Pre-purchase rod and reel check

[jtjohns]

First post, but I've gotten a ton of info from BR before signing up.  I purchased my first baitcaster a few weeks ago and much prefer it over spinning reels now.  I purchased the blackmax combo then and now I'm looking to get another reel and pole.  

 

I initially wanted to Lew's crush combo, but after some reading I've narrowed my focus down to the Dobyn's Fury 735C and the Shimano SLX reel.  I'm mainly looking for something that can serve as jig, t-rig, and other sub surface presentations, so sensitivity is a must.  I plan to use the blackmax combo for top water and spinning presentations.

 

By the looks, the Fury 735C and SLX reel will cost around $230ish.  My question, is this the best I can do for this price range or would the SLX combo be just as good? I haven't seen much talk about the SLX rod, so I don't know how sensitive it is compared to the Fury.  

 

I also considered some of the St. Croix rods.  Feel free to offer up any suggestions (rod or reel) that may be better suited.  Looking to stay under the $250 mark.

 

Thanks in advance.

[browne762]

I have a couple budget friendly setups with a St Croix Mojo Bass and SLX reels. I like them quite a bit for the money and they seem pretty sensitive in that price range. Should be at about $240 for the rod and reel.

 

I have other Shimano rods, but no experience with the SLX rod line. Was planning to get a SLX 6'10" Medium over the next few weeks though to give them a try.

 

Also no experience with Dobyns products, not sold around my area.

[jtjohns]

5 minutes ago, browne762 said:

I have a couple budget friendly setups with a St Croix Mojo Bass and SLX reels. I like them quite a bit for the money and they seem pretty sensitive in that price range. Should be at about $240 for the rod and reel.

 

I have other Shimano rods, but no experience with the SLX rod line. Was planning to get a SLX 6'10" Medium over the next few weeks though to give them a try.

 

Also no experience with Dobyns products, not sold around my area.

Thanks.  What's been your favorite St Croix Mojo Bass rod for jigs?

[browne762]

I like their 7'1" Medium for that. If you want something a bit stiffer they have the same length rod in a Medium Heavy. The St Croix Medium seems a bit heavier then some other brands, I prefer their Medium. If you are using heavier jigs then you might want the HM.

[Mikeltee]

That fury 735 is going to be a broomstick. Much more than my broomstick which is the fury 734. Broomstick = no sensitivity. Once you get over medium power, cost accounts for pretty much sensitivity. I'd get at least the champion rod and downgrade the reel if that's your total budget. You can get a champion 734, which will be plenty for 1/2oz jigs and less and maybe even 3/4oz + trailer for $200 if you look hard enough. I assure you that fury 735 will be collecting dust or be your frog rod within a month. My 734 has sat since its first trip put. I keep trying to assign something but it just doesn't suit my taste in sensitivity and action. YMMV

[jtjohns]

1 hour ago, browne762 said:

I like their 7'1" Medium for that. If you want something a bit stiffer they have the same length rod in a Medium Heavy. The St Croix Medium seems a bit heavier then some other brands, I prefer their Medium. If you are using heavier jigs then you might want the HM.

Thanks.  I'll look into the St. Croix Medium; hadn't really considered anything other than MH.  Most of my jigs are 3/8oz (maybe why I'm catching dinks) so a medium should work.

 

30 minutes ago, Mikeltee said:

That fury 735 is going to be a broomstick. Much more than my broomstick which is the fury 734. Broomstick = no sensitivity. Once you get over medium power, cost accounts for pretty much sensitivity. I'd get at least the champion rod and downgrade the reel if that's your total budget. You can get a champion 734, which will be plenty for 1/2oz jigs and less and maybe even 3/4oz + trailer for $200 if you look hard enough. I assure you that fury 735 will be collecting dust or be your frog rod within a month. My 734 has sat since its first trip put. I keep trying to assign something but it just doesn't suit my taste in sensitivity and action. YMMV

Do you think the medium would be a better fit like Browne said above?  I can be flexible with the budget.  My main reasoning for looking into the budget friendly rods is that I'm pretty rough on equipment... it's only a matter of time before I snap it, lol.  Breaking a $100 rod hurts a lot less than breaking a $250 rod.

 

I hadn't looked into the Champion series at all; I'll check them out and get back to you.

 

Thanks for the input.

[waymont]

I have the 735c Fury. It's a great rod but I think you would be better off with a 704c Fury.

It's a better all around rod. You might want to check out the Daiwa Tatula rods too. They are more sensitive and have a nicer over all build than the Fury series. I have four Fury rods and three Tatula rods and I think sensitivity is much better with the Tatula rods.

[Mikeltee]

2 hours ago, jtjohns said:

Thanks.  I'll look into the St. Croix Medium; hadn't really considered anything other than MH.  Most of my jigs are 3/8oz (maybe why I'm catching dinks) so a medium should work.

 

Do you think the medium would be a better fit like Browne said above?  I can be flexible with the budget.  My main reasoning for looking into the budget friendly rods is that I'm pretty rough on equipment... it's only a matter of time before I snap it, lol.  Breaking a $100 rod hurts a lot less than breaking a $250 rod.

 

I hadn't looked into the Champion series at all; I'll check them out and get back to you.

 

Thanks for the input.

Mediums are for more finesse techniques and Light jerkbaits. For jigs a MH for light cover And Heavy for heavy cover for sure. The lightest I have is a M-MH and it is for weightless plastics, ned rigs, drop shots etc etc. 

[Jason.Domingo]

I own a Mach Crush..got it for like $120 for the combo..I absolutely love it. My only gripe is that its a bit on the heavy side and its uncomfortable to palm due to the trigger being so high on the handle.

[Deleted account]

Get the Fuego or Tatula to go with the Fury, The SLX is a good reel, but it's size and weight make the Fury feel unbalanced, specially a longer one like you are considering. The SLX rods are good if you like an XF taper. 

[FishingGeekTX]

Consider St Croix bass X - A light-weight, quality rod:

https://stcroixrods.com/products/bass-x-casting

 

I'd put more into reel than rod.  A quality rod in the proper action/taper is usually sufficient.  I have expensive rods and cheap rods, and I fish them all well.  I don't really fish any cheap reels.  Casting, reeling, drag, thumbar/action..lots of technical feely stuff in a reel.  If a quality rod is correct action/taper and weight, it's unlikely to feel bad unless it's something about that line in particular like a strange grip or something.

 

Get a good Shimano, Daiwa, or Lews reel IMO, best in your budget.

 

[jtjohns]

14 hours ago, Jason.Domingo said:

I own a Mach Crush..got it for like $120 for the combo..I absolutely love it. My only gripe is that its a bit on the heavy side and its uncomfortable to palm due to the trigger being so high on the handle.

Thanks.  I'll have to start considering weight a bit more than I have been.  I've started noticing my wrist aching after a long day with the blackmax combo.  

 

13 hours ago, BassWhole! said:

Get the Fuego or Tatula to go with the Fury, The SLX is a good reel, but it's size and weight make the Fury feel unbalanced, specially a longer one like you are considering. The SLX rods are good if you like an XF taper. 

Are you saying get the Fuego or Tatula reel to go with the Fury?  Sorry if this should be obvious.... New to "fishing", spent my whole life "hoping".  I gotta do some research and see what impact the XF taper has; I'm in way over my head and realize that now.

 

12 hours ago, FishingGeekTX said:

Consider St Croix bass X - A light-weight, quality rod:

https://stcroixrods.com/products/bass-x-casting

 

I'd put more into reel than rod.  A quality rod in the proper action/taper is usually sufficient.  I have expensive rods and cheap rods, and I fish them all well.  I don't really fish any cheap reels.  Casting, reeling, drag, thumbar/action..lots of technical feely stuff in a reel.  If a quality rod is correct action/taper and weight, it's unlikely to feel bad unless it's something about that line in particular like a strange grip or something.

 

Get a good Shimano, Daiwa, or Lews reel IMO, best in your budget.

 

I had been looking at those rods, specifically the 7'1'', MH/F.  Will this rod allow me to feel more than the blackmax rod I currently have?  

 

I've seen the Lews Tournament MB's on clearance, would that be a better reel than the SLX?

 

______________________________________________

 

Next time, I'm going to just buy something and say, "hey, look what I got".  Thank you all for the input.

[aPaul19]

I have that same setup.  Love Dobyns (as many on here do as well) and most of my setups are Dobyns rods.  I didn't love the SLX reel though, I still use it but I've always used Lews and I just couldn't get over the brand change so I went back to Lews.

 

Overall it's a nice set up, just personal preference on my end with the reel but you can't go wrong with that combo.

[RedRob]

Just some food for thought. Use your budget and buy the best reel that you can. Then save again for a nice rod. I would much rather put a $200 reel on a $40 ugly stick. The higher end reel will last forever. And the ugly stick becomes kids or grandkids best rod. And that $200-250 reel will sit nice with most rods. Once you get in the upper price range it kind of is a what feels good to you and balances out good. Buy once cry once. And that's a lie cause after you start buying the nicer rod and reels it seems to never stop.

[jtjohns]

23 minutes ago, RedRob said:

Just some food for thought. Use your budget and buy the best reel that you can. Then save again for a nice rod. I would much rather put a $200 reel on a $40 ugly stick. The higher end reel will last forever. And the ugly stick becomes kids or grandkids best rod. And that $200-250 reel will sit nice with most rods. Once you get in the upper price range it kind of is a what feels good to you and balances out good. Buy once cry once. And that's a lie cause after you start buying the nicer rod and reels it seems to never stop.

You're the second person in this thread to suggest that.  I thought the opposite to be the general rule of thumb based on other threads I've read.  My conclusion was that a higher quality rod should come before the reel.  Thanks for clarifying.  

 

I don't really mind spending a bit more to get a good rod and reel, I know just like in any other hobby, there comes a point where you are no longer paying for quality, but bells and whistles.  What level rod and reel do you believe is that point where you're getting the best bang for your buck?

[RedRob]

I can wear out a $40 cheap reel in half a season. Even taking it apart and cleaning greasing and oiling. Hence I haven't bought a reel under $200 in many years, and I still have them all. Rods I have a couple ugly sticks one catfish and one my 7yr old daughter uses with a shimano static CI4+. Eventually I have a St Croix avid x I will let her use but rods seem to mysteriously get the tips broke off around kids and some adults. That reel will probably leave the house with her. 

[jtjohns]

43 minutes ago, RedRob said:

I can wear out a $40 cheap reel in half a season. Even taking it apart and cleaning greasing and oiling. Hence I haven't bought a reel under $200 in many years, and I still have them all. Rods I have a couple ugly sticks one catfish and one my 7yr old daughter uses with a shimano static CI4+. Eventually I have a St Croix avid x I will let her use but rods seem to mysteriously get the tips broke off around kids and some adults. That reel will probably leave the house with her. 

Good point.... Maybe I'm chasing a white whale.  Searching for a sensitive rod to help feel bites has me going in circles.

[RedRob]

Yeah finding the ultimate setup for yourself can be a chore. I mainly use a Daiwa exist Lt2000 on a St. Croix Legend Xtreme  7ft light fast. 10lb power pro SS8 V2. With 8lb fluorocarbon leader. I use mostly light and ultra light just cause I love the fight.

[Deleted account]

4 hours ago, jtjohns said:

Are you saying get the Fuego or Tatula reel to go with the Fury? 

Yes. 

[Joshua van Wyk]

18 hours ago, BassWhole! said:

Get the Fuego or Tatula to go with the Fury, The SLX is a good reel, but it's size and weight make the Fury feel unbalanced, specially a longer one like you are considering. The SLX rods are good if you like an XF taper. 

My slx balances wonderfully with my fury 733, it’s one of my most comfortable combos to fish.

[RedRob]

The tatula sv is a good price point. Probably best bang for buck is around the $200 mark. Over that isn't just bells and whistles. But more quality. I don't think a $700 reel is truly $500 better than a $200  reel but side by side you can definitely tell a difference. I've thought about the tatula sv for myself as a return to baitcasting. 

[jtjohns]

1 hour ago, BassWhole! said:

Yes. 

Tatula SV or CT?  

 

3 minutes ago, RedRob said:

The tatula sv is a good price point. Probably best bang for buck is around the $200 mark. Over that isn't just bells and whistles. But more quality. I don't think a $700 reel is truly $500 better than a $200  reel but side by side you can definitely tell a difference. I've thought about the tatula sv for myself as a return to baitcasting. 

I was looking at the CT due to a previous suggestion and actually like it.  Looking into the SV now for comparison.

 

45 minutes ago, Joshua van Wyk said:

My slx balances wonderfully with my fury 733, it’s one of my most comfortable combos to fish.

What presentations are you using with the fury 733?

[Deleted account]

53 minutes ago, Joshua van Wyk said:

My slx balances wonderfully with my fury 733, it’s one of my most comfortable combos to fish.

And some folks think a Big Mac is a good burger, it's what makes the world go around.

[Joshua van Wyk]

9 minutes ago, jtjohns said:

Tatula SV or CT?  

 

I was looking at the CT due to a previous suggestion and actually like it.  Looking into the SV now for comparison.

 

What presentations are you using with the fury 733?

Its my weightless plastic rod and treble hook rod. 

 

 

[RedRob]

11 minutes ago, BassWhole! said:

And some folks think a Big Mac is a good burger, it's what makes the world go around.

Hey now I eat a Big mac about once a year.