Kyle S Posted June 21, 2019 Posted June 21, 2019 Hello there everyone! I'd like to add two new bait casting rods, and two new reels to my arsenal. I've got $50.00 to spend on each rod and reel, and would prefer to spend even less than that if possible. I would love some of you all's expert advice? Thanks! Quote
Super User MN Fisher Posted June 21, 2019 Super User Posted June 21, 2019 Is that $50 per rod and $50 per reel? If so... Rods - Diawa Aird-X...I'm happy with mine and you can find them on Amazon for under $50. Reels - I'd up it a little and go with Pflueger President at $59. I have one and it's a very good reel for the price. Quote
Kyle S Posted June 21, 2019 Author Posted June 21, 2019 My apologies, @Glaucus I've budgeted $200.00 total. $50.00 for each individual rod and each individual reel! That's correct @MN Fisher!! $50.00 per rod, and $50.00 per reel! I'll look into your recommendations, thanks!! Quote
Glaucus Posted June 21, 2019 Posted June 21, 2019 That's a hard budget, if I'm being honest. Berkley Lightning rods and Abu Garcia Silver Max reels to be at/under budget. Daiwa Aird X rods and Daiwa Fuego reels would put you a little over budget but is an outstanding combination for the price. My advice though? Get one setup for that money. I've heard the Shimano SLX rod and reel combo is great. A Fenwick HMG rod and Daiwa Fuego or Shimano SLX reel would be great as well. Okuma EVX rods are really good at $100 and again you can slap one of those kings of $100 reels on it (Fuego or SLX). The 6'8" MH/MF Okuma EVX is such a great all purpose rod. I wouldn't settle on getting 2 low end setups when you can get 1 nice one, or if you can swing a little more you can get 2 Aird X and Fuego setups. I'm definitely in the minority here when I say this, so take it as you will, but if the Dobyns Fury gets recommended don't do it. Quote
GReb Posted June 21, 2019 Posted June 21, 2019 I have a burner rod and reel I let my wife and friends use. It’s a 6’ BPS Graphite Series rod and Fuego. It’s actually a pretty enjoyable combo. Quote
JLewis134 Posted June 21, 2019 Posted June 21, 2019 That's tough to find quality equipment at that price. If you can I would suggest spending a bit more and only get one combo. I think you'd be happy. That just my opinion. Best of luck! Quote
r83srock Posted June 21, 2019 Posted June 21, 2019 Lightning rod shock and a black max will do the trick. 2 Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted June 21, 2019 Super User Posted June 21, 2019 FFO has some Berkley E-Motions for $37. No experience with them myself, but I had one of the good guys on here tell me it was a nice rod at full price. You can find a Berkley Cherrywood HD in the $25-$26 range. Otherwise look for house combos at places like Cabela's, BPS and Academy Sports. Haven't looked for such rod/reel at Sportsman's Warehouse, but they occasionally have some excellent deals on rods and reels. Quote
greentrout Posted June 21, 2019 Posted June 21, 2019 50 dollars for a rod ... 50 dollars for a reel ... go to >> academy and kastking ... plenty of quality combinations for what you are looking to do ... walmart... bps ... too ... good fishing ... 1 Quote
BassResource.com Administrator Glenn Posted June 21, 2019 BassResource.com Administrator Posted June 21, 2019 Perhaps of interest: KastKing Adds Another Fishing Rod Series Priced $30 to $40 and Spinning Rod and Reel Combos Under $60 Quote
PourMyOwn Posted June 21, 2019 Posted June 21, 2019 Lews carbon fire rods are 39.99 at Dick's right now. They are very nice rods for 40 bucks-i have three. Search around, they are well thought of here. Quote
Super User Catt Posted June 21, 2019 Super User Posted June 21, 2019 Combos @ Academy Lew's American Hero $79.99 Lew's Lazer TXS $79.99 Abu Garcia Silver Max $79.99 Quote
ike8120 Posted June 21, 2019 Posted June 21, 2019 7 hours ago, Glenn said: Perhaps of interest: KastKing Adds Another Fishing Rod Series Priced $30 to $40 and Spinning Rod and Reel Combos Under $60 Plus right now 15% off coupon on the rods, not the combos Quote
Kyle S Posted June 21, 2019 Author Posted June 21, 2019 Thanks everyone, I’ll repost here and let you all know what I decide on! Quote
Obi_Wan Posted June 21, 2019 Posted June 21, 2019 1 hour ago, BaitFinesse said: I would avoid those $80 combos. The reels are often OK but the rods are absolute junk. I would recommend you bump up the budget a bit and try to find a Daiwa Fuego CT on Ebay with a discount code. Guys have gotten them for as little as $50-$60 before. The Shimano SLX combined can be had for as little as $140 at times. The next time that pops up some where that would be a great buy. If not then the best sub $100 rod and reel combo I have found at regular retail is the Kastking Spartacus and Berkley Lightning Rod. The rod will be much better than the garbage rod you get on some of the combo reels and the reel has a centrifugal and magnetic brake which is unheard of at this price point. Most cheap reels just have a linear magnetic brake so getting a real 6 pin centrifugal is a real step up. It's a cheap China reel but Kastking will toss another reel your way if there are any problems. Spartacus: $34 on Aliexpress Berkley Lightning Rod: 30-40 local walmart. KastKing-8-Baitcasting-12.jpg_640x640q70.jpg_.webpUnavailable X2 I have a Spartacus reel and a lightning rod. Hard to beat for the money. I used the Spartacus in Canada for Walleye with 8lb line and it worked like a champ. Quote
Super User NYWayfarer Posted June 22, 2019 Super User Posted June 22, 2019 DSG right now, Lew’s Mach 2 combo for $139 And a Pflueger Monarch combo for $59 Quote
ike8120 Posted June 22, 2019 Posted June 22, 2019 I have a Dobyns FR733C mated with a KastKing Assassin. Rod was on sale $109.00 and Reel was under 50 bucks. Just because it is a 50 dollar reel don't sell it short. Also KK makes reels that much more expensive. 2 Quote
Jake51823 Posted June 22, 2019 Posted June 22, 2019 I’ve had hands on experience with the abu Garcia pro max combo which is right in your wheel house at $99.99 but right now Walmart has a rollback for the 7 MH for $80.00. I never had any issues with it and it reeled in my PB up until I purchased my new fb origin which I’ve been loving. Quote
Cahabafly Posted June 22, 2019 Posted June 22, 2019 Personally I would say probably just get one combo with that money. Go with an SLX Combo, 7' MH. It should do all you need it to for 160 at tackledirect. If you're set on two rods, the best value will be found with combos from Lews or Abu Garcia. I'll link a few that i've used and personally recommend. Stay away from 13 fishing, favorite, or any of the amazon brands (Kastking, piscifun, etc.); their cheap stuff is tossed in and poor quality. SLX: https://www.tackledirect.com/shimano-slx-casting-combos.html Lew's Combo: https://www.lews.com/combos/lasermg (my favorite but only has MH models) Pro Max: Pro Max Combo (Link was too long) Quote
Super User Catt Posted June 23, 2019 Super User Posted June 23, 2019 On 6/21/2019 at 4:34 PM, BaitFinesse said: I would avoid those $80 combos. The reels are often OK but the rods are absolute junk. In most instances I would agree but not with Lew's. After 2 years of hard usage & hundreds of bass both reels have had no issues. Both rods are light, sensitive, & have to strength to move big bass in heavy cover. 2 1 Quote
r83srock Posted June 23, 2019 Posted June 23, 2019 4 hours ago, Catt said: In most instances I would agree but not with Lew's. After 2 years of hard usage & hundreds of bass both reels have had no issues. Both rods are light, sensitive, & have to strength to move big bass in heavy cover. That boy carries a certain confidence, rightfully so with a tank like that! 1 Quote
newyorktoiowa57 Posted June 23, 2019 Posted June 23, 2019 The Lews hank Parker Speed stick can be tough to beat at $40. Quote
bunz559 Posted June 24, 2019 Posted June 24, 2019 I's recommend the new SLX's. I have 1 rod and 2 reels. For the price, can't beat them. The Dobyn's Fury is a proven budget friendly rod, but I feel the new SLX slightly pulls ahead because of lighter weight. Quote
Kyle S Posted June 26, 2019 Author Posted June 26, 2019 Thanks again to everyone for all of your suggestions!! I ended up going a wee bit over my budget. For the rod I went with a Lew's speed stick TP1 Black 6'10" MH, and for the reel I decided on a Lew's Tournament MB. Rod was 129.00 and reel was 139.00. Also.....I just purchased two Abu Garcia Black Max's from Academy Sports during yesterdays online flash sale of 25% all reels! I've heard quite a bit about these reels so I figured i'd give them a shot and see what all the hype was about. I got them for 29.99 a piece. Later this evening I plan on picking up two rods to pair with the new reels...so much for that 200.00 budget?? Quote
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