Need some help deciding

[-HAWK-]

Im looking for a Rod and Spinning Reel for around $200- $350 price range. I primarily fish t-rigged soft plastics and do alot of bank fishing. No ultra light gear, got plenty of that. What do you guys think?

[Raul]

For that kind of money I wouldn 't think it too much, I would get me a GLoomis IMX SJR723/783.

Some would choose a higher end of the spectrum going for a GLX but I swear, I don 't find THAT much of a difference between a GLX and an IMX worth 100 dollars more in price but that 's me.

[joshmb1999]

boy do you have a lot of options in the price range that you mentioned.  in the lower end of your range i would recommend a st. croix avid paired with a shimano stradic.  i have a 6'6" mf avid with a 2500 stradic that i use for soft plastics and i love it.  

good luck.

[roadwarrior]

See if you can find a St. Croix Avid AS70MF on sale for around $100 and match that up with the new Shimano Stradic 2500FI.

8-)

[senile1]

I agree with the 7 foot Avid suggestion.  If you wanted to save some money, put a Shimano Symetre 2500FI on it instead of a Stradic.  I would also suggest a Powell 703 MEF with a Stradic or a Symetre.  The Powell lists for $169 so with the Symetre reel you're looking at around $250 - 260.  

[-HAWK-]

Thanks appreciate the input. All my Fishing equipment is at least 10 years old and have no clue what is what nowadays

[Raul]

Don 't you guys think that suggesting a 7 ft rod for somebody that fishes a lot from the shore is a little bit too long of a rod ?

In my neck of the woods mesquite trees and huizache brush say that 7 ft long rod is 6-12 inches too long.

[dodgeguy]

when i shore fish with bushes and trees i use a 5-6 pistol grip.if i'm at a pond with no bushes or trees i'll use longer rods.

[roadwarrior]

Don 't you guys think that suggesting a 7 ft rod for somebody that fishes a lot from the shore is a little bit too long of a rod ?

In my neck of the woods mesquite trees and huizache brush say that 7 ft long rod is 6-12 inches too long.

Maybe.

The trade-off is a little greater casting distance which is sometimes important when bank fishing. But...I don't have trees around the ponds I fish from shore, so I didn't really consider that problem.    :-?

[-HAWK-]

Yea alot of the lakes i fish have very few bushes or trees. So anything that can give me some added casting distance would help.

[senile1]

Don 't you guys think that suggesting a 7 ft rod for somebody that fishes a lot from the shore is a little bit too long of a rod ?

In my neck of the woods mesquite trees and huizache brush say that 7 ft long rod is 6-12 inches too long.

Good point, Raul.  I sometimes read a post so quickly that I skim through some of it and don't catch important details.  On thick shorelines I would agree with 6 - 12 inches shorter on the length.  

[Shadcranker]

I'd go Powell 6'6" MH and a Stradic or around $300.

But, as others have said, you have a ton of options in that price range.

You can go fairly high end on the rod and get a fine spinning reel for that $.

Just make sure and get a larger sized spinning reel than you're use to with the UL stuff.

I buy 2500 size in all my spinning tackle. the extra line capacity will help you cast further.

[-HAWK-]

anyone ever try the U.S Reel super caster 230xl or 240sx? The one that promotes the wider spool for further casting.

[-HAWK-]

Well i made the purchase yesterday at BPS and im very happy. I got the St. Croix Avid AVS70MHF paired with PFLUEGER Supreme 8040MGX. After blowing more money than id wish to disclose on a ton of baits and lines. I went out to Holiday Park afterwards to try the new gear out. I have been using outdated 2 peice fiberglass rods before this, with outdated spinning reels. So to put it into perspective i feel like i just hopped out of  Ford Focus and into a Mercedes Benz S class. Rod action is great, you can feel everything. My casting distance has nearly doubled as well. Even though i only caught a few dinks, still had fun with the new setup.  Thanks for the Input everyone.

[Popeye]

JHAWK13: I recently bought and used for the first time a Pflueger Supreme reel like the one you opted for. I spooled Yo-Zuri Hybrid 10# on it, mated it to a new Fenwick HMXS610MH and I think it is great. Congratulations on the new gear, BUT watch out for Mr. Baitmonkey:o)