After several years away from the hobby, I’m ready to start fishing again.

I’m looking for a good all around bait casting rod and reel set-up for fishing north Texas and south Oklahoma lakes and ponds.

If you could only have one rod and one reel, what would it be?( I have a $500.00 budget)

St. Croix Avid AVC70MHF $210  http://stcroixrods.com/products/freshwater/avid-series-casting

Shimano Curado 70HG  $200  http://fish.shimano.com/content/sac-fish/en/home/products/fishing-reels/baitcast/curado-70.html

 

Here's your rod right here G Loomis IMX MBR843C. Normally $295 sale price $221. Sign up for the news letter save another $25. Now you have a $300 budget for your reel.

 

https://www.*.com/G-Loomis-IMX-MBR-Rods-p/g-loomis-imxmbr.htm?e=Y

WOW! That is a great deal. However, my preference would be the MBR844C.

 

This is the same store that EllisJuan has been telling people about the last month or so. The IMX, GLX and NRX are all on sale. Plus save another $25 joining the mailing list. I had ordered an NRX until I had buyers remorse and canceled because it was on backorder. Glad I did though as I got a better rod for less during the TW Classic weekend sale. I got my NRX about 40% off.

Darn nice suggestions.  Here is another reel to consider...a $250 reel for $161.21 (LH a $ less) plus a little for shipping.  http://www.manventureoutpost.com/products/Okuma-HM%252d273-Helios-Air-LP-Reel-8%252b1-BB-7.3%3A1-Right-Hand-739998141524.html

Comes with ABEC5 bearings.  Excellent casting distance.  5.7 oz.  130yds 12#.  If they get more Pinnacle Primmus reels in, I can also highly recommend one.  Liked my first one well enough that I now have three.

The more expensive GLoomis rods are always a good option as is an Avid or up St. Croix.  I've also been reading some good things about Hammer rods.  I'd suggest a MHF 1/4-1 oz. or 1/4-3/4 oz. as a good all-around rod for the one rod fisherman.

If you can find one of the original Fenwick Aetos rods in that power/action, then I can also recommend it.  A beautiful rod, sensitive and better priced than many equivalent rods unless on sale.

 

EDIT:  Just noticed this is your first post.  Welcome. 

I think you are going about it the right way.  One very good outfit at a time.  Use it.  See what other techniques you want to try.  Consider another good outfit for that.  Hopefully one that also does several things well.  Actually most rods are multiple use.  However, I wouldn't use a rod I fish 1/2 oz. jigs with for shallow cranks. 

I would go with a 6'-6" AvidX MHF paired with a Team Lews Lite 7.5:1.

I'm weird.

I'd go to the nearest tackle store, try every rod there, and, provided its by a quality maker, go with the one which felt best.

The reel would be Abu Garcia for round; Shimano for low-profile.

Josh

Code 11spring16 will get you 11% off your order at monster also.  Can't combine with email setup, but if you spend over $250 you'll save more money.

17 minutes ago, KP Duty said:

Code 11spring16 will get you 11% off your order at monster also.  Can't combine with email setup, but if you spend over $250 you'll save more money.

That brings the NRX price down nicely.

IMX 843 or 844 MBR Loomis from Monster Fishing for under $200 paired with a Metanium.  You can find a Met for under $300 if you shop hard.  It will be right at the top end of your budget, but it would be a killer setup.

There are so many choices out there. I would probably pick up two combos for 500. But if I were going to splurge like that on one combo to fish the ponds there it would most definitely a chronarch ci4 on a at croix legend tournament bass or an avid in the 71 M/f plastics rod. It's has enough backbone and enough whip for whatever you would probably be throwing. I just got back from Texas and caught some toads there in some large ponds. One over 10 pounds. 

Tight lines

Ltb and a team lews lite!

Another option would be to get 2-3 different setups that are still good quality 

8 hours ago, EllisJuan said:

IMX 843 or 844 MBR Loomis from Monster Fishing for under $200 paired with a Metanium.  You can find a Met for under $300 if you shop hard.  It will be right at the top end of your budget, but it would be a killer setup.

That would be a killer set up for a guy who only wanted one.

Kistler helium 3 7'1" MH/Fast $260

Lews team lite 7.5.1 $180 on eBay 

For 500.00 bucks you can get a heck of alot more than one? There is some nice cheaper stuff out there now. 

Thanks for all the suggestions. I think I have narrowed it down to 2 reels and 2 rods:

Lew's Team Pro Magnesium Speed Spool Casting Reel

Shimano Chronarch CI4+

Dobyns 703C

IMX 843C MBR

26 minutes ago, texasguy4 said:

Thanks for all the suggestions. I think I have narrowed it down to 2 reels and 2 rods:

 

Lew's Team Pro Magnesium Speed Spool Casting Reel

 

Shimano Chronarch CI4+

 

Dobyns 703C

 

IMX 843C MBR

 

If you get the IMX buy from Outdoor Pro Shop. With the sale price and either using the 11spring16 code or joining the mailing list it brings your cost under $200 which is a great deal.

+1 for Chronarch CI4+ and Dobyns 703C. Love both of them.