Little help on new rod & reel

[bchase44]

So I've never really shopped around, in fact I don't remember where I got my existing setups.

Current setups:

6'6" Abu Garcia Harold Ensley Signature series Medium Heavy -   Pfleuger Templar 6.4:1 Baitcasting 

6'6" Abu Garcia UltraCast Medium - Abu Garcia 5.2:1 Spinning

I kayak fish and love fishing drop shot, Ned rig, and most finesse type techniques.

I tend to use my spinning rod more than the baitcast.  I usually tie on a spinnerbait or something to the baitcaster and use it when i am paddling down shorelines, when I get to a good spot I will anchor the kayak (if windy) and switch to spinning rod.

Although I have put the ned rig on the baitcaster with some success.

Anyway, I'm trying to decide if I really need a "drop-shot" specific rod, or if I should upgrade my baitcaster (I might actually like it better if I got a quality one - not sure of mine's qualilty)

If anyone can tell me:

Are my rods pretty decent?

What rod / reel would you recommend for me?

I would probably not want to spend over 300, I might go 350 if it's truly worth it..  I am also debating holding off for Black Friday sales but not sure if the deals are worth waiting for?

[apj]

I've never heard of those rods so I'm assuming that they are quite old. In that case you should really upgrade your stuff. I have some suggestions on a new rod and reel. Are you trying to upgrade all of your gear or just one set up for $300?

[bchase44]

I want to upgrade both setups and I'd be willing to spend 300-350 on each.

I saw a rod (no reel) for 500 bucks on TW.. That just blows me away lol

[apj]

Unfortunately that's what fishing has turned into... A huge hole in your pocket. For reels I would definitely look for a shimano citica 200e for your baitcasting set up. Try and search the market for those sometimes you can find them for around $80. And for a spinning reel I would go with a pflueger trion or a pflueger president (the trion is only $40), I have personally used both reels and think that they are for sure the best spinning reels for the price. As for rods this is where things get a bit pricey. For the rod though you should really go to a store and see what you like for around a $100 price range for both the casting and spinning. There are plenty of great rods around $100 that will fit your needs. If I was you i would look into a Abu Garcia Veritas, St. Croix Mojo Bass, or possibly a Duckett Ghost. There are also plenty of cheaper rods that are good that would work great it's up to you and what fits your needs because I have a hard time ordering a rod that I've ever felt. Hope that helps you make a decision.

[MIbassyaker]

If you can wait for black friday, it's worth it, especially if you want to spend a few hundred. TW does a 20% off most items, and the ones that don't get discounted online you can usually call and get the discount.

 

[apj]

14 minutes ago, MIbassyaker said:

If you can wait for black friday, it's worth it, especially if you want to spend a few hundred. TW does a 20% off most items, and the ones that don't get discounted online you can usually call and get the discount.

 

I would say the same thing, but I have the problem of waiting. If I have the money for a new set up I get way to anxious. If you can wait though you can really stretch that dollar and save a lot of cash.

[JigMaster4]

I used the harold ensley signature last year as my first casting setup, it worked really well, and I caught a lot of fish off jigs with it. Now I have 5 "new and improved" setups that I do like better

[fishnkamp]

For $60 a Pflueger president can not be beat for the quality and durability. For a rod look at several. First a St Croix Avid X  AXS68MXF. This is a top quality 6'8" spinning rod. It will handle lightly weighted ned rigs, senkos, drop shots,, texas rigs etc. It retails for $200.  Another great option is a Dobyns Sierra SA 692SF or 693SF depending on your preference.  I would use my spinning rod for these techniques. 

I would suggest you upgrade your baitcasting setup to throw spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, topwaters and jigs etc. For a baitcaster look at a Diawa Tatula CT. This is the newest version in the Tatula lineup. These are very good casting reels with a good smooth drag.  These reels run $130.  Here is a few nice options to match that reel up with. First, go to Irod rods and look at the Irod Genesis II series. There is a rod called IRG693C “Harold’s Lone Star Special”   These rods are lightweight, well balanced, very sensitive and are built with top notch components. They run $150 The same thing is true of the Dobyns and here I would suggest a Dobyns Sierra SA 683C. This rod sells for $160.

You will notice I suggested a bunch of rods that are less than 7 foot. I believe you will find it easier to fish with these rods instead of a 7 foot to 7'6" foot rods while fishing on a kayak.  If you were fishing from a boat I would still suggest these rods as they fish extremely well for your intended purpose. By the way, I fish with rods from all of these companies so I know they are solid equipment.  There are lots of other good choices, but if you are going to UPGRADE your equipment, step up to that $150 to $200 rod category. As for the Diawa reel it compares very well to other brand's $250 reels. Good luck hunting your next toys.