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Best Trout/Red Combo

Posted on 2/10/25 at 2:39 pm
Posted by SmokinBurger
Bayou Self
Member since Sep 2021
498 posts
Posted on 2/10/25 at 2:39 pm
Looking to purchase a few new combo rod/reels for this upcoming spring/summer. Anyone have any good experience with a certain combo for trout and reds? I'm looking to spend around $120-150 per combo.
This post was edited on 2/10/25 at 3:32 pm
Posted by Koolazzkat
Behind the Tupelo gum tree
Member since May 2021
3029 posts
Posted on 2/10/25 at 3:05 pm to
Diawa BG combo.
Posted by Doby
Lafayette
Member since Sep 2014
2132 posts
Posted on 2/10/25 at 3:23 pm to
That’s a tight budget. Go another $50 high and get some quality stuff.

Falcon Rod 7’ Coastal Med-Heavy ($90-$100)
Penn Battle II 3000 ($80-$100)
Diawa BG 3000 ($120-$140
Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
86410 posts
Posted on 2/10/25 at 3:30 pm to
quote:

Falcon Rod 7’ Coastal Med-Heavy ($90-$100)

Diawa BG 3000 ($120-$140


This.
If you want to save a little, look for the Fuego on sale. With proper cleaning, it can last many years in salt use.

For anyone wanting bait casting, it would be hard to beat this deal on the Daiwa Coastal.
Posted by bocro
Member since Feb 2021
73 posts
Posted on 2/10/25 at 3:40 pm to
Academy has Penn Battle III 50% off right now. That and a falcon coastal will come in right at $150
Posted by 225Tyga
Member since Oct 2013
19432 posts
Posted on 2/10/25 at 3:46 pm to
Avoide Falcon Rods and Diawa BGs
Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
86410 posts
Posted on 2/10/25 at 3:48 pm to
quote:

225Tyga
Avoid the Outdoor Board.
Posted by 225Tyga
Member since Oct 2013
19432 posts
Posted on 2/10/25 at 4:05 pm to
quote:

AlxTgr


Avoid LINK

Boom. I win.
This post was edited on 2/10/25 at 4:06 pm
Posted by tke_swamprat
Houma, LA
Member since Aug 2004
10867 posts
Posted on 2/10/25 at 4:28 pm to
Go to Puglia's when they have a sale and enjoy. They all fricking work. My bait caster Abu Garcia combos and Lew's combos have all worked just fine every time I've needed them and none broke the bank.

I'm not a huge spinning reel guy.
Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
86410 posts
Posted on 2/10/25 at 5:03 pm to
And stop upvoting your own posts, dork.
Posted by SmokinBurger
Bayou Self
Member since Sep 2021
498 posts
Posted on 2/10/25 at 5:57 pm to
I like the Penn Battles. But I haven’t found them 50% off.
Posted by Saskwatch
Member since Feb 2016
17985 posts
Posted on 2/10/25 at 6:31 pm to
Spinning or bait casting?

I have okuma spinning combos that I like that are budget friendly.

Also like the Daiwa Procyon rods. You could pair it with a Daiwa spinning reel and come in under $150.

Casting combo will be a bit harder to put together for that price.
Posted by Bayou_Tiger_225
Third Earth
Member since Mar 2016
12462 posts
Posted on 2/10/25 at 7:42 pm to
quote:

For anyone wanting bait casting, it would be hard to beat this deal on the Daiwa Coastal.
Is that a legit website?

If so everyone need to hop on that deal.
Best inshore reel in the game right now
This post was edited on 2/10/25 at 7:46 pm
Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
86410 posts
Posted on 2/10/25 at 8:17 pm to
quote:

Is that a legit website?
I've ordered multiple reels from them
Posted by Doby
Lafayette
Member since Sep 2014
2132 posts
Posted on 2/10/25 at 8:45 pm to
Do yourself a favor and get beyond braid 10#. Also get 30lb fluoro. You will be able to cast a mile and reduce wind knots. The 30# fluoro will stand up to the fraying and retain its strength. I rarely have to change out my leader whereas my buddies get popped off once or twice a trip with 10-20# fluoro.

8’- 4’ water
Popping cork
3’- 4’ 30# Fluoro Leader
Marker 54 Shrimp Glow
-OR-White Matrix Shad 1/4 oz white Jig
-OR-Sparkle Beetle 1/4oz yellow/green Jig

If there are trout/reds in the area, they will be caught.
Posted by TFLEX
TX
Member since Jun 2023
292 posts
Posted on 2/10/25 at 10:17 pm to
Somebody beat me too it with my suggestions. I ball on a budget. But in reality I feel like almost everything above cheapo level these days outperforms what we had in the 90s and early 2000's. (Besides a green Shimano and an All Star rod)

My favorite setups are a Daiwa BG 2500 on a 7'6 M Falcon Coastal Rod.

And a Daiwa 2500 Regal or Legalis maybe? On a 7'6 M Daiwa Procyon rod

Also have a 2500 Shimano Nasci on a 7'6 ML Castaway.

I run 15 or 20lb braid on all of them. They feel amazing, light enough to fish all day even for my kids. and they hold up. If I was boatflipping primarily reds all day I'd probably go heavier. But I fish primarily jig head and artificial chasing trout. And they are plenty stout enough to crank in the occasional bull red.
Posted by Flats
Member since Jul 2019
26915 posts
Posted on 2/11/25 at 8:45 am to
quote:

Diawa BG combo.


This. You're not going to find a better combo value. I bought one as a loaner and I ended up using it in my kayak alongside my other two rigs that are closer to $500 each, and I don't mind grabbing it at all. It's a little heavier and yeah, you can tell a slight difference, but not what you'd expect given the price differential.
Posted by YOURADHERE
Member since Dec 2006
8423 posts
Posted on 2/11/25 at 8:58 am to
quote:

Academy has Penn Battle III 50% off right now. That and a falcon coastal will come in right at $150



Damn, I was wanting to pick up some 3000s, looks like they only have 1000, 2000, and 10000 sizes online.
Posted by bocro
Member since Feb 2021
73 posts
Posted on 2/11/25 at 9:54 am to
Makes since that the most popular sizes would sell out first
Posted by TopWaterTiger
Lake Charles, LA
Member since May 2006
12015 posts
Posted on 2/11/25 at 10:29 am to
quote:

I'm looking to spend around $120-150 per combo.


I'm not sure of what combos are out there in this range, but I'd spend more for 1 nice set up.

Shimano curado reel on a waterloo salinity rod has tamed many a trout and redfish.
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