MH rods that were actually more on the H side

[Luke Barnes]

I had heard the Revo X was a good reel, but nothing about the SX. You guys gave me an idea. The Falcon rods plant is like 3 miles from my house. I ought to call and ask if they have any dent, ding, scratch rods they dont send out that they sell on the cheap. 

[NOC 1]

1 minute ago, Luke Barnes said:

I had heard the Revo X was a good reel, but nothing about the SX. You guys gave me an idea. The Falcon rods plant is like 3 miles from my house. I ought to call and ask if they have any dent, ding, scratch rods they dont send out that they sell on the cheap. 

Well, the SX is a much better reel than the revoX. it's not that they aren't usable and at least in the case of the SX it isn't a bd quality of build. It's more that you can get much better than they are for less money elsewhere.

 

Heck man, if I lived 2 miles from Falcon, I'd have been all over that a long time ago. All of Falcon"s rods fish way above their respective price points and just about any rod maker has scratch and dings for sale in the show rooms. I'd keep an eye out there if I were you.

[Luke Barnes]

29 minutes ago, NOC 1 said:

Well, the SX is a much better reel than the revoX. it's not that they aren't usable and at least in the case of the SX it isn't a bd quality of build. It's more that you can get much better than they are for less money elsewhere.

 

Heck man, if I lived 2 miles from Falcon, I'd have been all over that a long time ago. All of Falcon"s rods fish way above their respective price points and just about any rod maker has scratch and dings for sale in the show rooms. I'd keep an eye out there if I were you.

I plan on it!! 

 

What reels in that price point do you feel are better?? That's the $100-$150 range I'm imagining 

[NOC 1]

30 minutes ago, Luke Barnes said:

I plan on it!! 

 

What reels in that price point do you feel are better?? That's the $100-$150 range I'm imagining 

I would say that the list for a Revo SX is $159...so at or less than that at list I'd say any of the Standard Tatulas, the Daiwa Fuego, The Curados, though they list at more like $179, you should be able to find them on sale from time to time, The SLX and SLX XT for sure. I've got a Pflueger Supreme XT trhat is the same price that I like better. I'm sure there are more that some of the other guys here could name, but I'm only listing ones that I've tried at least a version of.

 

I kind of moved out of that range some years back so I'm mostly using Daiwa Steez, TD-Z and, P68R's. If you buy used you might find a few of those reels for $150 but you won't find one that isn't a little beat up. But then again for my money I'd take a $500 Steez with some boat rash that needs a good maintenance job over any $150 reel out there.

 

For sure you could find used pre 2020 Tatula SV TW for $150. They have been for sale at $169 new at some places as soon as they released the new 2020 version.

 

I bought my son a new Falcon Expert a month ago and used it for a bit before I gave it to him and for $199 it has me looking side ways at some of my $350 Black Labels and even some of my Megabass rods. My son has a ton of Falcon rods and I've used most all of them from time to time and they all fish like they cost a lot more.

 

I saw the thing where you are looking at the SLX combo and that is probably as good as you'll get for a combo, but I don't know anything about those rods. I would check out the Falcon factory first, and if you like the SLX reels, SLX seems like a pretty good choice for that. My son has a couple of Falcons that he has SLX DC's on and they are a pretty good pair.

[garroyo130]

$50 Rod - Lews carbon fire (Heavy fishes more like a MH)

https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/lews-carbon-fire-casting-rod-17lewacrbnfr7ft3hrod/17lewacrbnfr7ft3hrod

 

$80 Reel - Fuego CT (aluminum framed)

https://www.amazon.com/Daiwa-Profile-FGCT100XS-Speedlow-Baitcast/dp/B06VWCLTK3/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=fuego+ct&qid=1591797321&sr=8-2

 

you wont be disappointed 

[papajoe222]

 Most combos only contain one good component, the rod or the reel. Some don’t have either and the ones that have both are pricey. 
you’re better off picking out a rod you really like and pairing it with something like a BlackMax. You can always upgrade the reel at a later date and use the less expensive one on your next combo rxperiment. 

[Luke Barnes]

On 6/10/2020 at 10:52 AM, papajoe222 said:

 Most combos only contain one good component, the rod or the reel. Some don’t have either and the ones that have both are pricey. 
you’re better off picking out a rod you really like and pairing it with something like a BlackMax. You can always upgrade the reel at a later date and use the less expensive one on your next combo rxperiment. 

Ive got a black max combo I use for cranking. For this setup I'm wanting an aluminum frame reel. That's the only thing I am going to be a stickler on. 

 

After all your comments I have decided to take everyones advice and buy seperate. $100 reel and a cheap rod because i dont need sensitivity and I'm pretty big so not worried about it being light weight. 

[Luke Barnes]

Now deciding on the reel. Probably going to go with a Lews Speed Spool LFS or maybe an Abu Revo X, but ive been looking at the Diawa Diego CT and i like the system they use where it backs off the brakes on the initial cast and they kick in after its spinning. They claim it gets better casting distance. I have 2 Diawa spinning reels that have never done wrong by me. Hhmmm. Probably getting the Diawa AirdX rod so maybe a whole Diawa combo i put together......

[LonnieP]

Diawa Fuego Ct will be your best bet for your price range. 

[MN Fisher]

Go with the Fuego - I have one on an Aird-X and it's a very enjoyable combo.

[PhishLI]

On 6/12/2020 at 12:50 PM, Luke Barnes said:

ive been looking at the Diawa Diego CT

That's my vote. I have far more expensive reels, but I almost always have a Fuego iCT n the mix. It's braking is well suited for night fishing which I do mostly. Both of mine have a ton of hours on them and a ton of fish and still feel fresh.

On 6/10/2020 at 9:55 AM, garroyo130 said:

$50 Rod - Lews carbon fire (Heavy fishes more like a MH)

https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/lews-carbon-fire-casting-rod-17lewacrbnfr7ft3hrod/17lewacrbnfr7ft3hrod

I add my vote to garryo130's. I'm a big fan of this rod. The Aird-X 7'H is a really good rod. My brother lent me his for a few weeks, so I've fished with it. I prefer this particular Lew's rod for it's action and it's feel using a wider range of baits. It's very versatile and seems to be indestructible. Great frog rod too. I've thrown single hook baits like Berkley Champ swimmers up to Magdraft Freestyles with it, and even some treble baits in a pinch like Shellcrackers and 130 Whopper Ploppers. You should get your hands on one at DSG before you make a move. The Fuego CT on this rod will be a super versatile long lasting combo. Both have been fantastic to use and bulletproof for me, and I fish alot. 

[Luke Barnes]

2 hours ago, PhishLI said:

That's my vote. I have far more expensive reels, but I almost always have a Fuego iCT n the mix. It's braking is well suited for night fishing which I do mostly. Both of mine have a ton of hours on them and a ton of fish and still feel fresh.

I add my vote to garryo130's. I'm a big fan of this rod. The Aird-X 7'H is a really good rod. My brother lent me his for a few weeks, so I've fished with it. I prefer this particular Lew's rod for it's action and it's feel using a wider range of baits. It's very versatile and seems to be indestructible. Great frog rod too. I've thrown single hook baits like Berkley Champ swimmers up to Magdraft Freestyles with it, and even some treble baits in a pinch like Shellcrackers and 130 Whopper Ploppers. You should get your hands on one at DSG before you make a move. The Fuego CT on this rod will be a super versatile long lasting combo. Both have been fantastic to use and bulletproof for me, and I fish alot. 

So it can throw a frog and winch them out, plus be versatile to throw other baits? Man thats a win win right there!! I'm going to look into them now and see what reels DSG has too. My problem is when I finally decide to pull the trigger I get super impatient and if DSG has the rod but not the Fuego in stock, but has a Lews Speed Spool LFS I might get antsy and buy it haha. 

[MN Fisher]

1 minute ago, Luke Barnes said:

So it can throw a frog and winch them out, plus be versatile to throw other baits? Man thats a win win right there!! I'm going to look into them now and see what reels DSG has too. My problem is when I finally decide to pull the trigger I get super impatient and if DSG has the rod but not the Fuego in stock, but has a Lews Speed Spool LFS I might get antsy and buy it haha. 

I've gotten both my Fuegos from Amazon for under $90 - well, one was a Yule gift so free. I'd check there before DSG.

[Glaucus]

I like the Fuego, but I have tiny Burger King commercial hands and that tank is kind of cumbersome. I've been enjoying the Speed Spool a lot more this season.

[newyorktoiowa57]

Dobyns 734 is a heavy MH, IMO.  My champion 734 is more robust than say, my Expride 72MH. 

[Luke Barnes]

3 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

I've gotten both my Fuegos from Amazon for under $90 - well, one was a Yule gift so free. I'd check there before DSG.

Good idea. Im going to Google it and see all online prices. 

2 hours ago, Glaucus said:

I like the Fuego, but I have tiny Burger King commercial hands and that tank is kind of cumbersome. I've been enjoying the Speed Spool a lot more this season.

I watched you tube reviews earlier and that was about the only complaint. Some not even a complaint but an added point, that it is bigger than others. That's fine by me really. I would rather have a sturdy slightly bulkier reel. 

[MN Fisher]

2 hours ago, Glaucus said:

I like the Fuego, but I have tiny Burger King commercial hands and that tank is kind of cumbersome. I've been enjoying the Speed Spool a lot more this season.

 

1 minute ago, Luke Barnes said:

I watched you tube reviews earlier and that was about the only complaint. Some not even a complaint but an added point, that it is bigger than others. That's fine by me really. I would rather have a sturdy slightly bulkier reel. 

It's mainly an issue for those who palm their reels. I don't do that, so the size isn't an issue for me.

[Luke Barnes]

3 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

 

It's mainly an issue for those who palm their reels. I don't do that, so the size isn't an issue for me.

I do but only with my thumb and pointer finger. I dont have the middle finger on the reel, I tuck it under and touch the gearbox with it. 

[Luke Barnes]

On 6/9/2020 at 10:19 PM, Gazz said:

It is on sale on American Legacy Fishing. The reel is usually $130 alone and the rod is $100 and they both sell. If you want it at this lower price, you’ll likely need to order from American Legacy. Enter your email when prompted and you’ll get a 10% off coupon to use as well. When you’re on ALF, you use the drop down tabs to choose the rod and reel version you want. 
 

 

https://www.americanlegacyfishing.com/shimano-slx-xt-rod-and-reel-combos.html

So after all of this, hours of reviews on you tube and online, I decided on the SLX XT combo and just pulled the trigger. I like the dual breaking and external braking of the XT over the regular SLX. All reviews showed the SLX out casting the Fuego by a good bit, and the XT outcasted the regular SLX. All reviews on the SLX rods from here and you tube said it was a good rod, not the most sensitive, but i wasnt looking for sensitivity. I went with the 7'2 heavy/fast. I know its marginal, but I like that the SLX rod is 7'2 over the 7' Diawa AirdX. 

 

So all in all I'm happy with the decision i made. It was very tough deciding between the Fuego and SLX XT. But in the end castability and smoothness won for the XT. 

 

Ill let you all know when I get them in and fish with them! 

[Gazz]

Good choice. I’m sure you would have been plenty happy whichever way you went. I just have more experience with the SLX stuff and feel like it’s a real step up from some other gear in its price range. Enjoy!

[NOC 1]

6 hours ago, BaitFinesse said:

Where are you paying $500 for a Steez with boat rash?  Last time I priced those used in mint condition they were in the $300 range.  This is the current gen non CT model.   

Read it again. The Steez is a $500 reel. we are talking about reels in the $150 dollar range. My point being that for $150 I would rather buy a boat rashed used Steez (a $500 reel) than I would a brand new RevoSX or whatever.

[Luke Barnes]

18 hours ago, Gazz said:

Good choice. I’m sure you would have been plenty happy whichever way you went. I just have more experience with the SLX stuff and feel like it’s a real step up from some other gear in its price range. Enjoy!

When everyone said they are the smoothest out of the $100-$150 reels and dont need a ton of bearings to be that smooth it made me realize it's a quality product. Plus the XT comes with 1 more bearing than the regular SLX and is lighter and smaller than the Fuego, and I realized I dont want to hold a bulkier reel all day. I wasnt concerned about comfort and weight at first then thought, Luke, you know when you pick that rod up with a frog tied on you're not going to want to put it down the rest of the day. So took that into consideration too. 

[Luke Barnes]

And...... They sent me the wrong got dang rod!! I took it out of the tube and thought man, that looks way shorter than 7'2. Flipped it over and its a 6'10 M/XF!!! So have to return it and get a the right one sent to me. The reel was correct and I love it just holding it!

[Gazz]

11 hours ago, Luke Barnes said:

And...... They sent me the wrong got dang rod!! I took it out of the tube and thought man, that looks way shorter than 7'2. Flipped it over and its a 6'10 M/XF!!! So have to return it and get a the right one sent to me. The reel was correct and I love it just holding it!

That's definitely a bummer. I would just reach out to them and see what they say. I would think they would send a replacement rod out immediately. It's good you get a feel for the reel though. 

[NOC 1]

1 hour ago, BaitFinesse said:

OK the way you worded that implied that a boat rashed Steez was $500.  If I ever get into Cerakoting reels I will be all over desirable platforms with some rash on them.   

Sorry for the confusion. Good idea with the Ceracote thing. I have a few old TD-Z's that I've been trying to find someone to paint. They are among the smoothest reels I own but have had much of the finish worn off from use.

 

I've seeing a lot of OG Steez reels going for under $200 that look pretty good except for some boat rash and etc. Sure, it might cost a bit to bring them up to date with spools and bearings etc. But in my opinion the build quality of the old TD-Z and STEEZ reels has never been improved upon so it is worth it.