Budget Bang for Buck Rods and Reels (spinning and baitcaster)

[Catt]

17 minutes ago, bishoptf said:

ALF just had the Shimano SLX MGL 70 for $99 (out of stock now), wish I had known since I would have picked up a couple, they sound like a really nice real.

 

Appreciate all the input, keep them coming!

Since I am freshwater only what kind of fish is that?

 

Black Drum, he caught on the above mentioned combo. He has caught some decent bass on it.

 

[new2BC4bass]

Never touched an Aird X, but it constantly gets suggested as a rod well worth its price.  Have handled a Lightning Shock in store, but couldn't work up a liking for it.  However, I have a spinning and casting rod in the regular Lightning series.  Can't say about the new models as these are older models, but I feel the ones I have are great values.

 

Price of the Fenwick HMG has gone up, but I am a fan of the several older models I have.  I would look at some of the 13 Fishing, Lew's, and the TFO Professional.  The TP-1 Black especially gets good reviews and is current $99.97 on sale ($40 off).

 

I don't like going too cheap on baitcast reels.  The LFS, Fuego, and SLX MGL are all highly rated.  I'll pay less for spinning.  Bought a B-I-L a Revros several years ago.  Still going strong.

 

Personally I love the used market and close out sales.  All my Fenwick Smallmouth rods were less than $80 new ($130 list).  With one exception, I paid less than $100 for my OG Tatulas (new).  $300 spinning rod was $75 TMD (new rod).  Similar deals on casting reels.  However, I haven't seen deals like this since Pflueger dropped their casting reels.  Took advantage of the close out and purchased two Supreme XTs and a Patriarch.  Would have invested in a Patriarch XT, but already had 3 of the older blue models.

[Catt]

5 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

TP-1 Black especially gets good reviews

 

I got 3 of em, great rods.

[Bigbox99]

On 6/19/2024 at 1:09 PM, bishoptf said:

Understand and why I did not use best since thats subjective. I listed what I currently use and I do not have any rods over $100 all are much less. Why I used bang for buck, I hate to use the word cheap but trying to find decent rods in that sub $100 price range that really perform better than their price.  I guess if I had to list a price it would be sub $50-100, but again not about being cheap but ones that perform almost as good as the pricier rods.

The Lews Hank Parker rods are good.  Get the medium in spinning as a finesse rod and the MH as a jig, worm and frog rod.