Rod suggestions (on a budget)

[abkeenan]

1 hour ago, Smalliebigs said:

agreed!!!!.... I have a Duckett Ghost 7' spinning rod medium and I beat the piss out of that thing and It has taken all of it......I mean abuse.......so I went out and bought one of these http://duckettfishing.com/product.php?productid=16151&cat=248&page=1  the Duckett Magic Pro 7' medium spinning and it is frigging great!!!!.....well worth the $160........My two favorite rods right now are    Spinning: Duckett Magic Pro

                                                                          Baitcaster: Falcon Cara T7 Med/Heavy Finesse jig rod......oh baby!!!! with a Lews Tournament Pro Speed spool and I'm

                                                 http://www.falconrods.com/cara-t7.html

 

           You can go for the Magnesium but, you don't need it  http://www.lews.com/casting-tournamentpro.php

I also like the Duckett Ghost. The build on them isn't the best as guides are misaligned on a lot of them. The attention to detail just isn't there. But as far as comfort, actions/tapers and sensitivity I REALLY like them. Wish they put a little more effort into the quality control but I like the blank they use on them. I still think the Falcon BuCoo is the best bang for your buck @ that $100 price range and they are made in America. They have a better build on them too and the balance is just right. Can't really go wrong with either.

As far as the reels the best deal going right now is the Daiwa Tatula's at Sportsman Outfitters that you can pick up for $100 also and the Type R model for $125ish. I have the type R and you won't find a better reel at that price and they cast out of sight. I've never had a reel cast anywhere close it. That T-Wing system is a winner.

[DADAKOTA]

Rods and reels preferences are a lot like Chevy-Ford-Dodge-Toyota.  Everyone has their own preference.  The thing to remember is to buy quality rods and reels.  If you take care of them they will work forever.  With that said, quality does not necessarily mean high dollar.  Rods and reels don't find fish, but you will detect more bites and catch more fish with smotthly working sensitive equipment designed for the type of fishing you are going to do.  For rods I don't think you can find more bang for your buck than the Shimano Clarus rods.   They are very sensitive and have a lifetime guarantee.  I have both baitcasting and spinning rods including ultralights.  We have broken 4 or 5 of the ultralights.  Four were our fault and one was on the manufacturer.  The ones that were my fault they sent me a new rod for 50% of the retail price.  The one that was their fault was replaced at no charge.  My baitcasting rods are in use an average of 4-5 days per week from February through October.  I have yet to break one of them.  For reels I have a dozen of the old green Shimano Curados.  Paid $85 to $125 for them over the years.  I tear them down completely every 2 years, clean each part including bearings, replace any bearings that no longer spin freely, re-lube, and put them back together.  Still work like a charm.  Was cleaning up a cabinet yesterday and low and behold a brand new Curado in the box.  Never had line on it.  Spinning reels are quantum Pti ultralights and a couple Shimanos.  None are high dollar, they run smoothly, and the drags are nice and smooth.      

[Smalliebigs]

39 minutes ago, abkeenan said:

I also like the Duckett Ghost. The build on them isn't the best as guides are misaligned on a lot of them. The attention to detail just isn't there. But as far as comfort, actions/tapers and sensitivity I REALLY like them. Wish they put a little more effort into the quality control but I like the blank they use on them. I still think the Falcon BuCoo is the best bang for your buck @ that $100 price range and they are made in America. They have a better build on them too and the balance is just right. Can't really go wrong with either.

As far as the reels the best deal going right now is the Daiwa Tatula's at Sportsman Outfitters that you can pick up for $100 also and the Type R model for $125ish. I have the type R and you won't find a better reel at that price and they cast out of sight. I've never had a reel cast anywhere close it. That T-Wing system is a winner.

hahaha.....thanks I just picked up a Tatula type R 7.3:1 from Sportsmen outfitters for  $120 free shipping.....thanks for the heads up.....I have an extra Cara with it's name on it

[Champ188]

2 hours ago, DADAKOTA said:

 For rods I don't think you can find more bang for your buck than the Shimano Clarus rods.   They are very sensitive and have a lifetime guarantee.  I have both baitcasting and spinning rods including ultralights.  We have broken 4 or 5 of the ultralights.  Four were our fault and one was on the manufacturer.  The ones that were my fault they sent me a new rod for 50% of the retail price.  The one that was their fault was replaced at no charge.  

The warranty on Shimano rods has now changed to a one-year deal. They will honor the lifetime warranty on rods purchased prior to 2014 but only once and you must have a valid sales receipt.

http://fish.shimano.com/content/sac-fish/en/home/customer-service/warranty-info/_jcr_content/bodycontent/download_2/downloadFile/file.res/Shimano%20Rod%20Warranty.pdf

[abkeenan]

4 hours ago, DADAKOTA said:

Rods and reels preferences are a lot like Chevy-Ford-Dodge-Toyota.  Everyone has their own preference.  The thing to remember is to buy quality rods and reels.  If you take care of them they will work forever.  With that said, quality does not necessarily mean high dollar.  Rods and reels don't find fish, but you will detect more bites and catch more fish with smotthly working sensitive equipment designed for the type of fishing you are going to do.  For rods I don't think you can find more bang for your buck than the Shimano Clarus rods.   They are very sensitive and have a lifetime guarantee.  I have both baitcasting and spinning rods including ultralights.  We have broken 4 or 5 of the ultralights.  Four were our fault and one was on the manufacturer.  The ones that were my fault they sent me a new rod for 50% of the retail price.  The one that was their fault was replaced at no charge.  My baitcasting rods are in use an average of 4-5 days per week from February through October.  I have yet to break one of them.  For reels I have a dozen of the old green Shimano Curados.  Paid $85 to $125 for them over the years.  I tear them down completely every 2 years, clean each part including bearings, replace any bearings that no longer spin freely, re-lube, and put them back together.  Still work like a charm.  Was cleaning up a cabinet yesterday and low and behold a brand new Curado in the box.  Never had line on it.  Spinning reels are quantum Pti ultralights and a couple Shimanos.  None are high dollar, they run smoothly, and the drags are nice and smooth.      

I also have one Shimano Clarus and I will agree, one of the best bangs for your buck out there....at least when it was still a lifetime warranty replacement rod. Hate the Shimano did away with their rod warranty program. Can't imagine that hasn't done serious damage to the sales of their rods. Would love to see their revenue and sales numbers since the switch to 1 year limited warranty on all their rods. The Clarus is still a fantastic rod for the price. I have the 7' MH TC4 Crankbait model and it's a great all around rod for trebled baits. Loads just perfectly to launch 3/8oz-3/4oz baits. One of my favorite rods.

[abkeenan]

4 hours ago, Smalliebigs said:

hahaha.....thanks I just picked up a Tatula type R 7.3:1 from Sportsmen outfitters for  $120 free shipping.....thanks for the heads up.....I have an extra Cara with it's name on it

You will love it. Reminds me a lot of my Curado E7 which I adore. Solidly built reel, smooth and has incredible casting distance. Plus is looks it just looks cool.

Oh and the Mag Z cast control breaking system is super neat. There is a youtube of it online if you want to get technical that is nicely done by the guy who posted it. It's lengthy and nerdy but a good tutorial of how it works mechanically. It's basically magnetic and centrifugal combined into one. 

[Smalliebigs]

8 minutes ago, abkeenan said:

You will love it. Reminds me a lot of my Curado E7 which I adore. Solidly built reel, smooth and has incredible casting distance. Plus is looks it just looks cool.

This one has a Red spool....I'll  be honest  And no pressure with this but, I have never had a Diawa reel...you gave the goods and said it's great....I was sitting  at my office  and bang I have a Tat now. Honestly  I can't wait to get it and start chucking  some baits.....this Spring is starting out to be epic everywhere. ....tons of my fishing  friends are posting  crazy pics of bags of fish it's nuts....I can hardly contain  myself....oh that's right I'm  like this every  March

But seriously  doesn't  it seem that way??

And thank again for the tip on SportsmensOutfitters that was huge brother....they have some deals! !!!

[abkeenan]

2 minutes ago, Smalliebigs said:

This one has a Red spool....I'll  be honest  And no pressure with this but, I have never had a Diawa reel...you gave the goods and said it's great....I was sitting  at my office  and bang I have a Tat now. Honestly  I can't wait to get it and start chucking  some baits.....this Spring is starting out to be epic everywhere. ....tons of my fishing  friends are posting  crazy pics of bags of fish it's nuts....I can hardly contain  myself....oh that's right I'm  like this every  March

But seriously  doesn't  it seem that way??

It's a badazz reel. For the $120 at SO's it's a steal. I have Lew's.....I like the Tatty more. That's saying something. Durability is still up in the air as I haven't had it long like I have the Curado E7 green tank. But so far it's fantastic.

For the nerds (like me):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFRFAXeosnY

[Smalliebigs]

32 minutes ago, abkeenan said:

It's a badazz reel. For the $120 at SO's it's a steal. I have Lew's.....I like the Tatty more. That's saying something. Durability is still up in the air as I haven't had it long like I have the Curado E7 green tank. But so far it's fantastic.

For the nerds (like me):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFRFAXeosnY

hahaha.......I watched all 28:58..... it was a killer vid, the dude has a killer voice

[DADAKOTA]

2 hours ago, Champ188 said:

The warranty on Shimano rods has now changed to a one-year deal. They will honor the lifetime warranty on rods purchased prior to 2014 but only once and you must have a valid sales receipt.

http://fish.shimano.com/content/sac-fish/en/home/customer-service/warranty-info/_jcr_content/bodycontent/download_2/downloadFile/file.res/Shimano%20Rod%20Warranty.pdf

I was unaware they had changed the warranty program.  Receipts for the older ones?  In all my returns they never asked for a receipt.  I know I don't have them.  Guess I better read through this and see who had a good warranty program.  Thanks for the info.