Rod and reel setup for/under $180?

[Jake51823]

Hey all, I’m looking to buy a new setup for my jig/chatter bait/spinner bait/some swim baits. I’m looking for a MH-MF rod and a reel to match it. Like the title says I would like to stay under the $180 range. Any recommendations? 

[new2BC4bass]

Can I assume casting? Lure weights?

 

EDIT:  Rods: Daiwa Aird Coastal Inshore, Falcon HD, Falcon BuCoo, Fenwick HMG, Lew's TP1X

 

Reels:  Daiwa Fuego, Lew's Speed Spool LFS, Okuma Cerros, Quantum Energy, Shimano SLX or Caius

[Jake51823]

11 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

Can I assume casting? Lure weights?

Sorry yes casting. I mostly use 3/8 and lighter but occasionally 1/2. Also going to be using straight fluoro on this setup. 

[ironbjorn]

Dobyns Colt 704c or 734c and a Lew's Speed Spool 6.8:1 or 7.5:1, whichever rod length and reel speed you prefer. Either will work on both accounts.

 

$180 retail for the setup. 

 

ETA - Dobyns 4 powers read H but they fish as a MH and they're softer rods. The Colt series, along with the Sierra series, are more like a MF than the rated F; even more so than is typical for Dobyns.

[Jake51823]

40 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

Can I assume casting? Lure weights?

 

EDIT:  Rods: Daiwa Aird Coastal Inshore, Falcon HD, Falcon BuCoo, Fenwick HMG, Lew's TP1X

 

Reels:  Daiwa Fuego, Lew's Speed Spool LFS, Okuma Cerros, Quantum Energy, Shimano SLX or Caius

Was looking at the bucoo and caius. Just haven’t seen many reviews on the caius reel so didn’t know if it was quality or not. 

[MyKeyBe]

6'8" bucoo from sportsmans outfitters for $70.00. Last gen 6:3 tatula from sheltons clothing for $100.00.

[Eric 26]

Bass pro shop Carbonlite 2.0 combo right at $180.00. I have a 7’-0” med combo and it is one of my favorite do it all combos. Reel has dual braking system, comes right or left retrieve 6.8:1 or 7.5:1 retrieve speeds. Rod has Winn grips which I really like, Fuji fazlite guides and it’s all backed up with a great warranty.  

[GreenPig]

SLX150($100) on a Daiwa Procyon 7' Med Hvy($80)

[GReb]

Falcon Lowrider All Around is a 7’ MH MF. Finding one in stock may be tough though. 

[new2BC4bass]

3 hours ago, Jake51823 said:

Was looking at the bucoo and caius. Just haven’t seen many reviews on the caius reel so didn’t know if it was quality or not. 

Check reviews on Tacklewarehouse. 

 

Review here if you didn't already see it.

https://www.nationalprostaff.com/posts/58062/shimano-caius-review

 

Amazon has reviews ranging from 1 star to 5 stars (more 5 stars than anything else) .  BUT I don't put much stock in Amazon reviews.

 

I'm sure the reel is like any other product.  Sometimes bad ones get through.  I've had it happen to a $240 reel.  Got to expect it to happen occasionally with an $80 reel.

52 minutes ago, GreenPig said:

SLX150($100) on a Daiwa Procyon 7' Med Hvy($80)

 

OP wants a MF action.  I don't think there is one in the Procyon line.  I did buy a spinning model as a birthday gift for a brother-in-law.  Seems like a very nice rod for the money and I would add it to the OP's list if he wouldn't mind a Fast action rod.  I don't know if the rods are a true Fast.  Maybe you or someone else can comment on that.

[plawren53202]

Although I use a couple of other Shimano products, which I really like, I only recently jumped on the SLX train. I could not be more impressed with the combo, which fishes and feels like a product WELL over that price point. In particular, I am extremely impressed with the reel, which casts a mile and is extremely smooth (my points of comparison are Lew's and Daiwa reels in the same or slightly higher price ranges).

 

 

[Jake51823]

Just thought I’d fill everyone in. I settled on the $70 deal for a falcon bucoo SR MH-MF. Now just thinking about which reel. Tough decision hear because they all seem like decent choices. 

[Deleted account]

10 minutes ago, Jake51823 said:

Just thought I’d fill everyone in. I settled on the $70 deal for a falcon bucoo SR MH-MF. Now just thinking about which reel. Tough decision hear because they all seem like decent choices. 

Good choice, I'd slap a Fuego on it.

[new2BC4bass]

LH or RH?  Does it need to be new?  Now isn't the best time, but occasionally you can find great deals on used reels.  Even now when it seems to be a sellers market.  Just be sure to do a little research.  Without mentioning the reel, there is one on another site the seller was asking $30 more than the original MSRP for one in VGC.  Price is now down to MSRP.  BUT there are a few other reels at decent prices and in good condition (at $100 or less).  Quite a few of my reels were purchased used.  I've no regrets.

 

[Deephaven]

At that price point I'd shop used.  Takes a bit longer, but you can get killer used stuff in that range compared to mediocre new.

[MN Fisher]

53 minutes ago, Deephaven said:

At that price point I'd shop used.  Takes a bit longer, but you can get killer used stuff in that range compared to mediocre new.

Go a little up from that $180 and you CAN get a killer rig

I just perused a site that I can't mention - in their used area is a Pflueger Patriarch 7.1:1 for $110 and a St Croix Bass-X 7'4" MH/MF for $80 - so $190

[Boomstick]

27 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Go a little up from that $180 and you CAN get a killer rig

I just perused a site that I can't mention - in their used area is a Pflueger Patriarch 7.1:1 for $110 and a St Croix Bass-X 7'4" MH/MF for $80 - so $190

The same site has a Falcon Lowrider 6'7" MH/MF for a little more than the Bass X as well that I would take a look at if it was me.

[CrankFate]

I’d say if at all possible, make it $300. At $300, you will get a setup that has little compromise and which should last you a lifetime. A $150 rod is going to get you a much better deal than a $50-$80 rod will. The difference in sensitivity and weight when you step up to a $150 rod is, IMO, one of the biggest jumps in quality that you’ll ever find in any product. If there was one thing that I’d say is a must, for a serious fisherman, it’s a rod and reel both in the $130-$150 range. 

[new2BC4bass]

On 7/8/2021 at 8:39 PM, Jake51823 said:

Just thought I’d fill everyone in. I settled on the $70 deal for a falcon bucoo SR MH-MF. Now just thinking about which reel. Tough decision hear because they all seem like decent choices. 

Nice.  I have a few Falcons, but not a BuCoo.  From what I've read, they are an excellent value at full price.  I am somewhat of a Daiwa fan and would agree the Fuego would make an excellent option.

 

This would put you a few dollars over your budget, but....

Review here.

http://tackletour.com/reviewquantumsmokes3cast.html

$129.77 here for a $170 reel.

https://www.sportsmans.com/fishing-gear-supplies/fishing-reels/casting-reels/c/cat101039?q=%3Arelevance&page=1&&pageSize=20

 

Or better yet a $180 reel for $100.

https://vandamwarehouse.com/kvd-smoke-s3-pt-baitcast-reels-by-quantum/

 

I've only been out with mine for a short time, but am really liking it so far.  Nice looking.  Smooth.  Casts far.  Not as trouble free as an SV, DC or even a Magforce Z, but some of that is probably because it is a new reel to me.  I can get in trouble if the cast control or brakes are too low.

[Jake51823]

On 7/9/2021 at 8:42 AM, new2BC4bass said:

LH or RH?  Does it need to be new?  Now isn't the best time, but occasionally you can find great deals on used reels.  Even now when it seems to be a sellers market.  Just be sure to do a little research.  Without mentioning the reel, there is one on another site the seller was asking $30 more than the original MSRP for one in VGC.  Price is now down to MSRP.  BUT there are a few other reels at decent prices and in good condition (at $100 or less).  Quite a few of my reels were purchased used.  I've no regrets.

 

Hey sorry for the late response! But a RH. Been looking for some used reels but don’t know too many sites that have used fishing gear. Any recommendations? 

[new2BC4bass]

15 hours ago, Jake51823 said:

Hey sorry for the late response! But a RH. Been looking for some used reels but don’t know too many sites that have used fishing gear. Any recommendations? 

Look for the bass boat Reels 4 Sale forum.  Link to it not allowed.  Lot of traffic on it.  Also some state bass forums.  The Texas Fishing Forum also has a lot of traffic.  There is a plethora of a little bit of everything.  I think that site can be linked.

https://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/forums/22/1/trading-post-swap-classifieds

 

I've also found good deals on the New York bass fishing site.  No doubt other states have similar forums.  I've never had good luck in my area with craigslist, but other parts of the country can be good...from what I've read.

 

And of course a great place to start is our own Flea Market.

https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/forum/18-fishing-flea-market/

 

[Jake51823]

So just an update. I ordered the MH-MF from sportsmanoutfitters and they sent me a M-F. I called and they said they don’t have anymore MH-MF rods left. With that being said I’m now looking at the dobyns colt 7’0 cranking MH-MF and just using it for my jigs spinners and chatters. How is this rod? And would those applications be okay on a “cranking” rod? 

[MyKeyBe]

10 hours ago, Jake51823 said:

So just an update. I ordered the MH-MF from sportsmanoutfitters and they sent me a M-F.

What did they send you? Falcon doesn't even make a medium fast bucoo. From here? https://www.sportsmansoutfitters.com/collections/bass-rods/products/falcon-bucoo-sr-rods

[Jake51823]

11 minutes ago, MyKeyBe said:

What did they send you? Falcon doesn't even make a medium fast bucoo. From here? https://www.sportsmansoutfitters.com/collections/bass-rods/products/falcon-bucoo-sr-rods

Yeah it was a MF so I was completely mind boggled. They didn’t say much they just said they’d send me the right rod? I was good with that. Didn’t ask any other questions, didn’t even ask for the other rod back.