RedRob

Hey now I eat a Big mac about once a year.

The tatula sv is a good price point. Probably best bang for buck is around the $200 mark. Over that isn't just bells and whistles. But more quality. I don't think a $700 reel is truly $500 better than a $200 reel but side by side you can definitely tell a difference. I've thought about the tatula sv for myself as a return to baitcasting.

Yeah finding the ultimate setup for yourself can be a chore. I mainly use a Daiwa exist Lt2000 on a St. Croix Legend Xtreme 7ft light fast. 10lb power pro SS8 V2. With 8lb fluorocarbon leader. I use mostly light and ultra light just cause I love the fight.

Just reread OP. He has a total budget of $400. $200 each rig. St Coix eyecon. With the Fuego. Those sixgills look nice. Daiwa rods haven't impressed me. Last one that I liked was late 70's early 80's and it was glass. Bought 3 of the daiwa Tierra rods several years back and really turned me off their rods. I have an eyecon that my 11yr old daughter now uses. I still use it every once in a while. Great sensitivity decent weight. And around $110-130 puts it right at budget.

I can wear out a $40 cheap reel in half a season. Even taking it apart and cleaning greasing and oiling. Hence I haven't bought a reel under $200 in many years, and I still have them all. Rods I have a couple ugly sticks one catfish and one my 7yr old daughter uses with a shimano static CI4+. Eventually I have a St Croix avid x I will let her use but rods seem to mysteriously get the tips broke off around kids and some adults. That reel will probably leave the house with her.

That Daiwa fuego in a 2500 would be hard to beat in that price range $80 on amazon. Pair it with an ugly stick GX2 and you have a decent budget setup for $120.

Just some food for thought. Use your budget and buy the best reel that you can. Then save again for a nice rod. I would much rather put a $200 reel on a $40 ugly stick. The higher end reel will last forever. And the ugly stick becomes kids or grandkids best rod. And that $200-250 reel will sit nice with most rods. Once you get in the upper price range it kind of is a what feels good to you and balances out good. Buy once cry once. And that's a lie cause after you start buying the nicer rod and reels it seems to never stop.