I have read several topics on here with lots of praise to the Daiwa Fuego CT reel.  I had planned on buying one during the last ebay sale but then I started to think about the combo and I've not read much feedback.  Does anyone have experience and feedback for this combo?

 

http://www.daiwa.com/us/contents/pmc/FUEGOCOMBO/index.html

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Daiwa-FGCT100HS-FG701M-Fuego-Baitcasting-Combo-7/132394600018?epid=5009195140&hash=item1ed3554652

I have a fuego ct reel and can highly recommend it, but I dont personally  have any experience with Daiwa rods. From what I have read on here, a lot of the Daiwa rods get good reviews. I'm sure someone who has used them will probably chime in.

Hmm, I'd want to switch the reels around and have the faster reel on the med. heavy rod and the 6.3.1 on the medium for cranks.

4 hours ago, BaitFinesse said:

I hear the Fuego rods aren't that great.  The Arid X and DX are better liked value rods.  Also the Fuego Rod in the combo looks like a cheaper 2 pc rod rather than a regular Fuego rod.  I'd stay away and pick up a Fuego reel and a rod seperately.

Agreed.  If you look at the Revros spinnings combo, the reel knobs are different with the combos versus buying the actual models separately.

I'm not a fan of store combos in general. Especially ones that feature the reel. The best quality and appropriate rod is more critical to success. The daiwa rod may be fine for what you want to do. You'll just have to try it. 

The Fuego CT is an excellent reel.....I am not a fan of the Fuego Rods. The Aird-X is a better "budget" rod IMHO. But there are also caveats to the Aird- X's as well. They fish lighter than there rating, and have a more parabolic action to them which some people might not care for.

I have a fuego spinning rod that I've been playing around with for a month or so now. I have no complaints yet but it's far from the forum favorite. I love the reel, just got another one in today. If you're interested in keeping the cost down you could get the reel on Ebay along with a Berkley lighting rod shock or a daiwa Aird-x for around the same money as the combo sells for. 

I fish 2 fuego rods with good success. A 7' heavy and 8' heavy. Both have heavy braid on them and I haven't had a problem...yet. I got them from Wal-Mart for around 55 bucks. If/when they fail I'm not out full msrp so it won't be so bad. I'm a sucker for full cork handles so that's what sold me. 

Was thinking about pairing the fuego with Arid X but wanted to make sure it could handle most chunk and wind presentations; crankbaits, spinnerbaits, chatterbait/bladed jigs, jerkbaits, flukes, etc.  Are there other rods that would pair with the Fuego that would work well?

54 minutes ago, Lasher said:

Was thinking about pairing the fuego with Arid X but wanted to make sure it could handle most chunk and wind presentations; crankbaits, spinnerbaits, chatterbait/bladed jigs, jerkbaits, flukes, etc.  Are there other rods that would pair with the Fuego that would work well?

Theres a bunch of rods that will work, your budget is the deciding factor. People get their underoos in a bunch but you can spend $1000 on a rod for a $30 reel if it does what you want it to do. It will depend largely on your budget. 

 

Where it will get interesting is those presentations tend to prefer different rod actions. Crankbait and jerkbaits typically do better with a moderate or moderate fast tip, spinnerbaits and chatterbaits I tend to prefer a faster tip. Personally if I were going to use one rod (and I do) I would go for a slightly softer fast tip. 7'2" to 7'5" MHF personally, the longer rods TEND to have softer tips. 

On 7/24/2018 at 10:57 AM, Beetlebz said:

Theres a bunch of rods that will work, your budget is the deciding factor. People get their underoos in a bunch but you can spend $1000 on a rod for a $30 reel if it does what you want it to do. It will depend largely on your budget. 

 

Where it will get interesting is those presentations tend to prefer different rod actions. Crankbait and jerkbaits typically do better with a moderate or moderate fast tip, spinnerbaits and chatterbaits I tend to prefer a faster tip. Personally if I were going to use one rod (and I do) I would go for a slightly softer fast tip. 7'2" to 7'5" MHF personally, the longer rods TEND to have softer tips. 

I realize that there is no perfect rod for all chunck and wind presentations, but I'm looking for the best jack of all trades rod in the $100-150.  Considering a Dobyn's fury, Abu Veritas, Daiwa Avid, and lower end st. croix and loomis.