Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk AL Fishing Talk Rod and Reel poll

Son is looking for a new set up.

I haven’t bought one in a while

Just Looking for just general fishing, as we mostly pond fish.

bait caster and spinning reels and rods, not looking for high end gear

What is your suggestion and what are you using or would you be fishing with

TIA

I am a big proponent of inexpensive gear. I don't fish tournaments but I fish weekly, often multiple times/week. I also use my bass stuff in saltwater several times/year. You can get "perfectly fine" combo's for $100 or less (often quite a bit less) at Academy and Wally World all day long. I have a couple of Lew's spinning combo's I use weekly, including the occasional saltwater (inshore) trip and they've been great.

For inexpensive baitcasters, I like the H2O (Academy store brand) stuff. I've also got one that is a lower-end Abu Garcia reel I picked up for $50ish and put it on an All Star Rod I got on sale for maybe $25-30. Caught a lot of fish on that combo too.

I have no illusions that these are "just as good" as $200-400 combos...I know they're not. But I see no reason to spend big $$$ on gear as a "weekend warrior" type fisherman when the inexpensive stuff is more-than-sufficient for what I need

Same here! For what we do the cheap ones work fine

Same here also. Although I do have a few G-loomis, Calcutta, and Penn rigs, I didn't give G-loomis, Calcutta or Penn prices for them. They were more like Shakespeare and H20 prices found on clearance or yard sales and such. My favorite little crappie rod is a Shakespeare combo that cost me something like $24. at the Walmarks.

A little more expensive but…Shimano SLX A for around $115. You can find them for around $100 at times. Great brakes and adjustment for a kid and great quality. I’ve taught both my boys on these and personally would rather throw one than the shimano curado that is much more expensive.

Growing up when i was getting into fishing - one answer always rang out from big timers and old timers - ambasador 5500c

I fished with one of those for many years. Mounted on an Ugly Stick. Great setup!

I thought it was the 5000C

i’ve tried a bunch of budget gear & highly recommend Daiwa & Shimano budget stuff

for spinning, the Daiwa Crossfire or Laguna reel is great - i really like the Shimano rods, in particular the Convergence & Sensilite poles

these combinations will run around $100 & cover a ton of ground & last multiple seasons

5000 good worm reel but 5500 was a revelation per crank faster

I been catching flounder in the all trax rod I believe it is with a 50 dollar 2500 nexaive Shimano.
Catches red. Specks. Flounders no issue. Bout 120 for both.

I like penn and daiwwa spinning reels and shimano bait casters. I too threw an ambassador growing up, but I’d always go with saltwater stuff though for those trips to the beach and better internal parts.

Edited to say…. I believe it’s “ford, Chevy, dodge, Toyota”. Whatever somebody has is what they’re gonna recommend. May get a lemon on low end stuff with any of them, but most are created equal until you get into higher end stuff.

Ck the internet on info about the old 5500 series reels, they are worth more than you would think to collectors. YouTube is your friend.

Spinning rods are normally easier to fish in ponds, 8-10lb set up will be plenty for 90% of the time.

I know I’ll get laughed at, but about three years ago I got back into fishing. I grew up bass, bream, and catfishing and have a small fortune in bait casters. When I started going again I focused on crappie as I never targeted them in the past. I had a couple nice spinning reals, but the reel I favored most was an older Zebco delta spin caster. I ended up buying another delta as well as an omega. They worked great for what I do, plus, kids can easily use them. If mainly pond fishing, I’d give the delta or omega reels a look.

Shimano SLX and Academy H2O baitcast reels are excellent suggestions, and the H2O combo rod-reel is a fine pond setup.

I tend to lean toward at least mid-range pricing. High-high stuff isn't necessary, and cheap stuff is just that - cheap.

Lew's Speed Spin CRX and Okuma Safyre are good spinning reels.

If you're near Tuscaloosa, the fast n easy had dobyns combos for $99 last time I was in there. I bought one just to see and for $100 it does the iob.

Head up to sheltons. Most of the time, you can get a decent knock off rod for $20 and he has reels to suit any need or budget. I got 3 all star knock offs for $$60 back in the spring and 13fishing(?) spinning reel for not much at all. They're all doing everything i ask.

Bass Pro Shop Formula baitcasters are really good for the money. Around $70-$80.

Im sold on shimano reels as far as rods for panfish I like the acc or st croix. Lots of good gear on marketplace

Like a nice Spinning Reel these days. Penn used to be my favorite, but now I just mostly drown crickets.