Tizi

I have a Columbia I got from Amazon for $8.29. Highly recommended. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073JKR2NG/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I would get the Fuego on eBay from American Legacy. Excellent reel for the money.

Another vote for the Berkley Squarebull 5.5, in perch color.

I went through the same process after I decided to get back into the sport after a 20 year absense. My think was this: I plan to fish the rest of my life. I am willing to invest in better more sensitive equipment. I even upgraded some of my lures and terminal tackle. My plan was to get 2 casting set ups and a spinning to start (1 7’ MHF casting, 1 7’ MF casting and 1 MF spinning). I shopped for $130 price range rods and reels. Waiting for deals has helped a lot on price. For example I just picked up a Lew’s Tournament MB today for $78.19. That reel retails for $130.

I waited until today to decide, got a 15% off eBay code, ordered Lew’s Tournament MB from American Legacy for $78.19 shipped!!

Thanks for the eBay code. Got 15% off Lew’ Tournament MB from American Legacy. $78.19!

Thanks for the replies, I am going to go for the Fuego.

Due to kids, work, and life, I stopped fishing for about 20 years. Before the kids, work, and life I had accumulated a lot of gear. I picked the sport back up a few years ago. Good news I had everything I needed to get started, the bad news, technology updates made some of my rods/reels antiquated. I decided to give my kids my old stuff and get new stuff!! I have been slowing building up my arsenal. I have spent around $1,500, not including my new Jackson kayak. To your point, I have tried to do this thoughtfully without breaking the bank.

Down to Fuego or Lew's MB. The Fuego for $59 on eBay from American Legacy is pretty hard to pass up.

I have narrowed my search to these 3 reels from American Legacy: 1) Daiwa Fuego CT 7.3:1 2) Lew's LFS 7.5:1 3) Lew's Tournament MB 7.5:1 I will be using the reel on a Carbon Lite 2.0 6'6" MF casting. This will be a general purpose set up. Thanks!

Lew's Tournament MB is on sale at American Legacy for $99.99. the LFS is a good reel, however, the MB is better in my opinion.

I purchased one from TW to try out, it will be arriving today.

Berkley Bad Shad has worked well for me, in Perch.

6th Sense 75X

My favorite crankbaits -vintage Mann's (razorback, deep pig, bowfin, etc) Modern crankbaits - Berkley and 6th Sense Plastics - Mann's, Berkley, Zoom Spinnerbaits - War Eagle, Strike King Jigs - Siebert

It is all about priorities. I also own a 2nd home (on a lake). Because of that, I have a 14 foot aluminum V-hull boat with electric motor. I can fit 3 people in it comfortably. The boat cost me $400 used and the electric motor and battery another $250. At some point, I will get a 10 HP outboard for it and open up my range. Of course I paid cash for these items, but if I wanted a bass boat for example, I would figure out a way to get that done. What I haven't heard, and I know people do it, is take equity out of their homes to purchase expensive boats. Leverage.

I upgraded all of my 1970's and 1980's gear: Dobyn's Fury 704C Diawa Fuego CT 6.3:1 Carbonlite 2.0 JCT70MTF Daiwa Fuego CT 7.3:1 Carbonlite 2.0 JCT76HTXF Carbonlite 2.0 8.3:1 Carbonlite 2.0 JCT66MLS Daiwa RG AB 2500 Lew's Mach 1 Spinning Combo - medium Lew's Mach 1 Casting Combo - medium/heavy $600 in TW lures and terminal tackle A few tackle bags from Dicks A-Series Duffle A-Series 3600 NO MORE BAIT MONKEY!

Dick's has a bunch on sale including the A Series. I got the duffle for $35. https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/f/tackle-boxes-fishing-storage#bazaarRating:&facet:ads_f104001_ntk_cs%3A"Sale"&productBeginIndex:0&orderBy:5&pageView:grid&minPrice:&maxPrice:&pageSize:&facetCategoryId:&fPrevCatId

I would do a test soaking in warm water with Oxiclean.

I have the Fury 704C and really like the balance and sensitivity of it. I have it paired with a Lew's MB baitcaster. It is my main t-rig/jig rod.

I have 3 of these and absolutely enjoy using them. I have a 7'6" H (for flipping and frogging), a 7' MF for cranks and a 7' ML spinning for finesse techniques.

I move my stuff inside during the winter. My wife calls it a man-cave, I call it my sports room. I use about 3 months of winter to organize and clean before the next fishing season begins.

Might be worth looking at Jackson's Cruise line of kayaks. Reasonably priced and good stability.

a crate a flag a stake-out pole an anchor with trolley a cooler a dry bag or two a set of leashes to tie down rods and gear in case you dump it

My buddy just caught 2, 4 pounders on a 10 inch glide bait out of Long Lake in Lacey yesterday. Might check south of Seattle for less pressure: Lake Tapps for small mouth, Long Lake, American Lake, and several others in the area. I live in the south sound and frequent a lot of smaller lakes that get very little fishing pressure...Steel Lake for example.