How much rod for how much reel?

[JayDeHay]

When you're putting together a combo, do you balance your budget 50/50, or do you sway towards more rod or more reel?

So far, my single most expensive combo is in the $50 range, with about $30 reel to $20 rod. I mostly use Zebco and Shakespeare stuff, but I'm thinking I'd like to get into some better equipment. My budget is $100 for a combo, and I'd like some input for whether I should put more emphasis on the rod or the reel.

Keep in mind, my budget doesn't necessarily mean MSRP. I'm very patient when it comes to expenses, and I'm perfectly content to wait for a red-tag sale to get a really nice rod or reel at 30% off or better.

Thanks all!

[Kyhl]

I hadn't thought of it before but it makes sense.

My last giddy up was 56% rod 44% reel for about $180 total based on current store pricing.

Fenwick HMG and a Pflueger Supreme.

[Big Bobber]

Give me a good rod and I can catch fish with a Zebco 202. Give a great reel and a stiff glass rod, not so much.

[mainbutter]

This question is totally dependent on what species you are targeting and what tactics you're implementing.

Lindy rigging/slip sinker bait fishing for 4lb nibbling fish where sensitivity is necessary - reel is much less important than the rod.

When it comes to casting lures, there are a million rods in the <$70 market that will do the job, but I'm always willing to invest more than $70 in a reel. Nothing is more of a pain than a reel that gives you problems when you're casting over and over.

When it comes to bigger-game fishing, both are important, but big game reels are just more expensive to design and manufacture than big game rods. There is no way I'd consider a $400 rod with a $50 reel for shark or tuna fishing, but especially buying used I could make the reverse work even if it's not ideal.

So this begs the question: what do you want your combo for? The difference between $40 and $60 rods is often negligible and you won't be buying more bites. The difference between $40 and $60 reels can be the difference between frustration and easy fishing IMO. Most of the spinning reels I've bought on sale for $60+ or not on sale for $70+ I've been tremendously happy with.

Keep an eye out for sales leading up to opener, all the big box stores will be competing for business with sales where practically everything is cheaper by 15% or so.

[fish_eat_sleep]

I agree here, there is a lot of trial and error completely dependent on specie and personal feel and preferences. there are $50 reels that perform almost as well as reels that cost much more, just stay away from manufactures that are a part of bigger companies. you'll get better deals if you do.

[JayDeHay]

Nothing is more of a pain than a reel that gives you problems when you're casting over and over.

That's the reason I'm asking the question. I'm getting tired of my cheapo reels and their questionable drag systems, but I don't want to put a $50+ reel on a $20 rod, either. I love Zebco's for their simplicity and value, but I'm beginning to loathe Shakespeare spinning reels. I want to get a nice spinning reel for Northern and Walleye, and I'd like to get a baitcaster for Bass.

I hadn't put a whole lot of thought into rod sensitivity either, though. I never knew what a difference it could make until this year when I purchased a couple good ice fishing rods. I think I'll have to up my budget a bit.

[delcecchi]

]

That's the reason I'm asking the question. I'm getting tired of my cheapo reels and their questionable drag systems, but I don't want to put a $50+ reel on a $20 rod, either. I love Zebco's for their simplicity and value, but I'm beginning to loathe Shakespeare spinning reels. I want to get a nice spinning reel for Northern and Walleye, and I'd like to get a baitcaster for Bass.

I hadn't put a whole lot of thought into rod sensitivity either, though. I never knew what a difference it could make until this year when I purchased a couple good ice fishing rods. I think I'll have to up my budget a bit.

You might consider some of the packaged combos from one of the big box places, like Cabelas or Bass Pro. (don't know about Sheels) They seem to be discounted significantly from the rod plus reel priced separately.

For example one combo is a Pflueger President and a Tourney Trail rod for 100 bucks, 25 less than buying them separately.

In another example, a Abu revo-s (129) plus a bionic blade micro guide (79) goes for 179, saving like $30.

If you wait a little, or maybe even now, some of the combos go on sale and save even more.

[delmuts]

"If you wait a little, or maybe even now, some of the combos go on sale and save even more"

I agree! With so many companies offering deals this spring on combos do some looking. The President is a good reel and "company" sticks are pretty good as well. Think how you will use them to help decide what action rod you want.

[tacklejunkie]

I use the cheapest rods for trolling I can buy. We're talking Diawa Wilderness and Shimano TDR rods. I don't go expensive with trolling rods.

Reels OTOH, that's different

[Raider4ever]

Reel. Hands down. IMO, if you want good sensitivity with reasonable cost go: good reel and average rod. Spool the reel with braid and keep a finger on the line when jigging. That will MORE than make up for lack of rod sensitivity. HIH.

[ClownColor]

Most of my fishing is lindy or jigging eyes. The president is a great reel at a bargin price. You can find many great combos with a president. I opt for a more expensive rod for my style. $100 rods seem to be a great jump up from the $20-50 dollar ones with out breaking the bank. Fyi..i love the mag touch rods from cabelas.

[gunner55]

A fan of the Pflueger presidents too.Have ours on the cheaper model of St.Croix rods that Reeds was closing out.Mostly riggin & jiggin eyes for me too.

[Kyhl]

Interesting thread that finally tiggered me to learn a little about what makes a better rod. You know a better rod the first time you fish with it but I didn't know why or what attributes to look for.

Tackle Warehouse has a good desription of rod building techniques and what they do.

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/guides/rodselection.html

Many of the descriptions used here fit exactly to the differences that I noticed when I jumped up a level on a rod last year. As I move up the cheaper rods are moved to trolling rods.

[fish_eat_sleep]

If you buy an average store combo, lets say $40 reel/$40 rod then buy a nicer rod and reel, $120 reel?$120 rod of similar specs. Fish them side by side for the same period of time you'll have you're own answer. sensitivity or lack of, weight, guide ring quality, materials.. every reel turns nice out of the box these days. You just gotta fish a lot to really feel and care about the difference.

[delcecchi]

I guess I have a test case, I'll let you know. I have a couple deadbolts that I really like. They weren't that expensive. This year I picked up a Pflueger Supreme XT. Seems pretty nice but I will know more after the ice goes out.

[delmuts]

Del. Keep us posted on that reel. I have four of the Presidents that have been USED, and very happy with them. Always good to know when I recommend a reel to some one.

[JayDeHay]

So based on some of the answers I've received here, I've been looking at combo's on the market. I see that Gander Mountain has a baitcasting combo at a serious markdown. Normally $129.99, on sale for $59.99 after markdown and rebate. It doesn't have any ratings though, and I can't find much info on it online.

My question is thus: How do you guys feel about 'store brands'? Are there deals to be had?

[delcecchi]

Store brand reels are probably a little more gamble, but I have a bunch of cabelas and gander rods (most bought on sale) and they work fine. I really can't tell the difference to any significance.

For that price I would be all over it.

[ClownColor]

Not speaking for all products but often enough store brands sell cheaper cause they've altered the product some to lesser quality. Take cabelas mucks vs actual muckz...notice the thread on bottom?. Cabelas did this with their old ice Flasher's as well...they were marcum units with a little more plastic. A lot of times you can look at a reel and figure out the actual make/model. Sometimes the changes they make have no effect... Sometimes they do. You don't see any cabelas Flashers for sale anymore...

Like posted above, its a gamble. I loved the mag touch and those were a cabelas brand. I own a prodigy. At that time I thought it was made by pflueger but it may be someone else now.

[Scott O.]

For a $100 budget, there's plenty of good ways to get a great combo. Personally, I'd go with Shimano for the reel. Even a cheap Shimano for less than $50 is better than many higher reels. But I believe the rod is more important than the reel. I'd shoot for a $40 reel, like the Shimano Solstace. I've got a couple and love them. Great reels, smooth operation, low cost, and hard as nails. In regards to rods, I'm partial to Cabela's brand rods as they are good quality, low price, and, if anything happens, I can bring them back and get a replacement easily. Look at their Tourney Trail series. They're $70 so it'd be just over your $100 limit, but you could also go to a Shimano Sienna for $30 (which is also a good reel) to make up for the extra $10 on the rod. These are great rods for the price. High graphite content, fast tips, and love the quality. There's others out there, but this is my 2 cents.

[nofishfisherman]

If $100 is the target I would also look at Shimano reels. The Sedona goes for $50-60 if I remember right and then you can take the remaining money and put it into a rod that will fit your fishing style.

I've got a couple set ups similar to that and they've worked great for me for the last 10 years or so and they are still my go to rods with no reason to change.

[delcecchi]

If you buy combos from the sellers like bass pro or cabelas you can typically save at least 20 bucks or more compared to buying separately.

Sheels is now open in Rochester. Gotta get there.

[joe55398]

Jay,

The pflueger president is a great entry level reel very smooth out of the box. Personally I would prefer the Shimano Sahara. They are comparable in price but 5 years from now you will be much happier with the Sahara (I have friends that have presidents that are now breaking down while my Sahara is still going strong). The cabelas fish eagle II is a pretty solid rod that fits reasonably close to your budget. I worked at cabelas seasonally for a few years and the Sahara/Fish Eagle II combo was a best seller for people that were asking for what you are asking for.

When it comes to a bait casting reel I would STRONGLY suggest that you don't cheap out on the reel. If you are not experienced with casting reels and you start with a cheap one you will likely never use it.

Good Luck

Joe