Shimano Rod & Reel Combo

[Chris W.]

I'm looking for a good rod & reel combo that has a 6-7' medium 1 piece casting rod, shimano baitcasting reel with left hand retrieve and some braid to match it. Right now I have an early Quantum Accurist PT left hand on a 6'6" ugly stik 1 piece medium and some #50 power pro. I'd like something of equal or better value than I have now and it has to be under equal to or less than $160, preferably online for better deals.

[bwell]

I would check out the flea market for some good deals if you dont mind buying used.

You can get a used Citia 301 for about 75-90 bucks, and get a Clarus at *** to fit your budget.

[I.rar]

used citica d with a shimano compre. i love mine.

or a new citica E with a clarus. also a great rod but i havnt used the new citica.

[deep]

Shimano Compre 7', MH/F with Citica 201 E.

My first baitcasting combo, and a very decent all purpose set-up.

EDIT: just noted that you want to keep it less than $160, in which case, the above won't work (retail price-wise). If I were you, I'd keep an eye on the used market.

[Ern]

$160 range.

Shimano Caenan and St Croix Triumph.

[Raul]

Man, if you are going to shell out 160 then be willing to shell out a little more if what you want is Shimano-Shimano. Why I say it ? personally sub Citica Shimano reels ( now that the Cruxis is discontinued ) are nothing out of this world, probably the Caenan but I can 't say anything about it; sub Clarus rods are equally hmmmm ( Scimitar & Convergence ).

Citica + Clarus = 190

Or forget about the Shimano reel, for 160 you can get a Crucial and a Daiwa Procaster 6+1 for that kind of money and that 's really a very nice combo. BTW sparks aren 't going to fly when you pair a Daiwa reel to a Shimano rod.

[Chris W.]

What if i just go with a shimano reel and keep the ugly stik for now? Then that's 160 straight to the reel.

[BASSclary]

What if i just go with a shimano reel and keep the ugly stik for now? Then that's 160 straight to the reel.

I'd go the other way around, and get a Crucial for 160 and use your old reel.

[bwell]

I would just buy a used citica and a new rod if I were you.  I have both a Citica D and E, bought both used and are great reels for a cheaper price.

[Chris W.]

I would just buy a used citica and a new rod if I were you. I have both a Citica D and E, bought both used and are great reels for a cheaper price.

Is the difference between the new citicas and curados huge?

[northern basser]

The citica e is a great reel.  Besides being a little slower than the cur. e7 they are not much different.  Frame is the same,  color is different.  The curado spool is a little lighter.  When you open the side plate were the centrifugal brakes are,  the citica has plastic parts there and the curados are metal (aluminum or whatever).

As far as casting,  they are equal untill you start going below 3/8 or a 1/4oz.  I used my citica e all day today and have no complaints.  I sold my curado a few weeks ago due to lack of $.  I will definitely get another e7 soon or next spring.

I also picked up a couple of cabelas xml rods when they were on sale for $69.99.  Very happy w/ them.  Noticably more sensitive than my Kistler mag. ts.  Now they have they're xml ti's on sale for $99.99 ( retail is $189.99)

IMO I would find a used citica e,  then look at the posibility of a good used rod or the xml ti.  If your carefull theres nothing wrong w/ buying used IMO.