Overall Spinning Gear Selection

[BraytonM]

I am looking for a inexpensive spinning rod and reel combo for roughly $80. I have two MHF baitcasters, but I am looking for a spinning combo for bank fishing. Ideally, I would like this combo to be able to do it all but primarily soft plastics. Currently, I am thinking about pairing a Pflueger President with a 6'6" Berkley Lightning. Also, I plan on spooling the reel with Yo-Zuri 6# Ultrasoft. Do you guys think this would be a good idea or should I look elsewhere? Feel free to recommend any combo and/or line, too. Thank you. 

[Mobasser]

BraytonM, the combo you mentioned would be good. The president reels are nice, and Berkeley makes tough, affordable rods. I have 2 berkley rods,and both have worked well. But, as always , shop around. Lots of sales this time of year

[Abby]

I agree, the Pflueger reels are really good and the Berkley Lightening rods I have are nice and have held up to a lot of abuse on the streams and in the boat.

[ratherbfishin1]

That’s a great combo you mentioned.  I have never tried ultrasoft line so I can’t say I don’t like it but I generally use braid because there is no memory.  The ultrasoft says it has less memory but I’m just saying make sure to try and get some line with not too much memory.

[BraytonM]

2 hours ago, Mobasser said:

BraytonM, the combo you mentioned would be good. The president reels are nice, and Berkeley makes tough, affordable rods. I have 2 berkley rods,and both have worked well. But, as always , shop around. Lots of sales this time of year

 

34 minutes ago, Abby said:

I agree, the Pflueger reels are really good and the Berkley Lightening rods I have are nice and have held up to a lot of abuse on the streams and in the boat.

Thank you for the feedback. I think that I am open to other recommendations on rods but Pflueger President is a must buy. 

27 minutes ago, ratherbfishin1 said:

That’s a great combo you mentioned.  I have never tried ultrasoft line so I can’t say I don’t like it but I generally use braid because there is no memory.  The ultrasoft says it has less memory but I’m just saying make sure to try and get some line with not too much memory.

I have read around and many seem to like the YZ Ultrasoft for spinning reels. Maybe, I should look at braid instead. Anybody else have a preference of line on spinning reels for overall use?

[Smallieseeker]

Pflueger also has a president combo that would fit with in your budget. I have had one for a few years and have nothin bad to say about it.

[Boomstick]

16 hours ago, Smallieseeker said:

Pflueger also has a president combo that would fit with in your budget. I have had one for a few years and have nothin bad to say about it.

I used a President combo for shaky heads and drop shots all last year with 8lb line. The combo I have is one with a size 35 reel and M/F rod. It's a surprisingly good combo for around the $60 or less I got it for. Everyone knows it's a decent reel, but the rod was surprisingly decent and it barely costs anymore than the reel itself, so should you upgrade the rod someday, you'll have a backup.

 

Feel free to try copoly as well, but the fluorocarbon sinks, which will help your finesse techniques if you fish in deeper water. Braid to leader is probably the best because it doesn't twist like other lines and you can attach a 6 or 8lb leader depending on where you're fishing.

[new2BC4bass]

8 hours ago, BraytonM said:

 

Thank you for the feedback. I think that I am open to other recommendations on rods but Pflueger President is a must buy. 

I have read around and many seem to like the YZ Ultrasoft for spinning reels. Maybe, I should look at braid instead. Anybody else have a preference of line on spinning reels for overall use?

Braid is a favorite of many due to the fact line twist is low.  Don't ever think that using braid eliminates all line twist.  I could prove you wrong with a few hours of fishing time.    I have braid on 2 of my spinning reels and just purchased some hi-vis yellow for use on a Ned Rig rod I just bought.  However, I still prefer a mono or co-polymer for everyday use.  Probably because that is what I used for the first umpteen years of my life.