Decisions decisions! $200 or a little more. Advice appreciated

[MUSLENUTZ]

I have spent a season fishing with a 6.6 gsx2 ugly stick. It’s time to get a “reel” deal set up. I’m tired of losing fish, line and lures. 

 

Im doing shore fishing on lakes, rivers and reservoirs. Im casting a lot in the bush so I need power, but I also want to get distance anywhere I want. Im planning to use braid and a flute leader. I’m using mostly drop shots, whacky with a senko, crank and spinner bait and everything else. The ugly stick just doesn’t seem to be that great for me anymore. I grew up using a bait caster for deep sea fishing so I’m comfortable with one, but everyone is telling me go with a spinning reel since I want distance. 

 

For rods im looking at St.Croix - mojo, triumph or premier. Lews- TP1. Abu Garcia Veritas. I really love the way the veritas feels, but I hear things about the eyes not holding up. 

 

For reels I looked at the plueger president cut and the abu Garcia revo revo x. 

 

Im thinking 7ft to work around the shore and a 30,35 or 40 on the reel size. 

 

Any direction or opinions would be appreciated!

 

 

[Stephen B]

I highly recommend the following rods and reels in your budget of around $200:

 

Reels: Daiwa Fuego LT, Shimano NASCI, Pfluegar President, Shimano Sedona, Daiwa Exceler LT.

 

Rods: St Croix Mojo Bass, Shimano Exage (or wait for Shimano SLX), Dobyns Fury, ALX Ikos, and 1(3) Fishing rods under $100 are good as well.

 

There are a ton of options, but these are just a few I can recommend as I have some experience with them. You'll get some more feedback from some other guys soon. Goodluck on your search!?

[MisterDeadeye]

I've personally found better casting -- more distance, accuracy, precision, etc -- with a baitcasting setup. Of course, I've seen the same sentiment as you, that spinning reels cast farther than casting reels, so I don't know. It's probably a comfort thing, because I grew up using casting reels on ponds and lakes fishing for bass, rivers for catfish, etc. So if you've been using casting reels for a long time or if you feel a lack of comfort with spinning reels, you're probably not going to get the result you're looking for. 

 

I have no spinning reel or rod recommendations, so I can't help in that regard.

 

Edit: For me, spinning reels are delegated to catching bait or the occasional "finesse" approach. My main setups will always be baitcasting. 

[new2BC4bass]

A brother-in-law (uses spinning reels only) that I fish with thinks baitcasters cast further. 

[NYWayfarer]

7 hours ago, MUSLENUTZ said:

Im doing shore fishing on lakes, rivers and reservoirs. Im casting a lot in the bush so I need power, but I also want to get distance anywhere I want. Im planning to use braid and a flute leader. I’m using mostly drop shots, whacky with a senko, crank and spinner bait and everything else.

My current spinning setup for shore fishing on a river for dropshots and wacky rigged senko is a St. Croix Premier paired with a Lew's Mach II spinning reel. I couldn't be happier with the performance of this combo. I have had the Premier for years and it is still going strong. The Mach II reel has an aluminum frame and a great drag. My only complaint is the green Winn grip knob gets dirty fast.

 

I use a Medium Light Rod and size 100 reel for these finesse techniques but I imagine you could get a medium or medium heavy Premier and a size 200 or 300 Mach II reel for the added applications you are looking for.

[kenmitch]

Cabelas has the St Croix Premier 7' MF PS70MFSG in stock currently on sale for $90. Might be worth a look and see.

[Darren.]

8 hours ago, MUSLENUTZ said:

I have spent a season fishing with a 6.6 gsx2 ugly stick. It’s time to get a “reel” deal set up. I’m tired of losing fish, line and lures. 

 

Im doing shore fishing on lakes, rivers and reservoirs. Im casting a lot in the bush so I need power, but I also want to get distance anywhere I want. Im planning to use braid and a flute leader. I’m using mostly drop shots, whacky with a senko, crank and spinner bait and everything else. The ugly stick just doesn’t seem to be that great for me anymore. I grew up using a bait caster for deep sea fishing so I’m comfortable with one, but everyone is telling me go with a spinning reel since I want distance. 

 

For rods im looking at St.Croix - mojo, triumph or premier. Lews- TP1. Abu Garcia Veritas. I really love the way the veritas feels, but I hear things about the eyes not holding up. 

  

For reels I looked at the plueger president cut and the abu Garcia revo revo x. 

 

Im thinking 7ft to work around the shore and a 30,35 or 40 on the reel size. 

Welcome aboard!

 

For ~$200 you have a load of options!

 

You can split that $$ down the middle and get a great rod and a great 

reel. Rods in the $100 range today are fantastic, and pretty much the 

sweet spot.

 

St. Croix rods are excellent, so are Bass Pro rods like the Carbonlite which

are frequently on sale below $100.

 

Pflueger makes great reels. I lean toward Shimano Stradics, but that's

been my investment over the years. You can go baitcasting, but IMO, that's

a debate that is not worth the time to get into. Some prefer them, some

don't. Spinning, for the majority of people, I'd argue, is better in windy

conditions, among others. I can cast a baitcaster in the wind. But I prefer

to use spinning.

 

For bass, and freshwater in general, 2500 size is the "standard" size. You

will probably never get spooled. I use 1000 size Stradics, never ever once

had a worry about line capacity (using braid for mainline and a leader).

 

But be warned, you'll still lose fish, line, lures with expensive equipment.  

[islandbass]

Since you said you're going to drop shot a lot, then I'd recommend spinning, 2500 or 3000 size reel. I think 40 or 4000 is just more than is necessary and could possibly be heavier. 

 

As for which type casts farther, that's 100% on the angler. 

 

Sorry I can't recommend a rod or reel by brand since I'm not up on the latest gear. 

 

 

[roadwarrior]

 

[MUSLENUTZ]

Do you know the differences between that and the mojo? Thank you!

3 hours ago, kenmitch said:

Cabelas has the St Croix Premier 7' MF PS70MFSG in stock currently on sale for $90. Might be worth a look and see.

Do you know the difference between that and the mojo??

[kenmitch]

1 hour ago, MUSLENUTZ said:

Do you know the differences between that and the mojo? Thank you!

Do you know the difference between that and the mojo??

Mojo has slightly better blank it looks like. Worth the xtra $'s? Possibly? I'm not sure, but not too me at least.

[WRB]

You are the one using the rod and reel, not your friends unless they put thier money where thier mouth is. Spinning reels have the potential to cast longer distances then bait casting reels but...with little accuracy. 

A  baitcasting combo can cast over 50 yards depending on the angler skill, line, lure weight, rod type and reel.

You want to use wacky rigged Senko, drop shot, crank baits, spinner baits and everything else! Spinning out for excell in casting light weight less aerodynamic lures like a weightless Senko or rigs 1/8 oz or lighter. Baitcasting outfits are ideally suited for 3/16 oz or heavier like crankbaits, spinnerbaits and everything else. 

Decissions....spinning or casting!

Tom

[xxRambo_21xx]

st croix mojo bass is a sweet rod.