Help a newbie for a new caster reel.

[recklessfun81]

So this is my first post so hopefully it's not too bad lol. Anyways I've fish pretty much all my life...with whatever rell and rod my parents gave me which was fine but not always the best quality. Now that I'm older and have a decent paying job I wanted to get something that was really good quality. I don't have a boat so I always shore fish so I definitely want something that cats far and in the wind if I need to. 

 

I'm not really a live bait kinda guy...I always like using spinners, cranks, Texas rigs and a few others. Right now I have a kastking that was like 50 bucks like 4yrs ago..Can't remember the model. So what I have been looking at after doing some reading I have been looking at these....

Diawa 150

Shimano slx

Shimano dc

Curado k and mgl

Abu revo sx and a few others....

 

I will also say that my rod probably doesn't match what I need for the reel so that's why I was looking at the SLX combo. Anyways thx for reading this guy's I appreciate all the help and sorry if that was a bit long. 

 

[FrnkNsteen]

If you are casting from shore, is the area you typically fish pretty open or do you have to cast around trees? A longer rod may give you a little further casts, but needs a little more open space. Where a shorter rod may be a little easier with trees and objects around.

 

If it were me, I think I wound start with around 6 - 6 1/2 ft long rod if not open around you. If open space and room to cast, bump that up to 7ft (give or take a couple inches) for longer casts. I'd choose a Medium Heavy Fast action with a reel of your choice from the ones you listed depending on your budget. That would make a nice all around setup that can do pretty much anything you mentioned. May not be ideal for crankbaits, but would work in a pinch.

 

How much were you thinking of spending? The SLX combos get pretty good reviews, and I've seen decent deals on the combo. Obviously the DC and MGLs you mentioned would push the package price up a bit. Once we know budget we can make some suggestions.

 

[recklessfun81]

8 minutes ago, FrnkNsteen said:

If you are casting from shore, is the area you typically fish pretty open or do you have to cast around trees? A longer rod may give you a little further casts, but needs a little more open space. Where a shorter rod may be a little easier with trees and objects around.

 

If it were me, I think I wound start with around 6 - 6 1/2 ft long rod if not open around you. If open space and room to cast, bump that up to 7ft (give or take a couple inches) for longer casts. I'd choose a Medium Heavy Fast action with a reel of your choice from the ones you listed depending on your budget. That would make a nice all around setup that can do pretty much anything you mentioned. May not be ideal for crankbaits, but would work in a pinch.

 

How much were you thinking of spending? The SLX combos get pretty good reviews, and I've seen decent deals on the combo. Obviously the DC and MGLs you mentioned would push the package price up a bit. Once we know budget we can make some suggestions.

 

 

Yeah mainly where I go it's all open....there all tall weeds and stuff bits it's along the shoreline stuff not like out in the water. So my budget I would like to keep the reel under 200 and unfortunately for my rod it needs to be a 2 piece cause I need it to fit in my car. 

[WRB]

$200 combo rod & reel take a look at Dobyns Maverick combo.

Tom

PS, not 2 piece rod. Shimano SLX  is a decent 2 pc casting rod* w/SLX 150 reel.

* SLXCX72MH2, 7’2”, MHXF, 1/4-3/4 oz lures.

[FrnkNsteen]

1 hour ago, recklessfun81 said:

 

Yeah mainly where I go it's all open....there all tall weeds and stuff bits it's along the shoreline stuff not like out in the water. So my budget I would like to keep the reel under 200 and unfortunately for my rod it needs to be a 2 piece cause I need it to fit in my car. 

That could be a challenge! I know of a few 2pc offerings in spinning rods, but none in a casting rod.

 

What kind of car? When I need to put a rod inside a vehicle, I put the handle end down in the passenger seat footwell and run the rod up through the center over the seat into the back. You can fit a fairly long rod angled up through the middle like that

[new2BC4bass]

Bucket seats?  Cuz I can put a 7'7" one piece rod in my Camry.

 

I can't be of much help with 2-piece rods.  I have a Major Craft Benkei 6'7" LF spinning rod and an Olympic GraphiteLeader 6'9" MHF casting rod.  Any other 2-piece rod I have is over 45 years old.  I am going to guess that most 2-piece rods are going to be lower cost rods...except for some travel rods.  (And they will be over 2-piece.)

 

Fenwick makes 2-piece models in the HMG and Eagle lines.  St. Croix (Mojo Bass), 13 Fishing, etc. have a few 2-piece models.  Seems the 1-piece dominates these days.

[recklessfun81]

2 minutes ago, FrnkNsteen said:

That could be a challenge! I know of a few 2pc offerings in spinning rods, but none in a casting rod.

 

What kind of car? When I need to put a rod inside a vehicle, I put the handle end down in the passenger seat footwell and run the rod up through the center over the seat into the back. You can fit a fairly long rod angled up through the middle like that

Lol it's a 2016 focus st so I don't think it's gonna happen. 

[FrnkNsteen]

11 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

Bucket seats?  Cuz I can put a 7'7" one piece rod in my Camry.

 

I can't be of much help with 2-piece rods.  I have a Major Craft Benkei 6'7" LF spinning rod and an Olympic GraphiteLeader 6'9" MHF casting rod.  Any other 2-piece rod I have is over 45 years old.  I am going to guess that most 2-piece rods are going to be lower cost rods...except for some travel rods.  (And they will be over 2-piece.)

 

Fenwick makes 2-piece models in the HMG and Eagle lines.  St. Croix (Mojo Bass), 13 Fishing, etc. have a few 2-piece models.  Seems the 1-piece dominates these days.

Agreed,... But I checked and it looks like Fenwick only offers 2pc rods in their Spinning models. The casting only seemed to ffer 1pc.

[recklessfun81]

What about what reel I should get?

[new2BC4bass]

11 minutes ago, FrnkNsteen said:

Agreed,... But I checked and it looks like Fenwick only offers 2pc rods in their Spinning models. The casting only seemed to ffer 1pc.

Don't know if Fenwick stopped making them or if just out of 2-piece models.  I see the new Eagles are blue.  The ones I handled a few years ago at Cabela's were green...and 2-piece.  Just did a little searching and couldn't turn up anything.  Bummer!

[WRB]

Shimano 2 piece casting rod SLXCX72MH2, see my post above.

Tom

[new2BC4bass]

7 minutes ago, WRB said:

Shimano 2 piece casting rod SLXCX72MH2, see my post above.

Tom

Sorry Tom.  I was just searching for the 2 Fenwick models I mentioned.  There's got to be a few other 2-piece models somewhere.  Not knocking that rod.  Can't knock what you've never used.  Just trying to find other options for the OP.  It's not much of a choice if there is only one choice.  Although it sure simplifies things. 

 

OP.  Maybe look on Japan websites for some other options.

[Derek1]

I’m pretty sure you could fit at least a 6’6” rod in that car. Try it with you two piece. With the but all the way down in the passenger seat like said above. You might be surprised what you can fit In there. 

[recklessfun81]

9 minutes ago, Derek1 said:

I’m pretty sure you could fit at least a 6’6” rod in that car. Try it with you two piece. With the but all the way down in the passenger seat like said above. You might be surprised what you can fit In there. 

I like having my 2 piece behind my seat on the floorboard that's why I was asking initially. I just didn't wanna have a rod I have to maneuver in you know. But I'm willing to work something out. Just not sure what reel since everyone has been making the rod suggestions lol. 

[FrnkNsteen]

17 hours ago, recklessfun81 said:

What about what reel I should get?

For casting from shore,... I think I would look at something with centrifugal braking since you will likely be making long casts and not pitching, roll casting, skipping around shoreline structure like laydowns and docks.

 

For under $200, I think I would go Shimano Curado MGL, or save a little cash and get the SLX MGL and put the rest into a little better rod. 

 

I have both the Curado MGL ($200) and SLX MGL ($150) and really like both. Even the regular SLX at $100 or SLX XT at $130 are pretty decent for the money. They cast as far as you would need and are smooth on the cast and reeling. I personally like Daiwa reels, but they typically don't cast quite as far, though more controlled in my opinion, and the fishing style you will be doing just lines up better with the Shimanos in my opinion.

 

My 2 cents!

[recklessfun81]

13 minutes ago, FrnkNsteen said:

For casting from shore,... I think I would look at something with centrifugal braking since you will likely be making long casts and not pitching, roll casting, skipping around shoreline structure like laydowns and docks.

 

For under $200, I think I would go Shimano Curado MGL, or save a little cash and get the SLX MGL and put the rest into a little better rod. 

 

I have both the Curado MGL ($200) and SLX MGL ($150) and really like both. Even the regular STX at $100 or SLX XT at $130 are pretty decent for the money. They cast as far as you would need and are smooth on the cast and reeling. I personally like Daiwa reels, but they typically don't cast quite as far, though more controlled in my opinion, and the fishing style you will be doing just lines up better with the Shimanos in my opinion.

 

My 2 cents!

Thx man appreciate that....and yeah I think I was looking at the SLX mgl too. I've been wanting a nice reel I can have for awhile and I never hear anything but good things about Shimano. 

[LCG]

I bought two Daiwa Rebellion rods this year that are 2 piece rods. The 6'8" ML-F spinning and 6'10 MH-F, they are both very light, sensitive, comfortable, and most of all versatile. $200 rods, found mine on sale, but I would pay full price. They are really nice rods.

 

Reels you listed are all good reels. Personally I would lean towards the Curado 150 MGL of the ones you listed. I only have the 70 MGL and I love that reel. My new Daiwa alphas sv tw is quickly earning top spot though, that reel is very versatile, $200 ish from Japan. 

[dodgeguy]

Get a Lew's Tournament Pro 

[recklessfun81]

I'm torn between something a bit advanced like a curado 150 or just get a combo of the same price of the SLX combo.... unfortunately I can't find anyone that has it in stock. 

[Derek1]

2 hours ago, recklessfun81 said:

I'm torn between something a bit advanced like a curado 150 or just get a combo of the same price of the SLX combo.... unfortunately I can't find anyone that has it in stock. 

The currado 150 mgl is a sweet reel. Also if I’m not mistaken I think the slx line up of rods was recently revamped. I’m not positive though. If so I’m sure that would be a great combo for the price. 

[recklessfun81]

Well I ended up spending a bit more the. I wanted to but ended up getting the curado 150 mgl with the matching curado 7' MH rod. 

[new2BC4bass]

[Derek1]

3 hours ago, recklessfun81 said:

Well I ended up spending a bit more the. I wanted to but ended up getting the curado 150 mgl with the matching curado 7' MH rod. 

Nice, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed 

[Eric 26]

I’m not sure if you purchased a 2 piece rod or not and if so I’m a day late and a dollar short. But I have a 2009 Focus and my longest rods are 7’-3”, I believe the interiors should be similar in that the passenger back seat folds semi flat, meaning the upper half center folds flat. I don’t usually carry more than 3 rods but I’ve had up to 8 in the car. Whenever I carry more than 3 I use my ready rig rod/reel carrying bag/bags to keep them from tangling up and always have rod covers on them. I’m pretty sure the ST models are stick shift but you can lay the front passenger seat flat enough to keep them out of the way if you’re fishing solo. Hopefully this is helpful. Just realized after looking the rod isn’t even offered in a 2 piece model ?