Hey everyone! New here. Name is Colton.

 

Currently I fish for large mouth bass. 

 

I run a St. Croix triumph 6'6 MF spinning rod with an abu garcia orra s30 with 8lb black fire line.

 

I like this setup but it seems weak when pulling big 5+ pound fish in. I do not feel like it has enough back bone to get them pulled out of the weed cover quick enough. My drag is pretty heavy but the pole just bends, and they dive under cover then I have to go over and pull them out haha

 

Anyways, want to keep the full setup cost under say $250-300. 

Have never used a casting setup, always spinning. So that is what I would like to stay with.

 

I fish solely senko style rubbers. Usually 6" watermelon redfleck. 

 

So any suggestions?! 

 

Hello Colton and Welcome to BR ~

 

Nice bass right there.

 

A-Jay

Nice fish!

I'm not sure what to tell you in terms of your question. 7' or 7'6" heavy/fast may have the power you want, but I don't know how well it will throw a senko at that point. ...... *shrug* I don't throw a senko very often and I use a spinning rod even less.

My preference is a 6'6" MH F spinning with 15lb Smackdown.  I can tie an 8-12 FC leader on it depending on what I am doing.  I have also been known to throw pretty much anything else using the braid direct.  Works well on big fish as long as your drag is set.

 

By the way ... I also fish a 7' M F spinning and have caught some nice bass including a 6lb. on a senko drop shotting.   It's all about the drag.

 

I also use Orra S 30's  

Maybe I will just turn my drag up more. There not breaking that fire line. Stuff is crazy! Haha

Daiwa Lexa 3000 and St. Croix Avid 7' MH Fast.  That should put you just a fuzz over $300 but it will get the job done....

Well I ordered a pflueger supreme xt. Gonna use that with my st croix.

 

And ordered my first bait caster because I wanted to try it out. Picked up the abu garcia black max/vengeance combo. After rebait and coupon and tax was only $55! ha

i just got into using baitcasting rods/ reels and got a new rod for my birthday. I got the Berkeley lightning shock split grip md/hvy action 7' and im curious as to what would be a good reel to put on there to replace my bass pro pro qualifier series reel. any advice and tips would be greatly appreciated also i would like to try to keep the price under $60 or so. thanks Seth 

i just got into using baitcasting rods/ reels and got a new rod for my birthday. I got the Berkeley lightning shock split grip md/hvy action 7' and im curious as to what would be a good reel to put on there to replace my bass pro pro qualifier series reel. any advice and tips would be greatly appreciated also i would like to try to keep the price under $60 or so. thanks Seth

Why are you looking to replace the pro qual? Is it broken?

If you're just looking to "upgrade".... then stop. You're not going to find a better reel than the pro qual for <$60.

If its broken, then check out the h2o "mettle" by academy. Great reel especially at that price point. I would rate it 1/4star less than the pro qual, at half the price.

It is actually broken. Its missing a reel knob. Although that seems to be the only problem with it. I will check out the academy reel though.

Check out the acedemy reel AND find a handle for your PQ.

The h2o mettle will go on clearence soon and can sometimes be had for $25-$29.

A 7 mf with a 30 series reel should be able to cover most bases

I check an Croix premier , croix Avid, *** black, and a fenwick elite tech.

Reels i would seriously consider a stradic 3000 for any of the above rods

Well I ordered a pflueger supreme xt. Gonna use that with my st croix.

 

And ordered my first bait caster because I wanted to try it out. Picked up the abu garcia black max/vengeance combo. After rebait and coupon and tax was only $55! ha

 

I have that same real on a *** Black, 7'1" HF. I love the set up. The real is excellent. Oh yeah, the rod is great too.