Bass pro fly rod combo

[retired chem teacher]

Got a gift certificate to bass pro for Christmas.  Would like to get back into fly fishing again.  My grandson got the bug so I gave him all of my old gear including rods reels, and flies.  Want to get a rod-reel combo but don't want to break the bank.  100-200 dollar range.    I pan fish mostly and occasionally trout fish on Taney.  Any ideas or recommendations on what you know about their combos?  What weight setup?  What not to buy?

[Al Agnew]

For $200, you can get a better rod and reel than the BPS combos.  Or actually a better rod.  The reel isn't all that important in Missouri fly fishing, basically all you need is a reel that will hold the line and has some sort of a drag, doesn't have to be great.  You can find reels for $40 that will do the job.  Then spend about $120 on the rod (Redington and Temple Fork Outfitters have some decent rods in that range.)  And the rest of your $200 on the line.

Sure, you can catch fish on a $100 combo.  But you'll cast better and easier and it will feel better if you go closer to $200.  I've owned both BPS and Cabelas fly rods, and in my experience the Cabelas ones were better for the same price, so if you go the combo route I'd try a Cabelas combo rather than a BPS one.

[tjm]

I'd spend the BPS cards on clothing which is what BPS does best  and buy the rod and reel on eBay or Amazon. Or your local Independent Fly Pro Shop.

The Redington Classic Trout in 8'6" #4 is listed on Amazon at $119 and at BPS at $170. Classic Trout always gets good reviews and is often suggested as a starter rod that you can use for many years. A similar TFO rod Pro2 on Amazon  is $133.22 and on BPS at $189.99. You might not want that size but the price difference is common. I'd probably pick a 8'6" or 9' in #5  for the kind fishing you describe.

Reel might be a Maxcatch or Piscifun <$50 buy a line size or two larger than the line to be used.

Line to me is the most important part of all this and I'd stay traditional tapers in standard weights and spend about $70-$80.

But having expressed those thoughts, the only new fly stuff I've bought in years is fly line and tippet material, so the repute of these rods is hearsay. I have casts my son's BPS rods and if I was looking they'd be last on my list. I've some great reviews of the Maxcatch fly  rods in the $50 range too recently.

[ColdWaterFshr]

Use the Bass Pro gift care to buy a good quality fly line ($80) and some fluoro tippet ($15).  Then pend another $100 on this rod and reel combo, which admittedly, is from China.  I bought the 4 weight combo and its as good as my much more expensive rigs;

https://www.maxcatchfishing.com/fly-rods/548-3-10wt-rod-amp-reel-combo-fast-action-im10-fly-fishing-rod.html

[Ham]

You did ask specifically about BPS. I like the suggestion to get a Good line, leaders, tippet, and gear at Bass Pro AND then get the reel and rod off Amazon or local. 
I have a Max Catch reel in the 4 weight size. Works great, but the first one was flawed. Try it as soon as you can to max sure the drag works etc.

Phil Lilly had a Great deal on a fly rod at his shop. I bought that same rod in the 6 weight and really like it. I thought I got a Great deal getting it for $85 (and I did really), but Phil had some for $60. I’m not sure if that’s a thing anymore. Call his shop. I’m pretty sure it’s the Rudder Stream Explorer Series. Perfect travel rod. If it gets lost or stolen, you’re not out a ton. I might get a 5 weight. 

[fishinwrench]

6 hours ago, ColdWaterFshr said:

Use the Bass Pro gift care to buy a good quality fly line ($80) and some fluoro tippet ($15).  Then pend another $100 on this rod and reel combo, which admittedly, is from China.  I bought the 4 weight combo and its as good as my much more expensive rigs;

https://www.maxcatchfishing.com/fly-rods/548-3-10wt-rod-amp-reel-combo-fast-action-im10-fly-fishing-rod.html

A buddy of mine snatched one of those off Amazon, and it feels (and casts) nice to me, even with the crappy line he has.  

I'm a huge fan of Piscifun's rod/reels, if you're on a budget.  But like several others have pointed out.....Get the best line you can afford.  Rio Mainstream series lines are affordable and have the same weight & taper as the more expensive Rio Grand.  

I believe the days of having to pay big bucks to get a good quality rod blank are over.  I've seen numerous bargain priced rods (and reels) over the last couple years that I can't find a single thing wrong with.     Even the cork, reel seat, and guides are good.

[budman]

Lilley's has a Rudder starter  rod 9 ' 5 Weight for $45 and a 9 River Cast 4 or 5 weight for $60. I agree about getting good fly line and I buy basspro fluorocarbon Excel fishing line to tippet, 4 & 6 pound test, and it has worked fine. They are about the same as 5X and 4X tippet, but you get 200 yard for $9.99 instead of 30 yards for $5.49. Had enough to load up the spinning reel and have plenty left for tippet. On the reel I can't tell much difference between the cheap BS White River and my Ross Evolution. 

[tjm]

Buying the good line at BPS is an idea, but the BPS near me never has any lines in stock that I would chose.   Occasionally they have tippet.

[Ham]

11 hours ago, tjm said:

Buying the good line at BPS is an idea, but the BPS near me never has any lines in stock that I would chose.   Occasionally they have tippet.

I’ve been very disappointed on multiple outings to Bass Pro to find a bare spot on the shelf for the item I wanted. And this was before Covid made that more common! I actually shop as Bass Pro a lot less because of it. But, you can order on line and have them ship free to store. I’m not sure what their free shipping minimum purchase is. 

[tjm]

If I have to order on line I want it delivered to my porch. I can drive to two fly pro shops as easy as driving to a BPS. I do buy socks and rain wear at BPS.