Friend’s wife wants advice on hubby’s Christmas present

[Maggiesmaster]

A friend’s wife asked me to advise her on buying bass fishing equipment.  He’s retiring soon and his gear is mostly junk ( he borrows mine when we fish together). Her budget is $1,000  “but I don’t mind spending more if I have to” (she said).   My choice of reels are Lews Tournament Pro lfs, at $139 each, but I don’t know about the rods.  We’re close to a Bass Pro, and are their rods any good? I’ve got Bionic Blade and Duckett Ghost rods, but would like to step it up for him. Thought 3 rigs would be a good start—two med-heavy rods & 1 medium, all 61/2 ‘.  Any advice??

[NYBasser]

Take a look at the dobyns fury series rods, great value for around $120 each. Tackle warehouse is also having a dobyns sierra series sale in about a week or so. Those are good step above the fury and are $180 normally. I think the sierra sale is 30-46% off so maybe take a look at that.

[UNC1078]

Shimano expride or zodias. 

St. Croix avid series also is good

[new2BC4bass]

Is he going to be fishing from shore?  Short rods can come in handy then.  Personally I like longer when I can use them.  Especially for bottom contact.  Exprides are beyond my budget, but get excellent reviews.  Maybe the 7'2" MHF for bottom contact.  $270

 

$100 Falcon BuCoo SR 6'10" MH Mod-Fast.  Falcon rods fish a bit light.

$140 St. Croix Mojo Bass 6'8" M-EF.  St. Croix rods fish a bit heavy.

 

And you are just under $1000.

 

I have several of the original Tatula casting rods, and feel they are excellent for the price.  Retail $150, but can be found around $110 at times.

 

Another thought.  If she would like to stick to one brand for her husband, look at ALX rods.

Zolo 7' MF Dream and Zolo 7'2" MHF Toadface...not just a frog rod.  Very versatile as is the Dream.  Slip an Ikos Promise 7' MHF in there.  Close to $1160 with tax.  ALX just had a 3-rod bundle sale.  Think it is over.

 

Or look at Phenix Feather and M1 rods.  TT gave the new M1 rods an Editor's Choice Award.  Just remember to go up one power.  Pick a Heavy instead of MH, a MH instead of Medium.

 

Man, so many options. 

 

[roadwarrior]

I would suggest two higher end outfits:

 

Baitcasting

G.Loomis IMX MBR 844C (rod)

https://www.gloomis.com/content/gloomis/northamerica/usconv/en/homepage/PDP.P-IMX_PRO_MBR.html

 

Shimano Curado 200K (reel)

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/catpage-SHIMNOREEL.html?from=basres

 

Spinning

Shimano Vanguard VF2000HGF (reel)

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Shimano_Vanford_Spinning_Reels/descpage-SVSR.html

 

G.Loomis IMX Pro Spinning IMX 842S SJR (rod)

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/G_Loomis_IMX_Pro_Spinning_Rods/descpage-IMXS.html

 

Add a couple of stocking stuffers (line)

Tatsu #6 (for the spinning reel)

Tatsu #12 (baitcasting)

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/search-tackle.html?sort=no&start=0&count=30&searchtext=tatsu

 

I assure you, your friend's husband will be "wowed".

[BrianMDTX]

29 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

I assure you, your friend's husband will be "wowed".

I would be “wowed”! 

[tander]

If you ask 30 people for recommendations for a rods and reels, you will get 30 different answers. Although not as personal, I would rather get a gift card and I can pick the rods and reels I want.

[roadwarrior]

1 minute ago, tander said:

If you ask 30 people for recommendations for a rods and reels, you will get 30 different answers. Although not a personal, I would rather get a gift card and I can pick the rods and reels I want.

Based on what she said "his gear is mostly junk", I doubt he knows much about high end gear.

For that special gift, knocking it out of the park within the budge is a winner. Far more personal

than a gift card.

[DanielG]

Go to a tackle store.  Ask someone there what a popular lure is. They might give you some rapalla or something. Or ask your friend. Then wrap it in a box with a card and cash in $20 bills (if a grand it would be impressive looking)  to outfit himself with 'some good stuff'. Doing the research, making the choices, and doing the window shopping is as much of a gift as buying the stuff for him. Of course, like all of us he will make some choices he will have second thoughts about later on. But, overall you'll give him the gift that will be something to do that he can sink his teeth into. Planning a hobby is about as much fun as doing the hobby.

[roadwarrior]

Well, I don't like money or a gift card as a present. That doesn't require any thought and seems

lazy to me. My suggestion is not the end all, but I know the guy will be shocked. He will probably

spend a ton of time researching what he got and that in itself will knock his socks off!

[DanielG]

Please be sure to come back and let us know what  you decided to do!

[new2BC4bass]

8 minutes ago, DanielG said:

Please be sure to come back and let us know what  you decided to do!

I second this.  Always interesting.  As an aside, Scheels has the Patriarch XT on sale for $120...a $250 reel.  I've got a couple of the older blue ones and really like them.  Dual brakes.

 

If the guy fishes junk, then he would be blown away by many of today's $150 offerings.  As I said before, the Tatula line are great rods for the money.  The 6'10' MHF Tatula is another fine all around rod.

 

Dobyns Sierra has 6'8" Fast action rods in Medium, Medium Heavy and Heavy.  There aren't a lot of 6'6" rods being offered as it seems most people have migrated to 7' or longer.

[J Francho]

If he likes your gear, get a duplicate of what he borrows the most.  Then maybe something you'd like for yourself.  I think I'd save the rest of the budget for baits, line, and accessories.

[new2BC4bass]

1 hour ago, J Francho said:

If he likes your gear, get a duplicate of what he borrows the most.  Then maybe something you'd like for yourself.  I think I'd save the rest of the budget for baits, line, and accessories.

Which can add up pretty fast. 

[Jig Man]

7 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

Well, I don't like money or a gift card as a present. That doesn't require any thought and seems

lazy to me. My suggestion is not the end all, but I know the guy will be shocked. He will probably

spend a ton of time researching what he got and that in itself will knock his socks off!

I am with RW go over the top.  If he isn’t wowed then he doesn’t deserve the stuff so she can return it.

[Maggiesmaster]

Well guys, this what I decided—right or wrong.  We fish mostly smaller lakes with tree lines, and I went with 61/2’ rods instead of 7’ ones.  I chose three bait casting outfits; 1 medium action for spinnerbaits, jerkbaits and crankbaits, and 2 medium heavy for 3/16 oz Texas worms, etc. She ordered 3- Lews TP LFS reels @ $139 each and 2- medium heavy Dobyns Sierra rods @ $129. We’re going to BassPro tomorrow to get a Carbonlite medium action rod, line, and lures, etc. for stocking stuffers.  SO was sold out of medium action Sierras. Sportsman’s Outfitters rods & reels will arrive in 2-3 days, and BassPro has their rods in stock at their Memphis store. The rods & reels will run a bit over $800, with line, worms, lures, etc. will easily make up the extra $200.  These aren’t the highest end rigs, but things he can use comfortably for a long time and (hopefully) catch a lot of bass.

[roadwarrior]

I am sure he will be very happy and excited to get on the water.

 

[new2BC4bass]

1 hour ago, roadwarrior said:

I am sure he will be very happy and excited to get on the water.

 

I'd be more than happy with that selection. 

[DomQ]

I think you pick 3 great combos! Great rods and reels for someone use to very budget gear. I think your friend will be beyond happy!!