lakeman

Thank you for the input, tonight I purchased the Daiwa Tierra reel and the Techna AV Spinning rod 7' medium / fast. The advice is greatly appreciated.

My teenager is really beginning to enjoy fishing and it is time to get him new tackle. We do most of our fishing on a lake in Western New York and fish for bass, walleye, crappie. (Muskies are a remote possibility.) We typically use crankbaits, jerkbaits, and worms. After spending hours going through numerous websites, I think I have narrowed my choice for a new rod and reel to the following: Daiwa Tierra 2500 Spinning reel Daiwa Tierra TD-TR 701MLFS Spinning rod 7' medium/light fast OR Fenwick Techna AV Spinning rod 7' medium/light fast OR Fenwick HMG Spinning rod GS66ml 6'6" medium/light I want really a good quality combination that can be used now (without frustrations of a lot of birdsnests, etc.) as well as something that won't be outgrown in a short period of time. I had been thinking about Shimano Stradic 2500 reel -- which seems comparable and some people love one or the other, the most frequent complaint being birdsnests. So, I'll stay with the Daiwa. The Daiwa Sol line seems to be overkill at this time. So, I think I am focused on the right rod to go with the Tierra. I can see the merits of combining the rod / reel as the manufacturer paired them, but Fenwick seems to have a great reputation (as does St. Croix Avid series, except it is more expensive). Any advice is welcomed and appreciated.