$200 Budget, 2 cheaper combos or 1 good combo?

[RedFox]

Hey guys, there's probably a thread already started similar to this but I couldn't find anything.. I'm just getting back into fishing (mainly bass now off of banks), it's been years and just wanted to get a rod and reel so I can stop using my brothers gear.  I've got a budget of $200 and am wondering if I should spend it on one better quality baitcaster or if I should go for a couple of "affordable" spinning and baitcast combos.  I'm not a huge fan of spinners but I know I should learn to like them at some point.  I would also be open to two baitcasters setup for different applications.

 

I was originally looking at a Tatula CT with a Veritas/Vendetta 7' or the new Lews Mach 2 combo.  But I also liked the Lew's Carbon Blue Speed Stick combo they have at Dick's for 79.99 and figured I could get that and a spinning combo for under $200 as well.

 

Let me know your thoughts, or links to other threads!  

[bigturtle]

1 spinning and 1 baitcast is the way to go

[Raul]

1 good combo always.

[Fishin' Fool]

If you plan to fish once in a while I'd go with the 2 rods and reels. If it's something that you would like to invest some time into I'd get the one best combo that you could afford. Because when you grow out of your cheaper stuff you'll be disappointed. For example I use to spend $100 for a rod/reel combo. Now it's more like $200 for a rod or a reel.

[webertime]

With a 200 limit, you could start a pretty comprehensive collection with the Powell Diesels at TW for ~$55 each then get a Daiwa Exceler casting and Daiwa RG 2000 Spinning reel from gander mtn.  

[Fun4Me]

Is $200 all you're ever going to spend on rods and reels? Or are you going to save and get something more down the road?

[d-camarena]

Get 1 medium spinning rod

And 1 casting medium heavy rod

Than save up for 2 reels

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard!

 

I'd go for one good combo, as follows:

 

1) Medium Fast Spinning rod rod in the $100 range.

There are *many* good rods in this price range such

as the Bass Pro Carbonlite, the Abu Veritas, St. Croix

Premiere, and so forth.

 

If you can find a MXF (Medium Extra Fast) rod, it will

have a stiffer taper, also good.

 

2) Spinning reel in the $100 range. I'm partial to Shimano,

and they make a great reel in the Sahara ($79) and Nascii

at ($99).

 

Or you can save more with the Sahara, or a Pflueger President

and so on, then $100-120 on the rod with a little left over for

more hooks, worms, etc.

[CroakHunter]

I have experience with the ct reel and lews rods...wouldnt trade em for another combo of the same price. 

[RedFox]

Hey all, thanks for the responses so far.  I definetely plan on buying more rods/reels sooner than later, probably buy another within the next 3 months.  I've been fishing almost everyday for the past 4 weeks, weather permitting... don't see this turning into a "once a month" hobby anytime soon.

 

I'm thinking I would like to get one good setup that I will be happy with down the road.

 

Also figured I'd throw in what I'm borrowing from my brother,

 

Reel is a Shimano Bantam Castaic CA200

Rod is a Berkley Bionix IM6 graphite

I'm hoping I'll be upgrading from this setup, seems a little dated! 

 

I won't be making my purchase for a week or two though, so I always appreciate more feedback!

[nameiztaken]

For $200, the arguably best setup you can get is:

Daiwa Tatula CT 6.3:1, $98 paired with a Abu Garcia Veritas 2.0 7' Medium Fast (Model VRTCM70-5) for $68. (The rod is more of a medium-heavy). I have used both products listed here.

prices listed here are found on the auction site.

Hint: site name starts with an E.

 

Total is $166 after shipping. and that is a VERY nice combo, and will last you a while. You might even have some cash left over for baits/line!

 

 

[fishnkamp]

I would consider starting with a decent spinning rod and reel first. SInce you can use the Bantam and Bionix that is how I would go.

 

A few good options would be a Pflueger President , President XT or even a Supreme spinning reel.  That would cost $60, $80, or $100 depending.  For the last 20 years my wife has chosen to fish with either a President in 30 or 35 size ( she has 4 of them) or a 35 Supreme.  They have help up against some big fish like several 7 pound smallies, a 10 pound cat and many big stripers up to 20 inches.  There are tons of more expensive reels but we trust these. I use several myself as well.

 

A good strategy is to get a 6'6 to 7 foot medium spinning rod. It will handle most finesse baits and the basics of bass fishing. These lures include grubs, tubes, lightly weighted worms and even small crankbaits and minnow baits like 4 inch Rapalas and Pop Rs etc.

Take a good look at a Dobyns Fury FR 703SF.  This is a rod that would cost $110 and fish like a $200 rod.  Another good option would be a Powell Inferno 6103MEF.  This rod runs $99.

 

This would let you get one very serious weapon to fish all of the baits that baitcasters do not cast easily.  You could temporarily use the Bantam/ Bionix combo until you are ready to get an upgrade to that setup.  I would look at a 7 foot MH/fast action rod as my next combo.  A rod like the Powell Max 683CEF is a very nice option, so would a rod like a Falcon Bucoo TrapCaster.  A Dobyns Fury FR 734C would also give you a good option here as well.  

Match that up with Daiwa Tatula CT or Fuego add some good line and go catch fish.

[22hertz]

If you're serious about fishing get one quality combo no question.

 

I just bought another Cabela's ZX Tournemant rod. They are on sale right now for $70

IMO this rod blows away every other rod in this price range. I would buy it over every other rod in the $100 price range as well.

 

For $99 shipped you can order a Diawa Tatula CT for an incredibly good combo for the price. If you want to spend a bit more you could order a Shimano Casitas MGL from Japan. Either reel would be a good choice.

[Big Bait Fishing]

if you are seriously gonna fish , get the best you can afford ...

[webertime]

If you are going with 1 combo then a Tatula rod from the auction site or Amazon for $100 amd a Tatula reel from the same places.  Just about 200...   Tatula rod for 100 is a no brainer

[Jrob78]

With that budget, one good combo. You don't have to spend the whole $200 but I wouldn't try to stretch it to two combos.

[wet_dream]

4 hours ago, webertime said:

If you are going with 1 combo then a Tatula rod from the auction site or Amazon for $100 amd a Tatula reel from the same places.  Just about 200...   Tatula rod for 100 is a no brainer

 

I had the same budget for an all-around baitcasting combo a couple weeks ago and went this route. I went with a Tatula Type-R and Tatula 7'2" MH. Total came in at about $220 free shipping. A regular Tatula CT would have you closer to the $200 mark. And Daiwa is running a promo for a free Daiwa Huk performance shirt with Tatula rod and reel purchases so I have 2 shirts on the way!

 

[BassThumb]

Buy the best stuff you can afford, or you'll just end up replacing it in a year or two. That's the nature of bass fishing tackle.

[22hertz]

2 hours ago, wet_dream said:

 

I had the same budget for an all-around baitcasting combo a couple weeks ago and went this route. I went with a Tatula Type-R and Tatula 7'2" MH. Total came in at about $220 free shipping. A regular Tatula CT would have you closer to the $200 mark. And Daiwa is running a promo for a free Daiwa Huk performance shirt with Tatula rod and reel purchases so I have 2 shirts on the way!

 

How did you get the shirt?

Edit: I found the form to get the shirt. Thanks for the info about the free shirt.

Edited April 16, 2017 by 22hertz

[wet_dream]

14 minutes ago, 22hertz said:

How did you get the shirt?

Edit: I found the form to get the shirt. Thanks for the info about the free shirt.

 

No problem. The offer is good til the end of May on Tatula rods and reels bought between February-May. I just sent the rebate form in last week. Still waiting on them.

[RedFox]

6 hours ago, wet_dream said:

 

I had the same budget for an all-around baitcasting combo a couple weeks ago and went this route. I went with a Tatula Type-R and Tatula 7'2" MH. Total came in at about $220 free shipping. A regular Tatula CT would have you closer to the $200 mark. And Daiwa is running a promo for a free Daiwa Huk performance shirt with Tatula rod and reel purchases so I have 2 shirts on the way!

 

Where was this purchased?  I can't find any site where they're that price!  That's a great deal!  Could you PM me the links if you still have them?  

 

I was checking out the Daiwa Fuego 100H and Revro 2500 spinning, they can be had together for ~$120 on said auction site.  Figured I could get one casting rod now and purchase a spinning in a couple weeks.  

[wet_dream]

41 minutes ago, RedFox said:

Where was this purchased?  I can't find any site where they're that price!  That's a great deal!  Could you PM me the links if you still have them?  

 

I was checking out the Daiwa Fuego 100H and Revro 2500 spinning, they can be had together for ~$120 on said auction site.  Figured I could get one casting rod now and purchase a spinning in a couple weeks.  

 

PM sent.

 

They had Stradic FKs for $125 at the end of last year. Just keep your eyes open and they have great deals, both on their website and fleabay store.

[Fishin' Fool]

13 hours ago, wet_dream said:

 

I had the same budget for an all-around baitcasting combo a couple weeks ago and went this route. I went with a Tatula Type-R and Tatula 7'2" MH. Total came in at about $220 free shipping. A regular Tatula CT would have you closer to the $200 mark. And Daiwa is running a promo for a free Daiwa Huk performance shirt with Tatula rod and reel purchases so I have 2 shirts on the way!

 

 

They had that offer going last year too. I got a Daiwa/Huk hoodie and one of those fish camo long sleeve shirts. Great looking stuff if that's what you're getting.