Help choosing spinning rod and reel

[chromedog]

I am finally going to purchase a new spinning outfit next week, specifically for soft plastics and drop-shotting.  I have been looking at the St. Croix Mojo with the split handle, but am really at a loss.

The reel, well, I have no clue, I want to be able to spool with 6lb yo-zuri and I want the reel to be light in weight.

What do you guys suggest for a good rod and reel?

What do you guys think of the split handle?

I would like to try and stay under $200, is this possible?

[roadwarrior]

I suggest buying a combination, ON SALE, at one of the major

retailers. Focus on the reel: Shimano Symetre 2500FJ or Stradic 2500FI.

The rod the retailer matches up with this reel will be fine, just be sure it's

Medium Power/ Fast Action. Choose 6 1/2 or 7', which ever you are more

comfortable with.

A second suggestion is to keep an eye on our Flea Market. If you are

patient, you can usually pick up new or slightly use gear for 40-60%

off MSRP.

Good luck!

8-)

[DOVERANGLER]

if you are fishing on a budget like myself, the way to go is to spend a little more money on a good reel that will last you a long time and a good rod. i get my reels from either bps stores or off line. the spinning reel that i fell in absoulte love with is the abu garcia cardinal 504 smooth as silk and durable, it runs about 80 bucks, and since i spent more than i normaly would on a reel i went to good old walmart and picked up a shakesphere excursion rod in medium 6'6", $14.95 and i couldn't be happier the reel is amazing and the rod as good feel and is durable under the load of even a 5+lb large mouth. and if for some reason the rod fails it is 15 bucks and i go to walmart and get a new one. i have spent big money on rods and i have found they are not worth it. i bought a st. coix i dont remember what kind it was but the tip broke off casting a worm and small 1/4 ounce wieght which was in the wieght limits of the rod. just some thoughts from my expirence

[roadwarrior]

i have spent big money on rods and i have found they are not worth it.

Well now...I don't believe many of our members would agree with you

on this. Kids need to start somewhere and a $15 rod is probably fine for

a five year old, but it's REALLY not enough for a bass fisherman.

:

[SirSnookalot]

$ 200 isn't chump change, it's a respectable amount to pay for a nice outfit and no real need to spend more.

Stradic fi 2500 is as good as it gets and good deal on a combo makes it better.  If not buy the reel and take in someplace and saddle it up to some rods and see which feels good.  A shimino clarus for about 60 bucks would keep you under 200, you would not have POS.

[chromedog]

Thanks guys, this is what I need.

I actually got an unexpected bonus at work and wifey said go ahead and get what I want as this was unexpected and comes from doing multiple jobs for my company and saving them a lot of money.

So I figure I am gonna get a few things I have wanted, but just couldn't justify it with a wife and three kids.

I have been really wanting to get a good plastic rod and spinning reel as well as a few more expensive lures that normally I just wouldn't do.

[Muddy]

First off you are going to get a lot of suggestions, look for the ones from the fellas who have actually used what they are touting. That being said, all of these suggestions will be good, you should go to a tackle store and feel the rod and reel you want to choose, only you will know the perfect fit

my suggestion

Pflueger President X6735 60 bucks

Trielne XL or Stren Original Mono 8# test , this is around 6 or 7 bucks for 330 yards

Fenwick HMX 6'6" Med one piece around 80 bucks

or a Cabelas Fish Eagle 2 , same length/action also 80

That is right under your ceiling

Others will also have great suggestions, in the end I would go and check the ones out you are interested in

BTW J fowler, on our Flea Market has a used in good condition President x6735 for 40 bucks, you may wanna check that out

[Stasher1]

i have spent big money on rods and i have found they are not worth it.

Kids need to start somewhere and a $15 rod is probably fine for

a five year old, but it's REALLY not enough for a bass fisherman.

While I agree it's not necessary to "break the bank" to have decent gear, even my 7 & 10 year olds fish with higher-end rods than that. If you're patient and keep your eyes/ears open, you'll find good deals on decent gear. I just picked up a couple brand new Shimano Sonora 2500FBs for $15 each and a pair of Abu Garcia Conolon Premier rods to put them on for about $27 each. That's two complete combos for less than $100, including tax and line. Good enough for an adult, but inexpensive enough that I can let the boys enjoy fishing without hovering over their shoulders making sure they're taking care of their gear.

To the OP, SirSnookalot and roadwarrior have it right. Buy a decent reel that'll last for a long time (with routine maintenance) and match it with a quality rod that feels good in YOUR hand. What feels good to me, might feel like a twig or broomhandle to you.

[chromedog]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate it.  I am going to head to Bass Pro Shop after work tonight and put my hands on the rods and reels to see how they feel.

Muddy, thanks, I am with you on finding people who have used the stuff.  

Now I know what feels good to me might not feel good to the next guy, but if going in without having some direction, I will spin in circles forever and they hate it at BPS when I wander for hours in there, lmao.

[Raul]

Budget spinning combo:

Rod.- Shimano Clarus

Reel.- Shimano Sahara 2500

$140-$150

[SirSnookalot]

Let me add this, I have the stradic and the clarus both about a year old, I don't recommend anything until I've used it for at least 6 months, reliabilty and durability are important to me.  I bought an abu 704 lx last week, nice reel but not enough time on it to recommend it.

I did not mention the pflueger president for a reason, it does not have a sealed drag, which I prefer.  However the pflueger supreme does have a sealed drag and it's lighter, that's what I have on my clarus and it's a very good reel( I love the outfit).  I gave the nod to the stradic because it really is an outstanding reel, also has a sealed drag.

[Lucky Craft Man]

One reel that I own 6 of and became the only spinning reel I use is the Pflueger Supreme (I like the 8035 model, but the 8030 would work for your needs as well). I haved used the Pflueger President and Pflueger Trion, which are both excellent reels, but the Supreme really surpasses them both. The Supreme has a highr gear ratio, which I like when keeping up with a charging smallmouth, and is lighter in weight. Again, I am amazed how Pflueger produces such good spinning reels at such a low price.

[bilgerat]

One reel that I own 6 of and became the only spinning reel I use is the Pflueger Supreme (I like the 8035 model, but the 8030 would work for your needs as well). I haved used the Pflueger President and Pflueger Trion, which are both excellent reels, but the Supreme really surpasses them both. The Supreme has a highr gear ratio, which I like when keeping up with a charging smallmouth, and is lighter in weight. Again, I am amazed how Pflueger produces such good spinning reels at such a low price.

That pretty much sums it up. And yes, I actually own one

Go elsewhere online and read the reviews if you're not sure.

[chromedog]

Ok, what do you guys think about this:

Shimano Sahara FD Reel/Bass Pro Shops Extreme XPS Woo Daves Rod Spinning Combos

Reel:

4.7:1

21''

2/190, 4/100, 6/60

(LB/YDS)

Rod:

6'-8" ML

1 piece

Line/lure rating:

4 - 10 LB

1/16 - 3/8 OZ

[ChiCityBasser]

I would suggest the Cabelas XML on clearance for around $50

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=cat21406_feat&id=0053032122638a&navCount=0&podId=0053032&parentId=cat21428&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=9IS&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&hasJS=true

I would match it with a Shimano Sahara FD 2500 or maybe 3000 which is around $80

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20166-cat20333&id=0060373123663a&navCount=3&podId=0060373&parentId=cat20333&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=QZ&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&hasJS=true

I have this combo with the XML being a ML and the Sahara 1000fd and it works great. It's one of the few combos I actually have braid on and has been a solid performer since I purchased it with it getting more water time lately

[Lucky Craft Man]

Ok, what do you guys think about this:

Shimano Sahara FD Reel/Bass Pro Shops Extreme XPS Woo Daves Rod Spinning Combos

Reel:

4.7:1

21''

2/190, 4/100, 6/60

(LB/YDS)

Rod:

6'-8" ML

1 piece

Line/lure rating:

4 - 10 LB

1/16 - 3/8 OZ

I don't mean to be rude, but I think you will be surprised how small that reel is.  I would suggest a 2500 size and if you really like smaller reels, then a 1000 size.

[chromedog]

Your not being rude at all.  I respect the fact that you guys are helping me out to make a good purchase based on your experience.  I have little drop shot experience and this is actually my first year doing it and I like it, but still a noob at it.

[chromedog]

I see the 1000 is about 6.9 oz and the 2500 is about 9.9 oz.  I may go with the 1000 and put 4lb yo zuri on it, or depending on the difference when i put them in my hand, and go with the 2500 with 6lb yo-zuri.

[ChiCityBasser]

Ok, what do you guys think about this:

Shimano Sahara FD Reel/Bass Pro Shops Extreme XPS Woo Daves Rod Spinning Combos

Reel:

4.7:1

21''

2/190, 4/100, 6/60

(LB/YDS)

Rod:

6'-8" ML

1 piece

Line/lure rating:

4 - 10 LB

1/16 - 3/8 OZ

I don't mean to be rude, but I think you will be surprised how small that reel is. I would suggest a 2500 size and if you really like smaller reels, then a 1000 size.

I have the reel in the 1000 size and it is small but its also a graphite frame which is fine for me and they didn't have a 2500 in stock when I purchased mine or I would have gone with the 2500 size.

The combo you suggested is pretty much what I have but the rod is the XML

[cyph3r]

Ive used an extreme rod for many years and I felt that it was a great rod and a huge jump between the bionic blade. It is relatively lightweight and sensitive especially for the price. Also since you are getting it as a combo, the deal is great.

[chromedog]

Thanks for everything guys.  I am going to probably go with the 2500 as it gives me a little more option when it comes to line and 3 oz is not a huge deal.  They actually have the combo with the 2500 or the 1000 with an extreme for the same price.

[Stasher1]

The Sahara 2500FB / BPS Extreme 6'8" ML is the combo you see in my avatar. I used that combo for floating/Trickworms for about a year and worked great. It pulled the fish in my avatar out of the weeds/pads just fine.

[bilgerat]

Good luck with your new rig. Here's some tips:

Choose your line carefully. Don't go too heavy, 8lb test MAX, preferably 6lb. Sufix Elite or Trilene XL are good choices. With the drag set properly, 6lb is plenty.

Don't overspool. Leave about 1/8" of the spool lip showing.  

VERY IMPORTANT Always close the bail by hand after EVERY cast. Using the handle to close the bail = major line troubles.

[chromedog]

Cool.

I usually close the bail with my hand, all the time.  Just a habit I guess.

How sensitive is suffix?  I love yo-zuri in 6lb.  strong and super sensitive.

[bilgerat]

I was  (still am) a diehard Trilene fan. I found the Sufix in the clearance bin at Wally World last year, so I grabbed it up. I've been very happy with it so far. I fish a lot of plastics and I don't have a problem with the sensitivity.

As with everything else around here, there are a million opinions on line. Find something that works for you and stick with it.