A great reel makes the "fishing" part more fun!

 

With the advent of quality braid line, I think sensitivity has become easier to get with cheaper rods. I would spend more on a reel if I could only have one higher priced component.

To me it depends on what I'm going to use it for. Moving baits I'd probably spend more on the reel, bottom contact I'd probably spend more on the rod. 

I fish exclusively with spinning gear and I have come to enjoy a nice, smooth reel versus a cheaper more clunky feeling one.  That said, over the years I've moved to longer, stiffer rods and it's made a big difference.  My vote for my style of fishing is the rod.

2 hours ago, WIGuide said:

To me it depends on what I'm going to use it for. Moving baits I'd probably spend more on the reel, bottom contact I'd probably spend more on the rod. 

 

Ditto

This is what I've always tried to do when mating rods and reels

 

 

 

Mike 

19 hours ago, flechero said:

It depends on how you fish, assuming you have a serviceable rod and reel now.   If you are a crankbait/spinnerbait, chunk and wind all day kind of guy, a better reel will benefit you more... if you are a soft plastics, feel kind of guy, the rod is infinitely more valuable. 

 

I completely agree. In your price range you can't go wrong though. You don't have to spend $200 or more for either a rod or reel to get great performance. 

 

Once you get a few combos you can adjust according to technique if you choose. A high-end rod for fishing a jig or plastic on the bottom is a wonderful thing. When cranking, a smooth, powerful reel will be appreciated. Enjoy the process. 

the rod is more important. the reel is a tool to recover line. yes some cast further and have better drags but at the end of the day you get more bang for your buck when you spend money on the rod.

Throw down on the rod, for sure.

 

A $200 rod with a $100 reel is way more useful and pleasurable to fish with than a $200 reel on a $100 rod.

 

It's also worth mentioning that you can make a world of difference in the quality of a lesser-priced reel by just keeping it clean and properly lubricated, and by replacing the spool bearings with some $20-25 upgrades. There's not much you can do to improve a rod's quality.

Generally speaking, the rod is more important imo.