[Jtd1216]

Just an update to everyone who was helping me out with this. I decided this morning that I would hold off on buying another BPS Pro Qualifier and rod until the end of the season or next year......... until I got an Email from BPS saying that they have a new sale beginning today where the PQ is now on sale an additional $10!! So at $69, I couldn't pass it up!!!