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re: What’s a good rod and reel combo for around $200?
Posted on 10/18/21 at 5:46 pm to Flats
Posted on 10/18/21 at 5:46 pm to Flats
quote:
Definitely spend the bulk of your budget on the reel.
At $200 for the combo, you don't have much wiggle room to go down without significant reduction in quality/sensitivity for the rod or the reel.
The SLX is worth the $100 and should last him for years of use. I'm not sure I'd have a reel to recommend under that price point.
Same with the rod. Aside from the H2O Express Ethos HD rods ($80) , I'm not sure what sub-$100 rod I would feel confident recommending without knowing more about what the kid will want to use it for. Certainly, crankbait rods and spinnerbait rods can be had cheaper if you're just chunking and winding, but anything with a Fast tip that will be multi purpose (some moving baits and some bottom contact), I think you really start looking at the $100 rods.
0
Posted on 10/18/21 at 6:28 pm to Saskwatch
quote:
$100 bait casters are pretty good nowadays.
I don't disagree, and I also own a Coastal SV and lower end Lews. There's a difference but the Lews is certainly what I'd call a good reel, along with the $100 Shimano. I still think spending more on the reel makes sense for a beginner. I know my preferences in rods has changed the more I've fished, but a good reel is a good reel.
Posted on 10/18/21 at 6:47 pm to Clovis Pilgreen
Don't waste your money on Lew's, if you want Lew's you can buy the same reels on Aliexpress for 20% the price, at least the ones that you are looking at in your price range.
Personally I would pair a Daiwa tatula with a Star Steller lite. If that pushes your budget (retail is about $250 together but you can find them cheaper if you hunt) you can get a Daiwa Fuego and be within $10 of your $200 budget.
I have better rods than the Star rods but they are not worth the price upgrade over the Star rods. If you buy at a local shop or bass pro you can swap the rods over the counter if they ever break using Stars lifetime warranty, they still have a lifetime warranty no matter where you buy them but you would have to ship it back.
The only other baitcasters I would recommend start to approach $200-$300 and well they are not any better than a tatula, they just have some fancy features that make them almost impossible to back lash.
If you go with a spinning combo the same rod and the Daiwa BG is the best combo for the money you can find. The Daiwa BG is just amazing for the price and shark river mail order sells them cheap, they may have the other Daiwa reels cheap too.
Personally I would pair a Daiwa tatula with a Star Steller lite. If that pushes your budget (retail is about $250 together but you can find them cheaper if you hunt) you can get a Daiwa Fuego and be within $10 of your $200 budget.
I have better rods than the Star rods but they are not worth the price upgrade over the Star rods. If you buy at a local shop or bass pro you can swap the rods over the counter if they ever break using Stars lifetime warranty, they still have a lifetime warranty no matter where you buy them but you would have to ship it back.
The only other baitcasters I would recommend start to approach $200-$300 and well they are not any better than a tatula, they just have some fancy features that make them almost impossible to back lash.
If you go with a spinning combo the same rod and the Daiwa BG is the best combo for the money you can find. The Daiwa BG is just amazing for the price and shark river mail order sells them cheap, they may have the other Daiwa reels cheap too.
Posted on 10/18/21 at 9:50 pm to armsdealer
quote:
If you go with a spinning combo the same rod and the Daiwa BG is the best combo for the money you can find.
That combo, which I just bought so I'd have a decent loaner for friends, is responsible for 3 other Daiwa reel purchases in the last couple of years. I had nothing but Shimano prior to that.
Posted on 10/19/21 at 7:43 am to Flats
Daiwa has smooth spinning reels figured out.
Posted on 10/19/21 at 8:20 am to bayouvette
I know some here do a good bit of fishing, but if you down vote a revo stx and Veritas combo it's hard to believe you. Lol
Posted on 10/19/21 at 8:59 am to bayouvette
Lews makes a good combo for that. BPS makes several for that or cheaper. I've only owned one BPS reel but I like it. I like the Lews better but both are good.
Posted on 10/19/21 at 9:27 am to ElDawgHawg
quote:
BPS reel
I think a BPS combo is the way to go if OP wants to buy a "combo" package.
I am usually hesitant on buying a rod from what I view as a reel manufacturer and vice versa. Not saying I'm right but I haven't had a ton of luck with cross over companies besides Shimano.
This post was edited on 10/19/21 at 9:28 am
Posted on 10/19/21 at 9:47 am to Clovis Pilgreen
if you buy a rod and reel combo, just make sure the rod has six or more guides on it. i prefer seven or more. some of those walmart rod and reel combos may have a decent reel on them, but the rod sucks.
Posted on 10/19/21 at 2:09 pm to Clovis Pilgreen
Honestly, Basspro's qualifier reel and Abu Garcia Veritas rod. That's what my brother and I use a lot. Great beginner setup and good all around for anyone.
Posted on 10/20/21 at 8:54 am to Clovis Pilgreen
The Johnny Morris carbonlite 2.0 combo is great.
Posted on 10/21/21 at 8:59 am to Clovis Pilgreen
I would look into a daiwa fuego or tatula ct and pair it with a dobyns fury, falcon bucoo, or abu veritas/ vendetta depending on the exact budget. If you are willing to go a little above $200 the tatula ct and dobyns fury would be my pick.
Posted on 10/21/21 at 9:20 am to joeyp
quote:
abu veritas/ vendetta
Have these rods improved significantly since their debut? I fished several when they first came out and they all were disappointing. I know they refreshed the lineup a time or two since their original offering but my initial experience scared me off from trying them again.
Posted on 10/21/21 at 8:06 pm to The Last Coco
Havent bought any past the 2nd gen makes of both but they are still in good shape. I dont use them much anymore due to slowly upgrading.
Posted on 10/21/21 at 8:12 pm to Clovis Pilgreen
Penn at bps
Posted on 10/21/21 at 8:25 pm to Clovis Pilgreen
I would get a Lews Tournament Pro in a 7:1 gear ratio and a $20 medium heavy rod. You can usually find the tourney pros on sale from $160-$180 and I like them better than most of my high end reels. If you wish you can upgrade them later with ceramic bearings from Boca Bearings and they will fly. As said earlier a good rod makes a huge difference but a bad or mediocre reel will ruin them. My choice of rods is Kistler Helium.
Posted on 10/21/21 at 9:56 pm to Clovis Pilgreen
Lews rod diawa bg
Posted on 10/22/21 at 6:25 am to Clovis Pilgreen
BassPro Qualifier with Duckett Rod!
FYI: Pro Qualifier goes onsale quite often for around $69.00
Pro Qualifier
Duckett Rod
FYI: Pro Qualifier goes onsale quite often for around $69.00
Pro Qualifier
Duckett Rod
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