My new spinning setup

[plawren53202]

Had to post my new spinning setup. I know in the world of rods and reels this is far from the top of the heap, but it is better gear than I have owned before. My Lew's Xfinity Combo has served me well, it's actually a really really solid rod and reel, but it was time to take the next step. 

 

I got a Dobyns Fury rod, the 7'0" medium/fast spinning option. Paired it with a Shimano Sahara 2500. Spooled it with Sufix 832, 15 lb. test, and a Sufix Advance 8 lb. leader.

 

After I got it home and spooled up tonight, I took it out in the yard for a few obligatory test casts. My admittedly very limited first impression, good grief, what a buttery smooth, solid combo. I was particularly impressed with how balanced this combo feels in the hand, giving it the sense of being nearly weightless. At the same time, everything feels rock solid. The Sahara reel is soooo smooth. Weather permitting, I can't wait to go give it a test drive at my local pond early tomorrow morning. 

 

[Teal]

Heck yeah man.  Sweet set up, that looks pretty sick!. Good luck on it!  Doesn't have to a 500$ combo to be a Darn solid set up.   ??

[jimmyjoe]

   Good reel!

   Good rod!

   Good line!

   Good luck!           ?     jj

[plawren53202]

10 minutes ago, jimmyjoe said:

   Good reel!

   Good rod!

   Good line!

   Good luck!           ?     jj

I have to credit this board for each of these selections. Every one of those things was chosen after reading lots of positive posts about them on here. When I upgraded my baitcaster a few months ago, I went with a Fury due to lots of recommendations on this site. That turned out to be a great choice, and it fell in the budget range I wanted to spend so the Fury spinning rod was a no brainer for me. 

[Mobasser]

Looks like a nice rig. I'm fishing a Sahara 2500fi just like yours. It's a great reel so far. Good luck!

[Mobasser]

Give us a follow up review, and let us know how it works out for you.

[plawren53202]

32 minutes ago, Mobasser said:

Give us a follow up review, and let us know how it works out for you.

Well, after one (short) morning of fishing it, I could not be happier with these selections. What a fantastic combo, especially coming in right at $200 (and I didn't have the patience to wait for a sale!). 

 

This setup with the 832 15 lb. test casts a country mile. Noticeably further than my Xfinity combo with Pro Power. There were a couple of spots that usually at this pond are just out of reach for me to cast to from the bank, but reached them this morning. The Fury, as I expected based on my experience with the casting version, is extremely sensitive. There were at least a couple of fish this morning that based on how lightly they bit, I am pretty certain I would not have caught using a less sensitive setup. I am really impressed at how much more I can feel with this setup. 

 

Like my initial first impression last night, I was not expecting how balanced this combo feels in the hand. And this being my first experience owning a Shimano reel, I still cannot get over how smooth the Sahara feels. When reeling, there's absolutely no gear or other noise or grind at all. Even in pretty good reels I have owned, there is always at least a hint of some when you reel.

 

Also had a chance to test out the drag on the reel (and the rod's ability to handle heavy weights) when my first "catch" on this new combo was a not small snapping turtle ?. The drag handled it really well and allowed me to reel in the turtle without breaking the 8 lb. leader I was using.

 

I realize that I'm still in the honeymoon phase, and the other test of a rod and reel is how they hold up over time. But as someone who has owned a bunch of different budget combos over the years, but never anything even approaching high end, this combo was just an absolute joy to fish this morning. 

[Mobasser]

1 hour ago, plawren53202 said:

Well, after one (short) morning of fishing it, I could not be happier with these selections. What a fantastic combo, especially coming in right at $200 (and I didn't have the patience to wait for a sale!). 

 

This setup with the 832 15 lb. test casts a country mile. Noticeably further than my Xfinity combo with Pro Power. There were a couple of spots that usually at this pond are just out of reach for me to cast to from the bank, but reached them this morning. The Fury, as I expected based on my experience with the casting version, is extremely sensitive. There were at least a couple of fish this morning that based on how lightly they bit, I am pretty certain I would not have caught using a less sensitive setup. I am really impressed at how much more I can feel with this setup. 

 

Like my initial first impression last night, I was not expecting how balanced this combo feels in the hand. And this being my first experience owning a Shimano reel, I still cannot get over how smooth the Sahara feels. When reeling, there's absolutely no gear or other noise or grind at all. Even in pretty good reels I have owned, there is always at least a hint of some when you reel.

 

Also had a chance to test out the drag on the reel (and the rod's ability to handle heavy weights) when my first "catch" on this new combo was a not small snapping turtle ?. The drag handled it really well and allowed me to reel in the turtle without breaking the 8 lb. leader I was using.

 

I realize that I'm still in the honeymoon phase, and the other test of a rod and reel is how they hold up over time. But as someone who has owned a bunch of different budget combos over the years, but never anything even approaching high end, this combo was just an absolute joy to fish this morning. 

Glad to hear you like it. I bought my Sahara before Christmas this year. Originally, I wanted to get a Shimano Nasci, but Academy only had the 3000 size, and I wanted a 2500, so I bought the Sahara instead. Agree on the smoothness and drag qaulity. Probably one of the best reels out there for around 80 dollars. Mine is mounted on a Fenwick HMG med/ fast action. You made a good choice.

[tander]

For the money, I think you did GOOD!!!

[Gator_Bait]

Sounds like a great setup. I use a Sahara 2500 also, have it on a Veritas 6'6" M F now. Really like it.

 

Got a new Diawa Fuego CT 8.1:1 coming and am looking hard at the Dobyns Fury 734C or 735C. I'm hearing a lot of really good things about the Dobyns line. If I get one and like it I may have to switch the Sahara over to the rod you got!