New guy

[Butterland]

Been browsing for about a year. 
thought I’d ask y’all’s opinion on my rod/reel.

 

 

its a Zebco 6’6” bait caster, 6.1:1, medium heavy fast.   

 

I fished as a kid with spinning rods and some fly fishing.  

 

A yr ago i started again, and got a baitcaster, roughed through the learning curve, still learning,  but use enough tension so the spool doesn’t wiggle and brakes usually 0 sometimes 2 out of I think 10.

 I had been using mono, but just switched to 40lb suffix 832 advanced supreme braid which I like.  

 

im a bank beater no money for a boat and money is tight so buying a better rod and reel is my next goal but it will likely be at least until Xmas. 
 

so far I’m using this reel for every lure and it seems to work decent. I’ll only be able to get one rod/reel when I do upgrade, what should i prioritize?
 

Here’s a link if you wanna see the exact rod reel combo. It works decent.  But I know it’s not the best.
 

https://www.academy.com/p/zebco-roam-6-ft-6-in-2-piece-baitcast-combo?sku=6-6-right-medium-heavy-fast-6-1-1&gmc_feed=t&&ogmap=SEM|PLN|GOOG|SHOP|m||IM|Non-Brand-PerformanceMax-TexasHeavyUp|Catchall||18663540448|0&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwrvyxBhAbEiwAEg_KgpqPeISf7nI3OZuyR0GbxN9nfq9GVUepI-rClsGny3Ud66w0eH_wFxoCP7AQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

[bulldog1935]

If it gets the job done, and you can fish it reliably, keep fishing.  

 

If you want more distance, a longer shore fishing rod might be useful.

[MediumMouthBass]

 

4 hours ago, Butterland said:

I’ll only be able to get one rod/reel when I do upgrade, what should i prioritize?

A 7' Medium rod would be better if you fish alot of weightless soft plastics, lighter crankbaits/jerkbaits, or smaller paddle tail swimbaits.

 

A 7'3" Medium Heavy would be better if you want it to be similar to what you are already using, for lures like bigger crankbaits, lipless cranks, chatterbaits, top water baits, some frog use, Texas rigs, jigs, bigger paddle tail swimbaits, etc....

 

So first thing you should think about is do you fish more lighter/smaller baits or the heavier and larger ones?

 

Next thing is fishing from the bank, youll need to get as much casting distance as possible.

A longer rod will get you to cast further, a 7'2-7'4 with 7'3 being the most ideal will help alot.

 

Then theres weight ratings, once you figure out what Power (Medium/Medium Heavy) rod youll need to figure out how much your most used lures weigh, and look for a rod that can cast the lightest-heaviest.

Then theres the action, if you fish alot of moving baits like crankbaits maybe a Moderate rod would be better, or maybe its just Texas rigs, or bottom fishing. Then you would want a fast.

But maybe you want a rod that can do bottom fishing with jigs or Texas rigs but also be able to fish a crankbait and other moving treble hooked baits. Well a Moderate Fast rod would fill that inbetween gap really well.

 

Then the budget, rods can go from $20-500, for an absolute budget rod the Daiwa Aird X $55 is my absolute favorite rod, and ive got rods that go up to $275....

Next up from there youve got the $100-150 range, this widens your choices by alot, Lews, Daiwa, St Croix, Ark, Falcon are just a few companies that all make really great rods.

 

And for the reels, If you fish really slow moving baits a 6 speed ratio,

If you fish really fast maybe an 8 speed, but if you would rather be inbetween (most versatile) a 7 speed would be ideal. Look for something that has a aluminium frame.

 

Idk your budget so ill recommend some more budget sided reels first and go up from there.

Lews LFS is a great beginner reel or even if youve been using casting reels for a decade, its on sale alot between $70-75.

Daiwa Fuego/Shimano SLX A are also good, those go on sale between $80-100 (the SLX A doesnt have an adjustable exterior brake adjustment but its a really good and tough reel).

Daiwa Tatula CT/Shimano SLX XT (has exterior brake adjustment) between $115-125

This is where youll have a big increase in casting and a smooth feeling reel.

Shimano SLX MGL $150, this is a reel that excels for people who are either new to casting reels, have issues with backlashes, or like fishing lighter lures (not BFS light).

BB1 Pro $200 (sale is usually $150) if you like being able to cast as far as possible this is the reel, its a cranking reel so it has a deep spool, (more line=more distance)

 

Sorry for how long and detailed this is but it should give you several ideas, on priority's and options. Along with a few things to think about.

4 hours ago, Butterland said:

thought I’d ask y’all’s opinion on my rod/reel.

I dont think i ever had anything from Zebco for bass fishing, might have had something from them for panfish/trout but that looks like a nice combo for the money.

I started on a Abu Black Max from Walmart for around similar price, i still have that same rod and reel all these years later, it still makes me happy when i take it out to fish.

[Butterland]

Thanks for the replies. Here’s alittle more context.  
I fish local ponds. Some in communities some I hike alittle to get to but they are all fairly small, depths mostly 6-8 ft with some having deeper spots. 
mostly I’ve been fishing close to shoreline.

 

I do lots of Texas rigs, jigs, a few crankbaits, a few jerk baits and I just got a few frogs and walking baits. Mostly I fish 1/4oz which is alittle hard to cast for me still, 1/2 oz I can cast fine or 1 oz.  
id like to try some lighter lures but I haven’t got the skill down yet to cast them consistently. Im sure it’s mostly a skill issue,  but maybe a better rod would help.  
 

for lures I’d like to have as wide a variety as possible between light to heavy, slow and fast and everything in between. 
j know that’s a tall order with one rod. 
 

so you think a moderate fast, 7:1 would be good? I’d like to stay as much under $200 as possible. I’ll  try to find some and post em here and see what yall think.

[Butterland]

And I like the rod/reel but I feel like i could improve and have more success with a nicer setup

[bulldog1935]

So you have a real budget to work with.  

For light weights, linear mag brake excels.  It would be nice to see inside your Zebco palm plate so we know what brake you're used to.  

With half your budget for a reel, Lew's might be a great choice.  

[Butterland]

It’s the brakes are on the outside and I set it between 0 and 2. I’ve been really focusing on thumb control

[MediumMouthBass]

$200 really give you alot of options, and since you said probably until Christmas, that gives you alot of time to find some really good deals and sales, so you might be able to get even more for the money.

[Butterland]

Yea I’m not in a super rush to grab the first rod reel I see, so I’ll watch for reels/rods deals I just wanna know what I’m looking for.

 

They’re building a dicks down the road fekm

me should be open in a month or so so maybe they’ll have a deal on opening.

 

I’ll look for medium/medium heavy fast, 7:1 reel,

so reels;

daiwa Tatula CT or Shimano SLX XT or a bb1 pro if it’s on super sale.

Rods:  the Daiwa Aird X, Lews, Daiwa, St Croix, Ark, Falcon depending on deals I can find.  Do any pair better?

 

and medium heavy fast would allow me to cast well? Or is a heavy fast a better cast.  I get backlashes here and there but I figure it’s the learning curve so in ok working in that.

 

I just want the best combo I can get for the best price preferably under $200 but if it’s alittle over like $250 I could probably do it.  

 

[MediumMouthBass]

@Butterland from what youve said so far i think either a Medium Heavy Fast or Medium Heavy Moderate Fast between 7'2"-7'4" would be your best bet. if you fish 1/4 on the bottom and 1oz at the top try finding a rod with as close to those ratings that you can get.

 

The Aird X and Tatula CT have matching colors in some spots if that matters, sometimes Ark does buy 1 get one free sales on rods, Lews has the TP1X and KVD rods, theres several different Falcons that have been getting really good reviews on here lately too.

Pay attention to the latest sale thread as well, alot of good rod and reel deals have been posted from time to time.

 

I would check out some rods in person in the next few months and see how you like them when you are actually holding them instore, what i and others think might be a great rod might feel the opposite to you.

 

You want a rod that can load up enough with the lures you will be throwing, too stiff it wont cast well, too wimpy and it wont either. Finding a good balance is the key.

But for me i think the reel and line are also just as important.

 

And forget what i said about the other reels, if you are getting backlashes and want to be able to throw 1/4oz lures better but also be able to go up to the higher ounce baits too check out some videos on the Shimano SLX MGL, they go on sale between $110-150.

This is a fantastic reel for preventing backlashes, same with the Tatula SV TW 103 but thats a bit too expensive and the Shimano casts farther and costs less.

I have 30lb braid on my SLX MGL and i can go from casting a 1/4oz texas rig to a 3/4oz Chatterbait (its 1/2oz but after adding a trailer its closer to 3/4oz) and barely even have to make any changes to the brakes, it casts extremely easy to where i barely even have to keep my thumb on the spool. Very user/beginner friendly reel.

It has a shallower spool than most reels but if you use braided line it wont really matter, casts really far too. I praise this reel all the time on here, its that good. And they just came out with the new generation that has some more features added to it.

 

I will add another rod suggestion as well, look at some stuff from Dobyns, i have a 733c (bought it from Dicks Sporting Goods actually) they sell between $90-130 depending on sales. Now the thing with Dobyns is the rods arent rated properly, the 773 i have is called a Medium Heavy, but its more of an inbetween of a Medium and Medium Heavy, its ratings for lure weigh are 1/4oz-3/4oz but ill throw 1/8oz Texas rigs on it and also 1oz Whopper Ploppers with no issues. I have this rod paired with my SLX MGL (even tho it doesnt match colors very well) its a really great setup and covers alot of different areas of my fishing.

Ill use it for Texas rigs between 1/8-3/8oz, topwater poppers and walking baits, 3/8oz Chatterbaits and Swim jigs, 3/8-1/2oz football jigs, some times ill even throw a 1.5 or 2.5 sized crankbait.

[PhishLI]

On 5/11/2024 at 9:40 AM, Butterland said:

I’ll look for medium/medium heavy fast, 7:1 reel,

The Daiwa Aird X 7'3MH is slightly slower than a fast and a very good rod for $54. Way better than the msrp would suggest. There's a 2 pc 7' MH version (AirX 702) which I have that's quite good too. My brother has a SLX MGL on one of his 7'3"s and a Daiwa Fuego on the other. No problem zinging out a 3/16oz Bitsy Bug and small trailer on either setup. On top of that they're very durable. I've been dragging fish out of slop and through pad fields for years with mine without a single issue.

Daiwa Aird X Casting Rods | Tackle Warehouse

 

AIRD-X RODS – Daiwa US

AIRX701HFB	Trigger Grip Casting Rods	H	F	7'0"	1	12-25	3/8-1 1/2	8	Aluminum Oxide	$54.99
AIRX702MHFB	Trigger Grip Casting Rods	MH	F	7'	2	10-20	1/4-1	8	Aluminum Oxide	$54.99
AIRX731MHFB	Trigger Grip Casting Rods	MH	F	7'3"	1	10-20	1/4-1	8

The Lew's LFS at $100 is often on sale and so is the Daiwa Fuego CT at $119. If you don't mind opening up a sideplate to fiddle with brake blocks, the regular SLX is another option at $100 which will also come up on sale during sales events. All have aluminum frames and will last many years if you maintain them.

[new2BC4bass]

MediumMouthBass, I never thought I'd see anyone post longer replies than mine.      😂

 

Fiberglass rods are normally quite durable.  Normally have a wide lure range.  Flex deep so make good treble hook rods.  Sensitivity not so good.

 

So look at a graphite rod for your next purchase.  Plenty of excellent suggestions have already been made.  Can't add anything to what's already been said.

 

Be sure to look for closeouts along with sales and used gear forums.  purefishing sometimes has a great deal.  Picked up a $199 Aetos for $75.  Best if you know what you want, not what has the best price.  A rod or reel you seldom use is not a deal at any price.

 

You could also post a WTB on the Flea Market Forum, but you may need a certain number of posts before you can post there.  I've gotten some very good deals from used forums.  Many states have forums.  I've purchased from the Texas and New York forums.

[Butterland]

I'm hoping when the dicks sporting goods place near me opens they'll have some sales available.  I just want to make the most informed decision and try to find a rod that will cover as many lures as possible and be reliable.  and i dont get many backlashes, its really only with small lures, some of the time its poor accuracy with light lures and sometimes small backlashes, but I don't want to blame the rod or reel for that as much as my skill level.  I've gotten much better over the past year, reading and practicing but still have a long ways to go. 

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard! 🤙

[bowhunter63]

Welcome Aboard

[KP Duty]

I'd get a $99 Ark rod like the Cobb, and a Tatula 100 or CT.  

[Butterland]

Thanks for the welcomes.  Still haven’t made a decision on a rod/reel. But from reading around I’m thinking I want a 7’2” medium heavy fast rod, with a 6.5-7.5 reel. I’d like one with breaks that are on the outside so they’re easier to adjust if needed.  Still waiting for the new ducks sporting goods to open and hopefully find a deal.

 

I went for about an hour today and got a nice one on a lipless

I guess it won’t let me post a pic

[LCG]

Welcome to the site.

 

I started fishing about 12 years ago or so. Bought a $15 Walmart combo to see if I liked the sport or not. Ended up loving the sport.

 

Since then, I have gone through more rods and reels then I care to think of went up to $300 rods and $300 reels, and their nice, but not necessary.

 

I have sold most of them and now focus on solid value. The Daiwa Aird-X 7' MH-F is a favorite of mine I have two of them and they are both the two piece versions. The Lew's Speed Spool LFS is an amazing reel for the money. I also have two of them, 6.8:1 and 8.3:1 gear ratios.

 

If you can find both on sale or even used, you'll be laughing. Even at full retail, there great value.

[Brian11719]

On 5/11/2024 at 9:49 AM, Butterland said:

...I’ll only be able to get one rod/reel when I do upgrade, what should i prioritize?

 

Honestly I'd say timing. If you start figuring out what length, power and action you want for the rod and speed for the reel and give yourself a few different options and then be patient and wait for a good sale chances are one of them will pop up with a great deal and you will be glad you didn't act too soon. A lot of the best deals are around black friday but they can happen at other times as well. For now I'd narrow it down to a specific rod and reel spec and pic out a few different brands with models that you like around the $100-$200 range and then check the sale thread and google every so often and sooner or later you will see a deal on one of the ones you have your eyes on. As an example last year's tacklewarehouse clearance deal was pretty good and I ended up with 2 TP1 black rods that were down to $75 and had a $25 tw gift card on them. I even used one card for the next rod so that pretty much ended up being $50 for one of those which was worth it IMHO.

[Butterland]

So far I’m still rockin my zebco roam bait caster, academy sports for $50.  It’s actually pretty decent, I’m down to enough tension to keep the spool in the middle and 1-4/16 on brakes.   I know it’s not a great setup but it’s working until I find a deal

[NavyToad]

Welcome aboard. Just keep fishing and reading on here until Christmas and you'll make the right choice when the time comes.

[Butterland]

Just spent an hour at academy holding rods, 7ft  mhf slx I think Shimano? Felt good but I think I want a shorter one for bank fishing.  Dobyns fury felt good, and falcons felt good. I wasn’t sure which one I liked. Looked at reels they didn’t have a ton of options, the lews

speed was one, and a Shimano lx or something another. They looked good, but didn’t feel like they were mine to buy today. I’m going next weekend with my nephew who is on a bass fishing high school team, hoping he can give me some points.

ended up getting a booyah black spinner bait Colorado blade, arbogast hula 2.0 popper, and a medium profile 5/8 lipless spring craw by h2o

[Catt]

How Y'all Are 😉

 

#1 key to consistently catching bass is between your ears not between the folds of your wallet.

 

Lew's Speed Spool LFS SS1SHA 7.5:1 on sale at Tackle Warehouse for $74.95.

 

H2O XPRESS Ethos Nano on sale at Academy for $66.47.

 

Will this setup handle big fish, ask my grandson Aiden (on the left).

 

 

[Butterland]

I do agree it’s between the ears.   But I don’t think my current rod/reel are helping much. No rush, it’s been a great starter,  but I’d like something alittle nicer

[dodgeguy]

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/lews-custom-xp-baitcast-combo

 

 

I'd save up for this. 7 ft is the longest I get for on shore. If you catch your lure on a backcast your in for a mess.