rod vs. reel

[bassinboston]

Thanks to the tips on this site I've been able to use a baitcaster with more and more confidence.  I'm now on the market for another rod and reel setup (I have a Bill Dance Combo right now)

My budget is around $150 dollars and i'm wondering if its wise to buy a quality rod with a lesser quality reel or vice versa.  In other words, which piece is more important, the rod or the reel?

 I'm planning on using this setup for soft plastics and jigs.  Thanks for any advice.

[Hammer 4]

For what your gonna do, I'd definitly get a better rod. Btw, you didn't say if this is gonna be a bc. or spinnin set up..

[bassinboston]

Sorry, this will be a baitcasting setup.  

[cart7t]

The rod is the most important piece between the two.  

You can get a competent reel like a BPS Extreme, on sale for around $50 and then match it to a nicer rod like a Team All Star, Mojo, Quantum tour, BPS Pro Qualifier, etc. for around $100.  

[Catt]

A quality reel will last a lifetime but a quality rod can break the first time out.

I would buy either a Shimano Cardiff for $99.99 or a Citica for $119.99

Bass Pros Shops has a Shimano® Citica® E Low-Profile Baitcast Reel and a Bionic Blade Rod on sale for $159.94

[roadwarrior]

A quality reel will last a lifetime but a quality rod can break the first time out.

I would buy either a Shimano Cardiff for $99.99 or a Citica for $119.99

Bass Pros Shops has a Shimano® Citica® E Low-Profile Baitcast Reel and a Bionic Blade™ Rod on sale for $159.94

Perhaps the rod is more important for "catching", but your reel is what

makes "fishing" fun. By this I mean a high quality reel takes the hassle

out of the equation which makes everything more enjoyable. The Bass

Pro combination Catt suggested would be a good buy at your pricing

point.

8-)