Eagle Rock - 3/5, 3/6

[Unimog]

If you really want to research rods, reels etc head over to tackletour.com. The reviews by their staff as well as the forums will give you hours of reading. I'd try not to go super cheap on a reel, you pretty well get what you pay for. 

[rps]

Great beginner thread here. My fellow OAF members are making us all proud.

[Champ188]

3 hours ago, Unimog said:

I'd try not to go super cheap on a reel, you pretty well get what you pay for. 

We are all limited by budgets of varying degrees, but this ^^^ is so true ... spend all you can afford and you won't be sorry. The performance gap is pretty wide between cheap, better and best when it comes to reels.

[mixermarkb]

What Champ said, except that I'd argue that once you get past a $150-$175 price range, performance stabilizes for the most part, and what you are paying for after that is mostly weight savings. 

[abkeenan]

1 hour ago, mixermarkb said:

What Champ said, except that I'd argue that once you get past a $150-$175 price range, performance stabilizes for the most part, and what you are paying for after that is mostly weight savings. 

Can't believe I am agreeing 100% on Foreign Reel Policy with a democrat.

[mixermarkb]

We can all find common ground in the middle... Or in Springfield at the Lew's store...

[Quillback]

American Legacy had Daiwa Tatulas on sale for $89 plus shipping a few weeks ago, I just had to pick one up.  I have fished it a couple of times so far, and for that price point it is a great reel.  Casts well, smooth, and feels well put together.  Negatives from the reviews are that it is a bit heavy and the frame is a bit large for some.  I don't have a problem with the size myself, but some do.  it also has the T-wing line control system, which is a bit different, but helps in increasing casting distance - mine does really cast well.

[Unimog]

I didn't think the tatula was bad either, the rod was pretty good too. I think I tried a 7'1" mh.  So many choices out there it's a lot to figure out. Anyone remember when Rick clunn was professing using one model rod and reel for everything?  What's the fun in that?

[Fish24/7]

Quillback I agree.  Have the HD and the R on the Ballistic rods for pitchin and flippin . The first few guides on the rods are positioned at the same height  as the T wing on the reel eliminating any downward angles which I really like.