best rod/reel combo for the money

[crankbait2009]

If i were to buy a rod/reel combo for no more than $100, could i get some recommendations on the best bang for the buck? i am looking at a good baitcaster rod/reel

i have been looking at the Abu Garcia combos but i also know there are a lot of manufacturers to pick from............

any advice?

[Flywatersmallie]

Unfortunately, not going to get a ton for $100. That said, you could check your local Walmart for an Abu Garcia Revo S, they are on sale at some right now for $69 and throw it on a lightning rod by Berkley. Or check around for a sale priced Shimano Clarus. Great sticks for the money even at full price.

Best advice with that kind of budget is to shop used. Keep an eye on the flea market

[The Rooster]

Get a copy of the Bass Pro Shops fall angler catalog.  In it they have their Extreme reel and rod combo on sale for $100.  That rod is normally that much alone, and the reel is normally $80.  Combo usually sells for $130 which is a $50 discount anyway, but right now it can be had for even that much less.  

Honestly I can't vouch for the rod, never fished one.  But the reel is phenominal.  I have one that's 2 years old now and one more will be here any day from now.  Excellent reels for the money.  But I've heard good things about the rod too, just have never used one.  I have my heart set on a Shimano Compre rod for my Extreme reels, of course that's gonna cost me a good bit, but that's just what I want.  

But to save some money and have a good combo (especially the reel) then that's the way to go.  Only catch is, ya gotta have the catalog to get the deal.  The combo order number is not the same as just in the regular catalog, and of course there's a customer ID number on the back of the catalog too that you need.  GET THAT CATALOG!!!

[KYntucky Warmouth]

If you're going with BPS the extremes are a good deal, especially at 100.... plus you could always wait for the spring classic...lots of good deals

[mudkart]

I've been happy with a $60 combo I got at Dicks: Abu Garcia Silvermax on a 6'6" Berkley Lightning Rod.  After a $20 mail-in-rebate, its a great deal (the rods are in the $30 range themselves).  The reel is OK, not great, no issues yet with quality.  But, your purpose is to catch fish, no? This combo can help you do that with a minimum of fuss, check out my post (insert shameless self-promotion) in the outings section entitled "Best of '08", I caught my best LM (7lbs 2 oz) this year using this combo. I'm not saying that more expensive gear is not needed per se, I'm as susceptible to the gear/bait monkey as anyone else (my St. Croix rods are testimony to this).  This combo provides reasonable versatility and sensitivity at perhaps a more digestable price, particularly if this is your first baitcaster.

[adclem]

Get a copy of the Bass Pro Shops fall angler catalog. In it they have their Extreme reel and rod combo on sale for $100. That rod is normally that much alone, and the reel is normally $80. Combo usually sells for $130 which is a $50 discount anyway, but right now it can be had for even that much less.

Honestly I can't vouch for the rod, never fished one. But the reel is phenominal. I have one that's 2 years old now and one more will be here any day from now. Excellent reels for the money. But I've heard good things about the rod too, just have never used one. I have my heart set on a Shimano Compre rod for my Extreme reels, of course that's gonna cost me a good bit, but that's just what I want.

But to save some money and have a good combo (especially the reel) then that's the way to go. Only catch is, ya gotta have the catalog to get the deal. The combo order number is not the same as just in the regular catalog, and of course there's a customer ID number on the back of the catalog too that you need. GET THAT CATALOG!!!

You don't have to have the catalog.  You can bring it up on their web site print it out and take it in to BPS or go there and tell them the price in the catalog and they will look it up and match the price for you.  Just a little FYI

Later,

[Rich K]

I bought last year's Cabela's Fish Eagle II bc rod and I love it. I think it was in their bargain cave for $29.99.

Here is what they have there now - although this is a spinning combo (you did not specify).

[hawgchaser]

Bass Pro extreme...I have about 10 of them. Redfish, specks, bass, smallies, trout, walleyes, and even catfish. It doesn't matter i use them for all species in multiple states. I have never had a single problem.

They will serve you well I promise. If yu want a great cheap line to go with it, order 15 Triple Fish X rated.

[The Rooster]

And now comes the next deal!!! I got in the mail today the Bass Pro Shops Christmas 2008 catalog and it has the same Extreme rod and reel on sale for $99.98 ($100 roughly) but it also has a $20 off coupon that's good on internet or catalog purchases of $100 or more, and it specifically says it's not available in stores. So that will allow you to get that rod for $80 instead of $100 now. Now how you gonna beat that!!!! Only thing is, you'll end up having to pick out a lure or something to go with it in order to push it over the $100 dollar mark. It's $99.98 right now, and cause of that 0.02 cent difference, it won't qualify alone. You'll need line for it anyway, so get some of that and that will make the difference needed to save the $20.

[way]

hey guys, i couldn't find which rod+reel combo on the BPS website for the extreme rod+reel combo. Can anyone show me?? I've alrdy ordered the BPS catalog. still waiting for it to come in.

[adclem]

They are all listed on this page.  They are all $129.98.

Extreme Rod/Reel Combo

Later,

[Pencil Pusher]

The website does not show the same prices as the fall angler or the Christmas catalogs show.

[adclem]

No it does not, you have to pull up the catalogs, same prices for the fall as for the Christmas catalog. Except the $20 off coupon in the Christmas catalog on orders over a $100. Use the following links:

Christmas Catalog

Later,

[way]

thx guys. is there a way to buy it for $100 or w/ the $20 coupon if i don't have the catalog.? Also they have so many rod choices. which ones do you guys prefer? Are they all 1 piece rods? length and action

ML = Medium Light

M = Medium

MH = Medium Heavy

H = Heavy

XH = Extra Heavy

[way]

bump. anyone?

[crankbait2009]

what the heck is bump?

[Grumpy413]

He moved you back to the top of the forum 8-)

[crankbait2009]

how and why??  

[The Rooster]

In order to get a reply to his question, he bumped it back up.

You get the action of rod you want for whatever technique you want to use it for.  Medium or medium heavy are a couple of good ones.  Medium is more an all around general rod while medium heavy will give you a little more muscle in the rod, it doesn't give quite as much and is a good one for jigging or T-rigging (I think anyway).  It also depends on how heavy a bait you will be throwing with it, they each have their own range.  Usually a medium will be 1/4 to 3/4 weight while a medium heavy could be anywhere from 1/4 to 1 oz. and maybe even all the way up to 1 1/2 oz. weight.  You just need to look a the rod specs to know more about it.  Really though, nothing beats up close and personal inspection of the rod you're about to buy.  I don't much care for online ordering of a lot of things, but for this deal here it might be worth the chance.  Getting that combo for $80 is over 1/2 off of what it would cost to buy them seperately.  But remember, in order to get the $80 price, you'll probably need to get some other small item to make it over the $100 mark.  The coupon is for $100 and over orders but the combo is only $99.98 and I'm sure it won't qualify alone.

[bjohnson]

I bought the extreme combo a couple of months ago and love it. I got the  6'6" MH F, 7.1:1 reel. This is my primary rod and reel, unless I am using a weightless worm, which I use just a 30 dollar ugly stick spinning combo. I don't fish tournaments or anything, but I usually fish a couple times a week at a local city lake and have had zero trouble with mine.

That being said my only other prior experience with bait casters are my old Abu round reels, so this was a step up for me.

[way]

thx for all the good response guys... Um so is there anyway to get the $80 price without having the catalog in my hands? I know this bass pro shop that is 45 miles away from me. I think i should give them a call and ask. hehe...

Anyways here is a large mouth that i caught today off Legg Lake, in El Monte California. 19" and around 6-7lbs...