“Cheap” ML Spinning Rod (and Reel) Suggestions

[Drawdown]

Looking to be able to throw 1/16 ned rigs (or 1/15, because Z-Man is hipster), give drop shots a hand, as well as throw downsized versions of “normal” lures (tiny spinners, tiny cranks, little swim baits, and maybe even “bitsy” flipping jigs). If that is all too ambitious, then I’ll be open to suggestions on what techniques to focus on. The goal here is to throw something that is a change of presentation (namely  from my MH baitcaster lures) to try to beat the skunk.

 

Budget: up to $180, but the bait monkey’s got to eat, too. A rod + reel alone won’t catch fish.

 

Browsing combos on BPS, I’m intrigued by the BPS Extreme Combo (is it anything like the “old” Extreme?). But I know I might be able to get a better combo for the money mixing and matching—but I just don’t know enough about what’s out there to think that through on my own. Saw a thread about the Shimano Convergence, and it looks very reasonable, but I don’t know what reels I could pair with it on a budget.

[Happybeerbuzz]

Dobyns Maverick and a Daiwa Legalis LT will get you to $170+Tax.  

[MN Fisher]

Pflueger President XT-25

BPS Pro Qualifier 2 - 6'8" ML/F

$160

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/pflueger-president-xt-bass-pro-shops-pro-qualifier-2-spinning-rod-and-reel-combo

 

Fairly close to my finesse rig (President 25/Fury 702SF), and the techniques I use with it include

Neds

Light shakey head

Neko

Small weightless plastics

Micro cranks

[Finessegenics]

You can do pretty good with that budget. Take a look at the Daiwa Revros; 2000 or 2500 would be good. There’s quite a difference between the two in regards to line capacity but the 2000 will be big enough if you’re using braid. That’ll run you $50. 
 

The convergence looks nice but your rod options are endless. There’s the 7 ML/F Aird X (55$) from Daiwa which is also apparently very nice. If you want to spend a bit more there’s a 6’10 ML/XF St Croix Bass X (120$) which is perfect for 1/16 oz ned heads.

 

You can spend less on the rod or you can spend something in between the two extremes I recommended. With the extra money you could save I’d invest in a good quality mainline, whether it’s mono, fluoro or braid. But I really recommend braid to leader. It’s really worth it. Best of luck! 

[CrashVector]

Pfleuger Trion combo from bps.  $70.

 

I bought one a month ago, and honestly, the more I'm using it, the more I like it.

 

I've been using it for panfishing and throwing ultra-finesse lures for bass using 6lb p-line CX, and I have to admit that although I'm an Abu Garcia man, this Pfleuger is performing VERY well.

[TNBankFishing]

8 hours ago, Finessegenics said:

You can do pretty good with that budget. Take a look at the Daiwa Revros; 2000 or 2500 would be good. There’s quite a difference between the two in regards to line capacity but the 2000 will be big enough if you’re using braid. That’ll run you $50. 
 

The convergence looks nice but your rod options are endless. There’s the 7 ML/F Aird X (55$) from Daiwa which is also apparently very nice. If you want to spend a bit more there’s a 6’10 ML/XF St Croix Bass X (120$) which is perfect for 1/16 oz ned heads.

 

You can spend less on the rod or you can spend something in between the two extremes I recommended. With the extra money you could save I’d invest in a good quality mainline, whether it’s mono, fluoro or braid. But I really recommend braid to leader. It’s really worth it. Best of luck! 

Id second the BassX as a solid option, and  might recommend give it a couple weeks and snag something a bit nicer on sale. 

[FrnkNsteen]

I'd go with the Daiwa AIRD suggested by Finessegenics, or maybe a Berkley Lightning Rod. Both are around $40 - $50 and I like that the LightningbRods have close the the same grip as Fenwick HMG rods.

 

Then take your pick between Pflueger President at around $60 up to Pflueger XT or Daiwa Fuego at around $100.

 

If you want a cheaper setup that matches well. Daiwa AIRD X and a Daiwa Revros. Should be able to get into that for about $100.

[Drawdown]

1 hour ago, TNBankFishing said:

might recommend give it a couple weeks and snag something a bit nicer on sale. 

I assume around Memorial Day is when these sales hit?

[Eric 26]

I’m throwing neds on a 13fishing fate black 7’-1” med light paired with a 13 fishing creed reel. I received the rod last Christmas but have used it a bit this year and I’m pretty impressed. If I had to choose another reel I would pair it with a Piscifun Carbon X 2000 which I have and is a much nicer reel. All in $145.00.

[TNBankFishing]

9 minutes ago, Drawdown said:

I assume around Memorial Day is when these sales hit?

Yes, every year shops do something. Not usually as big as the classic but the best you’ll find till the holidays. 

[Drawdown]

Came across an Abu Garcia Vendetta 7’4” ML with an Abu Garcia Silvermax 10 on it at a pawn shop for $40.

 

Didn’t buy it, mainly for want of knowledge and how to look at a used rod. But brand new it seems it would run $120.

[Phil77]

Lews Wally Marshall classic signature series 7ML Sixty bucks at academy, paired it with a cheap clamshell lews 75 size reel. I have been thouroghly impressed with it for ned rigs. I've caught a ton of bass, crappie, and even a few walleye on the ned in the last two months. I know its probably an unpopular choice but at $85 it leaves the rest of your budget for ned jigs and finesse trd's. I have no clue how it would fair for drop shot, I don't drop shot anymore.

[Drawdown]

Whatever I end up getting, I have a feeling I’ll dive into Neko rigging. Watched some videos and it seems it’ll satisfy my desire to learn to fish ledges off-shore. So much so I’m wishing I’d made my OP emphasize it.

 

These suggestions are awesome, guys!

 

Noticing variation in rod length and even in some cases the action (Berkley lightning rod is Mod Fast, whereas most as Fast). Guess they’ll all work solid regardless.

[Phil77]

4 minutes ago, Drawdown said:

Whatever I end up getting, I have a feeling I’ll dive into Neko rigging. Watched some videos and it seems it’ll satisfy my desire to learn to fish ledges off-shore. So much so I’m wishing I’d made my OP emphasize it.

 

These suggestions are awesome, guys!

 

Noticing variation in rod length and even in some cases the action (Berkley lightning rod is Mod Fast, whereas most as Fast). Guess they’ll all work solid regardless.

Skip the neko and go with a shakey head for ledges, it's weedless and gets to the bottom much quicker. I have three spots where the bluff stair steps down to 25-40 feet and a spot remover jig with a trick worm gets them every time. I used to love throwing a senko wacky style but it can be a crap shoot as to weather you will get a fish or get hung up.

[Eric 26]

1 hour ago, Drawdown said:

Came across an Abu Garcia Vendetta 7’4” ML with an Abu Garcia Silvermax 10 on it at a pawn shop for $40.

 

Didn’t buy it, mainly for want of knowledge and how to look at a used rod. But brand new it seems it would run $120.

Ok I’ll start, not ultra familiar with the rod but I would check for any kind of cracks in the blank, check the guide wraps (the colored thread covered in epoxy) for any frays and you should check the inside of the guides for roughness by using a q-tip and running it inside the guides. As for the reel check to make sure the bail opens and closes smoothly by hand. Check to make sure it rotated smoothly when using and that nothing seems too loose. $40.00 sounds about right for that combo but I’m not looking at it in person and I think you can do better with your budget.

[uglyasheck]

Daiwa Arid X  ML great rod for the price. 

[BrianMDTX]

20 hours ago, Finessegenics said:

You can do pretty good with that budget. Take a look at the Daiwa Revros; 2000 or 2500 would be good. There’s quite a difference between the two in regards to line capacity but the 2000 will be big enough if you’re using braid. That’ll run you $50. 
 

The convergence looks nice but your rod options are endless. There’s the 7 ML/F Aird X (55$) from Daiwa which is also apparently very nice. If you want to spend a bit more there’s a 6’10 ML/XF St Croix Bass X (120$) which is perfect for 1/16 oz ned heads.

 

You can spend less on the rod or you can spend something in between the two extremes I recommended. With the extra money you could save I’d invest in a good quality mainline, whether it’s mono, fluoro or braid. But I really recommend braid to leader. It’s really worth it. Best of luck! 

I have a Revros LT2500 on a Fenwick HMX M/F and a Revros LT2000 on a St. Croix Bass-X ML/XF. Both with 20 lb braid-to-leader. The M/F is my wacky rig combo. The ML/XF rig is mainly for Neds and dropshots.  

[WRB]

Tackle Warehouse and others have clearance sales and upcoming Memorial Day sales, act fast as the good stuff doesn’t last long on these sites.

You may want to consider a Medium xfast rod, very similar to ML fast. 

Good hunting,

Tom

[Drawdown]

4 hours ago, WRB said:

Tackle Warehouse and others have clearance sales and upcoming Memorial Day sales, act fast as the good stuff doesn’t last long on these sites.

You may want to consider a Medium xfast rod, very similar to ML fast. 

Good hunting,

Tom

I am a noob when it comes to fishing tackle sites. Do you mind listing any others besides TW and Omnia that I should keep an eye on/sign up for mailing lists?

 

 

In other news, I just saw the BPS CarbonLite reel is currently on sale for $60 instead of the usual $80, any feedback on it for this application compared to the others mentioned? I have the baitcaster combo but never handled a spinning reel. Wouldn’t mind paying $10 more if it were worth it.

 

Otherwise, I’m leaning toward the Daiwa Revros.

[MN Fisher]

A couple others that I frequent are Fish USA and ALF

 

Legacy has a used section where you can get really good equipment at a deep discount. Both of my Pflueger Patriarchs came from their used area.

[Dinger0306]

I do those exact techniques with a 6’6” ML/F St. Croix Premier and a Daiwa Regal 2000LT. Bought the Regal new off FB Marketplace for $50, the rod for $150 including Tax through Cabela’s with $20 worth of Cabela’s points. $200
 

The St. Croix Triumph in whichever length you want ML/F and Regal 2000 or 2500 would work.  

[Eric 26]

1 hour ago, Drawdown said:

I am a noob when it comes to fishing tackle sites. Do you mind listing any others besides TW and Omnia that I should keep an eye on/sign up for mailing lists?

 

 

In other news, I just saw the BPS CarbonLite reel is currently on sale for $60 instead of the usual $80, any feedback on it for this application compared to the others mentioned? I have the baitcaster combo but never handled a spinning reel. Wouldn’t mind paying $10 more if it were worth it.

 

Otherwise, I’m leaning toward the Daiwa Revros.

I have that reel in 1500 size and I highly recommend it. I posted on it in “the latest sales” post. 

[WRB]

St Croix Bass-X MFX spinning with Daiwa Exceller 2500 reel within your budget on TW. Keep alert there are bargains with top quality brands.

Tom

[Eric 26]

If you’re looking at the bps carbonlite you should ask what kind of deal for purchasing the matching rod, they have the med light in 6’-6” and 6-9”. Although I don’t have either I have the casting combo and again I’m happy with the rod and reel. I know they had the rods with the matching color scheme during the spring classic sale at a price I can’t remember but it’s worth a shot to see what they may have leftover and how much they want for the combo. I know the gold accented combo is $150.00-$160.00 but it’s worth asking imho.

[NYWayfarer]

My recommendation is:

 

Fenwick Eagle 6’6” Med Lt Fast spinning rod $69.95

 

Abu Garcia Elite Max EMAXSP20 spinning reel $69.98