I need a light finess spinning set up - 350 USD budget

[kschultz76]

5 minutes ago, freelancer27 said:

Thanks for the detailed response!

I think I am leaning towards the high end rod and mid-level reel. 

The GLX and the Legend Extreme seem to be good candidates paired with a Pflueger XT PRESXTSP20X, put 15pound braid on it (with 7pound fluro leader) and call it a day.

Any thoughts on GLX vs Legend Extreme? Also is there a cheaper way to get one of those than forking out 400 bucks on TW?

Thanks!

 

Based on the reel seats alone I'd go GLX, and I say that as a fan of St Croix spinning sticks. Contact Gary at the Tackle Trap to see what pricing he can offer. Gary also has a wealth of experience and knowledge to offer. Likely he can help you dial the rod in. But if you're up to shelling out $400 on a rod checkout the new Megabass 2017 Destroyer Addermine. Looks like a sick finesse rod and it's next in my list. They just came out and Gary already has time on the water with them. But make sure you understand warranty/service plan differences between manufacturers if that enters into your decision. 

[Turkey sandwich]

So, I skimmed this, and there's some really good advice.  Probably the most important is that above $200, you're looking at diminished returns and a rod to match your personal preferences over actual sensitivity.  A GLX or Legend Elite/Extreme would be a killer rod, but ultimately it isn't going to be an ultimate sensitivity machine on its own.  To say that a rod "isn't sensitive enough" for you might be a product of overlooking a lot of details.  What kind of line are you using?  How is your technique?  Where and under what conditions are you fishing this rod?  An Avid X, IMX, Mojo gen 2, Aetos, etc are all going to provide you with a LOT of feel. If you're having trouble feeling changes in bottom texture, cover, etc with any of those, likely tweaking your technique or line will make a much, much bigger difference than dropping $500 on a new stick.

[DaveT63]

Someone mentioned the flea market here and also the auction site for good used rods.  I've had nothing but great luck buying used on here and other forums.  I've bought GLX, St Croix Elite and Xtreme rods like new for under $200.  Patience is key here, waiting for the right rod to pop up.  

 

Also as mentioned above,  call Gary at The Tackle Trap.  They very often have dealer demo rods in like new condition for as much as 25% off.   

[freelancer27]

18 hours ago, DaveT63 said:

Someone mentioned the flea market here and also the auction site for good used rods.  I've had nothing but great luck buying used on here and other forums.  I've bought GLX, St Croix Elite and Xtreme rods like new for under $200.  Patience is key here, waiting for the right rod to pop up.  

 

Also as mentioned above,  call Gary at The Tackle Trap.  They very often have dealer demo rods in like new condition for as much as 25% off.   

I have been keeping an eye open there (no luck so far). No luck on auction sites either. They seem to sell for full price there as well.

[Further North]

It'd blow your budget, but I've got a St. Croix LXS610MLXF that's just amazing.

 

Paired with any lightweight, quality reel you'd be hard pressed to find better.

[freelancer27]

So, I decided to make the combo saltwater proof as well (budget also drastically raised)..

Here is what I am leaning towards:

Rod: St. Croix Rods Legend Xtreme Inshore XIS70MLF

Reel:

One of those:

* Abu Garcia Orra Inshore Spinning Reel 30

* Abu Garcia REVO Inshore Spinning Reel 30

* Quantum Smoke Inshore PT Spinning Reel 30X

* Shimano Stradic Spinning Reels FK ST1000HGFK

What ya thinking about this?

[smalljaw67]

Unless you get the inshore at a reduced price or you intend to saltwater fish with it I'd say no. The saltwater version is half an ounce heavier while the freshwater version has better guides. Both the guides and weight will impact sensitivity. I feel like you are grasping straws and I'm afraid the sensitivity issue is going to plague you. I noticed you asked for help on Tackle Tour and at the 400 combo range some mentioned the Avid, and of course you didn't feel good with the sensitivity. Well as I said before, the difference between the Avid and a GLX or a Legend Elite/Extreme will be noticeable but it isn't going to be stark, a light bite is still going to be light, you will pick the feel up faster but it isn't going to be night and day difference that you seem to be expecting. This wouldn't be a problem is you have been using an ugly stick but saying the Avid X wasn't sensitive enough is like saying a 357 mag didn't have enough stopping power so you need a 44 mag. There is a difference but it won't be as profound as you expect and that makes it hard to suggest anything because I feel no matter what you get it isn't going to meet your expectations. Did you ever wonder why the Avid gets mentioned so much? Because that is the mark where the sensitivity of the rod transitions into components as you go up in price range. Yes, the rods will get more sensitive but not as you seem to think, if you can't feel a light bite now, adding another $200 might not get you there either, if you can't feel the difference between rock and wood now, you may not be able to feel it after spending more. I apologize for sounding like a broken record and I want to help but I don't think I can do much for you other than to say that you either need to find someone with a high end set up and have them let you use it for a few hours so you understand what the difference is going to be. The last thing I will say is that you also have to take into consideration you are going from baitcasting to spinning, the lighter power spinning rod is going to have a lot more sensitivity just because of the lighter power, so getting a good high end rod will have a lot more feel than the heavier power casting rod, but keep an open mind and try to get any preconceived notions out of your head because it will end in nothing but disappointment as Kshultz told you, the law of diminishing returns really gets going once you pass the $200 price point. So choose wisely, don't over think it and don't look to inshore models because you find one at a discount unless you plan to do that kind of fishing, good luck.

[freelancer27]

5 hours ago, smalljaw67 said:

Unless you get the inshore at a reduced price or you intend to saltwater fish with it I'd say no. The saltwater version is half an ounce heavier while the freshwater version has better guides. Both the guides and weight will impact sensitivity. I feel like you are grasping straws and I'm afraid the sensitivity issue is going to plague you. I noticed you asked for help on Tackle Tour and at the 400 combo range some mentioned the Avid, and of course you didn't feel good with the sensitivity. Well as I said before, the difference between the Avid and a GLX or a Legend Elite/Extreme will be noticeable but it isn't going to be stark, a light bite is still going to be light, you will pick the feel up faster but it isn't going to be night and day difference that you seem to be expecting. This wouldn't be a problem is you have been using an ugly stick but saying the Avid X wasn't sensitive enough is like saying a 357 mag didn't have enough stopping power so you need a 44 mag. There is a difference but it won't be as profound as you expect and that makes it hard to suggest anything because I feel no matter what you get it isn't going to meet your expectations. Did you ever wonder why the Avid gets mentioned so much? Because that is the mark where the sensitivity of the rod transitions into components as you go up in price range. Yes, the rods will get more sensitive but not as you seem to think, if you can't feel a light bite now, adding another $200 might not get you there either, if you can't feel the difference between rock and wood now, you may not be able to feel it after spending more. I apologize for sounding like a broken record and I want to help but I don't think I can do much for you other than to say that you either need to find someone with a high end set up and have them let you use it for a few hours so you understand what the difference is going to be. The last thing I will say is that you also have to take into consideration you are going from baitcasting to spinning, the lighter power spinning rod is going to have a lot more sensitivity just because of the lighter power, so getting a good high end rod will have a lot more feel than the heavier power casting rod, but keep an open mind and try to get any preconceived notions out of your head because it will end in nothing but disappointment as Kshultz told you, the law of diminishing returns really gets going once you pass the $200 price point. So choose wisely, don't over think it and don't look to inshore models because you find one at a discount unless you plan to do that kind of fishing, good luck.

LOL! Whenever I think I can settle on a selection somebody shows up and makes good arguments!  I think you are right, that I expect a twice as sensitive set up from twice the price. Which it sounds I will NOT get and therefor might rather save my hard earned bucks!

I will rethink the rod! Though I think my decision to go with a saltwater ready reel has manifested.  

Any thoughts on these here? 
 

* Abu Garcia Orra Inshore Spinning Reel 30

* Abu Garcia REVO Inshore Spinning Reel 30

* Quantum Smoke Inshore PT Spinning Reel 30X

* Shimano Stradic Spinning Reels FK ST1000HGFK

[Burntorangefan]

I can also attest to the sensitivity of the Legend Extreme 6-10 MLXF rods.  I have a brand new one that saw time on the water this past weekend and I'm very impressed.  I'd consider the sensitivity on par with Loomis GLX and NRX.  I also have a Legend Tournament Bass that I really like, but it's not in that league - nor in price to be fair.

 

I don't mind the reel seat of the LE, though YMMV.  I don't have any practical experience with the lighter spinning setups of other companies, so I can't be helpful in that regard.  So on rods, I think since money appears to no longer be any object I'd lean LE or Legend Elite, GLX or NRX.

 

On reels, I'm a fan of Daiwa and their MagSealed offerings may work for your salty desires.  Some folks like to tinker with their reels and if you're one of them, they may not be for you.  I am not, and they work well for me.  But again, they aren't cheap......

[RoLo]

Were it me, I'd go with a Shimano 1000 Stradic FK reel and Dobyns Fury rod.

If I had to skimp somewhere, it would be on the reel, but not the rod.

 

Roger

[freelancer27]

6 hours ago, RoLo said:

Were it me, I'd go with a Shimano 1000 Stradic FK reel and Dobyns Fury rod.

If I had to skimp somewhere, it would be on the reel, but not the rod.

 

Roger

But why would you then use a 'cheaper' rod as the Fury? I am not a native speaker, so I might understand 'skimp' wrong 

 

[RoLo]

1 hour ago, freelancer27 said:

But why would you then use a 'cheaper' rod as the Fury? I am not a native speaker, so I might understand 'skimp' wrong 

 

 

All I was saying is this: if the total price of the rod & reel is more than you wish to spend,

I would sooner look for a lower cost reel rather than a lower cost rod (The rod is the workhorse)

 

Roger

 

 

[freelancer27]

1 hour ago, RoLo said:

 

All I was saying is this: if the total price of the rod & reel is more than you wish to spend,

I would sooner look for a lower cost reel rather than a lower cost rod (The rod is the workhorse)

 

Roger

 

 

I think I do not want to spend more than necessary, where necessary is hard to define sometimes
I rather spend another 100 USD and be fully happy than saving a hundred USD and keep asking me 'what if I had spend 100 USD more?'

Shimano 1000/2500 Stradic FK and a Legend Extreme (inshore)? Is there a reason why the Inshore is heavier and has different guides? Does it make it more robust in comparison to the fresh water one?

[smalljaw67]

Freelancer27, Go to the Tackle Tour home page and read the review of the Abu Garcia Villain 2.0. Don't go to the forum section but the home page, they reviewed that rod and what they said was the area of the rod that really shined was the sensitivity, in fact they gave it a rating of 8.42 and their editors choice for a rod that is $199.99 and might be had for less during sales. What I found was they used a Daiwa Exceler and a Pflueger Supreme reel to test the stick which would have you well under budget. The reason I mention this is because the sensitivity thing is one area where they will tell you that a rod is sensitive to its price point, they didn't do that, in fact they kind of went out of there way in praise for that stick, something you don't get from those guys at rods under $300 price point and they have done reviews in which they weren't a fan of the sensitivity with some high end sticks. I know you are pretty set on the saltwater deal but this may just be thing you are looking for sensitivity wise without breaking the bank. http://tackletour.com/index.html

[The Fisher]

Avid X 6'9" M Xl for super light finesse fishing.

Shaky heads , Wacky Worms etc. Falcon Cara T7 Spin Rod 6'9" Medium Fast

 

[mreservices]

I have a few of the rods you are looking at so I thought I would chime in. Please keep in mind that I am no professional.  Just your weekend fisherman for the past 25 or so years.  I have the following rods that I have used and can speak to (my impressions):

 

Dobyns Champion Extreme DX701 Light Fast

Dobyns Champion Extreme DX702 Med/Light Fast

Dobyns Champion Extreme DX703 Medium Fast

St. Croix Legend Xtreme LXS68MXF Med Ex Fast

St. Croix Legend Xtreme LXS70MLF Med/Light Fast

St. Croix Legend Xtreme LXS70MF Med Fast

St. Croix Legend Tournament Bass TBS68MXF Med Ex Fast

GLoomis IMX Mag-Lt 820S DSR Mag-Lt

*** Envy EBS71M Med Fast

 

One you didn't list but high end

Kistler Z-Bone LE LE-2MS-73  Med Fast

 

I have lower end rods, but from a sensitivity standpoint, these are my best.  Of all of my rods, the Kistler is the most sensitive for me, but it is a $500 rod.  After that, the Legend Xtreme would follow, and fairly close I feel (literally).  I really like the Legend Xtreme rods.  I think some people are put off by the handles, but I like them.  They are comfortable and are really nice sticks.  After that I would say the Dobyns Champion Extreme, then the Envy and the St. Croix Legend Tournament rods.  Of all of my rods, the I like fishing the Dobyns the best.  The main reason is the balance of the rod.  I can use a lighter reel and make it balance well (i.e. I'm not tired at the end of the day).  All of the St. Croix rods that I have fished are a bit more tip heavy.  The Xtremes are better than the LTB by a ton, but still not as good as the Xtremes.  I do hear good things about the new Elites but have not tried one.  The Envy also balances very well with lighter reels.  I have a few GLoomis IMX rods and they are nice, but they are older models and likely not as good as the new PRO models.  I have been fishing the IMX line since the early 90's and have always been happy with them.  I just didn't like the fact they sold off to Shimano so I moved on.  Still great sticks with great warranties.

 

Just a few of my thoughts to throw in the mix.  I do agree with most people that after $250, there are not huge jumps in performance.  With that said, there are some great sticks above $250.  Are they worth it?  Only you can decide.

 

As for reels, I mainly use the Diawa Ballistic EX and Quantum Smoke.  I also have a Pflueger President and Supreme XT for my wife and I would never buy another one.  Both reels click when reeling and they don't have much time on the water.  Moving forward, all of my reels will be Diawa.

 

Just an FYI, I am selling my Kistler Z-Bone LE LE-2MS-73  Med Fast rod.  I will have it in the  Flea Market later today.

 

Good luck with your quest!!

 

[WRB]

Why not contact DVT and have a custom rod made to your specific requirements. Bass anglers tend to use sensitivity to justify purchasing highend state of the art rod brands. If you compare how a rod performs at night in the dark, if you can determine a difference between today's light weight rods that cost $125 vs $550, then buy the rod.

Reel, Shimano Stratic series are extremely reliable smooth, state of the art spinning reels.

Tom