New Rod & Reel

[Syppy]

K, without breaking the bank I'm looking to upgrade from my "Wal-mart specials" to a "good" rod & reel.

I know it's all subjective, but does anyone have any good suggestions for someone on a small budget for getting some spin-baits and crank-baits down range with some nice smooth actions?

I think I currently have a bunch of short poles with little baitcasting reels right now.  Shakespeare mostly.

Sippi

[BrianinMD]

What is your budget? Baitcast or spinning?

First suggestion would be a falcon bucoo with a citica, but a little more detail will help provide suggestions.

The combo I listed will be in the low $200 range, although the flea market on this site has some nice stuff slightly used for good prices.

[Syppy]

Eh, was looking more below a $150 range, but I dunno if it's worth it I may go a little higher.  I think I'll stick with baitcast, cause the spinning  I've got isn't too bad (although I'm thinking I need a longer pole on it).

Any suggestions on lengths?

Sippi

[WanderLust]

Daiwa Exceler combo from Cabelas fits this price range. Its good if its your 1st baitcaster.

Only thing I would say is buy the absolute best combo you can for the money you want to spend. Make sure it fits your main applications as well.

[Skeet22]

I have a BPS Bionic reel that has been hardly used I will sell for $50 shipped. It will cast a crankbait a mile.

[SJB1226]

Daiwa Exceler combo from Cabelas fits this price range. Its good if its your 1st baitcaster.

Only thing I would say is buy the absolute best combo you can for the money you want to spend. Make sure it fits your main applications as well.

I agree!

[adclem]

Either a Revo S or a Citica 200E and match it with a Skeet Reese Rod, Abu Garcia Vendetta Rod, Falcon Bucco Rod, St Croix Mojo Bass rod etc...

Any of the above combos should be about $200

I would suggest a 7' M/F or 7' MH/F rod, either rod should cover most applications

I would also browse the Flea Market, lots of good buys in their.

Later,

[Syppy]

K, so I picked up a Revo S, and a Triumph pole 6'6" medium.  So far so good.  Problem is... There's no users manual for the reel, and it's got a few more "knobs" than I'm used to.  What do all these adjustments do?  Birdsnests are turning out to be rough on me with this thing, and I know I can adjust to help me get the technique down, but which adjustment does what? 

Sippi

[BASSclary]

Most of the rods here are great choices, i would reccomend goin to bass pro shops and grab a bunch of rods that you like ( i reccomend 7' MH/F ) and ask a sales rep to put reels on them and see how they feel in your hand. I also tap something very lightly with the rods to see how sensitive they are  8-)

[new2BC4bass]

K, so I picked up a Revo S, and a Triumph pole 6'6" medium. So far so good. Problem is... There's no users manual for the reel, and it's got a few more "knobs" than I'm used to. What do all these adjustments do? Birdsnests are turning out to be rough on me with this thing, and I know I can adjust to help me get the technique down, but which adjustment does what?

Sippi

Sippi, why don't you start a new thread asking how to set up the Revo S? My Revo is an 09 STX. From what I read on the Revo S, it has centrifugal brakes. Mine has magnetic brakes so I can't help you. The only help I can give is to tell you the knob under the star drag is for tension adjustment on the spool. On my magnetic braked reels I find it helpful to turn the magnets off, and adjust the tension so that the spool will barely move when the rod is shaken with the practice lure on it. Then adjust the magnets all the way up. This is for us newbies until we gain some thumb control. I'm down to about half way now, and can zing it out there pretty good if there is nothing around me. So there is hope for everyone if I can do it. Oh yeah, start with side arm. Overhead casting took me a bit longer to learn. Timing is way different than with a spinning reel.

From what I understand of centrifugal reels, the side plate swivels to allow you to set the brakes. In your case you would probably want most of them on at first.

Like I said, ask in a separate thread. Or do a search. You may find what you are looking for without asking in another thread.

Good luck with it. I was always a spinning reel user, but am loving my baitcasters although I still have to use the spinning rods in close quarters, eg. surrounded by trees and bushes.

EDIT: Use a heavier lure to start. 1/2 oz. is a good size to start with your medium rod.

[RussBert]

http://www.abugarcia.com/service.php

[Syppy]

Wow, perfect Russ thank you.  I couldn't seem to find it that yesterday when I went through the website, but that will definitely help.

And I goofed.. It's not a Revo S, it's a Revo SX http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3997876&cp=2367438.2367824.2291514.2291516.  Either way I'm doing searching now on it before I start a new thread just to be sure I've covered all the bases.  And yeah I'm a spinning reel user usually myself, but I thought I may as well start getting some practice on doing it all if I'm truly going to make the most of fishing =).

Sippi

[Senkoman12]

the revo sx has magnetic brakes

there is a dial on the side that should the words min on one side and max on the other

to adjust them just turn the dial to max for more braking and to min for less braking you will have to mess around with it to perfect it, also just be careful i have heard that the sx brakes are a little touchy