Normally im the type to go to walmart or catch a cheep bc on sale for about $60 or so even the cheaper combos. One of my fishing buddies said I need to invest into a little more higher quality equipment instead of buying cheap reels and rods I thought about it and I decided to run with it. Basically im asking what is a good rod and line to run with the Lews Tournament Speed Spool 7:1 (or the tournament mg whichever is best  )I plan on getting in the next week or so. Ive read quite a bit of reviews and want to see if it lives up to its reputation as a great quality reel for the price. What line is good for these applications also..and it will be used for senkos and flukes but primarily the ability to use a jig more often then not flipping into light to medium vegetation and brush piles. Im not trying to spend a grip on the rod but im looking for quality at good price. I gave up a deal on a crucial for $75 from this same buddy, why idk . But ~120 is whats in my budget. If there is a good rod for a little less any advice would be greatly appreciated !

Fluorocarbon is a good line choice. As for rod there are plenty in that range. Fish ranger has Powell's on sale for $109. Normally 169. *** black is around $100-120. The speed spool is ok and so is the mg. Personally I'd step up to the tournament speed spool. Better then both you mentioned. That with either of those 2 rods would be a great combo.

My Lews is a Tournament Pro so I can't offer any advice from personal experience on those 2 reels.  I can say that some posters on here suggest the dual control rather than the magnetic only control MG.  Majority of my reels are mag only, but they are almost all Daiwas...so again no help.   No idea how the Lews mag brake compares to the Daiwa.   Mag only no longer causes me trouble unless I try to go too light.  Then a centrifugal brake reel is a big help to me.

 

*** Black rods are hot right now.  Picked up a 7'3" MF a month ago, and although I just got back from a 2 week trip where I fished most days, the rods used were ones I keep in Florida.  So that *** still hasn't been used.  I have a couple of the Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth rods.  The Medium XF has set, but the 6'10" MF got used every time I went out last year after receiving it.  I like it a lot.  You will need to find one on sale to get below the $120 mark.  Not much gets knocked off the $129 MSRP anymore now that word is getting out about how good they are for the money.

 

Powell rods have an excellent reputation, but I've never used one.  The Falcon Original is within your price range.   I have a couple.  Decent rods for the money, but would rather have another Smallmouth rod. 

 

Too bad you passed on that Crucial.  You could haunt the 'For Sale' forums.  Your $120 would buy a better jig rod.

 

Bronzeback says his jig fishing has improved since switching to braid.  Many swear by Fluorocarbon.  Currently I only have fluorocarbon on one rod, and it is 10# on a crankbait rod.  I seldom fish jigs, but when I do it is with braid.  However, I plan on adding fluoro to another rod this year.  I don't like what I read about fluoro's lack of knot strength.  12# mono is my standard on MH rods, but think I will step up to 15-17# fluoro for use with jigs.....a lure I need to use more often.

 

Good luck with your search.  Be sure to let us know what you decide on.  Always interesting to hear what others are using.

My Lews is a Tournament Pro so I can't offer any advice from personal experience on those 2 reels.  I can say that some posters on here suggest the dual control rather than the magnetic only control MG.  Majority of my reels are mag only, but they are almost all Daiwas...so again no help.   No idea how the Lews mag brake compares to the Daiwa.   Mag only no longer causes me trouble unless I try to go too light.  Then a centrifugal brake reel is a big help to me.

 

*** Black rods are hot right now.  Picked up a 7'3" MF a month ago, and although I just got back from a 2 week trip where I fished most days, the rods used were ones I keep in Florida.  So that *** still hasn't been used.  I have a couple of the Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth rods.  The Medium XF has set, but the 6'10" MF got used every time I went out last year after receiving it.  I like it a lot.  You will need to find one on sale to get below the $120 mark.  Not much gets knocked off the $129 MSRP anymore now that word is getting out about how good they are for the money.

 

Powell rods have an excellent reputation, but I've never used one.  The Falcon Original is within your price range.   I have a couple.  Decent rods for the money, but would rather have another Smallmouth rod. 

 

Too bad you passed on that Crucial.  You could haunt the 'For Sale' forums.  Your $120 would buy a better jig rod.

 

Bronzeback says his jig fishing has improved since switching to braid.  Many swear by Fluorocarbon.  Currently I only have fluorocarbon on one rod, and it is 10# on a crankbait rod.  I seldom fish jigs, but when I do it is with braid.  However, I plan on adding fluoro to another rod this year.  I don't like what I read about fluoro's lack of knot strength.  12# mono is my standard on MH rods, but think I will step up to 15-17# fluoro for use with jigs.....a lure I need to use more often.

 

Good luck with your search.  Be sure to let us know what you decide on.  Always interesting to hear what others are using.

 

 

Fluorocarbon is a good line choice. As for rod there are plenty in that range. Fish ranger has Powell's on sale for $109. Normally 169. *** black is around $100-120. The speed spool is ok and so is the mg. Personally I'd step up to the tournament speed spool. Better then both you mentioned. That with either of those 2 rods would be a great combo.

As far as rod specs im guessing MHFabout 6'8-7'3 ??  Or is that mixed with personal preference as well as compatibility

To improve your fishing success, spend as much as possible on your rod and just a little more on a reel. $120 +/- will get a Citica, Revo S, PQ, Lews, Pflueger... All good quality reels that are user friendly but not quickly outgrown as your casting ability grows. $150 will get a St Croix Rage or an Avid on sale or second hand. The high modulus and thus lighter weight of these will take your presentation and strike detection to a new level.

Which is better in your opinion..

>Revo SX Gen 3

>Tournament Speed Spool

I guess all around..casting ability, tuning difficulty etc..

 

To improve your fishing success, spend as much as possible on your rod and just a little more on a reel. $120 +/- will get a Citica, Revo S, PQ, Lews, Pflueger... All good quality reels that are user friendly but not quickly outgrown as your casting ability grows. $150 will get a St Croix Rage or an Avid on sale or second hand. The high modulus and thus lighter weight of these will take your presentation and strike detection to a new level.

 

These are my top two choices I have narrowed down too.

I got my Tournament Pro in mint condition for $125 off a member here who was upgrading to a more expensive reel of a different brand.  The TP is a very nice reel.  Feel certain you would love it if you could find one in your price range

 

M or MH depends on lure range you will be using and cover.  Fast or Extra Fast would work the best.  I feel a Fast is a more versatile rod.  I'll throw anything except the kitchen sink with my Fast rods.  Extra Fast would probably make a better technique specific jig rod.  Some prefer Extra Fast for topwater baits.   Rod length is personal.  I've come to prefer 7' and above.  Should be able to pick up more slack with a longer rod.

 

However, as I said in my other post, I was impressed by the 6'10" Fenwick Smallmouth rod.  I may prefer 7' or longer rods, but it isn't until I get below 6'6" that I feel a rod is getting too short.  Now should I get a sniper rod for throwing spinnerbaits, I will probably get the 6'3" Fenwick Smallmouth rod....or get Mike of DVT to build me one. 

 

As a general rule, I like a MH for a lot of my fishing.  Normally I am in some kind of weed cover, and feel more comfortable with a MH.  I don't hesitate to use a Medium in fairly open water....depending on weight of lure, of course.