Whats the best combo you buy for $200-$250 or under?

[Morelures]

It can be a baitcaster set-up you use or spinning combo. It also doesn't have to be sold as a "combo" it can be any reel and rod you like to buy together for under $250.

I really like the BPS Carbonlite baitcasting combo for $169.98 for the 6'6 or $179.98 for the 7'. That comes with there Carbonlite reel.

Pros:

Super light, good for casting even light lures, great sensitivity, good backbone and still light in the tip.

Cons:

The 2 things I don't like about the rod would be the reel seat does not tighten down very well, when you hook into a decent fish the reel seems to shift (really don't like this). And the eyes aren't the best.

The carbonlite rod feels good with the BPS Pro Qualifier reel as well. That combo is usually under $215 as also. I used 5 pro qualifiers reels this season in brackish river water and had no problems at all with them (just rinse lightly when done with fresh water). They cast just as well as my Abu Garcia STX.

Besides the "cons" for under $200 this has really been a favorite of mine to buy I have a few of them.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Casting:

Revo S

BPS Extreme

Spinning:

Shimano Symetre

BPS Extreme

[SeanW]

Revo S and Veritas

Soron and Veritas

The reels can be found for $99 so thats my pick. The Veritas is amazingly light and sensitive.

[lightsout]

BPS pro qualifier tournament edition with either a Abu veritas or Falcon bucoo. Both combos will weigh in the 12oz range and cost $180ish. Cant go wrong.

[new2BC4bass]

I have no idea what the best combo would be that you can BUY, but of those I HAVE in that price range, I would say my Airrus Ultra with a Fuego. Haven't used the Techna AV/STX combo enough to make a decision between the two, but like the looks of the Fuego better. Shallow, I know. ;D

[*Hootie]

Last year I would have said BPS Pro Qualifier and my BPS Tourney Special rods, { I know they are low end rods but I like em'}. I have four such combo's and they performed great for me.

But recently I purchased 3 BPS Nitro reels, paired them with St Croix Mojo Bass rods. I've only got to play with them in my back yard so far. I think they are going to be great.

I am into my second reading of Bill Siemental's Big Bass Zone. I think I am going to commit to trying for big bass this coming year. Had a great 2010 season finishing with 599 bass, the biggest going 6#.

I know I strayed off topic a bit, but I think my choice of combo's should hold up fine for this.

Please excuse my rambling.

[Stasher1]

At the high end of your budget you ougtht to be able to pick up a St. Croix Avid (spinning or casting) and either a Pflueger Arbor spinning reel or a BPS Pro Qualifier baitcast reel (if you wait for a sale).

Neither reel would be my first choice, but I feel that the rod is far more important than the reel.

[roadwarrior]

Be patient and buy your gear on our Flea Market. My suggestions

might fit into your budget with a little "shopping".

Spinning: Avid AVS70MF/ Shimano Stradic CI4

Baitcasting: Avid AVC68MXF/ Curado CU200E7

   

[Raul]

BC:

Shimano Crucial + Shimano Citica = a little bit over 250

Spinning

Shimano Crucial '+ Shimano Sahara = around 200

[BASSclary]

BC:

Shimano Crucial + Shimano Citica = a little bit over 250

Spinning

Shimano Crucial '+ Shimano Sahara = around 200

Raul beat me too the casting outfit, however I've never used the Sahara so I cant comment.

[BassThumb]

Be patient and buy your gear on our Flea Market. My suggestions

might fit into your budget with a little "shopping".

Spinning: Avid AVS70MF/ Shimano Stradic CI4

Baitcasting: Avid AVC68MXF/ Curado CU200E7

That's what I would do, pick up a used rod for $100, like an Avid or Crucial, and one of those reels new for $150.

[Raul]

I've never used the Sahara so I cant comment.

I have, that 's why I recomend it, great reel for the money. 

[tyrius.]

Casting:

Revo SCitica

BPS Extreme

Spinning:

Shimano Symetre

BPS Extreme

Fixed it for you. 

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Casting:

Revo SCitica

BPS Extreme

Spinning:

Shimano Symetre

BPS Extreme

Fixed it for you.

I would agree with that reel as well.

[RussBert]

There's BEST, then there's BUDGET

The two don't go together, but there are many ways to put together a good $250 combo, especially if you buy used or closeout gear

[tyrius.]

Casting:

Revo SCitica

BPS Extreme

Spinning:

Shimano Symetre

BPS Extreme

Fixed it for you.

I would agree with that reel as well.

The Revo S is also a quality reel that gets a lot of great reviews.  I just have Citicas and don't see any need to upgrade from them. 

[Shane J]

If I had about that much to spend on a baitcasting combo, I wouldn't even hesitate to go with a Crucial and Citica.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

A new Crucial and a Citica will be a bit over the $250 mark depending on which rod you pick up. That being said, they're definitely worth the money. If you keep a watch on the flea market here, you can find Citicas for $100 or less. The rods don't come up all that often, but when they do you can certainly save several bucks on those.  The Pro Qualifiers are a great option for 20 bucks less.  BPS frequently has them on sale.  Thats the time to ****** one up.  If you're buying one at the normal price, you might as well spend the extra 20 bucks for the Citica.

[trevor]

BC- Ardent XS1000  8-) - Ebay $150

   Shimano Compre - $100

S-  Shimano Saros - Ebay $100

  Shimano Compre or Crucial - $100-$160

[jacobhookem]

Dobyns savvy 7" medium light and a shimano sahara or stratic if you can afford it

[MArnold]

Casting Revo S and Team All Star 66MH

Spinning Pfluger President 6730 on a BPS Carbonlite 66M

[firefightn15]

If it were to be an "as is" combo, I'll cruise Gander Mountain.  Once in a while they put together some pretty decent ones using their store brand rods and either ambassadeur or Shimano reels.  I'm not sure who manufactures the rods for them, but the store's medium to upper end rods are actually pretty good.

[piscicidal]

For $250, you should be able to get a new Avid rod and used curado reel. Tough to beat that combo without spending more.

[trevor]

If it were to be an "as is" combo, I'll cruise Gander Mountain. Once in a while they put together some pretty decent ones using their store brand rods and either ambassadeur or Shimano reels. I'm not sure who manufactures the rods for them, but the store's medium to upper end rods are actually pretty good.

I heard it was American Rodsmiths

[LAO162]

Going the closeout route for rods,

- Fenwick Techna AV

- All Star Platinum

- Kistler Argon (or Magnesium)

all should be near the $100 price point

Hard to beat BPS ProQualifier casting reels and Cabela's Prodigy/Tournament ZX spinning reels when they are discounted.

Obviously, when going the closeout route you have to do a lot of searching and be patient.  It may also be difficult to find rods to fit a specific technique.