SMB: Best Price/Performance rod & reel combo...1 for Spinning and 1 for Baitcasting

[Leatherneck]

Hey all,

 

I'm finally getting back into Smallmouth fishing after a lot of years focusing on other things. Looking to upgrade some of my gear and there a ton of options for rods and reels - almost overwhelming. I don't mind paying for quality and prefer ruggedness and dependability over high performance. It used to be that Shimano dominated in this category many years ago, but things may have changed now.

If you could pick one spinning reel/ rod combo for throwing SMB sized plastics like tube/grub/wacky worm and one baitcaster/rod combo for SMB sized stickbaits and spinnerbaits what would they be?

 

Thanks for any recommendations.

[Steveo-1969]

What's your budget for each combo?

[Leatherneck]

I'd be ok with paying $150 to $200 for each combo. Really just looking for what most people would consider to be the best quality for the price reels and rods are these days......specifically ones that can be used to target SMB.

[Steveo-1969]

I use the same rods/reels for LMB and SMB. I choose a rod/reel based on presentation and lure weight, not fish species. Are you fishing in a creek? A river? A lake? What size SMB can you expect to catch?

 

Spinning - I don't see the need to spend a lot on the reel. I have a Shimano Stradic CI4+ that retails for $230 and it's nice, but I'm also using an Abu Garcia Elite Max that cost $70 on another rod and am very happy with it. Shimano and Daiwa are the most popular reel brands. Choose one in your budget and you should be happy. I always spend more on the rod. Lots of great choices in the mid-$100 range to keep your total combo at $200.

 

Casting - for me it would be more difficult to keep a rod/reel combo under $200. But Shimano and Daiwa are also the most popular casting reel brands and they each have a casting reel option for about $100 which would leave you with $100 for a rod. 

[NYWayfarer]

9 hours ago, Leatherneck said:

If you could pick one spinning reel/ rod combo for throwing SMB sized plastics like tube/grub/wacky worm and one baitcaster/rod combo for SMB sized stickbaits and spinnerbaits what would they be?

 

Thanks for any recommendations.

Reel: Lew’s Speed Spin SS20HS $59.99

 

Rod: Dobyn’s Fury FR702SF $119.00 or ST Croix Premier 7’ Med Lt/F $149.99

[Kdizzle]

My most used combo is a Fenwick HMG which is in a 6'6" Medium, with a Pflueger President XT in the size 30 version.  Fenwick makes the best mid priced rods on the market if you ask me.  The line comes in every power and length you need from a 5 foot ultra light to a 7 foot medium heavy.  The combo will run you anywhere from 150 to 170 dollars depending on who you buy it from. 

 

I have casting gear but I really don't use it much unless Im throwing a spook, whopper popper or a frog.  An Abu Garcia Pro Max and 13 Fishing Omen rod in a 6'7" medium and 7'4" Heavy take care of that for me.  Thats a combo that will probably run you about 170 to 190 dollars.

[Bdnoble84]

Fenwick eagle 6’6 med and lews lfs Bc has been great. Smooth casting and will cast down to 1/8 oz husky jerks. Plenty of backbone for bigger fish as well as it handled a 28”pike and 34” musky flawlessly on jerk baits. Im always impressed by fewick lineup. Would go up a level on lews for the sealed bearings as lfs arent. Still searching for my fav spinning combo although i bout 66med hmg Fenwick tonight. Hopefully that is the one.

[Ogandrews]

I’ll post the two rods from my arsenal that I would take if I could only bring two on a smallie trip.

 

spinning- g loomis e6x 852 medium xf, shimano nasci with 8lbs suffix 832 to usually a 8lbs mono leader. Covers all of my finesse stuff and I could get away with throwing some jerkbaits on it, which is 80% of what I throw for smallies.

 

casting- dobyns champion 733 7’3” they call it a Mh but it’s more like a medium and its rated fast but it’s more so moderate fast, with a shimano curado dc 8.1 with 30lbs maxcuatro braid to whatever leader I want to use. Good for topwaters, little football jigs, lighter wire pivoting football heads, finesse swim jigs, I’ve gotten away throwing squarebills and shallow to mid cranks on it, spinner/chatterbaits if you wanted, lighter wire t rigs, whatever really super versatile rod.

 

You can find comparable rods to these at a lot of price points. I will say if you do go with a st croix rod go with a mojo bass over anything else. The premiers use scII blanks and the Mojos use scIII, there is a big difference in sensitivity and weight between the two of them. I have a lot of gear that is more expensive than a mojo bass but the 6’8” m xf casting rod is still one of my favorite rods I own no question, best jerkbait rod I’ve ever used.

[JWall14]

I would use an slx ML and nasci 2500 combo with 15lb braid to 8 on leader. That’s the best Spinning combo for the price hands down. I have a fury and like my brothers slx better because it is lighter.

 

if you can afford it I would go for a Ci4+ 2500 paired with an Orochi ML. That’s tough to beat. I’m trying to get that combo soon as an upgrade.

[Jmoney402]

What sort of gear do you have now? Have you considered just upgrading one setup for now? Depending on what type of water you fish a nice finesse setup would go along ways for SM specifically IMO.

If you were going to upgrade a spinning setup I would prioritize money on the rod over reel. If you decide to upgrade a baitcast combo the decision is tougher, i wouldn't suggest skimping on the reel personally.

Again, its really contingent on what you are upgrading from currently. Nothing wrong with buying two combos in the range you specified but wanted to pit ot out there you may get more out of your money with one for now. 

Nevertheless i can recommend some gear i have experience with amd like alot. For spinning reels: Pflueger President, Okuma Ceymar, Daiwa Regal LT.  For a baitcaster i recomend a Daiwa Tatula ($110 on ebay at checkout).

Only rods i have experience with (besides super cheap) are St Croix. Mojo series is great, Bass Pro Carbonlite 2.0 series feel great when i have held them in store and now have 10 year warranty. Also may consider looking for used rods, great deals can be found and wear from usage is usually less of a concern.

[PaulVE64]

Tackle Advisor has a youtube channel and he does indepth reviews of reels. I think he did a review of $100 reels not long ago.

 

[Deeare]

On 6/26/2020 at 9:39 AM, Leatherneck said:

I'd be ok with paying $150 to $200 for each combo. Really just looking for what most people would consider to be the best quality for the price reels and rods are these days......specifically ones that can be used to target SMB.

My suggestion.   Narrow down your choices and be patient.....wait for a sale.   I never buy new unless I’m getting at least 20% off retail.    Lots of guys love eBay for good deals.   
 

follow the latest deal thread on this site.    I just bought a Stradic ci4 new for $176.  

[Munkin]

Spinning I would look for a 6-6 medium that you like and a Pluger President reel.

 

Not sure what I would recommend for casting as I like reels that are 12 years old and no longer made.

 

I will give you this advice though, for bottom baits spend more on the rod. Moving baits spend more on the reel. Currently I have a $250 IMX rod with a $30 Abu Garcia spinning reel along with some $200 Quantum Energy reels on $80 St Croix premier crankbait rods.

 

Allen 

[jtharris3]

On 6/30/2020 at 1:03 AM, Jmoney402 said:

What sort of gear do you have now? Have you considered just upgrading one setup for now? Depending on what type of water you fish a nice finesse setup would go along ways for SM specifically IMO.

If you were going to upgrade a spinning setup I would prioritize money on the rod over reel. If you decide to upgrade a baitcast combo the decision is tougher, i wouldn't suggest skimping on the reel personally.

Again, its really contingent on what you are upgrading from currently. Nothing wrong with buying two combos in the range you specified but wanted to pit ot out there you may get more out of your money with one for now. 

Nevertheless i can recommend some gear i have experience with amd like alot. For spinning reels: Pflueger President, Okuma Ceymar, Daiwa Regal LT.  For a baitcaster i recomend a Daiwa Tatula ($110 on ebay at checkout).

Only rods i have experience with (besides super cheap) are St Croix. Mojo series is great, Bass Pro Carbonlite 2.0 series feel great when i have held them in store and now have 10 year warranty. Also may consider looking for used rods, great deals can be found and wear from usage is usually less of a concern.

 

I have to echo what @Jmoney402 said. The St. Croix Mojo Bass rods and the Bass Pro Carbonlite 2.0 rods are excellent. I have 2 of the Mojo Bass and 4 of the Carbonlite rods and love them. I think they're both an excellent value and very well built. Bass Pro often runs the Carbonlites on sale for $99 too.

[Cdn Angler]

Spinning. Love my Pflueger President. Shimano Sellus with that is like $150. Or an SLX which will put you around $200. 

[ww2farmer]

My most used smallmouth spinning rod/reel combo is a Dobyns Fury 702 paired with a Daiwa Revros LT, spooled with 10lb braid and 6 or 8lb fluoro leaders.

 

And my most used smallmouth baitcasting combo is a a Dobyns Fury 703 paired with a Daiwa Fuego CT, spooled with 12lb fluorocarbon.

 

I use the 702/Revros LT so much, I have a matching pair of the same. They do it all for me, grubs, tubes, micro jigs, small swimabits, ned, dropshot, flick shake, and more.

 

The 703 casting is used for blade baits, spinnerbaits, light wire hook football jigs, and a host of other things.

[PaulVE64]

For spinning I would go to a 7' medium power fast tip

 

Fenwick hmg ($$)

Shimano SLX ($$)

St Croix Mojo Bass ($$$)

Daiwa Aird X ($)

 

For reels 

 

Pflueger President XT ($$)

Daiwa BG ($$$)

Revros LT ($)

Shimano Nasci ($$$)

 

I prefer a larger (3500) reel on a medium and if you primarily crank more than jig spend more on the reel. For jigs you need a more sensitive rod.

 

 

Edited July 18, 2020 by PaulVE64