Best rod/reel setup for $200

[okennedyy]

 

Hi, i recently was kayaking and my baitcasting set up went overboard. Was a Lews Speelspool paired with an Abu Garcia Vertias. Im looking for a good all around setup for about $200 but i want to try out something new. Any ideas??

 

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Edited September 7, 2016 by okennedyy

[new2BC4bass]

 

Depends on what technique(s) you plan on fishing the most.  I love my 6'10" MH-MF Smallmouth rod.  $75 at FFO.  Who could pass up an Aetos for $95 on Fenwick's site?  FFO has the Supreme XT for $89.  A Tatula for $95 is always a good option.  Tournament MB for about $110 is another excellent option.

Dobyns Fury is well like on here by some, but I have zero experience with the model.  Same thing can be said for the new Mojo rods.  I only handled the older Mojo rods, but couldn't seem to cozy up to them.  Said performance of the new blanks has me changing my mind regardless of what I might think of their looks.  I'm very tempted to try a Cashion CRT rod.

Others will be along to give you even more options.  Getting so the $100 price point for rods and reels is becoming a hotly contested market.

[fishnkamp]

Let's start by getting a Diawa baitcaster. Look online and choose between a standard Tatula 100 series reel, or for a reel a bit smaller in overall size pick a Tatula CT (I like the size of the bigger reels but the CT should feel closer to your Lews.) These reels can be picked up for $100 to $120.. That leaves plenty to get some nice rods for around $100. Take a look at the Aetos, the Fenwick factory website is selling the last of the 2016 inventory for $95 originally selling them for close to $200. Or a Diawa Tatula rod, a Dobyns Fury is close to that and even a Powell Inferno is nice at that price. Often you can pick up an Abu Garcia Veritas on sale for $75 but it is regularly sold for $99. I am not much on BPS rods but I think they had the Carbon Lites on sale right now.

[MIbassyaker]

FYI, Tatula 100 reels are on sale for $90 right now for Labor Day at American Legacy Fishing

[thebillsman]

I just got a Curado 70HG for $139.99 on eBay and a ## Fishing O 7'3 MH/F for $70 used on Craigslist in great shape. Killer jig set up for the cost. Spooled with 50lb FX2.

[roadwarrior]

[okennedyy]

Thanks everybody. I think i am going with a Tatula CT with an Ateos. (such a good price) Any recommendations for action?  Should extra-fast be ok for an all around rod? Or should I just stick with fast. Thanks

[thebillsman]

I'd stick with fast if you're looking for a more versatile rod.

[timsford]

I'd look at the daiwa tatula or exceler, quantum energy, or lews tournament mb off of fleabay for reels. The pfleuger supreme on is also a good reel at a great price. Shimanos new caenan sounds pretty nice and ive heard lots of good things, but id rather have aluminum if possible and all the others i mentioned are aluminum and it is plastic. I prefer the daiwas myself, but all are great deals well under retail. As far as rods the powell max 3d 684 c on sheltons clothing site is the most versatile rod I own. Can do anything with that rod except maybe frogging, flipping, or heavy swimbaits/a-rigs.  100 is a very sweet price for this rod. The daiwa tatula and tatula xt rods on ebay are other great rods for around 100. The 7'1" mh, 6'10"mh, and 7'2" mh rods are all very versatile. The 13 green and 13 black on tackle warehouse are also great buys and the green models are able to fish any bait I've tried within the weight ratings. Fenwick had some aetos models on their website under 100. If they still have those they are really sweet rods, especially at that price. Both left are very versatile as well. The 6'10"mh mf is a little better at moving baits, and the 6'9" mh fast is a little better at bottom contact, but I fish about anything with both rods. I bank fish a lot and whatever rods I bring HAVE to be versatile. The powell, a tatula, an aetos, and a custom St Croix spinning rod are usually what I take and I can fish about any lure I want. I like them so much i own duplicates of several in case they break, but none have yet. All are sensitive, very well made rods that would be great for kayak fishing. They are also well under retail like the reels i mentioned. The tatula and supreme reels are both 150 or so at retail and the aetos, tatula, and max 3d rods are all 150+ retail. You could have a 300+ combo for under 200 and have a very versatile rod to throw about anything with a reel that will last a long time with proper maintenance

[Robert Riley]

Your local F&S or Dicks may have a Lews Mach combo, it's $120 and the rod is a mod fast, perfect for moving baits. It;s a little more affordable, but you can spend that money on some tackle.