Build a spinning setup around $120

[J.C]

What is a good rod and reel setup for all around fishing for around $120. Also what test and type of line? I would also like to buy it in store like cabela's. 

 

P.S I'm looking for my brother his rod and reel is swimming with the fish if you know what I me... Life lesson learned never fish for pike and leave your rod unattended!

[Djman72]

Not a lot of info to go on here, BUT i'll give it a shot:

 

I would get a Pflueger President in whatever size you need for your fishing metho and what size line you need. I think I have a 6925 & 6935 but i'm not sure. Should run you around 35-50 bucks depending on where and when you get it. GREAT reels that are durable yet smooth. I've caught bass, pike, catfish, and steelhead on mine with no issues. I've also had mine for 4-5 years without any issues minus a little cleaning / upkeep.

 

As for a rod, this is where things can go ANY direction. Not sure what type of fishing you're doing but I would suggest a Fenwick Silverhawk. I got mine for $50.00 @ Cabelas awhile back and I think they still run the sales regularly - they're normally 79 or 100. 

 

For general fishing I would suggest either Medium or MH with a fast tip.

 

This setup is solid (I have 2 of them myself) and should cover a lot of fishing scenarios. You can cast a bunch of different lures and catch panfish up to big bass/pike/catfish.

 

You can PM me if you have any questions. You can build a very nice spinning combo for under $120.00. You really can't go wrong with the major brands. 

Also, Cabelas used to sell a nice little combo: Pflueger President Reel / Cabelas Tourney trail rod for 70 or 80 bucks. It was a great deal - my buddy bought one and that is how I got started with Pflueger spinning reels. 

 

If you are going to shop @ a cabelas, I'd suggest you ask an employee if they have this combo still, or something similar. Good Luck! 

[J.C]

Thanks a lot for the input I will look into these. He mostly likes to fish for pike catfish panfish and bass if that gives you some more info, he fishes all sorts of jigs and minnows.

[Gus Heinze]

I did some research online and found this one, it seemed to have decent reviews. I was looking for a spinning setup to add to my bait casting arsenal.

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LDYL556/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

I paired it with this:

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OYIMVNI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

I put 30lb Vicious braid on it, been using it for soft plastics and live worms, so far it's very VERY smooth. Rod seems very sensitive too.

 

I know it's under the $120 mark you mentioned but thought I'd throw it out there.

 

Happy Fishing!

[thebillsman]

I put together a Daiwa Exceler spinning combo for my girlfriend and it's been great for her bottom contact fishing. She always catches fish so it gets a workout. 6'6" M/F, a 2500 size reel and 6lb InvizX. MSRP for the rod and reel is around $140 but Cabelas has the reel for ~$40 and the rod on eBay is in the same ballpark. The rod looks really sharp.

[Fishin' Fool]

It's a new offering from Dobyns and I don't know anything about it but their other rods are good.

 

Dobyns Colt with a Pfleuger President reel puts you right around your target. Otherwise save up for a Dobyns Fury rod.

[WRB]

Not availble at Cabela's, as mentioned Dobyns Colt series spinning rods are $80 and on eBay US Reel X180 (original price $90) is $35, well within your budget.

Tom

[primetime]

Cabelas House brand Rods are actually really good and even the less expensive IM 6 Graphite rods for $30 are rated well and are light and nice to fish. I believe the $40 Bass guide rod? actually tested higher than many rods in the upper price range from a reputable site who reviews gear every year.

Cabelas has that Whoopin Stick which is a great rod for all around saltwater and freshwater, but if you look at most rods around $50, I say go with the Cabelas Lifetime warranty (They honor it on all rods) and spend I think 40-50 for the IM7 Guide series. 

 

They also have Pflueger spinnning reels that they always sell super inexpensive. The President is one of the most popular spinning reels in general and has been for years, and the Purist and Summitt are almost identical in specs if not better in some cases and Cabelas sells them really cheap.

 

Other great all purpose reels and rods that can get you set for 120 and be used anywhere, anytime with exception being offshore fishing would be the Berkley Lighting Rods, Cabela's, BPS rods are good, combos are always an option like a Lews combo, I know the SSG spinning reel is rated really well and is not expensive at all.

 

Okuma Ceymar can be had for $50 and is a sweet looking reel, great for salt or fresh, light, and is rated really well.

any shimano spinning reel in the $40 plus range will work just fine, so will the Pflueger Trion for $30.

 

rod and reel costs say $110, you get something really nice, for line, go with Mono to get started, or just grab some 10-20lb braid. 

 

You can find several sites that rate gear and are not biased toward certain brands etc. Obviously all reviews are biased in some way, but I never trust anything on sites like Bassmaster etc. Also beware of any reviews that starts pushing all kinds of brands you have never heard of. The Chinese blitz of equipment is coming hard, Kast King is legit, so is Piscifun from what I know.

 

Kast King Mela for $30 is a reel that lots of guys fish when I stop by a pier, and I picked one up, It fishes way better than a $30 reel and put the name Ardent on it and you could get $100 for it. Hope that helps. I recently picked up a bunch of rods and reels as extras for friends, and like some of the Cabelas, kast king, and I spool the 4000 spinning reels with 15lb trilene big game.

[caclunker]

love the Shimano synopant reels mainly because the triggers for flipping...and they are priced cheap and last..

Edited September 2, 2017 by caclunker