Baitcaster and bottom contact rod need - under $400??

[WanderLust]

What's everyone's opinion on a senko / bottom contact setup? General use might be a better term but I use a ton of senkos, tubes and other bottom contact methods.

I looked at a ton of options / other threads but now want to some actual realtime data before I decide.

Seem to be favoring these reels although open to opinions. Familar with BPS Pro-Qual and Daiwa Exceler. 

Shimano Curado

Abu Garcia Revo STX

I'm new to higher end rods but was think St. Croix Avid series...

Basic question, if you had $400 for a bottom contact setup... What would you buy and why?

Thanks so much!

~Wander

[lsufan334]

abu garcia revo stx

st croix avid 7' mh fast

u will love the revo stx i bought my fist one this year and WOW it is amazing. but the curado is also a great reel but cant tell you how good they are for that application. but a great cranking reel though.

[Fat-G]

As for the reel, Shimano Curado 200e7.

Rods, there's many great choices in the $200 range. St. Croix Avid, Facon Cara T7, Shimano Cumara, etc etc.

[roadwarrior]

BCR854 or MBR844C, GLX series from our Flea Market:

$250 - $275

Curado 200E7 ~$135 from the Flea Market

8-)

[burleytog]

Curado 200E7

Cumara 7'2 MH-F

[chubaka]

Revo Sx or Curado with a 7ft 2in MH Cumara

[basscrusher]

Reel - Curado E7.  Best reel I've ever fished.

Rod - depends on if you want a medium or medium heavy.  Either way I'd go for either a St Croix Legend Tournament or Shimano Cumara.  I like the 6'8" lenght, personally.  Both are great rods.

[Bronzefly]

Kent pretty well nailed it...

I'd go with the Curado E7 and one of a few GLX Loomis rods.  If I wanted a rod to be more multi purpose, I'd go with the MBR 844 GLX.  I do like the BCR series better for bottom contact, so I'd lean toward an 854 or 855 GLX there.  Flea market pricing should be able to bring you in around your price target and you'll have an incredible combo!  Good luck!

[BASSclary]

A revo stx 7.1:1 paired up with a Dobyns 703c ( 7' MH/F ) It should be a great all around bottom contact rod for you ! ;D

that will put you at about 420 if your willing to spend 20 extra green-backs !

[tritz18]

I have the curado e7 and a st. croix avid for those exact techniques and I absolutely love it. Lightweight and very very sensitive.

[BassThumb]

The reel choices are perfect, the two best reels under $200. I prefer the feel of the Curado for contact baits, and the STX for reaction baits. I like that the frame is thicker above the worm gear on the Curado. That's where I put my thumb when I fish worms and jigs.

If you can find a used GLX, like those Kent mentioned, go for it. Otherwise, look into the Dobyns Champion 735C. These rods are very versatile and make a great pitching, worming, jigging rod. I went from using an Avid 7' MH/F to a Dobyns 735C, as much as I like Avids, there's a big difference in quality and balance between the two. Well worth the extra money, IMO.

[WanderLust]

Thanks for the replies! Extremely helpful.

[smallwatermayhem]

When fishing baits where you need a lot of sensitivity, the ROD is actually most important.

7'2" Shimano Cumara rod, MH power and F action. $200.

Shimano Curado 200E5 or E7, whichever retrieve you prefer. $179.

[WanderLust]

BCR854 or MBR844C, GLX series from our Flea Market:

$250 - $275

Curado 200E7 ~$135 from the Flea Market

8-)

LOL - So the list on the G Loomis stuff is about what I wanted to spend on the whole package.

I've never fished a G Loomis rod... Question being is it that good.

[jokerjp1301600387]

BCR854 or MBR844C, GLX series from our Flea Market:

$250 - $275

Curado 200E7 ~$135 from the Flea Market

8-)

LOL - So the list on the G Loomis stuff is about what I wanted to spend on the whole package.

I've never fished a G Loomis rod... Question being is it that good.

Good question...I recently bought a used (but in new condition) MBR843GLX for $250 as my primary plastic presentation rod.  I also owned St Croix Avid, Premier, and Mojo rods along with BPS rods.  While the Loomis is definitely an upgrade over the Premier, Mojo, and BPS rods....I don't see a huge gap between it and the Avid for this application.  I've only fished it 3 times so far, so maybe over time I'll see a bigger difference.

[Buzbait88]

I'd go with a 7'0 MH Fast action citrus stick.  Its one of the lightest and most sensitive rods on the market at a lower price then other rods at 155$.  Then I would put a 7.1:1 pflueger patriarch XT on it.  Now you have one of the smoothest, lightest, sensitive set ups you could imagine and under 400$