Looking for the best rod and reel combo for the money. A spinning reel for Large Bass for Up to $150.00. and spinning rod for around the same. Total. Up to $300.00. Thanks.

cant go wrong with a shimano 2500 and a st. croix rod. a 7' Med/Fast would be a versatile spinning rod.

St Croix Avid X 68MXF for $200, a Pflueger Supreme 30x sized reel, and spool of YoZuri Hybrid 6lb line.

 

You could also go 70MF Avid X rod as well.

I tend to spend more on reels than rods. Stradic FK and a 7 foot medium power fast action rod of your choosing.

I was looking to get a new set up along the same lines recently. Ended up getting a Shimano Stradic 2500, paired with a 7' Duckett MM Pro (medium action). I went a little over-budget, but it feels incredibly light and balanced. Though you may find a Stradic 3000 to be more to your liking.

Good grief. Over budget again. So I went with the Stradik 3000 FK and a St.Croix M1570 MF. Sounds like a sweet rig. Never cared much for Spincasting but this looks like an awesome finesse outfit. The Shimano 3K and  St. Croix 

Don't know if you are interested in looking at it but I just bought a Shimano Nasci. Wanted another Symetre but this replaces it. I know I'm looking forward to using it.

 

Avid series rods are great but, don't overlook the Premier Series either, fantastic rods.

Thinking of using 20 lb.braid and a 12 or 15 lb. Mono leader. This should be enough to hold em.

10 minutes ago, Craig Sellers said:

Thinking of using 20 lb.braid and a 12 or 15 lb. Mono leader. This should be enough to hold em.

 

I'd go with a fluorocarbon leader between 6 and 10 lbs if this is a truly a finesse rig. I use 7 lb Sunline Sniper.

if it were me and I had $300 US to spend, I would get the following:

 

either St. Croix Avid 7 foot med. light power (1/8-3/8 oz), fast action (I prefer the full grips of the avid vs avid X)

 

Or

G. Loomis E6X SJR842 (same line/lure rating as the Avid) love the Loomis tapers

 

both are about $200 US.

 

and the Shimano Nasci 3000 (for $100 US) -handle is better than the 2500 size and it has a bit more line capacity. otherwise same reel.

 

either would be an awesome setup

Thanks guys. Appreciate it.

17 hours ago, Hulkster said:

if it were me and I had $300 US to spend, I would get the following:

 

either St. Croix Avid 7 foot med. light power (1/8-3/8 oz), fast action (I prefer the full grips of the avid vs avid X)

 

Or

G. Loomis E6X SJR842 (same line/lure rating as the Avid) love the Loomis tapers

 

both are about $200 US.

 

and the Shimano Nasci 3000 (for $100 US) -handle is better than the 2500 size and it has a bit more line capacity. otherwise same reel.

 

either would be an awesome setup

I have the 7' MLF Avid with a 30 size Supreme XT. Three spools 1) 6# YZ Hybrid, 2) 15# Braid, and 3) 8# mono for rigging and jigging walleye. Very light and versatile Rod!

21 hours ago, Craig Sellers said:

Thinking of using 20 lb.braid and a 12 or 15 lb. Mono leader. This should be enough to hold em.

 

I read your first question about finding a setup for "big bass",

and thought, you can catch big bass on a Barbie rod,  

 

The Stradic FK is fantastic, you'll love the 3000. And in terms

of line and "enough to hold em"... I use 10 and 15# test braid

which is *plenty* strong enough for big bass. I have caught 

big bass (pb of 7.5# in thick salad with 10lb braid + 10lb leader).

My avatar bass is 6.6# and 24.25" long citation bass caught her

in a dense bush/stump field with 10# braid + 10# leader on a

Stradic 1000.

 

So I think it is a misnomer to think "bigger is better" in terms

of gear being able to haul in a fish. It's more in how you play the

bass, having your drag set correctly, etc.

 

Just my .02. Again, I think you'll love your setup.

If you haven't bought a reel yet, this weekend cabelas has the daiwa  ballistic ex for $119.99, and the pflueger patriarch for $129.99. And also abu Garcia veracity rods for $69.99. I don't need any more spinning reels. Or casting for that matter, but I am going to have to find something else to do to keep myself from going to cabelas Saturday morning.

On ‎3‎/‎3‎/‎2017 at 5:24 PM, Craig Sellers said:

Good grief. Over budget again. So I went with the Stradik 3000 FK and a St.Croix M1570 MF. Sounds like a sweet rig. Never cared much for Spincasting but this looks like an awesome finesse outfit. The Shimano 3K and  St. Croix 

 

There is not a bass on the planet you cant catch with that combo.