Suggestions on a new spinning combo with a $250 cap

[ScottW]

Budget is limited due to one pup having had surgery recently with twice weekly follow ups and car tags. Plus factor in we just purchased a travel trailer and the Bait Monkey is crying his eyes out over in the corner. ? Plans are to pull it to surrounding lakes and spend a few days fishing as well as seeing the sights.

 

That being said I’ve got my eye on the St. Croix Mojo Bass spinning rod M/F 7’ 1” and the Daiwa Procyon M/EF 7’ for rods. For reels the Shimano Sahara FJ SHC3000HGFJ 6.2:1 and the Shimano Stradic STC3000XGFL in 6.4:1.

I’ve checked Digitaka’s website as well as Tackle Warehouse and others so depending on how the dollar compares to the yen at the time of purchase will decide things. But until then, any suggestions and/or advice?

[Spankey]

I like your reel choices. Throw in the Shimano NASCI also. 
 

The St. Croix Premiere Series Rods is the way I’d go but to each his own.  The MOJO’s have nothing on the Premiere Rods. 

[galyonj]

36 minutes ago, Spankey said:

Throw in the Shimano NASCI also. 

 

Love mine.

[Kdizzle]

Daiwa Tatula  

[MN Fisher]

On 11/9/2022 at 2:23 PM, Spankey said:

I like your reel choices. Throw in the Shimano NASCI also.

For the same as a USDM Nasci - get a Miravel from Digitaka...it's got the CI4+ body like the Stradic for $97.

[Spankey]

57 minutes ago, galyonj said:

 

Love mine.

I’m an old Shimano Symetre fan boy. They dropped the Symetre back some time ago because of some trade name of “Symetre” disagreement. Was sorry to hear that but the NASCI was its replacement and after owning a few they are better than the Symetre. In my opinion. Wish they hear one down to 5:1. 

[MN Fisher]

2 minutes ago, Spankey said:

Wish they hear one down to 5:1. 

If they had any in stock - Digitaka does carry the 21 Nasci 2500, which is the 5:1 version. The USDM model is the 21 Nasci 2500HG

[Spankey]

29 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

For the same as a USDM Nasci - get a Miravel from Digitaka...it's got the Si4 body like the Stradic for $97.

I see where some of you guys are doing the Japan JDM thing. Sounds good. I have not jumped on that bandwagon. I’m one of those touchy feely guys when it comes to my rods and reels. 

7 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

If they had any in stock - Digitaka does carry the 21 Nasci 2500, which is the 5:1 version. The USDM model is the 21 Nasci 2500HG

Thanks I’ll run with that. 

[MN Fisher]

Just now, Spankey said:

I see where some of you guys are doing the Japan JDM thing. Sounds good. I have not jumped on that bandwagon. I’m one of those touchy feely guys when it comes to my rods and reels. 

Check it out here - order from there...easy-peasy.

 

Love the shipping time too...ordered a 22 Miravel 2500 last Monday, shipped from Kobe, Japan...had it in hand by Thursday...TW could learn a thing or two about order fulfillment from those guys.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

The Tatula (cork handle) is probably the best rod for the money(150$) youre going to find.  Weight, action and sensitivity aside, which are all excellent, they are super comfortable to fish all day. 

As for the reel, you have some good options.  I have an Exceler (80$) on mine and even though its one of my less expensive combos its one of my favorite.  Fuego (100$) is a good option, its an Exceler with a bearing supported spool and mag seal to help keep water and debris out.

Shimanos are nice, but the issue with the budget Shimanos is that they tend to be considerably heavier then the Daiwas at the same price point.  I think thats why they felt the need to put a lighter budget reel on the market which is what the Miravel is.  If you can swing a Miravel, thats the reel I would reccomend over any other.  That would be an awesome combo for sure.

[ScottW]

My head is spinning from the suggestions everyone has made so far. I’ve made a list and keep checking Digitaka’s site off and on to see when they have stocked up on any of the reels mentioned. That and Tackle Warehouse for comp shopping. Gonna be tough come decision time. ?

[Drew03cmc]

Pflueger Supreme and an Ark Tharp or Invoker Pro would be my choices. 

[MN Fisher]

13 minutes ago, Drew03cmc said:

Pflueger Supreme

If you want

1: No anti-reverse switch - the new models did away with them

2: Slower retrieve rate - instead of just the 20 and 25 having 5.2:1 and the 30 and up having 6.2:1, they all have the 5.2:1 gear ratio now.

 

I had no problems with those, so was seriously looking at a new Supreme 30....went with the JDM Miravel 2500 instead.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

On 11/9/2022 at 2:01 PM, sdw215 said:

Budget is limited due to one pup having had surgery recently with twice weekly follow ups and car tags. Plus factor in we just purchased a travel trailer and the Bait Monkey is crying his eyes out over in the corner. ? Plans are to pull it to surrounding lakes and spend a few days fishing as well as seeing the sights.

 

That being said I’ve got my eye on the St. Croix Mojo Bass spinning rod M/F 7’ 1” and the Daiwa Procyon M/EF 7’ for rods. For reels the Shimano Sahara FJ SHC3000HGFJ 6.2:1 and the Shimano Stradic STC3000XGFL in 6.4:1.

I’ve checked Digitaka’s website as well as Tackle Warehouse and others so depending on how the dollar compares to the yen at the time of purchase will decide things. But until then, any suggestions and/or advice?

Dude that trailer is killer.   Looks great and seems to match your rig.

 

edited.....for the combo, not just the reel.....reading is hard lol.

 

 

[WRB]

The Miravel reel MN posted looks very good at $99.

ALX Ikos 7 MF rod @$150 would make a good $250 combo.

Tom

 

[Revival]

16 hours ago, WRB said:

The Miravel reel MN posted looks very good at $99.

ALX Ikos 7 MF rod @$150 would make a good $250 combo.

Tom

 

This.  The ALX IKOS M/F is called the Soul.  It’s an excellent all around spinning rod.  I have it paired with a Stradic FL 2500.  It’s my wife’s go to rod when she fishes and she throws a variety of baits.

 

Miravel looks promising, but other excellent reels in the $99 range are the Fuego LT (light) and BG (robust).

[garroyo130]

IMO Miravel is the best option on paper. Light weight and worm gear which you probably wont find in any other reel at that price point.

[ScottW]

19 hours ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Dude that trailer is killer.   Looks great and seems to match your rig.

 

edited.....for the combo, not just the reel.....reading is hard lol.

 

 

Thanks! Guess you could say it’s the wife’s and my Christmas present to each other. Pulls real good with the weight distribution hitch. Don’t know it’s there going down the road. Getting it ready for a short shake down trip possibly this week. The sick pup passed yesterday from a heart attack at the vet. We buried him shortly after. Thus the trip being planned to get away for a while. My wife was real close to him so she’s taking it pretty hard. 
 

[Eric 26]

Sorry to hear about your pup. I’m sure he’s enjoying all those that crossed the rainbow bridge before him?

[AlabamaSpothunter]

1 hour ago, sdw215 said:

Thanks! Guess you could say it’s the wife’s and my Christmas present to each other. Pulls real good with the weight distribution hitch. Don’t know it’s there going down the road. Getting it ready for a short shake down trip possibly this week. The sick pup passed yesterday from a heart attack at the vet. We buried him shortly after. Thus the trip being planned to get away for a while. My wife was real close to him so she’s taking it pretty hard. 
 

Dang Scott, so sorry to hear that.   Such a cute, and beautiful pupper.    Few things are as painful as losing a good animal.     I still think daily about a cat I lost 5 years ago.  

 

Try to have a good time and enjoy that awesome new trailer.  

[dodgeguy]

1 hour ago, sdw215 said:

Thanks! Guess you could say it’s the wife’s and my Christmas present to each other. Pulls real good with the weight distribution hitch. Don’t know it’s there going down the road. Getting it ready for a short shake down trip possibly this week. The sick pup passed yesterday from a heart attack at the vet. We buried him shortly after. Thus the trip being planned to get away for a while. My wife was real close to him so she’s taking it pretty hard. 
 

My condolences on your puppy . We had to put our 18 year old beagle down a few years ago. We wound up with another rescue 4 months later.

[Big Hands]

On 11/9/2022 at 12:23 PM, Spankey said:

The MOJO’s have nothing on the Premiere Rods. 

According to the St. Croix website (looking at 7' M/F spinning rods which it seems the OP is headed for something like this or similar), the Mojo weighs less (4.1 oz vs 4.3 oz) and has a higher quality blank (SCIII vs SCII). And the one piece Premier 7' M/F spinning rod has an MSRP $20 higher than the one piece Mojo 7'1" M/F spinning rod. The Premier rods have full cork vs split cork, but that is arguably a subjective attribute.

 

Unless they wanted full cork and were willing to weigh more and have a lower quality blank, is there a good reason to pay $20 more for the Premier?

 

What am I missing here?

====================================

If we are strictly adhering to the stated budget, I'd go with either the Daiwa Tatula 7'1"  M/F ($149) or St. Croix Mojo Bass 7'1" M/F ($145) with either a Daiwa Fuego LT2500D-XH or Shimano NASCI 2500 ) both sell for $99 which puts you right at (but not over) your stated budget. The Fuego is 1.6 oz lighter than the NASCI and I prefer lighter in most cases if all else is similar, but YMMV. I'm sure there are other combos that compete. 

 

I would prefer a better rod at this overall budget and for a meaningful jump in reel quality, it would cost significantly more than I would be willing to sacrifice in rod quality. JMHO.

[Spankey]

1 hour ago, Big Hands said:

According to the St. Croix website (looking at 7' M/F spinning rods which it seems the OP is headed for something like this or similar), the Mojo weighs less (4.1 oz vs 4.3 oz) and has a higher quality blank (SCIII vs SCII). And the one piece Premier 7' M/F spinning rod has an MSRP $20 higher than the one piece Mojo 7'1" M/F spinning rod. The Premier rods have full cork vs split cork, but that is arguably a subjective attribute.

 

Unless they wanted full cork and were willing to weigh more and have a lower quality blank, is there a good reason to pay $20 more for the Premier?

 

What am I missing here?

====================================

If we are strictly adhering to the stated budget, I'd go with either the Daiwa Tatula 7'1"  M/F ($149) or St. Croix Mojo Bass 7'1" M/F ($145) with either a Daiwa Fuego LT2500D-XH or Shimano NASCI 2500 ) both sell for $99 which puts you right at (but not over) your stated budget. The Fuego is 1.6 oz lighter than the NASCI and I prefer lighter in most cases if all else is similar, but YMMV. I'm sure there are other combos that compete. 

 

I would prefer a better rod at this overall budget and for a meaningful jump in reel quality, it would cost significantly more than I would be willing to sacrifice in rod quality. JMHO.

I guess it’s all a mater of personal opinions. One thing I hate to do here is get too opinionated or spend someone else’s money. But I’ll stand on my opinion that the Premiere Series rods have a better feel and fish better than any Mojo Rod in my experience. If I didn’t own both I would not voice an opinion. Owning both prefer the Premiere. 

[Big Hands]

1 minute ago, Spankey said:

I guess it’s all a mater of personal opinions. One thing I hate to do here is get too opinionated or spend someone else’s money. But I’ll stand on my opinion that the Premiere Series rods have a better feel and fish better than any Mojo Rod in my experience. If I didn’t own both I would not voice an opinion. Owning both prefer the Premiere. 

Thanks for the thoughtful response as I was genuinely curious.

[ScottW]

Digitaka dropped the price of the SAHARA 22 SAHARA C3000HG to ~$61 and change so I opted for it for the reel. The Miravel and NASCI were out of stock on the models I preferred. Anyone have any experience with the Fenwick Eagle spinning rod? Looking at it as a potential rod.