So I Received a Christmas Bonus...

[Koz]

My hotel owner came to town yesterday and surprised me with a Christmas bonus. It was definitely a surprise because I'm the kind of guy that signs on the dotted line for a salary and expect nothing else. 

 

Anyway, I thought I'd take a little of this bonus and buy a new rod and reel and probably some baits as well. While nothing is off limits, I'm just not teh type of person that has ever spent $400 on a reel or $500 on a rod. Every rod and every reel I have cost under $200. I have no issue with anyone that spends more on their gear. We all have different levels of comfort when it comes to spending for different items.

 

But with some of this "found money" I'm thinking of upgrading a bit and I was looking at purchasing a Shimano Curado 150 DC reel and a Shimano Zodias rod. What do you think - good combination? Or should I take the opportunity to go bolder? Any suggestions?

 

 

[Jigfishn10]

Congrats man. I’m the same as you, never expect a bonus and always grateful when I do get one. 
 

It must have been well deserved. 
 

Congrats again and happy holidays.

[GreenPig]

Excellent. I really like my Zodias rods and would certainly suggest one. I also fish a Curado DC and it's a fine reel but for a few $'s less I really enjoy my Curado 70 MGL's. In my opinion the Curado 70 MGL and Zodias is a very nice pairing. Merry Christmas. 

[PBBrandon]

Congrats on the bonus! And I hope you like whatever you get with it. I run a 6’10 MHF Zodias with a 8.5:1 Curado K for jigs and t-rigs and it is an amazing combo. They pair perfectly and if you want to jump to the DC that’s even better. Can’t go wrong with those. Merry Christmas!

[new2BC4bass]

Agree.  Congratulations on the bonus.  I'm sure you deserved it.  I think you should take up fly fishing for bass.  From what I've read the GLoomis Asquith fly rod (measly $1200 rod) is great.  You can buy a decent quality fly reel for less than $600.  Scientific Anglers Amplitude Bass Bug Fly Line is a mere $129.95.  So for less than $2000...not counting leaders and flies...you've got a very nice starter kit.  Of course it will quickly go over that amount should you decide to tie your own flies. 

 

Kidding aside, I've read the new Zodias is quite good.  I know it's blasphemy, but I'd probably opt for a Daiwa reel.  Probably a Tatula Elite although I wouldn't turn my nose up at a Zillion or Steez. 

 

If I had the money, I'd like to try an Expride.  Seems to get a lot of votes as the best rod you can get at that price.  I've spent over $200 on a reel, but never that much on a rod.  Maybe time to break the mold? 

 

[Hulkster]

my dream combo is a Loomis IMX Pro MBR 903C with a Bantam 150 

[Tennessee Boy]

Congratulations on the bonus.  From the post you’ve made about the hotel I would say you’ve earned it.

[Koz]

14 minutes ago, PBBrandon said:

Congrats on the bonus! And I hope you like whatever you get with it. I run a 6’10 MHF Zodias with a 8.5:1 Curado K for jigs and t-rigs and it is an amazing combo. They pair perfectly and if you want to jump to the DC that’s even better. Can’t go wrong with those. Merry Christmas!

I have a Curado K paired with a St. Croix Mojo Yak that I really like. In fact, it was because I like the Curado K so much that I was thinking of trying the Curado DLC

10 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

Agree.  Congratulations on the bonus.  I'm sure you deserved it.  I think you should take up fly fishing for bass.  From what I've read the GLoomis Asquith fly rod (measly $1200 rod) is great.  You can buy a decent quality fly reel for less than $600.  Scientific Anglers Amplitude Bass Bug Fly Line is a mere $129.95.  So for less than $2000...not counting leaders and flies...you've got a very nice starter kit.  Of course it will quickly go over that amount should you decide to tie your own flies. 

 

Kidding aside, I've read the new Zodias is quite good.  I know it's blasphemy, but I'd probably opt for a Daiwa reel.  Probably a Tatula Elite although I wouldn't turn my nose up at a Zillion or Steez. 

 

If I had the money, I'd like to try an Expride.  Seems to get a lot of votes as the best rod you can get at that price.  I've spent over $200 on a reel, but never that much on a rod.  Maybe time to break the mold? 

 

I'm going to look into the Expride. Thanks. I know Daiwa has great reels and I have been tempted to try them. But I bought a Shimano Curado K this summer and I really like it so I'm leaning towards the Curado DC.

[RDB]

I can’t speak to the Zodias but the DC is a good reel.  As far as the rod, if I were going to spend more on just one rod, it would be for bottom contact.  As you move up in price, improved sensitivity is one of the benefits.  I would use that improvement on techniques where it is most beneficial.  Just my 2 cents.  Congrats on the bonus.

[Skunkmaster-k]

Yep. That’s a good combo. Congratulations on your bonus , and Merry Christmas !

[Bankc]

Go with your gut.  The good thing about "found money" is even if you hate it, you're not out anything.  Worst case scenario, you're back where you started.  So no pressure to make the "best decision" or avoid a bad one.  

[Koz]

50 minutes ago, Tennessee Boy said:

Congratulations on the bonus.  From the post you’ve made about the hotel I would say you’ve earned it.

I've been lucky enough to put together a good core team of people that want to improve the hotel. Without them, nothing I do really matters.

[GaryH]

Kos, congrats on the well deserved bonus. I think your choice in setups are very good. I have no issues with my Curado dc’s. ?

Enjoy your new setups….

[Richieg]

My advice is to focus on upgrading your rod. Any reel in the $200 range is good and will do the job. But a better rod will improve your casting distance, sensitivity, and the ergonomics will be helpful during a long day of fishing. You will get the biggest bang for buck upgrading your rod. Spend some time with a Loomis or St Croix rod and you will be able to instantly feel the difference and it feels even better on the water. The best rod is one you have made to your requirements. It is worth the money. 
 

Whatever you end with, I hope you enjoy you new setup. 

[jbsoonerfan]

Curado 70 mgl and an Expride is what I would buy. I have owned every rod and reel already mentioned and this is the perfect combo for what has been mentioned. But, I would prefer the 20 Metanium over the Curado if that were an option. 

 

EDIT: I should add, I would go less on the reel to get the Expride over the Zodius, even if that meant going with an SLX mgl

[J._Bricker]

Congratulations @Koz on the well deserved recognition and bonus. I’d probably figure out which combo technique wise I enjoy that I’d like to upgrade and go from there. The Zodias-Expride combos are excellent suggestions. I don’t have an Expride (at least not yet), but I do like my two Zodias combos for chucking bladed jigs. 
And I’m sure you’ve already done something like this, but I’d probably buy my crew lunch as a group as a way of saying thanks.

Definitely looking forward to seeing what you decided on in the “Latest Tackle Purchase Thread” and Merry Christmas!

 

[HaydenS]

Congrats on the bonus! 

The zodias is one of the lightest rods I’ve ever picked up.  My buddy has one, he uses for frogs, so I can’t speak to the sensitivity.  Very strong rod as well.

[Columbia Craw]

6 hours ago, Koz said:

I've been lucky enough to put together a good core team of people that want to improve the hotel. Without them, nothing I do really matters.

Way to go Koz!   What ever you choose, it will be just right.

[Oklahoma Mike]

I would consider the 21 Scorpion DC - can get it from Japan Lure Shop for right around $220 or so last I looked. For the rod I would also second the suggestion above on the Expride - best bang for your buck on rods anywhere period, imo. 

[scbassin]

For the Reel I would get the 21 Scorpion DC. It has The I-DC 5 braking system instead of the 4 & has a

lite spool for better casting distance. I have 2 of them & love them. They are excellent reels The price changes depending on the value of the dollar Vs. the yen. Once you place your order the price is locked in. The 2 places I check I use have free shipping by Fedex. I have mine in 4 or 5 days. I always use Pay Pal  as they prefer it & it goes faster.

[CrashVector]

Congrats on your bonus!

 

I own a Curado DC that I use for skipping.  It's a very good reel for sure, and you don't be disappointed.

 

Enjoy the new combo, and let us know when you catch your first fish on it!

[new2BC4bass]

9 hours ago, Koz said:

I have a Curado K paired with a St. Croix Mojo Yak that I really like. In fact, it was because I like the Curado K so much that I was thinking of trying the Curado DLC

I'm going to look into the Expride. Thanks. I know Daiwa has great reels and I have been tempted to try them. But I bought a Shimano Curado K this summer and I really like it so I'm leaning towards the Curado DC.

It's not that I don't like Shimano reels.  Love my Chronarch 100B and Curado 201E7.  Last time I visited Florida (almost 3 years ago) I took an older Exsence DC with me.  (Was/is a new-2-me reel.)  We only managed to get out 3 times, but I really enjoyed the reel.  Was impossible to backlash as long as I didn't go to the numbered brake setting and go below the highest setting.  Lower settings required me to pay attention.  Especially since spool tension is set very loose on it.  I like my Curado 51E's, but would rather grab an Alphas.  Shimano makes some fine reels.  I'm just a little more partial to Daiwas.  Personal preference.

[Bass Rutten]

I spend the majority of my rod/reel budget on the rod. It’s the heart and soul of the combo, if I had 500 to spend I’d use at least 300-350 of it on the rod and go cheaper (slx?) or maybe even used on the reel. You’re clearly shimano centric so I’d look at expride (rumors are all new line up coming in spring), or poison adrena.

 

 Merry Christmas!? 

[FishTank]

I have the Curado DC and it's a great reel.  If you have never owned a DC reel, this would be a good one to have.  I have yet to find a flaw with it. 

[TnRiver46]

12 hours ago, GreenPig said:

Excellent. I really like my Zodias rods and would certainly suggest one. I also fish a Curado DC and it's a fine reel but for a few $'s less I really enjoy my Curado 70 MGL's. In my opinion the Curado 70 MGL and Zodias is a very nice pairing. Merry Christmas. 

Now I see why you’re always catching the bigs, sophisticated organized weaponry