Best budget/high entry level equipment by application?

[Alex Ball]

                           Hi guys, My name is Al and I need some help. I am pretty eccentric so this will be a bit odd. I'm on disability and recently discovered fishing. It has changed me and my life for the better. I love building setups and selling them. It helps me be more social. I love testing them even more. I live in a very rural area (the nearest tackle shop is 52.4 miles away) so Walmart and the Internet are my options. I always get good feedback on BR, so here we go.

 

    I have a 15 rod rack and I wanna fill it up for with specified applications for bass and panfish. I prefer spinning setups but understand the need for baitcasters and am comfortable with using them. I've already built a few but need help on rods more than reels. I'm madly in love with KastKing for both spinning and casting reels, Lew's is exclusively spinning for me as is Shimano (the budget stuff). I would like to try to keep each setup under $100 and $75 is ideal. I'm dead set on Zebco and Abu for spincasting. I know the budget is very tight, but it allows me more setups.

   Here's where I'm at so far. ? are where i need help-

Panfish

SUL casting-Zebco Micro 33 Custom Z casting/5'/ULM/2-6 line/1_64-1_8 lure/Abu Max STX10SC/23IPT/8 drag/#2 SOS mono

SUL spinning-? Maybe a Quantum micro 00 or a Denali Pryme?/Shimano Sienna 500fg/27ipt/4.4drag/#8 Berkley Solutions Braid

AP-Lew's Hyper Speed/5'6"/ULF/2-6/1_32-1_8/KK Zephyr SFS 1000/24.3ipt/10 drag/#10 Power Pro braid

Crankin-Shakespeare Micro/7'/LM/4-10/1_16-1_4/KK Centron 500/19.7ipt/11 drag/#4 Vanish FC

Bait-Jenko Hypersense6/6'/LF/4-10/1_16-1_4/Shimano FX2500hg/35ipt/9 drag/#4 Mr. Crappie hi-vis mono

Spinners-KK Crixus/5'6"/ LMF/4-8/1_16-3_8/KK Valiant Eagle 1000/31.4ipt/17.6 drag/#10 Solutions braid

Bass

Tube/Grub/Ned-Berkley Shock/6'/MLMF/4-10/1_16-3_8/? KK zephyr?

Poppers/Wacky-Lew's XJ/6'/MLF/4-10/1_16-5_16/Lew's XJ10/30ipt/10 drag/#15 power pro braid

Slow Roll/Crank-Shakespeare Excursion/7'/MMF/1_8-5_8/KK Lancelot 2000/21.3ipt/12 drag/#10 P-Line FC

All purpose-Shimano Speedmaster Fightin Rod/5'9/MHMF/?KK RL2 or Lew's LZR Pro maybe?

Drop Shot-Berkley Cherrywood/7'/MLF/6-15/1_8-5_8/Abu Max STX10SC/#6 grand slam flourocoated cp

Jerkbait-? casting rod?/Piscifun Spark/31.1ipt/16.5 drag/#20 Spiderwire HV braid

Jig/Worm/Flip/Pitch-BPS Extreme Woo Daves Worm/6'6"/10-20/3_8-1/KK Sparty2/28ipt/17.6 drag/#17 p-line cp

Blades/LCB/Spoon-Fenwick Eagle GT/6'6"/MHF/10-25/1_4-1 1_4/Pfun Spark/25.2ipt/16.5 drag/#10 P-line cp

Frog/Buzz/Walk-Fenwick Eagle GT/6'6"/MHF/? RLGT, Phantom?

        I know it's mostly complete, but any suggestions on upgrades would be awesome. I love the labor of putting in the toime and effort to get it as right as I can given my budget. Thanks in Advance. Also, Amazon is my jam, so anything there I might be missing LMK.

[Mobasser]

Looks like your set up to catch a bunch of fish. For spinning reels, you might check.out the Shimano Sienna. 2500 size for bass, 1000 for bass or panfish. Good value for around 30 dollars. Glad to hear you've discovered fishing. Good luck out there.

[MN Fisher]

Far as line is concerned

Dump the Vanish - it's cheap, yes...and that's the issue.

 

I'd keep it simple and stick with 3-4 lines instead of being all over the board

 

Braid - Sufix 832 - good braid, very round which is important for spinning reels, and not too expensive

FC - Seaguar InvizX - fairly easy to manage, especially if you use KVD L&L

Mono - Trilene XL or Big Game - both high quality, inexpensive monos

For a Hi-Vis mono - Sufix Elite...I've used it and it's a good quality mono that's still fairly inexpensive.

[Eric 26]

As far as your ultralight spinning I would go with a Piscifun Carbon X 500.I have a 1000& 2000 size and they are really nice. I believe they’re making the 500 size in some of the others in the lineup also. As far as line I’m in agreement with MN Fisher, or try Kast king mono I’ve got 4lb mono on 2 of my ultralights (one of which is the Carbon X 1000) 500 was not available and is marketed as a ice fishing reel and am enjoying it, it reminds me quite a bit like Trilene XL. Lastly I’m really enjoying my BPS panfish elite rod, a bit higher than you’re looking to spend but if you can catch one on sale they’re nice imho. Good luck.

[Alex Ball]

3 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Far as line is concerned

Dump the Vanish - it's cheap, yes...and that's the issue.

 

I'd keep it simple and stick with 3-4 lines instead of being all over the board

 

Braid - Sufix 832 - good braid, very round which is important for spinning reels, and not too expensive

FC - Seaguar InvizX - fairly easy to manage, especially if you use KVD L&L

Mono - Trilene XL or Big Game - both high quality, inexpensive monos

For a Hi-Vis mono - Sufix Elite...I've used it and it's a good quality mono that's still fairly inexpensive.

Ya the vainsh is meh. Thanks. Been looking at Seaguar. Willing to spend on the line. Very important. 

TBG is my mono of choice. Good to know it's quality.

2 hours ago, Eric 26 said:

As far as your ultralight spinning I would go with a Piscifun Carbon X 500.I have a 1000& 2000 size and they are really nice. I believe they’re making the 500 size in some of the others in the lineup also. As far as line I’m in agreement with MN Fisher, or try Kast king mono I’ve got 4lb mono on 2 of my ultralights (one of which is the Carbon X 1000) 500 was not available and is marketed as a ice fishing reel and am enjoying it, it reminds me quite a bit like Trilene XL. Lastly I’m really enjoying my BPS panfish elite rod, a bit higher than you’re looking to spend but if you can catch one on sale they’re nice imho. Good luck.

Thanks Eric. Just got a Shimano Sahara 5000 for 50 bucks new! That's going on the Speedmaster. I'll look at the CX now. Love the Spark. Want to try a spinning reel of theirs.

[Eric 26]

As an owner of Kast King’s Royal Legend 2, Piscifun’s Spark and their Saex Elite bait cast reels the Carbon X is more in line build wise with the Saex Elite than the Spark. 

[Alex Ball]

3 hours ago, Eric 26 said:

As an owner of Kast King’s Royal Legend 2, Piscifun’s Spark and their Saex Elite bait cast reels the Carbon X is more in line build wise with the Saex Elite than the Spark. 

Just bought The Lew's Mach 1 100 reel. $40 and I love that model. Almost got the Viper X, but for 10 more I think the Mach1 is a little better. Carbon X will be the next buy 2000 for sure. 

7 hours ago, Mobasser said:

Looks like your set up to catch a bunch of fish. For spinning reels, you might check.out the Shimano Sienna. 2500 size for bass, 1000 for bass or panfish. Good value for around 30 dollars. Glad to hear you've discovered fishing. Good luck out there.

I have the 500 and..... I can't believe that's only $30! Might just get another soon. Love em.

[Chris186]

8 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Far as line is concerned

Dump the Vanish - it's cheap, yes...and that's the issue.

 

 

I always say it lives up to its name, when you set the hook it Vanishes!

[Alex Ball]

12 hours ago, Mobasser said:

Looks like your set up to catch a bunch of fish. For spinning reels, you might check.out the Shimano Sienna. 2500 size for bass, 1000 for bass or panfish. Good value for around 30 dollars. Glad to hear you've discovered fishing. Good luck out there.

Thanks for the support. I spent more time this summer learning about applications than I did fishing LOL. Also, given the rural area, I sell a bunch of stuff, tackle, setups, reel repair/maintenance, etc., so I didn't get to fish much. I feel like I got it right finally. It's really nice to have experienced anglers helping me. Oh, got the Sahara today and OMG!!! that is a monster and a half. $50 bucks brand new cuz it's been in a pawn shop forever. Already my favorite spinner and I've only thrown it in the back yard. I have 4 Shimanos now (sienna500fg, ix1000r, fx2500hg, and the Sahara) and all four seem to be underpriced quite a bit. Don't even wanna think about what a stradic is like, considering the value of the others. The FX doesn't seem too durable, but at $20 a pop. I don't care. 35ipt shouldn't even be available at that number. I might be a Shimano boy on spinners now.......SMDH. 

3 hours ago, Chris186 said:

I always say it lives up to its name, when you set the hook it Vanishes!

LOL. That actually increased my confidence a lot. I've lost more fish on vanish fc than evreything else combined. Because it was the only fc I'd used, I assumed it was just the way fc worked. Got the P-Line fc and it's much more reliable. Any thoughts on YO-ZU-RI top knot? Awfully attractive at the price.

[islandbass]

1 hour ago, Alex Ball said:

Thanks for the support. I spent more time this summer learning about applications than I did fishing LOL. Also, given the rural area, I sell a bunch of stuff, tackle, setups, reel repair/maintenance, etc., so I didn't get to fish much. I feel like I got it right finally. It's really nice to have experienced anglers helping me. Oh, got the Sahara today and OMG!!! that is a monster and a half. $50 bucks brand new cuz it's been in a pawn shop forever. Already my favorite spinner and I've only thrown it in the back yard. I have 4 Shimanos now (sienna500fg, ix1000r, fx2500hg, and the Sahara) and all four seem to be underpriced quite a bit. Don't even wanna think about what a stradic is like, considering the value of the others. The FX doesn't seem too durable, but at $20 a pop. I don't care. 35ipt shouldn't even be available at that number. I might be a Shimano boy on spinners now.......SMDH. 

LOL. That actually increased my confidence a lot. I've lost more fish on vanish fc than evreything else combined. Because it was the only fc I'd used, I assumed it was just the way fc worked. Got the P-Line fc and it's much more reliable. Any thoughts on YO-ZU-RI top knot? Awfully attractive at the price.

I stopped calling it vanish and gave it a new name. Poof! Because just like that, the fish on the business end of Vanish will ”Poof!!!” Just disappear. 
 

My brother bought it in 8# test not knowing how bad this line was and for me at the time all I knew was it’s bad reputation. I told him that I heard a lot of bad things about the line but since I didn’t have personal experience with it. Well, I broke that 8# test when I was putting the finishing touches on completing knot. I didn’t even get to a full tightening when it broke like a piece of sewing thread. Next, I grabbed some line between hands and lightly pulled on it, and I broke the line with very little effort. I was shocked. I took the vanish off his reel’s spool and threw it and the unused spool away. 
 

If vanish is the only line left in the world, I’ll take up spear fishing, lol. 
 

You have a lot of set ups! More than I could handle, and I am not qualified to offer any advice, lol. 

[The Baron]

I’m quite budget conscious too, and most of our setups have been purchased used.  This has allowed me to own some very good quality gear at “working man” prices.  Buying used can be risky, but so far I’ve only had a couple minor issues.

 

For gear I’ve bought new, I’ve been very impressed with the Diawa Regal LT spinning reels for the money (I think about $50 USD?).  We’ve got both a 1000 and a 2500 and they’ve served well for occasional use (they’re not our core use spinning reels, but used when we need a 3rd spinning setup for my daughter or to have a dedicated setup with a wacky senko so we can leave our dropshot rods rigged up).

 

As has been mentioned, don’t scrimp on line.  Buy a quality braid in bulk if you can, otherwise grab a bulk spool of a good mono like Trilene Big Game.   I use fluorocarbon for leaders (buy Seaguar!) but am not a fan of it for mainline.

[papajoe222]

Quality used tackle, for some reason, is overlooked by far too many anglers IMO.  I think that they equate new to better.  A reel that sold for $250 new and sells for $100 used is a better reel than that new $150 reel everyone has been touting. Plus it'll likely last longer.  The same goes for most fishing gear.  Another plus is that once expensive piece of equipment was likely taken care of very well by its original owner.

[Alex Ball]

2 hours ago, papajoe222 said:

Quality used tackle, for some reason, is overlooked by far too many anglers IMO.  I think that they equate new to better.  A reel that sold for $250 new and sells for $100 used is a better reel than that new $150 reel everyone has been touting. Plus it'll likely last longer.  The same goes for most fishing gear.  Another plus is that once expensive piece of equipment was likely taken care of very well by its original owner.

Shimano Curado E. Yup. Might buy one actually.

[Alex Ball]

10 hours ago, The Baron said:

I’m quite budget conscious too, and most of our setups have been purchased used.  This has allowed me to own some very good quality gear at “working man” prices.  Buying used can be risky, but so far I’ve only had a couple minor issues.

 

For gear I’ve bought new, I’ve been very impressed with the Diawa Regal LT spinning reels for the money (I think about $50 USD?).  We’ve got both a 1000 and a 2500 and they’ve served well for occasional use (they’re not our core use spinning reels, but used when we need a 3rd spinning setup for my daughter or to have a dedicated setup with a wacky senko so we can leave our dropshot rods rigged up).

 

As has been mentioned, don’t scrimp on line.  Buy a quality braid in bulk if you can, otherwise grab a bulk spool of a good mono like Trilene Big Game.   I use fluorocarbon for leaders (buy Seaguar!) but am not a fan of it for mainline.

I know I have a bunch of KK stuff but mostly cuz it sells so fast. I'm Blown away by the Valiant Eagle Spinners and the Sparty2 caster. If budget were no issue it'd be Tica Cetus reels for ulight(shout out to Bulldog1935), A+ shimanos(Jfrancho) on spinners with denali rods and Both Revo Ike Combos and a RevoEXD on a Denali cranker. Don't like Abu except for those. They are scary good.

[Alex Ball]

On 9/30/2021 at 2:02 AM, islandbass said:

I stopped calling it vanish and gave it a new name. Poof! Because just like that, the fish on the business end of Vanish will ”Poof!!!” Just disappear. 
 

My brother bought it in 8# test not knowing how bad this line was and for me at the time all I knew was it’s bad reputation. I told him that I heard a lot of bad things about the line but since I didn’t have personal experience with it. Well, I broke that 8# test when I was putting the finishing touches on completing knot. I didn’t even get to a full tightening when it broke like a piece of sewing thread. Next, I grabbed some line between hands and lightly pulled on it, and I broke the line with very little effort. I was shocked. I took the vanish off his reel’s spool and threw it and the unused spool away. 
 

If vanish is the only line left in the world, I’ll take up spear fishing, lol. 
 

You have a lot of set ups! More than I could handle, and I am not qualified to offer any advice, lol. 

Yes. The Vanish has vanished from my tackle. LOL. Really like the P-Line. Ordered some Top knot and a spool of seaguar. Most of the setups are for selling. Actually sold 6 in 2 days. Good week. I'm a 7 setup man myslef. 1 pan, 3 spinners, 3 specified casters. Spinners are filtered by lure wight except for drop shot. Casters are super specified for me. Nobody needs all the stuff I have. LOL. Good to have options though. 

[islandbass]

1 hour ago, Alex Ball said:

Yes. The Vanish has vanished from my tackle. LOL. Really like the P-Line. Ordered some Top knot and a spool of seaguar. Most of the setups are for selling. Actually sold 6 in 2 days. Good week. I'm a 7 setup man myslef. 1 pan, 3 spinners, 3 specified casters. Spinners are filtered by lure wight except for drop shot. Casters are super specified for me. Nobody needs all the stuff I have. LOL. Good to have options though. 

One of my tenets in life is “It’s better to have and not need than to need and and not have.”  And you sir, are a shining example. ??