Super User Big Bait Fishing Posted October 8, 2015 Super User Posted October 8, 2015 If I go the buy a better reel route I'm looking at the Tatula 100HL or the Lew's Tournament Pro (on sale for $129). you haven't bought a reel yet ??? go buy that Tournament Pro and get to fishing !!!! Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted October 9, 2015 Super User Posted October 9, 2015 can you explain why?   I'm not DVT. Mike has more fishing experience than I will ever have. However, I think I know the answer to this question. With "feel" type baits you want the most sensitive rod you can afford. Why? For "feel", naturally.   You want to know exactly what is happening with the bait. The reel takes up slack and fights the fish. "Feel" type baits are usually fished slow and moved with the rod.  With moving baits you are going to be constantly casting....and cranking. Thus it is better to spend a little more for a quality reel. Obviously we on bassresource prefer both to cost a week's pay. 1 Quote
poisonokie Posted October 9, 2015 Posted October 9, 2015 man, I wish I could spend a week's pay on a reel, followed by a week's pay on a rod... Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted October 9, 2015 Super User Posted October 9, 2015 OP. I agree 100% with getting a good reel now and fishing the rod you have until funds for a better one can be saved. When it comes to rods I would suggest not buying "good for the money" rods in the less than $100 category. It is easy to wind up with quite a few of these $40-$80 rods. What do you do with them once you start buying decent quality rods? Can't sell them...except locally...as it would cost more to ship them than what the rod is worth. Also once you start getting decent rods from the $100 low end such as Fenwick HMG and *** Blacks and up, you will discover that the other rods don't see much use. Rods for crankbaits needn't be too expensive, but even then I like to be able to feel what my lure is doing. Besides....quality gear brings its own rewards. Doesn't catch more fish for me, but I enjoy using it more than my lower cost gear.  Read on this website long enough and you will find plenty of comments from posters wishing they had bought better rods from the get-go because in the long run they would have spent less money. Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted October 9, 2015 Super User Posted October 9, 2015 man, I wish I could spend a week's pay on a reel, followed by a week's pay on a rod...   You and me both, brother. I just stated in another thread that I have something like 3 rods that cost me $150 or slightly more. You won't find a Stella, Core, Zonda, Pixy, etc. in my arsenal. I make $600 a month less than I did 7-8 years ago, but still make more than $150 a week. 1 Quote
wnspain Posted October 9, 2015 Posted October 9, 2015 For me it would be all reel, the rod can wait. Â Â Â Exact opposite here...a good rod can help increase catch in a variety of ways. Match it with a used Revo and you have a quality setup. 1 Quote
Jaw1 Posted October 9, 2015 Posted October 9, 2015 If your budget is around $200 why not get a lews lfs (best $100 reel in the industry imho) and one of the rods you mentioned(***). Now you have a really good setup within budget that will perform. The reel is not a clunker that will cause you constant aggravation it is an all around good solid reel that's easily adjusted and performs good. The rod depending on the model you choose gets rave reviews from most ( I just picked up one for my new chatterbait/ swim jig rod and fished it this weekend no complaints) and they look good. This setup when maintained properly should last and as you build your arsenal will probably always have a spot in rotation. I know this setup isn't a tackle enthusiasts dream setup but it is a very respectable angling tool to me and should be great to fish with 1 Quote
dam0007 Posted October 9, 2015 Posted October 9, 2015 Rod first reel (IMO 6:1 is good all around ratio) second. All the reel does is cast line out and bring line back. Say you did a Tatula or a Citica either can be had under $100 around the web. Also for rods on a budget 13 Omens are my rod of choice. 1 Quote
Brett's_daddy Posted October 9, 2015 Author Posted October 9, 2015 According to a poster on another of my threads (St. Croix Mojo Bass) he said that they have Rage rods for $89 shipped at the St. Croix store online OR if you call the store directly they will sell you 2 Rage rods for $100 with a flat $19 shipping charge...seems like a good deal, is it? I'm still leaning towards putting most funds towards a reel but am willing to at least entertain good deals on rods when I see them. Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted October 9, 2015 Super User Posted October 9, 2015 Exact opposite here...a good rod can help increase catch in a variety of ways. Match it with a used Revo and you have a quality setup.  Well, I am a fan of high quality rods and agree that they "can help increase catch in a variety of ways". However, reels make the "fishing" more fun. I want reels that are VERY user friendly and perform flawlessly.    Quote
Super User Catt Posted October 9, 2015 Super User Posted October 9, 2015 Abu Garcia, Lew's & Shimano all have proven quality reels for under $150. Academy, All Star, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, CastAway, Gander Mountian, & Cabela's all have rods from $40-$60. 1 Quote
wnspain Posted October 9, 2015 Posted October 9, 2015 Abu Garcia, Lew's & Shimano all have proven quality reels for under $150. Academy, All Star, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, CastAway, Gander Mountian, & Cabela's all have rods from $40-$60. and your point is? Quality reel, junk rod? Sorry but I beg to differ, never cared for low end rods or reels. Quality can be had on both for under $200 IMO. Â BTW - I usually agree with every post you make, just not this one (unless you were just making a statement) Quote
Super User Catt Posted October 9, 2015 Super User Posted October 9, 2015 and your point is? Quality reel, junk rod? Sorry but I beg to differ, never cared for low end rods or reels. Quality can be had on both for under $200 IMO. BTW - I usually agree with every post you make, just not this one (unless you were just making a statement) Point is buy a quality reel like a Citica or Revo & any rod listed above while saving for a better rod. Take Berkley's Shock it's a outstanding rod for $39.95 & far from junk! Quote
wnspain Posted October 9, 2015 Posted October 9, 2015 Point is buy a quality reel like a Citica or Revo & any rod listed above while saving for a better rod. Take Berkley's Shock it's a outstanding rod for $39.95 & far from junk! Never fished a Berkley Shock so I can't comment on it but have tried many rods in $40-60 range and most are just that IMO, junk. Glad you have experience that leads me to believe otherwise... Quote
Brett's_daddy Posted October 9, 2015 Author Posted October 9, 2015 Okay, may have the rod issue settled for now so that leaves me to concentrate on a good reel. The ones I'm thinking about are the Lew's Tournament Pro, Daiwa Tatula 100 and maybe a Shimano Citica I...what's the consensus on these reels? I know from previous posts that the Tatula and TP are really close quality-wise...should the Citica I be lumped in with that group or is it an inferior reel? Quote
Super User webertime Posted October 9, 2015 Super User Posted October 9, 2015 Okay, may have the rod issue settled for now so that leaves me to concentrate on a good reel. The ones I'm thinking about are the Lew's Tournament Pro, Daiwa Tatula 100 and maybe a Shimano Citica I...what's the consensus on these reels? I know from previous posts that the Tatula and TP are really close quality-wise...should the Citica I be lumped in with that group or is it an inferior reel? I love Daiwa and Shimano. I have no issues with Lews. I would get my hands on a Tatula before buying one. I have huge hands and still find the Tatula large. The citica I (or E) is a great reel. I've fished the Lews and it was nice, but nothing that felt like, "woah I want this." Dicks in Rutland or Williston have all 3 of the reels to grope before you buy. Quote
Brett's_daddy Posted October 9, 2015 Author Posted October 9, 2015 I would say I have medium/average sized hands. I don't think I'll be palming the reel as it just doesn't seem natural to me so more than likely I'll have most of my hand under the rod with just my thumb and maybe a forefinger up top near the reel so I'm thinking palming might not be as big an issue for me. Quote
Brett's_daddy Posted October 9, 2015 Author Posted October 9, 2015 I checked the Dick's web site and they don't sell the Citica I but they do have the Curado I...would that be a reel to consider also? I just want to make sure that whichever reel i get will be "beginner friendly" as I have zero experience with a bait cast reel and need something forgiving so I'm not constantly back lashing and getting frustrated . Quote
Super User DogBone_384 Posted October 9, 2015 Super User Posted October 9, 2015 Shop around for deals. Right now depending on what you're looking for you can find great deals on E bay. Think I've picked up 4 reels in the last couple months that would have ran me upwards of $1100 retail for about $400. Rods can be had to if you look. Also, about the same price as the Lightning Shock you can go to Academy and get one of the H20 brand IM8 rods for $60. Much better IMO as well and work well for both. X2. Just picked up a new 9.1:1 Zillion and 7.1:1 1016 T3 C H E A P... Quote
Brett's_daddy Posted October 9, 2015 Author Posted October 9, 2015 I know it's probably foolish but I'm a little hesitant to buy used equipment from people I don't know...sure, I'll pay more for new but for me to know I'm the first one to use the reel and have a warranty for it that just gives me a piece of mind . Quote
Super User Catt Posted October 9, 2015 Super User Posted October 9, 2015 Never fished a Berkley Shock so I can't comment on it but have tried many rods in $40-60 range and most are just that IMO, junk. Glad you have experience that leads me to believe otherwise... As per ww2farmer I bought a Berkley Shock 7' MH for $40 @ Wally World, put a Calcutta 50 on & use it for punching matted grass & lily pads I've got an 9 yr old All Start Pro Series 6' 10" MH with an extra long handle & a Cardiff 100 that I throw spinner baits, traps, buzz baits, & swim jigs; cost $50 @ ACADEMY. As for a reel I have a 12 yr old Citica with zero problems! Quote
Jaw1 Posted October 10, 2015 Posted October 10, 2015 All the reels mentioned so far will do fine. I own or have owned tatulas,citicas,curado,lews,and I believe it comes down to personal preference, and the way the rod and reel combine to function and feel. I do stick by what I said previously. If I was starting over and knew what I do now, sticking to a budget it goes to lews and any of the $100 rods mentioned with me leaning towards ***. I have a rage rod and it does not balance out as well as the duckets, mojos, or the ***. That being said it's still a good rod and I actually owned 2 until recently. I think you will be happy with any combination of the rods and reels mentioned until you have to have the next one and the next just like most of us. My shop is a testimony to tackle addiction it gets us all Quote
Rick Howard Posted October 10, 2015 Posted October 10, 2015 I can't advise anyone how to or not to spend their money. I fished with $50 combo setups for years. Never once did a fish complain about my elcheapo rig. Only recently have I spent any extra money on my rod and reel. Yup, things are a bit smoother and they may last longer, however, it has not yielded me any extra fish. I am not discounting those that spend the extra money on rods and reels. I have a rack full of nice equipment now. When I was younger and funds were tighter, I would rather spend my money on the expendables so I could keep fishing. 1 Quote
Super User Jeff H Posted October 10, 2015 Super User Posted October 10, 2015 I want reels that are VERY user friendly and perform flawlessly.    Pinnacle, right?   1 Quote
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