Sticks0808 Posted March 5, 2015 Posted March 5, 2015 What's up guys, I'm a college student and like most college students I don't have a lot of money to spend. However, I've been waiting to get a Crankbait rig just in time for some spring fishing. I've had my eye on the Abu Garcia Blue Max 6 foot 6 inch combo with medium power and medium/moderate action. The real is a 6:4:1 gear ratio. Would this be a good Rod to fill all my Crankbait needs? If not do yall have any other suggestions of what I should get? Like I said I'm a poor college student so im only looking to put about $80 max into a rig. Thanks guys Quote
Cody21w Posted March 5, 2015 Posted March 5, 2015 It wouldn't be bad. It'd be alright. I'd save a little tho. I know its hard to find time.. I'm a junior in high school with 4 college classes, work, sports, and side jobs.. And fish 24/7. But shovel snow, clean gutters, and when it gets warmer split wood, mow grass.. Jobs like that are easy ways to get extra money for anything.. Fishin stuff for me. For the cheapest way I'd get a Lews american hero combo. It's for a great cause. The abu combos will do good to tho. If it were me tho Id get an h2o mettle reel (60) with a lightning Rod. (40).. But I think they make a combo.. Also academy has the blue max on sale for 40! Quote
Sticks0808 Posted March 5, 2015 Author Posted March 5, 2015 Yeah I saw that at academy. That's why I was asking about the blue max combo. Seems like a pretty good deal. The only thing I don't like about it is that it's only 6 foot 6 inches instead of 7 foot and the reel ratio is 6:4:1 instead of a 5:4:1. What specs do yall look for in a cranking Rod in general? Quote
Cody21w Posted March 5, 2015 Posted March 5, 2015 6'6 is fine. And it's 6.4 instead of 5.4 is nothing major. You might just have to reel slower. The ratio isn't as important as the inches per turn. Quote
Sticks0808 Posted March 5, 2015 Author Posted March 5, 2015 That's true. It's had a lot of good reviews on the academy website. I'll check the lews combo out too. I have a lews speed spool and I love it. I usually just fish ponds so I don't need anything for deep cranks just medium to shallow and lipless cranks. Quote
kingmotorboat Posted March 5, 2015 Posted March 5, 2015 I have the.blue max. It's my backup some days. But when I do use it I use it for lipless cranks and it works fine Quote
Sticks0808 Posted March 5, 2015 Author Posted March 5, 2015 Is it a decent combo? Right now I only have a worm Rod. Lews speed spool with a vendetta MH. Probably not very comparable to that huh? Quote
kingmotorboat Posted March 5, 2015 Posted March 5, 2015 No lol not at all but the baits you're using for it will work fine. It may only last a couple years but still not a bad combo. I also use it for inshore with rattle traps Quote
Brandon Moss Posted March 5, 2015 Posted March 5, 2015 The lew's combo is AMAZING!!! I use mine as my soft plastics rod. If you can get it in medium action it is a GREAT cranking rod Quote
Sticks0808 Posted March 5, 2015 Author Posted March 5, 2015 Yeah is there any other combos or Rod and reel combinations you would recommend king that won't break the bank? What lews combo are you talking about Brandon? Quote
kingmotorboat Posted March 5, 2015 Posted March 5, 2015 Depends on your budget. What's your budget Quote
Sticks0808 Posted March 5, 2015 Author Posted March 5, 2015 Around 80 would be awesome. Under 100 for sure. I know it's hard to stay under 100. Like I said I'm just looking for a Crankbait specific Rod and reel. I fish mostly ponds so medium to shallow and lipless cranks. Plus I don't fish 24/7 I'll probavly fish once or twice a week. Quote
ABW Posted March 5, 2015 Posted March 5, 2015 Depends on your budget. What's your budget Original post said $80. Personally, I would try and save up some more money and get a H20 Ethos and H20 Mettle on sale. Are there any other rods and reels that you currently have? I'm sure you could make crankbaits work on that in pinch. Quote
kingmotorboat Posted March 5, 2015 Posted March 5, 2015 That's why I asked the budget cause the mettle and ethos is great Quote
Sticks0808 Posted March 5, 2015 Author Posted March 5, 2015 I have a 7 foot MH vendetta with a speed spool 7:1 ratio which is my Texas rig Rod, just got a daiwa lexa 100hs 7:1 ratio and basspro tourney special 7 foot 6 heavy which is my flipping, pitching and frog Rod. Which crankbaits is really the only other thing I throw so my lazy self thinks it's a great idea to get a Crankbait Rod so I don't have to re-rig anything lol which is why I was kind of looking for something cheap because the ole wife wasn't too happy that I bought the daiwa and tourney special this week. Quote
ABW Posted March 5, 2015 Posted March 5, 2015 How much is the ethos and mettle? The 7' Medium Moderate is $50 and the Mettle is $60 =$110 Do you have any other fishing setups? Quote
Brandon Moss Posted March 6, 2015 Posted March 6, 2015 Yeah is there any other combos or Rod and reel combinations you would recommend king that won't break the bank? What lews combo are you talking about Brandon? The Lew's that I use is a cheapo WalMart one. It is the Jason Christie Lews Baitcast combo. I actually found it on craigslist for $40. It is normally an $80 setup. The paddle handles are super nice too. Quote
Brandon Moss Posted March 6, 2015 Posted March 6, 2015 The 7' Medium Moderate is $50 and the Mettle is $60 =$110 Do you have any other fishing setups? The mettle is an EXCELLENT reel. Plus Academy stands by their products 100%. Every time I've heard about one of their rods or reels breaking, people take them right back to the store and they get exchanged, no questions asked... You can't beat that kind of guarantee. Quote
Sticks0808 Posted March 6, 2015 Author Posted March 6, 2015 Has anyone used the daiwa Laguna? Cabelas got them on sale. What do yall think is more important, a more expensive rod or more expensive reel? I've been seeing decent rods from 25-50 but the decent reels start around 50. Quote
Brandon Moss Posted March 6, 2015 Posted March 6, 2015 If you were to do a non-combo rod and reel, the Berkley Lightening Stick is an amazing stick for the cost. It runs about $40. It will handle just about anything that you throw at it, within it's specifications. A good reel for the other $50-$60 would be a H2O Mettle or Abu Garcia Silver Max... The upside to the Mettle is it has a solid aluminum frame and the Academy guarantee. The upside to the Silver Max is, it is an Abu Garcia... Abu has been a great name for a LONG time!!!! Quote
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