New baitcasting setup?

[HopelesslyAddicted]

   Hi everyone who reads this.  I bought myself a St. Croix Legend Tournament spinning rod (7ft) and paired it with a pflueger supreme.  The setup, to me simply rocks and I cant see myself ever fishing lower quality rods ever again.

  So I'm thinking I need a new baitcasting setup.  Actually I mean I need a baitcasting setup, I've never bought one lol.  I'm wondering if you guys can point me in the right direction for a good reel/rod pairing.  

   I am willing to spend what I need to get something good.  I'm wondering how expensive I need to go to get something as sweet as my spinning setup?      

[Jig Man]

Never haveing owned a Pfleuger I can't comment on the reel.  I only have Shimano reels.  I do have 4 St Croix Avid rods and I rate them just under the Gloomis IMX.  

So based on my experience I recommend a Shimano Citica or Curado reel with a Gloomis IMX or second choice St Croix Avid rod.

For best all around performance I would get a 7' MHF in what ever brand I chose.

[HopelesslyAddicted]

Those shimano reels are nice.  Would a 7ft MHF baitcaster be good to throw small swimbaits like matts bluegill and baby bass?

[Gone_Phishin]

I'm assuming the spinning rod you have is a medium power. If you like the LT's so much, why not get a MH LT casting rod. The jig-n-worm is 6'6", and the sweeper spinnerbait is 7'0". If you really want to spend some dough, get a Legend Elite. They really are in a class of their own, like a fine surgical tool. I smile every time I pick up mine.

For a reel....a Zillion works great on just about any MH rod. And if you want to splurge here, go for the Shimano Core. It has a nice IPT at 26, it's very lightweight, has HEG, and looks to kill.

BTW, love the screen name.

[mike bat]

I'm assuming the spinning rod you have is a medium power. If you like the LT's so much, why not get a MH LT casting rod. The jig-n-worm is 6'6", and the sweeper spinnerbait is 7'0". If you really want to spend some dough, get a Legend Elite. They really are in a class of their own, like a fine surgical tool. I smile every time I pick up mine.

For a reel....a Zillion works great on just about any MH rod. And if you want to splurge here, go for the Shimano Core. It has a nice IPT at 26, it's very lightweight, has HEG, and looks to kill.

BTW, love the screen name.

this is what id suggest ^^^^

[Bass Tracker]

Since you like the St Croix Legend , I would suggest that rod or Avid Series. For the reel Daiwa HSTA Super-tuned. I bought two of these reels a few months ago, and they are the sweetest baitcasting reels I've ever thrown! Also have the best backlash control of any reel I've ever owned!  

[HopelesslyAddicted]

Thanks a lot guys.  I will have to consider that legend elite with a Daiwa or shimano reel.  

[Chad.]

Thanks a lot guys.  I will have to consider that legend elite with a Daiwa or shimano reel.  

If your going to that price range a glx is within your reach a mbr844 glx and a steez would be sahhweeet

[HopelesslyAddicted]

Thanks a lot guys.  I will have to consider that legend elite with a Daiwa or shimano reel.  

If your going to that price range a glx is within your reach a mbr844 glx and a steez would be sahhweeet

Oh man you guys are killin me lol.  Do yall think that glx + steez would be sweeter?

[Evan Pease]

I second or third a Diawa reel. Any of their $200+ reels are great. My favorite would be the sol but it is more of a finesse BC. Using it for heavier stuff would be neglecting its capabilities IMO so if your in to the heavier stuff go with a zillion.

[.RM.]

HopelesslyAddicted,

Your biggest mistake you have made so far is this statement ,"I am willing to spend what I need to get something good". LOL ;D

Listen to these guys and you will be spending your next rent/mortgage payment on the BC system.

Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!

[KevO]

I don't own a legend tournament rod but I have handled them before and they seem like a great choice.  I think they might be my next rod purchase.  As for a reel I recommend shimano reels.  I have 5 and love everyone of them.  I say you go for a Core it is an awesome reel, super light, casts a mile and looks bada$$.

[durobi]

Check out Fenwick Elite series

[HopelesslyAddicted]

HopelesslyAddicted,

Your biggest mistake you have made so far is this statement ,"I am willing to spend what I need to get something good". LOL ;D

Listen to these guys and you will be spending your next rent/mortgage payment on the BC system.

Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!

Haha. Its okay I've got some money to spend.

Seriously, thanks for the pointers guys.

[Tokyo Tony]

I assume you'll be stopping by Cabela's in E Hartford to check out your options  

Unfortunately they don't keep a very good stock of the higher end rods, but you can at least hold some of the different brands them and see what feels right.

I'll say the Revo STX is a tremendous reel, $200

[roadwarrior]

Well, the problem with recommending a specific rig is that there is a slightly better set-up for specific techniques. So, for me, my "all-around" rig for treble hook lures, spinnerbaits and buzzbaits is a St. Croix Avid AC66MF/ Abu Garcia STX or Shimano Metanium. This rod has a soft tip and the 6 1/2' length makes working topwater lures and jerkbaits a breeze.

On the other hand, if I only had one combination it would be a G. Loomis GLX MBR844C/ Shimano CTE200GT which is my dedicated jig rod. If you decide to go with this rod, you might want a faster reel for general purposes.

Then, for bigger lures, especially 3/4 oz Ledgebuster Single Willow Blade Spinnerbaits and Mattlures Baby Bass, St. Croix Legend Elite EC70MHF/ Shimano Calais 200. For big treble hooks and deep divers, Lamiglas SR705R/ CTE200GT.

And last, but not least, for lighter crankbaits and especially Rat-L-Trap type lures, St. Croix Avid AC70MM/ Shimano Chronarch. Sometimes this is my favorite, like launching a Trap with the wind! This rod really loads up and the reel is buttery smooth.

Okay! I'm ready, let's go!

8-)

[Raul]

I am willing to spend what I need to get something good. I'm wondering how expensive I need to go to get something as sweet as my spinning setup?      

Dude, you don 't know me that good do ya ?  

Be careful with what you post, with me and some other guys I know around making suggestions you 'll be in debt for the next 3 or 4 ice ages when we 're through with you.

[HopelesslyAddicted]

Well, the problem with recommending a specific rig is that there is a slightly better set-up for specific techniques. So, for me, my "all-around" rig for treble hook lures, spinnerbaits and buzzbaits is a St. Croix Avid AC66MF/ Abu Garcia STX or Shimano Metanium. This rod has a soft tip and the 6 1/2' length makes working topwater lures and jerkbaits a breeze.

On the other hand, if I only had one combination it would be a G. Loomis GLX MBR844C/ Shimano CTE200GT which is my dedicated jig rod. If you decide to go with this rod, you might want a faster reel for general purposes.

Then, for bigger lures, especially 3/4 oz Ledgebuster Single Willow Blade Spinnerbaits and Mattlures Baby Bass, St. Croix Legend Elite EC70MHF/ Shimano Calais 200. For big treble hooks and deep divers, Lamiglas SR705R/ CTE200GT.

And last, but not least, for lighter crankbaits and especially Rat-L-Trap type lures, St. Croix Avid AC70MM/ Shimano Chronarch. Sometimes this is my favorite, like launching a Trap with the wind! This rod really loads up and the reel is buttery smooth.

Okay! I'm ready, let's go!

8-)

Dear God...  You guys are right I am going to spend all of my money, and I don't think I can stop myself!    ;D

[Raul]

[

I am going to spend all of my money, and I don't think I can stop myself! ;D

Don 't expect simpathy from us, we ain 't gonna stop you from jumping off the cliff, we only tell you from which place is the better place to jump.  

For a "budget" good quality setup I suggest a Chronarch Mg paired to an IMX.  

[roadwarrior]

For a "budget" good quality setup I suggest a Chronarch Mg paired to an IMX.

X2

8-)

[HopelesslyAddicted]

I may just be ready to jump!  Thank you for the "budget" good setup suggestion. lol it cost 3-400$, but that's right around what I wanted to spend anyway.  I may have to reconsider my rod choice (st croix LE) because it seems like you guys highly recommend g loomis.

[Chad.]

I may just be ready to jump! Thank you for the "budget" good setup suggestion. lol it cost 3-400$, but that's right around what I wanted to spend anyway. I may have to reconsider my rod choice (st croix LE) because it seems like you guys highly recommend g loomis.

Steez on steez end of story or again steez on glx sweeter than anything besides that td ito for 600 dollars on a megabass white python?