Kaleb Morgan Posted April 2, 2020 Posted April 2, 2020 I am look for the least expensive 1 pc rod and a reel combo that work like an expensive one would please message me and let me know Quote
Super User MN Fisher Posted April 2, 2020 Super User Posted April 2, 2020 Ballpark price range? Spinning or Baitcasting? Quote
Big Hands Posted April 2, 2020 Posted April 2, 2020 To some extent, the old adage TINSTAAFL applies here as it does in most places. However, that doesn't mean you have to spend a ton to fish well. Also, what fishes well for me might not be such a great choice for you. Specifics matter. . . . big time. Imagine if I were to ask you what is the best car that I could buy. You might really like a Corvette, someone else may prefer a Tesla, Others may prefer a Chevy Volt, and for them, those might be the best car for them. Oh yeah, I need to tow a boat and carry six people so all those first choices don't really apply at all. The best approach would be to figure out what your particular criteria is and even prioritize them as to what is ultimately most important. Some of the bells and whistles that come with really expensive reels and rods may not be necessary for you to kick butt with where you fish and in the way you fish. If you throw super lightweight finesse baits on light line, you might be interested in a reel that has a super lightweight spool that holds less than a hundred yards of very thin line. Living in Texas, that may be the farthest thing from your mind, or maybe that is your thing. We don't really know. Some of the setups that I like to use where I live are totally inappropriate in most situations in Texas. You can get very specific about rod/reel combos for a particular type of fishing, and you can also go with an all-around rig to get started. Bottom line is that in order to give a well reasoned reply, we need more criteria. Otherwise all you're going to get is either a wish list or a list of what others use and like for their specific situation which at this point would be a total shot in the dark for your actual needs. Quote
LionHeart Posted April 2, 2020 Posted April 2, 2020 Diawa Fuego CT for the reel. $65 on ebay often. I wouldn't usually recommend a sub$100 reel, but it is definitely worth it. Not a smooth or refined feeling reel (it definitely don't feel expensive), but excellent casting and pretty tough to backlash. I'd say the most bang for your buck no question. Quote
kayaking_kev Posted April 2, 2020 Posted April 2, 2020 Probably a Daiwa AirXD $60 and a Daiwa Fuego CT $75, but it's all subjective. I caught most of my 500+ fish last season on a Ugly Stik Gx2 that I got for $9 in the Walmart clearance section. And, I had it paired with a Abu Garcia Black that cost me about $40. The total combo was under $50 and I threw every kind of bait with it, all on video. Those reels don't last but a season or two of heavy fishing. The Pro Max is better and holds up better, but still a graphite frame, that's why it's worth it to get a Fuego. Lew's Hank Parker Speed Stick for $40 at Walmart, is also a pretty good rod. 3 Quote
moguy1973 Posted April 2, 2020 Posted April 2, 2020 If you are looking for a spinning set up you can't go wrong with a Pfluger President reel and a Berkley Lightning rod. Great setup for about $100. Casting will cost you a bit more unless you go with something from Kastking or something. Lew's makes a couple lower end casting reels for about $60 or so that are decent, and for a rod I'd again go with a Berkley Lightning rod. 1 Quote
Super User Hammer 4 Posted April 2, 2020 Super User Posted April 2, 2020 I think it best, before recommending all this gear is to. 1..find out what type of rod and reel he's looking for, spinning, or bc. 2.. what type of fish is he going to target.? Trout, panfish, musky, bass..ect. 3..how much experience does he have. 4..What is his budget. And lastly, where and what type of water is he going to fish in. BTW, my Diawa Fuego CT is pretty dang smooth. 2 Quote
Super User NYWayfarer Posted April 2, 2020 Super User Posted April 2, 2020 Lew’s Xfinity spinning combo will run you $68 bucks at Walmart. IM7 rod with Winn Grips paired with an 8bearing system reel with Winn Grip knob. Using mine right now for Trout. I have caught SMB, LMB, Perch and Panfish on this combo. 1 Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted April 2, 2020 Super User Posted April 2, 2020 Casting: Shimano Conquest 843C (or 844C) MBR and Shimano Antares A or Steez SVF AGS 7' Med HvyHvy and Steez SV TWS Although there is certainly nothing wrong with a cheaper Megabass Destroyer with either of those reels. Spinning: same lines of rods with a Daiwa Exist G LT or Shimano Stella FJ or opt for the cheaper priced Daiwa Certate LT or Shimano Twin Power FD. Sorry OP. Couldn't help myself. 1 1 2 Quote
OnthePotomac Posted April 2, 2020 Posted April 2, 2020 To get started and have fun look at the numerous rod and reel combinations now on sale at Bass Pro and Cabelas. They offer spinning and bait castings combos. Quote
greentrout Posted April 2, 2020 Posted April 2, 2020 see young bassers with this combo all the time ...Abu Garcia Black Max Low Profile Baitcast Reel and Fishing Rod Combo ... walmart ... $59 ... good fishing ... 3 Quote
Big Hands Posted April 2, 2020 Posted April 2, 2020 I haven't seen a response from Kaleb yet, and got to thinking about this a bit more. If I may make some assumptions, and they could be wrong, but here goes. He lives in Texas and it appears that he has at least fished at Sam Rayburn, and is possibly starting to get more serious about fishing, and has a budget to adhere to. Of course, he wants to maximize his budget, but isn't in a position to swing for the fence. And, if my previous assumptions are in the ballpark, I don't think swinging for the fence is the best way to go forward. I worked in a bike shop as a side job for several years and often encountered this same dilemma when people came in looking to get into riding a bike. There are so many niche bikes these days, just like rods/reels, and although you could try to get a very specific combo that would be really good for frog fishing for example (which is a rage in TX), the rest of the year, it might not be so hot. An all-around entry level will get you out there and doing it. Eventually, you'll begin to get a sense of your own for the direction you want to go from there. If someone came to me with that criteria, I would recommend looking on ebay for a Garcia Pro Max 3 for around $50 new & shipped (they're there often for that much if you shop even semi-carefully). They cast much better than the Black Max and will keep your budget intact for getting a decent entry level rod. That leaves $50 for the rod. For that, I would go to Walmart and look at the Lew's X-Finity in a medium heavy action for $49. That's $99 plus sales tax. Beats the pants off of a lot of rigs I have fished with over the years. Lightning Rod, maybe if you stay away from the ones with clear reel seats, but I'd go for the Lew's if it were me. $20 more or $20 less could very well change that, and it's easy to suggest spending a little more, but that is a slippery slope. $20 more will always get you more and another $20 will get you even more than that. Don't let it worry you. Then, I'd start with either 10 or 12 lb fluorocarbon line and go fishin. You can fish a wide variety of baits with that and it'll handle those east Texas hawgs that live near you in many situations. Quote
Super User the reel ess Posted April 2, 2020 Super User Posted April 2, 2020 14 hours ago, moguy1973 said: If you are looking for a spinning set up you can't go wrong with a Pfluger President reel and a Berkley Lightning rod. Great setup for about $100. Casting will cost you a bit more unless you go with something from Kastking or something. Lew's makes a couple lower end casting reels for about $60 or so that are decent, and for a rod I'd again go with a Berkley Lightning rod. But not the cheapest. I have a Lightning Rod/Trion reel that really works. About a $70 combo new, but I found the reel in a pawn shop, still in the blister package for $20. Been using it for years. It's just a tad heavier than the President. BPS has a President reel with some no-name graphite rod for $70-80, depending on the combo. They have all the actions/powers/reel sizes. Ugly Stik GX2 is toward my lower limit-$50. I bought one for my daughter and dang if it doesn't work quite well. She doesn't fish anymore so I took the reel off to use on one of my late dad's rods just for the sake of using his tackle. The reel has no reverse. Most everything in Walmart will get you by for a while. If it comes prespooled with line, I would replace it with a good brand. The absolute cheapest way to go would be a used combo or one of the components. Go to pawn shops and thrift stores and look for any used rods that meet your needs. I have sent rods, reels and tackle to our local charity thrift store. Watch out for yard sales. Quote
JLewis134 Posted April 2, 2020 Posted April 2, 2020 Spinning: Daiwa Regal, Abu Garcia Vengeance. Casting: Shimano SLX setup Quote
Mbirdsley Posted April 3, 2020 Posted April 3, 2020 On 4/2/2020 at 11:04 AM, greentrout said: see young bassers with this combo all the time ...Abu Garcia Black Max Low Profile Baitcast Reel and Fishing Rod Combo ... walmart ... $59 ... good fishing ... Awesome deal on a combo. My black max combo was my first bait caster and I bought it three springs ago. Paid for its self many times over. It has landed a lot of fish including a 28 inch flat head that had the rod bent almost in half. Mines a 6ft6 medium and its kinda my do everything rod chatter baits, square bills, spinner baits, and cranks. only thing it isn’t good at is deep cranking really big cranks, it will bog the reel down. Basic maintenance and that reel will last a while. 1 Quote
Super User the reel ess Posted April 3, 2020 Super User Posted April 3, 2020 Ever notice how people ask a question and don't return for the answers? 1 Quote
Super User Catt Posted April 3, 2020 Super User Posted April 3, 2020 23 hours ago, greentrout said: see young bassers with this combo all the time ...Abu Garcia Black Max Low Profile Baitcast Reel and Fishing Rod Combo ... walmart ... $59 ... good fishing ... My son has one that's several years old with no issues. Quote
CrankFate Posted April 4, 2020 Posted April 4, 2020 23 hours ago, the reel ess said: Ever notice how people ask a question and don't return for the answers? Trolling for bait monkeys. 2 Quote
t_bone_713 Posted April 4, 2020 Posted April 4, 2020 Abu Garcia Black Max on a GX2 (either baitcasting or spinning honestly) if you like fishing a lot, great! Next season get you more stuff at a price you're comfortable with. If not, hey only 60 bucks down and you learned something. 1 Quote
Super User ChrisD46 Posted April 5, 2020 Super User Posted April 5, 2020 On 4/1/2020 at 11:43 PM, kayaking_kev said: Probably a Daiwa AirXD $60 and a Daiwa Fuego CT $75, but it's all subjective. I caught most of my 500+ fish last season on a Ugly Stik Gx2 that I got for $9 in the Walmart clearance section. And, I had it paired with a Abu Garcia Black that cost me about $40. The total combo was under $50 and I threw every kind of bait with it, all on video. Those reels don't last but a season or two of heavy fishing. The Pro Max is better and holds up better, but still a graphite frame, that's why it's worth it to get a Fuego. Lew's Hank Parker Speed Stick for $40 at Walmart, is also a pretty good rod. *For a bait casting outfit - you have recommended THE best low cost solution ! 1 Quote
Kaleb Morgan Posted April 7, 2020 Author Posted April 7, 2020 On 4/1/2020 at 9:58 PM, Kaleb Morgan said: I am look for the least expensive 1 pc rod and a reel combo that work like an expensive one would please message me and let me know Under 50 Quote
Kaleb Morgan Posted April 7, 2020 Author Posted April 7, 2020 On 4/1/2020 at 10:40 PM, LionHeart said: Diawa Fuego CT for the reel. $65 on ebay often. I wouldn't usually recommend a sub$100 reel, but it is definitely worth it. Not a smooth or refined feeling reel (it definitely don't feel expensive), but excellent casting and pretty tough to backlash. I'd say the most bang for your buck no question. Thanks so much for this info it really helped me have a good day Quote
Super User JustJames Posted April 8, 2020 Super User Posted April 8, 2020 Buy what you can afford and be happy with it, there is no such thing as cheap = expensive. They all can catch fish it is up to users not equipments. Quote
RDub65 Posted January 12, 2024 Posted January 12, 2024 Does anyone know what the size of the lews xfi it’s fj spinning reel is? Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.