wasabi_VA Posted January 21, 2019 Posted January 21, 2019 I've been doing more and more bass fishing the past year using my heavier crappie spinning gear. In my youth I really enjoyed a baitcaster for bass fishing so now I want to get a modern baitcasting rod and and reel. Price/quality wise I typically get spinning reels like Shimano Sahara class around $60 - $75 and rods around $70 -$90, always looking for a deal or coupon before I buy. I'm not a brand snob although have mostly Shimano, Daiwa and Pflueger reels right now and appreciate that they have lasted years with just a little TLC. It is with a little admitted trepidation that I'm eyeing the following KastKing gear as my main baitcasting rig where I will mostly be throwing spinnerbaits, plastic worms and jigs. The market has become so specialized and broad and I admit I haven't kept pace with the fads. KastKing Megajaws 9.1:1 baitcasting reel ($65 - $70) KastKing Speed Demon Pro 7'3" Medium Fast Jig/Worm (~ $105) Any killer sales/deals on a significantly better reel or rod that brings it into my price range? Quote
matbellon3 Posted January 21, 2019 Posted January 21, 2019 I would suggest the Daiwa Fuego ct for reel. St Croix Bass X rod For the techniques you listed i would suggest the 7'1" MH/F 1 Quote
Joshua van Wyk Posted January 21, 2019 Posted January 21, 2019 You will be much better off getting a Daiwa Fuego CT or Shimano Slx. For a rod a would recommend a Dibyns Fury 734. The Fuego is an amazing reel and can be had for less than $60 on eBay and Amazon. 1 Quote
Super User MN Fisher Posted January 21, 2019 Super User Posted January 21, 2019 30 minutes ago, matbellon3 said: I would suggest the Daiwa Fuego ct for reel. 7 minutes ago, Joshua van Wyk said: You will be much better off getting a Daiwa Fuego CT or Shimano Slx. I third that - I purchased a Fuego CT and while I haven't used it yet (we have 'hard water' here), it feels and works like a dream in my bench-testing. Quote
Super User Deleted account Posted January 22, 2019 Super User Posted January 22, 2019 1 hour ago, Joshua van Wyk said: You will be much better off getting a Daiwa Fuego CT or Shimano Slx. For a rod a would recommend a Dibyns Fury 734. The Fuego is an amazing reel and can be had for less than $60 on eBay and Amazon. Fuego/Fury is a lot of bang for the $. I picked up a few for Xmas for $130 per combo with the deals. I'd go with the 704 if you are only doing just one, will cover 90% of baits. Quote
Super User NYWayfarer Posted January 22, 2019 Super User Posted January 22, 2019 16 hours ago, wasabi_VA said: KastKing Megajaws 9.1:1 baitcasting reel ($65 - $70) KastKing Speed Demon Pro 7'3" Medium Fast Jig/Worm (~ $105) Any killer sales/deals on a significantly better reel or rod that brings it into my price range? You just missed a sale last week on that Rod. I try to avoid paying full price on any rod or reel. Kastking stuff regularly goes on sale on Amazon and Ebay. Comparing the full price of the Kastking reel to a $100 reel on sale for $70 is often done on these kind of threads. I have seen the Megajaws on sale for below $50 and it's a steal at that price. Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted January 22, 2019 Global Moderator Posted January 22, 2019 Just picked up a Megajaws for $26 yesterday, never pay full price for them. 1 Quote
wasabi_VA Posted January 22, 2019 Author Posted January 22, 2019 I asked for advice and believe I am taking it. I think I'm going to get a Fuego/Dobyns combo instead. Sounds like a solid value proposition. Right now looking to see if a shop around here carries those rods so I can decide by feel which one I want. Quote
wasabi_VA Posted January 22, 2019 Author Posted January 22, 2019 Woot! I'm good! Dobyns 7' MH/F in my truck already and the Daiwa Fuego reel arriving Thursday! I'm thinking of initially spooling it up with 10-lb mono until I get the hang of it considering I haven't used a casting reel much the past decade (or more). Then maybe I'll switch to a braid like I have done with my spinning reels. Quote
Super User NYWayfarer Posted January 22, 2019 Super User Posted January 22, 2019 1 hour ago, BaitFinesse said: No it is not. $50 for a plastic linear magnetic brake reel is about right. That is what the plastic linear magnetic brake Abu Black Max 3 full retail for. There is a reason the aluminum framed reel with Magforce Z, from a proven platform is being recommended repeatedly in this thread. Some folks have their mind made up on both sides of this debate. Having owned and used Kastking reels my experience is they are higher quality than their price would have you believe. Same for their rods. I like my Assassin and Spartacus way more than I do my Black Max. I know exactly why the Fuego is being recommended repeatedly in this thread. It's a great reel at a great price. Comparing it's sale price to the full price of another reel happens all the time and is unfair. $70 to $26 is a big difference in my wallet and sounds like a true comparison of price. Quote
Global Moderator 12poundbass Posted January 22, 2019 Global Moderator Posted January 22, 2019 4 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said: Just picked up a Megajaws for $26 yesterday, never pay full price for them. Holy cow good find! How'd you get lucky and find that? Quote
Super User NYWayfarer Posted January 22, 2019 Super User Posted January 22, 2019 9 minutes ago, BaitFinesse said: If you can get one for $30 or under then that is good value. That would be half the cost of what the cheapest Fuego CT will go for allowing you to get two Kastkings for the price of one Fuego CT. For those trying to put together multiple combos then that could be attractive. Personally I would opt for the Spartacus over the Megajaws for the centrifugal brake. Last time I bought one of those it was $31 with free shipping on Aliexpress from the Kastking official store at regular retail. I am a sucker when it comes to some of the bells and whistles they added to the Megajaws. Rubber cork knobs, clickable tension knob, that long cast vortex line guide (if it works), lube port and drainage holes. Lots of extras you don't find on the Spartacus. If the mag brakes are as good or better than the Speed Demon I would be very happy. Quote
wasabi_VA Posted February 9, 2019 Author Posted February 9, 2019 Finally broke in that new Fuego/Dobyns setup today. Had water freezing in the guides this morning but the fish were biting! Also my PB! Thanks for the recommendation! 2 Quote
Joshua van Wyk Posted February 10, 2019 Posted February 10, 2019 26 minutes ago, wasabi_VA said: Finally broke in that new Fuego/Dobyns setup today. Had water freezing in the guides this morning but the fish were biting! Also my PB! Thanks for the recommendation! Beauty! Quote
matbellon3 Posted February 10, 2019 Posted February 10, 2019 1 hour ago, wasabi_VA said: Finally broke in that new Fuego/Dobyns setup today. Had water freezing in the guides this morning but the fish were biting! Also my PB! Thanks for the recommendation! Nice one. Now that is how you break in a new combo. Quote
Super User NYWayfarer Posted February 10, 2019 Super User Posted February 10, 2019 2 hours ago, wasabi_VA said: Finally broke in that new Fuego/Dobyns setup today. Had water freezing in the guides this morning but the fish were biting! Also my PB! Thanks for the recommendation! Grats! On a Beetle Spin, nice! Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted February 10, 2019 Super User Posted February 10, 2019 12 hours ago, wasabi_VA said: Finally broke in that new Fuego/Dobyns setup today. Had water freezing in the guides this morning but the fish were biting! Also my PB! Thanks for the recommendation! Woohoo! Very nice fish and a very nice looking combo. Way to go! I see you tried to color coordinate the line/lure/rod. BeetleSpins and Rooster Tails were about my only artificial lures back in the day. One of the first things I always did to my BeetleSpins was put a Mister Twister Curly Tail Grub on it. Probably more for my benefit than the fishes. I liked the extra action of the tail to the do nothing that came with the lure. As you no doubt already know they will catch almost anything that swims. Quote
Super User ChrisD46 Posted February 10, 2019 Super User Posted February 10, 2019 12 hours ago, matbellon3 said: Nice one. Now that is how you break in a new combo. *Heck Yeah !! ... Nice job - that new rod , reel & bass will stay in your nightly dreams for a while !! Quote
Lead Head Posted February 10, 2019 Posted February 10, 2019 I have the same setup... it's hard to imagine a better "bang for your buck" combo at that price without running into some crazy clearance sale or buying used. Quote
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