New Rod Advice

[indyangler]

So I took my son fishing this past weekend and his size 13 shoe broke my St. Croix Premier spinning rod in half. After crying in the fetal position for a few minutes I gathered myself and finshed our fisihing expidition minus my favorite spining rod/reelsetup. If you see a missing child report in the Indianapolis area, I just want you to know that I had nothing to do with it.

Anyway, I'm in the market for a new rod to be paired up with my Pflueger Patriarch 9530 spinning reel. I mainly use for soft plastics and occasional spinnerbaits. I prefer a Medium power, fast action rod in the $100-$120 range. I really liked my St. Croix rod, but thought I would explore other options as well.

What do you guys think about the following:

1) Abu Garcia Veritas

2) Buy another St. Croix Premier

3) BPS Carbonlite

4) Falcon Bucco

Others?

Also, Is it crazy that I have a $200 reel paired with a $100 rod?

[ChiCityBasser]

The Cabelas XMLTi normally $199 and now on sale for $140

[Packard]

Those are all good rods you mentioned. No it's not crazy to have your reel worth more than your rod. I personally think the reel should be worth more until you get in the $400 range. Another $100 rod I like is the BPS Extreme. I have used it for plastics this year and it has performed higher than expected.

[Bass_Fanatic]

It isnt crazy that you have a $200 reel paired with a $100 reel, but it is not the most sufficient combo you can buy with $300. A reel is more fun to play with and IMO gives the angler more joy. The rod actually does the work (feeling the bite, loading up, casting), but is often overlooked. You would be better off with a $200 rod and a $100 reel.

As for a $100 rod, I would seriously consider the Carbonlite. I have one and it is one sweet rod. Light, durable, sensitive, what more could you ask for? Also, if you loved the Premier enough to cry over, you may just get another one.

[indyangler]

It isnt crazy that you have a $200 reel paired with a $100 reel, but it is not the most sufficient combo you can buy with $300. A reel is more fun to play with and IMO gives the angler more joy. The rod actually does the work (feeling the bite, loading up, casting), but is often overlooked. You would be better off with a $200 rod and a $100 reel.

As for a $100 rod, I would seriously consider the Carbonlite. I have one and it is one sweet rod. Light, durable, sensitive, what more could you ask for? Also, if you loved the Premier enough to cry over, you may just get another one.

That's actually really good advice. I noticed a major difference in my higher end rod compared to my lower end rod. Luckily I have $350 worth of gift cards to Cabelas that I can use for another rod/reel set up that is balanced the other way!

[Bass_Fanatic]

That's actually really good advice. I noticed a major difference in my higher end rod compared to my lower end rod. Luckily I have $350 worth of gift cards to Cabelas that I can use for another rod/reel set up that is balanced the other way!

Heck yea man...Cabelas got some good sales right now. I think they still have the Dobyns Champions for less than $200. Pair the Champion with a Curado and youll be set.

[zachb34]

st.croix has a great warranty they will replace your rod for 50 bucks. On the other hand I have a veritas thats very sensitive but fragile.

[Hooligan]

Those are all good rods you mentioned. No it's not crazy to have your reel worth more than your rod. I personally think the reel should be worth more until you get in the $400 range. Another $100 rod I like is the BPS Extreme. I have used it for plastics this year and it has performed higher than expected.

So, I shouldn't spend $240 on a Cumara and $179 on a Curado? Or $340 on a Dobyns and $280 on a Zillion? Terrible, terrible advice to give.

In almost every case, I'll spend more money on the rod. The rod is what matters most, next to your line. The rod is your tool for fighting fish, for putting baits in the right place, and for feeling the bites. It's the second most important connection. Any time I can edge up on rod, and save a little on the reel, I will, so long as I'm still getting quality.

I'd seriously consider looking for a reel in the $120-$150 range, and a rod appropriately matched with the difference. You can get a LOT of rod for that $180-$200: The new GL2, the new Crucial, the Duckett, GL3, heck, save a few bucks and get a Cumara or a Falcon Cara. At the range you're talking, there's NO shame in putting a Citica on a rod and upgrading the rod. For YEARS I've fished Citica reels and upgraded bearings and components as needed (which is very rare...I've upgraded most of them just because I could...).

[Fat-G]

So, I shouldn't spend $240 on a Cumara and $179 on a Curado? Or $340 on a Dobyns and $280 on a Zillion? Terrible, terrible advice to give.

In almost every case, I'll spend more money on the rod. The rod is what matters most, next to your line. The rod is your tool for fighting fish, for putting baits in the right place, and for feeling the bites. It's the second most important connection. Any time I can edge up on rod, and save a little on the reel, I will, so long as I'm still getting quality.

I'd seriously consider looking for a reel in the $120-$150 range, and a rod appropriately matched with the difference. You can get a LOT of rod for that $180-$200: The new GL2, the new Crucial, the Duckett, GL3, heck, save a few bucks and get a Cumara or a Falcon Cara. At the range you're talking, there's NO shame in putting a Citica on a rod and upgrading the rod. For YEARS I've fished Citica reels and upgraded bearings and components as needed (which is very rare...I've upgraded most of them just because I could...).

X2, I'll spend more money on the rod ANY day. Like Hooligan said, the rod is one of the more important things in your fishing.

[Packard]

So, I shouldn't spend $240 on a Cumara and $179 on a Curado? Or $340 on a Dobyns and $280 on a Zillion? Terrible, terrible advice to give.

In almost every case, I'll spend more money on the rod. The rod is what matters most, next to your line. The rod is your tool for fighting fish, for putting baits in the right place, and for feeling the bites. It's the second most important connection. Any time I can edge up on rod, and save a little on the reel, I will, so long as I'm still getting quality.

I'd seriously consider looking for a reel in the $120-$150 range, and a rod appropriately matched with the difference. You can get a LOT of rod for that $180-$200: The new GL2, the new Crucial, the Duckett, GL3, heck, save a few bucks and get a Cumara or a Falcon Cara. At the range you're talking, there's NO shame in putting a Citica on a rod and upgrading the rod. For YEARS I've fished Citica reels and upgraded bearings and components as needed (which is very rare...I've upgraded most of them just because I could...).

Maybe you should re read what I said. If the combo is in the $400 range I said I think the rod should be worth more. Both the combos you just mentioned are above $400 so I agree with them. Reels under $100 usually don't perform well or last. So what I'm saying is I would rather have a Revo S and a BPS Extreme over an Avid with a Shakespeare Axiom. You also failed to notice he wants a new spinning rod not a baitcasting combo. Next time maybe you should pay closer attention to what is posted before you rant on my advice.

[Packard]

We all just need to fish hard or go home.

Funny

[Hooligan]

Those are all good rods you mentioned. No it's not crazy to have your reel worth more than your rod. I personally think the reel should be worth more until you get in the $400 range. Another $100 rod I like is the BPS Extreme. I have used it for plastics this year and it has performed higher than expected.

Maybe you should re read what I said. If the combo is in the $400 range I said I think the rod should be worth more. Both the combos you just mentioned are above $400 so I agree with them. Reels under $100 usually don't perform well or last. So what I'm saying is I would rather have a Revo S and a BPS Extreme over an Avid with a Shakespeare Axiom. You also failed to notice he wants a new spinning rod not a baitcasting combo. Next time maybe you should pay closer attention to what is posted before you rant on my advice.

Actually, you don't make mention of combo at all. The $400 range, from the way your response reads is a singular, particularly when followed with "Another $100 rod I like..."

And you're right. I switched to casting reels. However all the rods in question are as spinning models in my thought. Simply because I used the Citica upgrade as an example of putting a less expensive reel on a better rod. Team Daiwa Advantage anyone? I paid plenty of attention to the original post.

[Packard]

Actually, you don't make mention of combo at all. The $400 range, from the way your response reads is a singular, particularly when followed with "Another $100 rod I like..."

And you're right. I switched to casting reels. However all the rods in question are as spinning models in my thought. Simply because I used the Citica upgrade as an example of putting a less expensive reel on a better rod. Team Daiwa Advantage anyone? I paid plenty of attention to the original post.

You're right I don't mention it was a combo, but I don't say I was talking about a rod either. I understand that you interpreted it wrong and a mature person would have replied, "Sorry, I misread your post." But you show no respect and try to make me look stupid just because you don't agree. I said that I personally think the reel should cost more, am I not entitled to my own opinion? I know you feel like you can say what you want since we're on the internet but geez no need to be anal.

[Fat-G]

You're right I don't mention it was a combo, but I don't say I was talking about a rod either. I understand that you interpreted it wrong and a mature person would have replied, "Sorry, I misread your post." But you show no respect and try to make me look stupid just because you don't agree. I said that I personally think the reel should cost more, am I not entitled to my own opinion? I know you feel like you can say what you want since we're on the internet but geez no need to be anal.

I guess I "misread" it too, yet every time I re-read it, it still doesn't make sense. The $400 range for what? A combo? Rod? Reel?

There's no "misunderstanding" here bud, you left out a few words, and it didn't make sense.

[Hooligan]

Nope, you're right. Should have taken it to a PM from the start; bad advice, misread, misinterpreted, doesn't matter.

Bottom l line of the thread is this: You're not crazy to spend more on a reel, but the majority of opinions would say to spend more money on the rod than reel. It's going to be of more benefit. As previously mentioned, there are a lot of rods that are available to match the dollar amount you're wanting to spend.

[Stasher1]

While it doea make more sense to drop the majority of your rod/reel budget on the rod, I think just about everybody here needs to reread the OP's first post. I may be reading it wrong, but the impressin I get is that the OP already owns the Patriarch. He's not looking to build a combo with a new rod and reel, so the cost of one compared to the other doesn't matter.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but based on the rods he listed in his first post, he's looking for rod suggestions in the ~$100 range.

[ChiCityBasser]

While it doea make more sense to drop the majority of your rod/reel budget on the rod, I think just about everybody here needs to reread the OP's first post. I may be reading it wrong, but the impressin I get is that the OP already owns the Patriarch. He's not looking to build a combo with a new rod and reel, so the cost of one compared to the other doesn't matter.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but based on the rods he listed in his first post, he's looking for rod suggestions in the ~$100 range.

True he is looking for a rod in the $100-120 range to pair with an existing reel.

[BASSclary]

Falcon Bucoo.

[indyangler]

Yes my original question kinda got lost between the virtual bickering. Anyway, Lots of good advice. I might try to increase my rod budget, but won't fret too much over a new Veritas or Bucco

[LuckyHandsINC.]

I think paying more for a reel than rod is perfectly acceptable, and so do a lot of tackle companies.

MGX $350 designed to pair with villain $180

Zillion reel $290 or type r $400 zillion rod $200-$250

Shimano core $350 cumara rod $200-$250

Okuma helios reel$220 helps rod $180

Quantum smoke reel$200 smoke rod $130

Quantum exo reel$250 exo rod $180

[webertime]

The Lamiglas Excel is pretty sick! I have a "703" with a 30 sized Pflueger Supreme XT. Guys in my club, including FLW winners and Pro-Staffers for other rod companies, always grab this set up and comment how nice it feels.

Clearance Shimano Crucials are out there for just under $100.

Cabelas has Compres, Carrot Stix and their own XLM's all on sale for $99 and less.