Need Suggestions On New Rod And Reel

[duckmaster1]

So I have been fishing with a shakespear baitcaster and ugly stick rod, paid 55.00 new for the combo, and tho must say, it works decent, I find that I need to get something a little better to fish with.

So I know this is not much, but would like to keep the cost about $125.00 for baitcating reel and 1 piece rod, I am thinking a 6'10-7'0 long rod for bass.

Friends say Shimano and Lews are what they use and I have casted a couple of times with a lews, and was nice.

My question is, what are some good ones for that price that may be a good combo.

Any help would be great.

Thanks

[jkoz88]

I had the same deal of a ugly stick baitcaster comb, I upgraded to St. Croix mojo bass and a Shimano Curado...I haven't looked back since its been well worth the money. I'd say if you can stretch the 125 out to 200+ it'd be well worth it, that's just my opinion. I'm sure people have a lot more advice than I do, but I gave ya what I had! Good luck!

[kcdinkerz]

Get the lews that you casted a couple times lol.

[KP Duty]

I would spend $100 on rod and save a few more pennies for an acceptable reel. Any of the $100 rods offered today will blow your mind after using that ugly stick, and be more than enough motivation to save another $75 for a decent reel.

BTW...howdy yall.

[smalljaw67]

I'd go with the suggestion of KP Duty and I'll give you the reasons. The combo you have now is entry level and with a budget of $125 for both rod and reel the set up you'll get for that, unless you find an awesome used set up, is going to be only marginally better. Yes, it will catch fish for you but you want something better than what you have, why get something marginally better when you can save just a little bit more and get something exceptionally better, and it doesn't have to be a lot more either, $200 can get you a decent set up these days. For $100 you can get either a Pflueger Supreme casting reel or a Lews LFS Speed Spool, both are extremely good reels at that price and for another $100 you can grab a *** *** Black, or a Fenwick HMG, Duckett Ghost plus a bunch of others at that price and it will be incredible compared to what you are using now, you won't believe what you were missing and you'll understand immediately why most of us on these boards spend a little more for rods and reels.

[duckmaster1]

Ok,

So I went with a Lews speed spool SSG1SH baitcaster, they were on sale for $79.99 from $99.00, and then went with an Abu Garcia, Vendetta Heavy medium 7 ft rod/

The reel is 7.5:1 gear , the guys at American Legacy told me for what I want to spend, this would be the best for me to get going on.

I paid $125.00 for both, so will try it out in the morning.