Opinions needed on next purchase

[HazeRVA]

Hey guys need some input. First is deciding direction. I am torn on buying a new spinning setup vs buying a casting rod for chatterbaits. I love throwing a chatterbait and my rod (Abu Vengeance) broke, have been wanting to upgrade this rod anyway so this is a good opportunity to do that. However, I am also really considering getting a new spinning setup to force me into using more finesse tactics (Ned, Shakey, Dropshot etc.). I don't have any confidence in finesse and honestly think that starts with having no confidence in my setup, a Lew's American Hero combo. Looking at a ML if I go with a spinning setup.

 

Have $150-$200 (could push to $250 if it is a noticeable upgrade). Here is what I am looking at:

 

Option 1 - Falcon BuCoo SR 7' Med Lt paired with a Pflueger President XT 25X - I have a Falcon Bucoo SR Trapcaster that I love, but nothing else to go on. Have read some good reviews of Pflueger reels here.

 

Option 2 - Daiwa Tatula 7'1" Med Lt paired with a Daiwa BG 2000 - pushing the budget a little, but have read a lot of good about Tatula rods and have read good things about the BG. Would also get me the Daiwa/Simms hoodie haha

 

Casting rod I am looking at is the Daiwa Tatula 6'10" Med Hvy to use with my Tatula 100 for chatterbaits. Don't want a glass rod.

 

Looking forward to the insight. Thanks guys!

Edited February 13, 2021 by HazeRVA
Changed to 25X for the Pflueger

[MN Fisher]

3 minutes ago, HazeRVA said:

Option 1 - Falcon BuCoo SR 7' Med Lt paired with a Pflueger President XT 20X - I have a Falcon Bucoo SR Trapcaster that I love, but nothing else to go on. Have read some good reviews of Pflueger reels here.

I'd go with a 25 in Pflueger - the 20 is an Ultra-light - equivalent to most other reel's 500 size. the 25 is closer to a 1000 size. I went from a 20 to a 25 for my finesse techniques as the 20 was too small.

 

[HazeRVA]

2 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

I'd go with a 25 in Pflueger - the 20 is an Ultra-light - equivalent to most other reel's 500 size. the 25 is closer to a 1000 size. I went from a 20 to a 25 for my finesse techniques as the 20 was too small.

 

Thanks for that! I had you in mind when looking at the Pflueger as I have read you recommending them.

 

Editing first post to change size.

[Scud_Muffin]

Ok so you want to replace a rod to do a technique you know you love but are considering something you have no confidence in to see if you can develop it? 
 

It sounds to me like you should prioritize the things you do most and provide you with the most versatility for what you like to do. You should still get the finesse setup but wait until your best move is well set up. You can take the money you would’ve spent on doing both a rod and a reel and buy a better rod, assuming your bait caster didn’t break too. 
 

just my 2c 

[new2BC4bass]

35 minutes ago, Scud_Mufffin said:

Ok so you want to replace a rod to do a technique you know you love but are considering something you have no confidence in to see if you can develop it? 
 

It sounds to me like you should prioritize the things you do most and provide you with the most versatility for what you like to do. You should still get the finesse setup but wait until your best move is well set up. You can take the money you would’ve spent on doing both a rod and a reel and buy a better rod, assuming your bait caster didn’t break too. 
 

just my 2c 

 

I'd have to agree.  I've got rods/reels for finesse.  I know I need to start using my spinning (and casting) gear for lighter lures, but keep picking of outfits for heavier lures.  My finesse gear just sits.  So unless you know you are willing to actually start using a finesse outfit, then I would get a new casting rod for the chatterbaits that you love to throw.  Here is a nice video on picking the right chatterbait rod.  Some rods mentioned are more than you want to spend, but you can get the idea of what makes a great chatterbait rod.  I don't think your Vengeance qualified.

 

 

If you use your current reel, you can get a couple of the rods mentioned in the video as they run $200.  I have a few models that I will be trying with chatterbaits this season.  Chatterbaits are a new lure to me.  A B-Hittay, Gabe's Rip Rap Special, an OG Tatula 7'2" MHR,  and an older Fenwick HMG 7’2” M-Med-Fast are all rod selections I want to try with chatterbaits.

 

If you want to stick with graphite rods, then I would look at Falcon or Hammer rods.  Their Fast rods have nice parabolic bends that (hopefully) should keep bass pinned.  The Expert 7'6" Heavy MF looks to fit the bill based on what I gathered from the above video.  Quite a few Falcons are listed as having a Moderate-Fast action.  I would opt for a Heavy power Falcon as they do seem to fish a bit light.

[HazeRVA]

I'll watch that video later, thanks for that.

 

My thinking was, bass fishing being a confidence game, if I am not confident in my setup, I won't use it, just like confidence in technique matters. I have other rods I can and have thrown chatterbaits on, so it isn't like I HAVE to have a new rod for that, but I do get you guys' point. Just not sure it makes sense to replace 1 of 4 BC rods when I feel like I don't have 1 quality spinning setup.

 

Keep the thoughts coming. Obviously I still have some thinking to do!

[MN Fisher]

7 minutes ago, HazeRVA said:

Keep the thoughts coming. Obviously I still have some thinking to do!

If you want a quality spinning setup and at a decent price - this is close to my current finesse rig

Pflueger President XT-LE (limited edition) - currently on sale at BPS for $50 - 25, 30, and 35 size

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/pflueger-president-xt-limited-edition-spinning-reel

 

Dobyns Fury 702SF - Sportsmans Outfitters (from what I read here) has a sale currently

 

Less than $150 total for the rig.

[new2BC4bass]

In that case I like both your spinning options.  I've never used a Tatula spinning rod, but own several of the OG Tatula casting rods.  AFAIC it is hard to find a better rod for the money.  Never had a BuCoo, but own Original, Cara and OG Experts (all casting models) and feel they are also excellent rods for the money.  I prefer my BG to my President XT, but that is my personal preference.

 

Good luck deciding.

[optimator]

Regardless of what rod you go with I'd get the BG over any Pflueger reel. JMHO. 

[Michigander]

Well, if you're willing to go to $250 for a noticeable upgrade... Then maybe two combos is the answer.

 

For a finesse spinning, a Shimano Sienna is hard to beat for the silly price of about $30. Add $10 for a carbontex drag washer upgrade. Then pair with something like a Daiwa Aird X Medium Light which puts you at about $100 leaving you $150 to get a decent Chatterbait rod if you reuse the reel you have on your broken Vengeance.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

The 7'1 ML Tatula is versatile rod.  Its got more power then most other MLs I have.  I have a Stradic FK 3k (8oz) on mine and the balance is perfect.  Its good with smaller JBs, wacky rigs, nekos, neds, small swimbaits (keitechs), shad raps and so on.

I dont have a casting Tatula rod, but Ive handled a few and for the money I think they feel pretty good.  I would go for the 7'3 MH for chatterbaits over the 6'10, you would get more tip and a little more leverage to lean into a hook set and rip grass.    

[Michigander]

1 minute ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

 

I dont have a casting Tatula rod, but Ive handled a few and for the money I think they feel pretty good.  I would go for the 7'3 MH for chatterbaits over the 6'10, you would get more tip and a little more leverage to lean into a hook set and rip grass.    

Casting Tatulas are perfectly fine rods. Nothing special, nothing terrible.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Yes Ive fished a buddys a few times, but Ive put a lot of time in on the ML and its worth the money for sure.  I like the 7'3 alot, I would take it over a Sierra all day.

[NYWayfarer]

I like option 1 

 

The President used to be one of my favorite spinning reels. Mine has a wooden knob on the aluminum handle. Sadly they are not built like they used to be anymore. 
 

My current favorite spinning reel is the $59 Lew’s Speed Spin SS20HS I have this reel in the 10-30 sizes I like them so much.

[kayaking_kev]

1 hour ago, Michigander said:

For a finesse spinning, a Shimano Sienna is hard to beat for the silly price of about $30. Add $10 for a carbontex drag washer upgrade. 

 

Very nice reels, especially for the price.

[Dens228]

If this helps I spent decent $$ on my first and only spinning setup to force me to try finesse more........such as dropshot and wacky rigged........

It didn't work..........lol   I usually last about 5-10 minutes.

[Michigander]

1 hour ago, kayaking_kev said:

 

Very nice reels, especially for the price.

Yeah, they're good reels. The shockingly low price is just a bonus. I feel like Shimano just keeps those low to build brand loyalty in new anglers.

[NYWayfarer]

3 hours ago, Michigander said:

Yeah, they're good reels. The shockingly low price is just a bonus. I feel like Shimano just keeps those low to build brand loyalty in new anglers.

This is true. I remember decades ago buying a Shimano TX series in Walmart for a fraction of what I pay for reels now. It was worlds apart from the Shakespeare and Zebco reels I had used before. 

[HazeRVA]

Well, that took a turn....

 

Was planning on going with the Daiwa setup, but cannot find the 7'1" ML in stock. I will wait on that, but still plan on that being the setup I end up getting.

 

That meant I was going to get a new chatterbait rod. Really been wanting to check out the Megabass Levante (yes I know about the previous issues). After reading and lots of YouTube, I just ordered a 2021 Megabass Levante Diablo Spec-R from TackleTrap. Excited and nervous all at the same time, like I am with any bigger purchase like this.

[ElijahH]

It's way under your budget, but I bought a Defy Black as my dedicated chatterbait rod last year and it's been great. It does not fish like a cheap rod at all and you'd practically have enough left over to get a ultra light setup as well.