I know next to nothing about fishing but my new boyfriend lives for it, so I hurt bought him a St. croix Avid 6'6 medH trigger rod for his bday. Seems like a good rod and very versatile. I'm looking now for a reel to couple with the gift. Any suggestions? He's into walleye and Muskie fishing lately!

How much are you looking to spend? There's a lot of options anywhere from $30-$40, all the way up to more than a house payment.

Shimano curado I 6.3:1 gear ratio.

That's a nice gift! Also as a straight forward of a question as it is? Not a real easy answer.... Is he brand loyal? Check his other reels... All shimano or diawa ? Or..? Also big diff... Between musky and walleye.... Also $ has to factor into it..

So I would give Ron at valley sports a call.. He is a sponsor on bassresource ... Super nice guy you can get all the phone and store/ link info on the home page ... Sorry I am using a smartphone and don't have it readily avail.

Awesome gift! Like Tywithay asked, how much are you looking to spend? That will help narrow down the choices people throw out. Otherwise you will get everything from $50 reels to $400 reels.

I'm thinking about $200

I think if I spend $200 on the reel and $200 on the pole, it should be a pretty d**n decent present, right? I don't think he's brand loyal, though to be honest I haven't been dating him that long so I haven't really seen his gear as all he's done this year is ice fish and I was trekking in Nepal during that time.

Daiwa tatula type r and lew's bb1 pro to add to the list. The choice is yours. Can't go wrong with any of them. I disagree. A 400 dollar setup is an awesome setup! Lucky guy. I hope he knows that you're a keeper!

Lews tournament pro. Easy to use, perform excellent, and you can find them much cheaper than retail.

Thanks guys, I appreciate the expertise. I'll let you know what I end up with and if he likes it!

Also what kind of reel? Bait casting? Spinning? Line counter?

Baitcaster!

Go Shimano!!

Good luck!!

Baitcasting reel. That would work best for the trigger rod.

I had the same rod a few years ago.  I had a curado 200E7 on it. 

 

You have a lot of good options at $200.  I like Shimano reels, so I'd try to find a new curado 200I.

Get him a new Curado I. If he doesn't like it leave him. He must be nuts

Only been dating a short time and buying him St Croix and Shimano?  Man are you a keeper.

First off, you must be one heck of a girl to be buying your bf fishing gear! Major props on that and that is a very good gift. You're going to want to get him a low profile baitcaster for that rod. There are tons of good options out there especially in that price range. I'd recommend either an Abu Garcia Revo SX or their SXT.

Yeah I'm thinking Curado 6:3 1. Should it be a L retrieve? He's right handed

More than likely right hand retrieve. It's just a guess ... I have more rightys.. But use left too..

I am right hand dominate.

Yeah I'm thinking Curado 6:3 1. Should it be a L retrieve? He's right handed

I say get a left hand retrieve reel but to be sure sneak a peek at his reels.

Here you go: http://www.***.com/Shimano_Curado_200_I_Casting_Reel/descpage-SCI.html

Okay, so here's what I got: St. Croix Avid Series Crankbait Rod 6'6" MH with a Shimano Curado baitcasting reel, 6.3:1 ratio (I have no idea what that means, so hopefully these two pieces go together appropriately?)....

 

Anyway, this should throw me in the category of girlfriend of the year, right? Cuz I put a ton of research into this and I hope you guys didn't steer me wrong!!!

 

Thanks again for your input.

 

Shayna

Sweet set up. I would be super happy if my wife threw that together on her own!

Okay, so here's what I got: St. Croix Avid Series Crankbait Rod 6'6" MH with a Shimano Curado baitcasting reel, 6.3:1 ratio (I have no idea what that means, so hopefully these two pieces go together appropriately?)....

 

Anyway, this should throw me in the category of girlfriend of the year, right? Cuz I put a ton of research into this and I hope you guys didn't steer me wrong!!!

 

Thanks again for your input.

 

Shayna

 

Definitely girlfriend of the year category. My only concern is wondering if he uses left hand or right hand retrieve. Did you peek at any of his reels to see?

Girlfriend of the year? Noooooooo you go to far!!

Just playin.... I think he should be shocked and thrilled.. Lucky guy... I can't get my wife to buy me a burger.. Let alone fishing anything..grrrrr..

Okay, so here's what I got: St. Croix Avid Series Crankbait Rod 6'6" MH with a Shimano Curado baitcasting reel, 6.3:1 ratio (I have no idea what that means, so hopefully these two pieces go together appropriately?)....

 

Anyway, this should throw me in the category of girlfriend of the year, right? Cuz I put a ton of research into this and I hope you guys didn't steer me wrong!!!

 

Thanks again for your input.

 

Shayna

 

You didn't list the reel's model number so there is no way to tell if it is a RH or LH reel.  I assume the reel could be taken (or sent) back if the wrong hand for him.  6.3:1 ratio means that for every turn of the handle, the spool makes 6.3 revolutions.  That makes it a very versatile reel.  You've gotten him an excellent birthday gift.

 

Like already mentioned...if he doesn't like the gift...get rid of him.  You could be my girlfriend.  I'm available as soon as I kick the wife out.  Are you looking for an older fart with one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel? 

 

All kidding aside, you are a very thoughtful person.  He is one lucky guy.  Don't let him forget it either.