I don't have a boat so when I go fishing it is generally from the shore. I want a single spinning setup that I can do it all with. I will spool it with power pro and use leaders depending on the bait.

My budget is $180 for the rod and reel.

For one set up you need to have rod that can handle heavy cover as well as open water fishing, this is not what I would call a technique specific set up. I would use a 7' rod 8/17 line weight ( in fact that is what I use), some companies call it med and others label mh. A 2000 size reel, some companies label it 2500, with 15-20# braided line or no more than 8# mono, I'd personally go with the braid and I would use a 15-20# leader, you will lose less lures than if using a lighter leader, learn to tie a loopknot to attach the lure. An outfit like that can easily be bought for $180. One combo keep it simple and use it as a starting point, in time you may decide on different lines and leaders. I don't recommend specific brands, it's really getting hard to buy bad equipment in your price range, most of it is more than adequate.

Went to Walmart and they had a Pflueger President 6935 combo for $80. So I picked up this combo and put 20lb power pro on it. Do you think this will be a good setup do all general purpose fishing?

I bought some 12lb fluorocarbon line to use for leader and secured it to the braid using a double uni knot.

Hmm...

You already bought the gear, so why ask again?

At any rate, no, I'm not jazzed about your choice.

I would have started with a Symetre and #6 Yo-Zuri Hybrid.

There are a number of rods that match up well within your

price range, but whatever you bought from Walmart is not

one of them.

What RW said, a Symetre will take a beatin and keep tickin very smooth with a descent drag, It would have matched up good with a 6'6" or 7" St. Croix Premier. Between you 180 budget and 2 bills, but twice what the wally world setup is.

That would put him over budget, the premiers are $110 but well worth it. I have a 6'6" Premier/Symetre 2500fj as my spinning setup and the rod is a prefect blend of strong backbone and soft enough tip for a multipurpose.

Well, I don't often pay MSRP. Gently used stuff from our Flea Market should come in well under budget.

where I shop new, Symetre $65.00 street price, $110.00 Premier = $175.00 am I missing some thing. Even if it was $200.00 Like I said it would be more than TWICE the outfit, and in a couple years could be sold to upgrade and recoupe 75% of his investment. with the outfit he got I would sell on an auction while new and go with this route.

Hmm...

You already bought the gear, so why ask again?

At any rate, no, I'm not jazzed about your choice.

I would have started with a Symetre and #6 Yo-Zuri Hybrid.

There are a number of rods that match up well within your

price range, but whatever you bought from Walmart is not

one of them.

I'm glad you shot me straight. I took the rod and reel back today. I found a store around here that sells Shimano reels so I got to put hands on them. After playing with the Shimano reels I am glad I did the return. Do you all think it would be better to pay a little more and get the Saros F or should I stick with the Symetre?

the above choices are great and better than mine, but my multi purppose spinning is a 7 MH veritas with a pfleugar president, but i have a cranking premier rod and it is the beesknees

I'm glad you shot me straight. I took the rod and reel back today. I found a store around here that sells Shimano reels so I got to put hands on them. After playing with the Shimano reels I am glad I did the return. Do you all think it would be better to pay a little more and get the Saros F or should I stick with the Symetre?

Depends on the price, if it's new retail is $129. For that price you should be able to find a leftover Stradic FI for $120

Depends on the price, if it's new retail is $129. For that price you should be able to find a leftover Stradic FI for $120

Can you point me to a website that has this deal?

Not RW but I think if you got the money the saros is a step up, an FI Stradic in sheeps clothing, I have both and would rather have a saros any day. But know your getting close the price of the New Stradic FJ, and I also have one of them. They are in my opinion as nice as my Sustain FE. Cost is the key, you get what pay for, you have to decide where to stop. If you can't afford $135.00 to $140.00 on the new FJ Stradic, iI'd have trouble buying a reel thats 20 billscheaper than the Stradic FJ. The Symetre at $75.00 makes the Saros about a $40.00 jump I'd spend another $20 and get the FJ Stradic.

Unless one is fishing hard nearly everyday, imo one doesn't need to spend more than $100 on a spinning reel to be used for bass fishing, I'd be focusing more on the rod. I'm not arguing whether Shimano is good or bad, but this is a very pro Shimano forum, which is not the case everywhere. I own more than 20 spinning reels, 4 of them Shimanos, in each price range I have reels that perform on a par with their Shimano counterpart, there is no measurable difference in both performance and durabilty. I do like my Shimanos, but each one has been sent in for service, my Pfluegers, which are the only ones I use in freshwater, have had nothing but a drop of oil every now and then after years of service.

Keep an eye on the Flea Market, great deals pop up all the time.

Presidents are very nice reels no need to go higher in price use the money towards a nicer rod. I wouldnt pay $120 for a Stradic FI (I paid $130 and feel I overpaid) Stradic FI its not close to being twice as good as a President.wont cast farther, line management isnt any better, President is lighter and the new ones have the braid ready spool.

Blow your budget on a $120 reel you going to only get a $60 rod. I think there is a much bigger difference in performance between a $60 rod to $120 rod than there is between a $60 reel and $120 reel.

FYI

BPS has the Carbonlite spinning rod for $80--http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Johnny-Morris-CarbonLite-Series-Spinning-Rods/product/10205013/108517