Help me pick a rod/reel combo for 150.00

[nralover]

I am looking to pick up a quality spinning reel and rod with a budget of around 150.00. My main targets will be crappie and bluegill, but I would like it to have enough backbone to handle something somewhat larger should the need arise. Two reels that friends have suggested are the Shimano Symetre, and the Daiwa Theory. I am open to any suggestions, comments, etc. Thanks in advance, NRA

[Barnacle Bill]

The Symetre is an excellent reel. As for a rod, when I am looking for a new one I go somewhere that has a large selection and start picking them up. I usually can tell immediately if I'm going to like it or not just from the feel. Everyone has their own touch as to what "feels" right to them.

[CrappieHound]

I would get a GLoomis rods for sure. There are several nice reels out there for 40-50 bucks. I think my abu garcia was around forty from Wally world. Six ball bearing and smooth. Get a GLOOMIS rod. Once you get one...you won't fish anything else. PM me if you can't find a good price and I can put you in touch with the right people for the right price. Never met a man that "touched" a GLomis and didn't like it. They're so nice a dream about them!

[deathb4disco]

The Symetre is a great reel. I have two that are over 10 years old -- still work great. They will run you about $80 which only leaves $70 for the rod. I like Loomis, too, but the GL2's start at around $110.

Other good options:

Quantum Xtralite
Shimano Clarus
Falcon FES
St. Croix Premier

Bass Pro and Cabelas' house brands are nice, too. They both have a couple of models that fit your price range.

[GRIZZ]

I agree the symetre is an excellent reel. You may want to look at the cabelas ZX. Its made by diawa and is an excellent reel for the price

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...333&hasJS=true

Or the Cabelas prodigy which is on sale right now also made by diawa. http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...333&hasJS=true

Or the Quantum Kinetic which has a couple feature that are unique that I really like. A magnetic bait trip that is the smoothest I've ever used and a titanium bail that can't be bent out of shape. http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...333&hasJS=true

For the rod I highly recommend St.Croix premier spinning rods in light or medium light power in 7 foot lengths. I've been using them for years and they are super sensitive and durable. They are also made in the USA.

I use a similar combo for almost everything I catch. Everything from panfish to salmon, steelhead, walleyes, bass, and muskies up to 50 inches, and all on 6 lb test line. I also have a lighter rig with a similar reel and a lighter rod for 4 lb test line for strictly crappies. It sure is fun to catch the bigger ones on it though. Take a look at BnM bucks ultimate for a lighter rod or a light or ultra light StCroix premier, and a 1000 size reel.

[Charger]

I have several Shimano Sedona's. Very smooth and you can pick one up for $49.95. That will leave you $110 for that GLoomis rod. Would be a great combo.
But like what others have said, go look and pick them up and see how they feel to you.

[ky-slabseeker]

You should look at BPS Extreme combo...with a 1000 Shimano stradic..I think they have them on sale for 139.00 right now. They are sweeet

[nralover]

Thanks for the advice- should I go no larger than the 1500 series reels?

[naildriver]

hey i caught a 5 pound cat on a 10 year old shimano spirex 1000 today. they have a great smoth easily adjustable drag. 4 pound line btw. i think shimano is the wtg for reels. i dont think rods are as big a deal as reels, but i like im6, and hm graphite for most situations, and glass combo's for others. good luck--they will all catch fish

[GRIZZ]

Thanks for the advice- should I go no larger than the 1500 series reels?

It depends on what kind of fishing your going to be doing but an all around size for the systems I mentioned would be 2500 size for the 7 foot ML rods and a 1000 for the ultralites.

There is one exception and I currently fit into that category. I fish in a couple places where casting distance makes a difference. Larger spools cast further, so currently on my 7 ft St.Croix I'm using a 4000 quantum kinetic. The rig is not unbalanced at all and it will cast further with less line twist. If a few extra yards on casts isn't a big deal to you I suggest you stick to the 2500's.

For ultralites I prefer 1000's as opposed to the tiny ultralite reels. I've never seen any of those tiny ones that impressed my with quality