What's your favorite rod/reel combo?

[ictalurus]

Sam--That is a nice rod. I'd love to know who made it.

John--I definitely fall on Kimbro's side of the argument of rods vs. reels. I need all the help I can get in terms of sensitivity. With that said, a pretty nice rod can be had for $100 or less. I'm reluctant to spend any more than that and wait for sales. Most of my rods were picked up for $60-80. I have to say that I wouldn't turn down a high end St. Croix, though.

As for reels, I tried a Stradic to see if it lasted longer than than the $30-50 reels I was using. It didn't. I think the Sahara is probably the best bang for the buck. I've done well buying used Saharas and Symetres on eBay for around $35, or so. Shimano upgraded one for me for $10 when I sent it in for servicing after buying it on eBay and abusing it for 2 years. Can't beat that. I use cheaper reels for my ultralight rods since they're mostly used in freshwater.

[ronaultmtd]

What's the difference between the Calcutta vs Curado? I feel as though I need to get the conventional reel because that's what I see people use but the Curado seems to do the same thing for me. I look at conventional/casting reels as jigging and live bait rods. I don't need a spinner on a Kayak because I don't need to worry about casting distance like I do on land.

Calcutta is a round reel much like the 6500C3 Abu's, only a bit more pricey- the Curado is a low profile reel like the Revos and in the same price range as the top end Revo's.

[tufnik]

Dave,
The Calcutta is rated as a saltwater reel. Curado is freshwater, but I use it on the Bay and wash it after every outing. Also, I've used spinners for over 40 years. I tried and started using conventionals and BCs last year for shore and yak fishing. I really like them. They are great for the yak. I rarely use spinners on the yak now.

My favorite because it was my first rod and reel. Over 40 years old. The rod is a 8 1/2 foot fiberglass surf rod, medium action. Guides have been upgraded for braid. Reel is a Mitchell 302 saltwater. I still use both, and they still catch fish. Both are relatively heavy, but there's something special about using this combo, even though they are not like today's rods/reels.

[J.A. Veil]

Sam--That is a nice rod. I'd love to know who made it.


As for reels, I tried a Stradic to see if it lasted longer than than the $30-50 reels I was using. It didn't. I think the Sahara is probably the best bang for the buck. I've done well buying used Saharas and Symetres on eBay for around $35, or so. Shimano upgraded one for me for $10 when I sent it in for servicing after buying it on eBay and abusing it for 2 years. Can't beat that. I use cheaper reels for my ultralight rods since they're mostly used in freshwater.

Bill -

I have had a different experience with Stradics than you have. I have about 10 Stradics (1000, 2000, 2500, 4000) of different vintages some of which go back nearly 20 years. I rinse my reels in fresh water after each use. I used most of them at one time or another throughout this year. It is by far my favorite reel.

If you are getting good service out of a less costly reel, then you are ahead of the game.

[DOGFISH]

Most catalogs carry the Curado as saltwater compatable. I have been using a 301E for a few years now.

I also rinse my rods and reels with fresh water after every use. It is the secret to long life for fishing gear.

I also have some Stradics that go back two or three generations of the Stradic model. The only problem, with one of the older models, was that it needed lube, on one occasion. Since then I service all my reels during the off season. The newer Stradics have been redesigned, as the inner workings are considerably different that the older models. The newer Stradics and the Sustain now have maintainence ports, to make lubrication easier. Even smoother is the Sustain. Anything beyond the price of a Sustain is beyond me. Especially, as Shimano reworks their reels every so often, with sometimes a heafty price increase for the newer version. However, with that said Shimano makes really nice reels.

Interesting, I have an old Mitchel 300 that goes back to my childhood. Of course, now I wonder how I fished with it.

[chex]

A LOT of variety! Good stuff.

Can anyone recommend a really good ultra-light spinning rod under $80?

[Grilled]

a little above $80, but check out the shimano compre series. they go for 100 but they are nice rods, sensitive and light.

[mytmouse]

A LOT of variety! Good stuff.

Can anyone recommend a really good ultra-light spinning rod under $80?

I got this one: http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shop...t/36946/133090

I didn't care for it too whippy for me, if you want it I'll sell it for $10. Much less than $10!

[Shady]

A LOT of variety! Good stuff.

Can anyone recommend a really good ultra-light spinning rod under $80?

St Croix Triumph 5' UL
At $70 can't beat it for the price an quality...

[ictalurus]

I like my Bass Pro Microlite rods, and they can be had on sale for ~$40.

http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shop...0204875/129078

I have the 2-pc 6'6" UL and the 4'6" UL. I wish I got the 6'6" as a 1-pc, but the shipping was cheaper for the 2-pc. I don't care for the Tennessee style handle on the 4'6" rod, but everything else about it is good.


Regarding my Stradic, I took exceptionally good care of it (rinsed it after every outing, lubed it every 5-6 outings, etc), which made it's lack of durability surprising. I figured the extra cash would be worth it in the long run because a lot of people had Stradics for over 10yrs. However, a couple other guys on Tidalfish had bad luck with the white Stradics, so I wasn't the only one. The Sahara now has the lube port, and that's a feature I really like in a spinning reel.

[chex]

Thanks for the suggestions... will be checking all of them out.

[Memory Maker]

There's a ton of fising flea markets that will be coming up in the next couple of weeks ........ about 1 per week for about 6 weeks ......... probably find a good 1 at these shows REALLY cheap .......... first 1 is usually the TriState ........ usually find some GREAT deals there

[toadfinger]

I've been fishing with the BPS Bionic Blade (medium or medium heavy) for years. Very tough rods, fast action and great for jigging. I've caught stripers up to 42" on them. Lots of backbone to them. They list for about 70 bucks but often go on sale a couple times a year for about 50. I've gone through all kinds of other rods over the last 10 years and these are by far the most durable. I pair them with Stradic 2500 spinning reels and use these outfits for most of my fishing.

Steve, Greenbelt

[chex]

Many of you use the BPS rods. I guess they're pretty good... good to know.

[HJS]

When striper fishing just about anywhere from my canoe or from a big boat I use pretty much the same outfit that Ictalurus uses: 6’6” MH BPS Extreme or Bionic Blade with a 2500 Shimano Symetre (rear drag). I’ll rig it with 10# flame green Fireline with 20# leader. If I’m using heavier than normal jigs or really big fish are around or distance is important or fish are in the pylons (or all apply) then I switch up to 7’ heavy rod with a 4000 Symetre with 14# Fireline with 20#-30# Fireline… good horsing power. (I always have 3 rods lying on the thwarts of my canoe: two 6’6”MH rigs and the heavier outfit.

For freshwater fishing or saltwater perch I’ll switch to a 6’ medium action BPS rod with 2000-2500 series Shimano reels but still stay with 10 Fireline with maybe a lighter leader, like maybe 14#. When fishing heavy weeds, like in lily pads for lmbass using weedless lures, then I’ll use the MH saltwater 6’6” setup… I need the power to extract bass from heavy weed growth.

You get what you pay for??? Over the decades I have encountered way too many exceptions to this rule to go with it without question… especially with fishing reels. Several years ago at a fishing flea market I found a guy selling new but outdated models of Shimano SideStabs 2500RD and Sedonas 2000RD for $20 each. I bought 3 Sidestabs and 1 Sedona. I consider both to be low/med prices Shimanos. I’ve been using 3 of them for 4 years now without incident or problem. For what I pay for a 2500 Symetre ($100) I could have bought 5 of these older model reels. BTW, I just love rear drag reels.

I definitely like Shimanos. Many, but not all, of the spools and handles of the same numbered series are interchangeable. At flea markets I’ve been buying up the Shimano paddle handles found on their Spirex reels and put them on other Shimano reels.

Only short-coming to Shimano is their inventory of parts. This summer the bail wire broke on my 10 year old Symetre 4000 rear drag at the 90 degree bend where it joins the line roller. I called Shimano and they no longer carry ANY parts for this reel. That really burnt my toast. Shimano suggested I call their regional service centers, some of which hold on to old part for decades. Called several to no avail then gave up. One service center guys said that Shimano only keeps parts on inventory for about 7 years max.