If You Had A 1,200

[Teal]

Well the endurance's have free shipping. They knocked $20 off each of the 2 I ordered a few weeks ago but then I had to pay shipping. Still saved me $20 total. So $139.99 shipped is what I got them for. I believe Ron includes shipping also on his products. So $110 shipped for the reels also. So you did perfect sir. Also an excellent choice of a lineup.

Thanks Adam! FR is good to do business with.

With thay kinda budget its hard to buy the stuff I like all at once. Makes it hard. It kinda sucked with thatnkinda budget, I couldn't really include Lews reels.. not for what you can get a tatula or a Curado for right now.

To be honest, if I had to start over from scratch with that budget, I'd probably buy 5 Lews Speed Spools 75 each and 5 75$ rods and save the rest until I can get some Powell or Dobyns rods.

[Brian Needham]

I don't know if I ever spent $1200 at one whack before on fishing........ unless it involved a Humminbird.

[RippinLips4]

I don't know if I ever spent $1200 at one whack before on fishing........ unless it involved a Humminbird.

Brian, who are you trying to fool? We all know you buy DX'S by the 10's! LOL!

[rippin-lips]

Thanks Adam! FR is good to do business with.

With thay kinda budget its hard to buy the stuff I like all at once. Makes it hard. It kinda sucked with thatnkinda budget, I couldn't really include Lews reels.. not for what you can get a tatula or a Curado for right now.

To be honest, if I had to start over from scratch with that budget, I'd probably buy 5 Lews Speed Spools 75 each and 5 75$ rods and save the rest until I can get some Powell or Dobyns rods.

Yeah I'm with you. I just save until I can get a few Powell's. I have no need to waste money on other rods anymore. I've sold more off then I currently own because I went by peoples recommendations and was never happy in the end. Awesome rods for a good price. There was a champ extreme 745 for $229 buy it now shipped at the same time I was ordering my rods. Only went for $190.50 so someone got a steal. I almost bought it to see what all the talk was about but I stuck with what I know and I'm more then happy with. Plus I got 2 instead of 1.

[rippin-lips]

I don't know if I ever spent $1200 at one whack before on fishing........ unless it involved a Humminbird.

I sold a car that I built 2yrs ago and took about $1,500 of it and bought 10 combos. I figured it would be the only time I had that much extra cash to spend at once on fishing stuff.

[Raul]

$1,200 ain´t that much ...

[SirSnookalot]

I'd concentrate on 1 combo at a time. 

[Brian Needham]

I'd concentrate on 1 combo at a time. 

 

 

stop the presses!!!!!!!!!!!

 

make sure the SUN came up today!!!!!!

 

I agree with Snook....... OH MY, I never thought the day would come!!!!!!

 

seriously, it is pretty good advice... I think the most rods Ihave have bought at a time was 3, and I wound up selling one of those.

[Master Bait'r]

I would call Ron @ Valley and tell him what you have to work with and what you're trying to accomplish.  I'm positive he could help you get where you want to be, but I'd really only be shooting for like 3 or maybe 4 setups at a time.  

[RippinLips4]

Pretty hard challenge, but I did do it. Only thing I didn't figure was shipping...

Powell Endurance 723 - 150$ Daiwa Tatula 110$

Powell Endurance 714 - 150$ Daiwa Tatula 110$

Powell Endurance 775 - 150$ Daiwa Tatula 110$

Powell Diesel CB 705. -50$ Daiwa Tatula 110$

Powell Endurance S 712-150$ Shimano Symetre 100$

1190 but I forgot shipping.

Good try tho

I had some Powell diesels and a max but I sold them, does the longer endurance rods balance good? I was looking at the 714 and 723. I've been looking at the pinnacle rods and duckett rods for cranking and maybe an "extra" jig rod. Can't decide...

[roadwarrior]

I think you would be a lot happier down the road with two higher

quality rigs this year. Going forward you should slowly build your

collection as you develop techniques and gain a better perspective

on what you "need".

 

I'll suggest two set-ups that I REALLY like:

G. Loomis BCR83/ Curado 50 E (Starting today I would go with Curado I)

G. Loomis MBR 842C/ Core 50 Mg

 

If you decide to go with several combinations, talk with Ron at Valley Sports

about the Pinnacle Tournament Series. At $160 these are a GREAT value.

The Optimus XiHS is a fine reel, too!

 

 

 

[Tywithay]

I think you would be a lot happier down the road with two higher

quality rigs this year. Going forward you should slowly build your

collection as you develop techniques and gain a better perspective

on what you "need".

 

I'll suggest two set-ups that I REALLY like:

G. Loomis BCR83/ Curado 50 E (Starting today I would go with Curado I)

G. Loomis MBR 842C/ Core 50 Mg

 

If you decide to go with several combinations, talk with Ron at Valley Sports

about the Pinnacle Tournament Series. At $160 these are a GREAT value.

The Optimus XiHS is a fine reel, too!

 

 

 

I agree with this logic. You could probably do 2 really nice combos that would cover every bit as many applications as the other 5, or even add a 3rd and still have some really nice combos. I've noticed over time that more is not always better. If you're buying a number of combos just to have more, you typically end up not even using half of them. I made the decision a while back that I was only going to have a handful of really nice rods and reels that would all get used; I am much happier with my arsenal because of it.

[Wbeadlescomb]

I sold a car that I built 2yrs ago and took about $1,500 of it and bought 10 combos. I figured it would be the only time I had that much extra cash to spend at once on fishing stuff.

I did a side job late last year and decided to upgrade all of my rods and reels. I went with curado g's I got for a 100 on clearance (you won't be dissapointed in them) and one chronarch e7 I got off of here. Honestly I like the curados better than the chronarch. The chronarch feels about the same but throws a weightless bait better (but not that much) but not almost a $100 better. What I did is match them all with powell diesels. Some people may look down on the diesels but they feel every bit as good as the crucial and compre's that they replaced. The curado 200g5 on the 7 foot diesel crankbait rod is sweet. It's almost like you aren't cranking anything in it's so smooth.

So if I was you I'd go with:

So 5 curado G's in various gear ratios 500 ish

5 powell diesels in what ever flavor fits your fishing 250

Then go wild one whatever spinning setup you decide on. I only use them for crappie and occasionally throwing a trick worm so I've got a couple of the ethos h20 spinning rods with whatever the silver $30-$40 dollar shimano spinning rods are and I've caught several 10lb+ hybrid stripe on them with no I'll effects.

[SirSnookalot]

stop the presses!!!!!!!!!!!

 

make sure the SUN came up today!!!!!!

 

I agree with Snook....... OH MY, I never thought the day would come!!!!!!

 

seriously, it is pretty good advice... I think the most rods Ihave have bought at a time was 3, and I wound up selling one of those.

Most rods I have bought at one time is 1, sometimes with a reel but not always.  Once I have become comfortable with the first outfit, I know what I want for the ensuing rods and reels.

 

Without knowing the mobility of the person involved or the proximity of retailers, I personally would avoid buying anything sight unseen on line.  Case in point, I've been looking for a rod, drove about 50 miles and bought one, tried it out, then returned it 30 minutes later.  I then put another 150 miles on searching for the exact brand and model I was considering buying on line, saw it in person and didn't care for it.  If Mahatmas Ghandi gave me a recommendation, I'd still want to handle in person first.  

[bigbill]

First this is all roadwarriors fault, not.

 

I spent a lot more that $1,200 when I been upgrading my rod setups all fall and winter. My s/s check went for fishing tackle every month. I found new LEWS Speed Stick spinning and bait casting rods at eBay, fish and save and some other brands at tackle warehouse. I retired my 1970's rods and got the new LEWS rods averaging 50% off. The feel of the better quality rods is awesome and these are the $100 ones on sale/clearance. Some are last years models and that's ok. I purchased all new reels too. I'm going to pour it n soon looking to put my name in the record books for a new state record LMB.  Everything is dialed in this year. I have the better quality rods with the correct action and line test. 

 

Road warrior was right I needed to step up a little.

 

I'm working on my mistake back as we speak. I hope to hit the shores running. I'm ready.

 

My 4yo grandson has to open up my tackle boxes and look at all my lures every time he comes over. I guess being hooked on fishing is in the blood.

[.ghoti.]

This would be the time to visit Roadwarrior's standard three rod setup.

 

A MH-F rod with high speed reel for all your jig / plastics applications (spend more on the rod for this rig)

a Moderate fast rod, with a slower reel for treble hook lures (spend more on the reel for this rig)

a Spinning combo for all your lighter weight applications.

 

For $400 per set-up, you can start building a nice collection.

[jhoffman]

If you want five rods dont let anyone convince you that you dont want five rods. I have 5 baitcasting combos on deck right now with a 6th on the way. I have three spinning rods on deck at all times too. EVERY one of those rods gets used. Its not a snoopy rod laying next to a gloomis. Theyre not $600 setups but they all serve a purpose.

 

I know one thing, I dont hesitate for a second to reach down and grab a drop shot for one cast and I can fling a frog and a spinnerbait in the same stretch I will without digging into the boat. Time is money, I dont know about you but I dont get enough fishing time to warrant half it spent changing baits.

[new2BC4bass]

OP, you didn't mention whether or not your friend is an experience fisherman.  Nor if he kept any fishing gear if he is experienced.  There is some merit to what everyone has suggested.  It all depends on how your friend is looking at it.  $1200 is a lot of money (for me), but in terms of 5 quality combos it ain't much as someone so graciously pointed out.  I am assuming he wants new.

 

What does your friend consider quality?  How often does he fish?  What types of lures does he like to fish?  Does he want all baitcast gear, all spinning gear, or a mixture of both?  How much time does he have for fishing?  I ask the latter question, because if he is like me he doesn't get much time on the water.  I would rather be fishing 5 mid tier combos, than retying lures on 2 top tier combos.  Plus I'm not sure if my "feel" is good enough to justify the extra cost of $350 plus rods.  I do know that reasonable cost quality gear enhances my enjoyment of the sport.

 

The Fenwick rods I suggested are excellent values, but maybe not what he needs for the type of fishing he does (or will be doing.....whatever the case may be).  SirSnookalot fishes more in a month than I normally do in a year.  He likes Hurricane rods.  They perform very well for him as does his Pflueger spinning reels.  Maybe they would for your friend as well....provide he wants a spinning combo.

 

If your friend is willing to buy used, then their are many good deals to be had.  A used Fuego in good shape is an excellent all-around reel.  I've seen them go for $110.  There are a couple of the older gold Carbonlite reels for sale with a $65 asking price (shipped I think).  These are fantastic reels for the price.  I use my 2 for throwing 1/4 oz. and less lures.  Two Gen 1 Premiers...$110 and $100 would make excellent reels for two of the combos.  I believe these reels ran $249 new.  I like the one I have, but haven't used it nearly as much as I would have liked because it is one of several new-2-me reels I got last year.  I spent most of my time trying different combos last year, but not using any one extensively.

 

Your friend needs to join bassresource, read a lot, and start asking questions. 

 

[SirSnookalot]

 

 

SirSnookalot fishes more in a month than I normally do in a year.  He likes Hurricane rods.  They perform very well for him as does his Pflueger spinning reels.  

Setting the record straight my Hurricanes are primarily used in saltwater, the criteria for a rod is slightly different IMO.  Catching fish like the one in my avatar sensitivity is of little concern, it's casting ability and backbone, a med or mh redbone excels.

Living in Florida and fishing quite a bit, catching a 5 pound bass is not unusual.  My 2 most used set ups are a ml clarus and med calico jack, both with Pflueger supremes, I don't see the need for me to use anything else.  I catch plenty of fish, neither reel has ever needed service and the rods are holding up prefect.  I may catch bass every day but I do not consider myself a bass fisherman and don't require the most sophisticated equipment.  Only the fish matters to me.

[Maggiesmaster]

Lews Tournament Pro reels ($145 shipped from Ebay) plus BassPro Tourney rods (approx. $100 shipped). 

[S Hovanec]

$1200 wouldn't buy me 5 rods or 5 reels, let alone both. It might get me into 2 setups tho.

[ABW]

Curado I x5 = $695

*insert popular 100 dollar rod here* x5 = $500

[.ghoti.]

Four Alphas SV and four Tatula rods.

[new2BC4bass]

Since my last posting, I picked up 3 Tatula rods...one used at $100 and 2 new for less than $100.  I really like 2 of them.  I bought the 3rd because its lure range intrigued me, but it turns out is is only good for about 2 techniques...neither of which I currently fish although I do want to learn them.  It was an impulse purchase that probably shouldn't have happened.  I can highly recommend Tatula rods if you can find any new ones at a good price.  Personally I hate paying full price, but have if the rod is one I really want and I can't find one on sale such as my last new rod...an HMG 7'2" Med. Mod-Fast.  This would make an excellent rod for your friend's 5 set collection.  Paired with a Tatula, I've got a really excellent combo for $200.

 

I don't know if your friend wants to stay with one brand of reel, but another b/c reel I can recommend that I bought over the winter is a Pinnacle Primmus.  Got if for just under $157 shipped.  It is factory tuned, and is one very smooth reel.  Your friend could put the money he saved buying a spinning combo with a President reel towards this higher priced reel. 

[new2BC4bass]

Four Alphas SV and four Tatula rods.

 

The Lews Tournament Pro at $140 is very tempting, but I simply have to have at least one of these reels after reading all the hype about them.