Spinning combo under $75

[Luke Barnes]

I have a $100 gift card burning a hole in my wallet and racking my brain on what I could buy I came up with wanting another 7' M spinning setup. All of my spinning rods are 6'6 and I really like the 7' better. So i know what I think is good and what I like but I value everyones opinion. 

 

So best spinning setup for $75 or less. I know if I bumped it to $100 it would be better. Then might as well go to $120 heck just make it $150. 

 

So seriously $75 limit so I can buy some line for it and be under the $100 gift card limit. 

 

I want to use it for everything. I have all technique specific rods that don't get other lures tied on so this would be a catch all rod and reel. 

Edit: I looked at the Kast King Centurion (i think that's what it's called) and the specs are nice but ive never used KK before so wary of them. Also I go higher end on casting stuff, spinning not so much. My favorite casting setup I have is a BPS Crappie Maxx I use for ned rigs!!

[bulldog1935]

If that's a BPS gift card, the Pflueger Trion combo is available with a 7'M rod. 

The rod is IM6, which should have great action, though may not be the lightest. 

[12poundbass]

Abu Blackmax is a pretty good setup. 
 

I’ve had good luck with Kastking reels, their rods…not so much. 

[Luke Barnes]

1 hour ago, bulldog1935 said:

If that's a BPS gift card, the Pflueger Trion combo is available with a 7'M rod. 

The rod is IM6, which should have great action, though may not be the lightest. 

It's a visa so can spend it anywhere but I have a BPS a mile from me and picking it up and feeling it is ideal before I buy it. 

 

7 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

Abu Blackmax is a pretty good setup. 
 

I’ve had good luck with Kastking reels, their rods…not so much. 

I see Abu has updated and put out new models in the budget gear game. The original Black Max casting combo hasn't let me down so ive thought about them in spinning. 

[FishTank]

If it is to BPS, I would be patient and wait for their spring sale.  They always have a combo of some kind for $100. 

[12poundbass]

21 minutes ago, Luke Barnes said:

It's a visa so can spend it anywhere but I have a BPS a mile from me and picking it up and feeling it is ideal before I buy it. 

 

I see Abu has updated and put out new models in the budget gear game. The original Black Max casting combo hasn't let me down so ive thought about them in spinning. 

I picked up a newer model not sure if it’s a Blackmax might be a Redmax (it’s mostly red) and has Winn grips. It’s a very nice spinning combo. 

[Eric 26]

I know it’s a couple bucks over the limit but I’ve handled this combo in store and feel it could be what you’re looking for. It’s 7’-1” med power.

Edited January 22, 2022 by Eric 26
Added content

[MN Fisher]

2 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

If that's a BPS gift card, the Pflueger Trion combo is available with a 7'M rod. 

The rod is IM6, which should have great action, though may not be the lightest. 

I would second this. I still have a Trion in my arsenal and it's a very good reel for the price. The 35 size on the 7' Medium rod would be a good all-around rig.

[Luke Barnes]

43 minutes ago, Eric 26 said:

I know it’s a couple bucks over the limit but I’ve handled this combo in store and feel it could be what you’re looking for. It’s 7’-1” med power.

$5 is fine, also some stores give veterans discounts so would be good there. I have a 13 Fate Chrome and I like it but didnt even think about looking into 13 again. I will look into this combo more!

[Eric 26]

I forgot to mention I have a 13 fishing Creed LTE 2000 which received complaints about line getting under the spool but I had no issues with 8lb Daiwa j-braid last season.

[Luke Barnes]

3 minutes ago, Eric 26 said:

I forgot to mention I have a 13 fishing Creed LTE 2000 which received complaints about line getting under the spool but I had no issues with 8lb Daiwa j-braid last season.

I do have an issue with the hook keeper and the line getting under it on the Chrome that I have but that's minor. I use it as my drop shot rod. 

[rtwvumtneer6]

1 hour ago, Luke Barnes said:

I have a BPS a mile from me and picking it up and feeling it is ideal before I buy it

Stop in and see what they have, and what you like.  Then go home and find it online for a better price.  If it ends up being BPS brand, wait for their spring sale.  

 

I got a couple Pro Qualifiers for $50 (half price) a couple years ago as back up reels.  Hopefully you can stretch your $.

[bulldog1935]

28 minutes ago, Eric 26 said:

I forgot to mention I have a 13 fishing Creed LTE 2000 which received complaints about line getting under the spool but I had no issues with 8lb Daiwa j-braid last season.

Line getting under the spool is completely eliminated using proper manual bail technique - the line is never slack enough to get under the spool. 

Any spinning reel will let the line under the spool with bad technique and crank-auto-bail close. 

[DitchPanda]

Personally I'd go with a 2000 size daiwa Laguna and 7ft Berkley lightning rod...comes in slightly over budget at $80..but that's the best I can do.

[cyclops2]

Casting into the wind. Stiff line. VERY POOR design of a short cheap spool. NOT using the ANTI REVERSE lever correctly.  I end the cast with the rid tip pointing straight out from my belly. When lure hits water. I FIRST LIFT THE ROD UP. Then crank the bail closed as I lower the tip back to being horizontal. Ready to set the hook. It takes me about 1/4 second after lure plops on water to have line coming in snuggly.

I have used automatic bail arm closing for over 50 years on many reels. Never a problem.

 

You are screwed if a big fast fish hits the lure at high speed & rips line off . Closing the bail with your fingers ?  Great way to get your knuckles smashed with 40 to 80 # line & drag set to + 40 pound if possible. As soon as the bail catches the line it whips the bail arm backwards. WACK  WACK  WACK .  The auto bail SETS the hook instantly and protects fingers.

[Eric 26]

I hope I didn’t mislead anyone, as I said I personally have no issues with the reel whatsoever. I purchased mine for around $40.00 and read a bunch of bad reviews but I’m happy enough with mine.

[PaulVE64]

Hmmmm.

Spinning is very finesse, not the place to go cheaper imo.

But i will recommend a  7' plus medium with a moderate tip.

 

[BlakeMolone]

Lightning rods are awesome for $40!

[Aaron_H]

Personally I think I'd make the bump up to the full $100 and get the Shimano Symetre combo. Barring that, the Daiwa Laguna/Berkley Lightning suggestion is solid. Or Daiwa Aird-X/Shimano Sienna.

[Eric 26]

Go to you tube and search up my recommended combo, you should come across a gentleman goes by the handle “Family Budget Fisherman” he gives the combo a review. I haven’t finished watching this particular review but I have watched plenty of his reviews and I personally feel he’s quite honest with his likes and dislikes. 

[WRB]

My suggestion is focus on a rod only for $100.

Tom

[DitchPanda]

19 minutes ago, WRB said:

My suggestion is focus on a rod only for $100.

Tom

This guy knows whats what

[Eric 26]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

My suggestion is focus on a rod only for $100.

Tom

 

1 hour ago, DitchPanda said:

This guy knows whats what

Maybe you guys didn’t understand the title of the thread or maybe you guys didn’t read his post? No offense meant. 

[DitchPanda]

7 minutes ago, Eric 26 said:

 

Maybe you guys didn’t understand the title of the thread or maybe you guys didn’t read his post? No offense meant. 

I understand his post because I read it..in fact if you had read thru you would see I already offered a suggestion. That doesn't mean another suggestion doesn't make sense even if its outside the original parameters. 

[ironbjorn]

Aird-X with a Trion