Advice needed for 2nd rod and reel

[detroithiker]

I would like to get a 2nd rod and baitcaster  reel to complement my medium spinninng rod.

I need something for my heavier bait like cranks, jigs and frogs, and for bigger fish like pike.

I am sure I will buy more rods later but I just need to get through the rest of the season before I buy a 3rd. I have purchased most of my gear this summer and of course I went over board.

If you were going to get a 2nd affordable rod and reel as a new fisherman what would you get?

[new2BC4bass]

First of all one rod to do all those things is going to be a compromise.  I'd say stick to the spinning rod for crankbaits and get a MHF for the rest.  The 7' Aetos would be a fantastic place to start.  

It is a $180 rod for $95 and worth every penny of its $180 price.  Get the Pflueger Supreme XT, $89 for $150 reel.  

If that is too much money, look at a combo from someplace like Sports Academy.

Willing to spend more?  Some nice rods at $110.  http://www.sportsmansoutfitters.com/daiwa-tatula-freshwater-baitcast-fishing-rods/

To be honest, I would rather have the Aetos...and I own 4 Tatula casting rods and like them a lot.  A Tatula reel can be had for less than $95 off ebay.  For less than $110 from the same place you can get a Lew's Tournament MB..a dual brake reel...that is also another fine option.

[RFSims]

With affordable and new fisherman the key words I would buy an Academy Sports H2O Ethos 7' MH rod $59.99 and an Academy Sports H2O Mettle reel $59.99. Yes you can get a better rod and reel but not for under $120. IMO it is just as good of a rig as my $100 reels and rods.

[detroithiker]

1 hour ago, RFSims said:

With affordable and new fisherman the key words I would buy an Academy Sports H2O Ethos 7' MH rod $59.99 and an Academy Sports H2O Mettle reel $59.99. Yes you can get a better rod and reel but not for under $120. IMO it is just as good of a rig as my $100 reels and rods.

Yeah this is more like my price range right now.

I have already spent so much this year and I think I am trying to dive in too fast.

[fishnkamp]

Look at a Abu Garcia Veritas 2.0. These rods handle well and are pretty versatile.  Veritas rods run a little heavy compared to their ratings. So the lure rating is correct for this rod. The action leans a little towards a medium hvy/hvy. I use an original Veritas 7 ft MH with a fast tip for my frogging rod, but it would easily handle jigs, heavier worms ( like 1/4 to 3/4 just not the finesse worms like shakey heads) and tx rigged creature baits, even a carolina rig up to an ounce.  In the same rod series look at the medium action moderate tip rod.   It throws crankbaits and rattle trap type baits well.  They retails for $99 but places like this you can get it for $80. I know you can find it at Dicks sometimes too.  Look here http://www.joessportinggoods.com/product/abu-garcia-veritas-2.0-casting-rods-32758.htm?variations=488820&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=ep4p&utm_term=&utm_content=&ep4p_ref=google_pla&gclid=CKS_yNLKv84CFY1bhgodhfIOPA

For a reasonably priced quality reel look at a Diawa Exceler. I fish two and a lot of Diawa Tataula and Tatula Type Rs.  All terrific reels. An Exceler is a workhorse it retails a t $99 but can be picked up for $60. Look here  https://www.*.com/Daiwa-Exceler-EXE-Reels-p/daiwa-excelerexe.htm. That will give you a terrific combo. If you want a faster reel like a 7-1 then check elsewhere on line.  That combo will run you about $140 and that is pretty good. I would buy this combo now with the 6.3-1 reel use it till you are ready then I would purchase a rod for cranks and traps, a 7 ft medium/moderate. I would move the 6.3-1 reel over to it and purchase a 7-1 to put on the Veritas MH rod. That will make it a little better for frogs. Otherwise you will do fine.  

Abu Garcia Veritas 2.0 Micro Cast Rod 7' Med Hvy
Taper	Line Wt.	Lure Wt.	Guides	Handle Type	Handle Length	Stock	Price	Qty
Fast	12-20lb	1/4-1oz	10+Tip	Veritas Micro B	***/2"	In Stock: 3+	$99.99

[Onvacation]

To be honest, I would try to make it through the season and hang on for some of the Black Friday deals. It will give you a chance to save up a few more dollars and buy some gear that will be what you want as opposed to what you can now afford.   In the meantime, You can do an awful lot with a medium spinning rod.  I fish for bull reds with my med spinning rod and I wish just once I would land a bass the size of an average red in October.  

As stated above, one rod for all is going to be a compromise. Many people on this site have at least one rod for each of the methods you mentioned above and I suspect many have multiple. Check that, I know they have multiple because if you take one of your categories, crank baits, a deep diver and a square bill are thrown on way different rods by most people.  

When you do upgrade, a MH fast in the 7'-7'6" range is about as versatile as you can get.  For example, I have three 7'3" MHF rods, one is used for jigs, one is used for top water, and one always is rigged with a Carolina rig.  All have Lew's reels, but that's just personal preference. The big difference in each set up is the line that I use. Other than that, they are real close to the same although If I remember correctly, the top water reel is a slightly slower ratio than the other two.  

[Cgrinder]

Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier on sale. $100 7' MH rod on sale for %15 off on Labor Day. Boom, done.

[new2BC4bass]

3 hours ago, detroithiker said:

Yeah this is more like my price range right now.

I have already spent so much this year and I think I am trying to dive in too fast.

Me too.  That is why I haven't ordered an Aetos rod already.  That and the fact I might meet an early grave if another rod shows up.    Easier to slip a new reel into the house.  I read good things about Sports Academy's Ethos rods and Mettle reels.  There is a Mettle for sale on another site for $35 tyd.  Seller says it probably has less than 25 casts on it.  Tough to beat that deal although I've read of them being purchased at $25 on sale.  Personally never seen that price.  The Aetos and this reel would get you there for $130.  I know it is hard to have new gear and not be able to use it right away.  I feel that the Aetos rod is such a deal I'd be tempted to buy it now and save up for a reel further down the road.  In my case I could afford to skip a few meals to make that come to pass sooner than later. 

[S. Sass]

I agree new2BC4bass. I ordered one last Friday happened to look at the website the following Monday and they were 50% off!!! So I ordered a second. Its taking all I have to not order a third now that I have seen them they are incredible for $102.00 the lifetime warranty is worth a chunk alone. They are very light weight, in the 4 oz range, and look stunning.  I cant see how people are passing a nearly $200 rod up for 1/2 price with free shipping to boot for other rods that are typical $100.00 ish price range rods at full price.

I'm considering it saving $ as they should last with the warranty as long as I need them to. 

I cant wait to give mine a thorough workout early in the morning.  

[DubyaDee]

The Aetos is great. I use a 7'6 ML XF for tubes. I'd grab an Aetos and a Pro Qualifier. Every now and then you can get a Pro Qualifier for $60. In the spring Bass Pro had a Carbonlite/Pro Qualifier combo for $100. 

[S. Sass]

7 minutes ago, DubyaDee said:

The Aetos is great. I use a 7'6 ML XF for tubes. I'd grab an Aetos and a Pro Qualifier. Every now and then you can get a Pro Qualifier for $60. In the spring Bass Pro had a Carbonlite/Pro Qualifier combo for $100. 

On that same note I just bought a brand new Lew's Speed Spool SSG1S for $65 for my crankbait rod and a Lews Tournament MB for $61.00 on Ebay. I have also bought a couple a decent reels off the flea market here on these forums for a great price. 

[new2BC4bass]

16 hours ago, S. Sass said:

On that same note I just bought a brand new Lew's Speed Spool SSG1S for $65 for my crankbait rod and a Lews Tournament MB for $61.00 on Ebay. I have also bought a couple a decent reels off the flea market here on these forums for a great price. 

Wow. Great, great price. I thought I got a good deal at $109.