I posted a week ago asking for input on three combos I was considering.  I ended up buying a Lew's Mach 1 Speed Spool combo with a 6'10" MH Fast rod for $99.  I went to the Allen Cabelas to see what was in house.  The rod selection at $100 price point is mind boggling.  The reel selection below is $150 is pretty extensive as well.  The Lews combos were at the front of the Fishing department and I was happy that Cabelas had a good selection of what i was considering.  I wanted to make sure I was able to inspect the finish of the reel, rod, and guides.  I like TFO rods in general from my fly fishing experience.  I gave strong consideration to getting a $100 TFO casting rod and as nice of a reel as I could find for <$100.  The TFO replacement warranty is pretty decent.  You need $40-$50 plus shipping to replace a broken TFO casting rod.  However, my lack of experience and ability to differentiate among the brands was a primary concern.  So I asked if Cabelas would price match Dicks Sporting Goods, which they did.  They also spooled me with Cabela's brand of green 12lb mono.  So I was out the door with my combo spooked for $110 with tax.  I've not connected with any fish yet, but amy happy with my selection.  I wanted to thank those that replied to my post.  I am sure I'll ask for more input.

 

My quick thoughts about this combo is that at $99 it's very nice.  If nothing else, the reel is feels smooth, has a nice dual braking system, quick 7.1:1 retrieve, a bunch of bearings, and just enough bling.  The 6'10" MH Fast rod is IM8 for whatever that's worth.  It's rated at a min of 3/8oz, but the rod will load up and cast my 1/8oz spinning baits just fine.  I was pleasantly surprised.  I figure getting the hang of these be successful if the bite is on.  

 

After walking a couple of small ponds, I think I want a second combo so I can switch between spinner baits and texas rig on a whim.  I'm thinking I'd like to walk a bank, throw a spinner baits to an area and if no bites, switch setups and throw plastics on a Texas rig.  An ease to alternating seems to be a good way to walk the shore and cover ground without losing too much time to change lures and rigging.

 

Any suggestions on whether I really need to have a different rod/reel set up?  Or can I be well served by just picking up an identical rig?  With the Dick's current sale, I can pick up the combo for $80 and then use a $10 coupon for taking the survey as suggested on a different thread before.  I don't know that I can get as nice of a set up for $70.  At that price, it's like getting a free rod.  I can always go with a different rod as my skills develop.  Appreciate any feedback on second combo to carry with me.  

 

Thanks!

I primarily run a three rod setup, although sometimes I only bring two depending on the season, where I'm fishing, how long I'm fishing, etc. This covers a lot of different presentations for me. Something like the first two would do you rather well.

 

#1) Daiwa Tatula 6'10" MH/F rod - I get a rather wide variety of uses from this from soft plastics, jigs, hollow body frogs, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits and even some topwater.

#2) Daiwa Tatula Glass 7'2" MH/R (moderate fast) - This is generally my moving bait stick, which I will usually use for spinnerbaits, chatterbaits and crankbaits. This particular rod works great for all three, as I rarely lose a fish.

#3) St. Croix 6'9" Avid X ML/XF - use this for finesse presentations like drop shots, neg rigs and shaky heads.

 

I also have a M/F spinning rod, but that doesn't see that much use.

 

For the first rod, I would definitely go MH/F.

 

For a second rod, you could either go with a MH/MF rod, which would be good for throwing 3/8oz or 1/2oz spinnerbaits or chatterbaits and should also be acceptable for crankbaits, or a M/F which has the advantage of throwing weightless soft plastics, but loses the ability to fish 1/2oz spinnerbaits and chatterbaits (3/8oz and a trailer would be a bit heavy for a typical M/F rod).

 

I'm not very familiar with TFO rods to be honest. The Lews Mach II combo seems to be one of the better combos out there however, which might be a good starting point that's roughly in your budget. A lot of people have good luck with other cheaper rods too like the Berkley Lightning or the Berkley Lightning Shock, or even the Ugly Stik GX2 which makes a decent moving bait stick (my youngest son has a M but it's more like a MH/MF).

 

I prefer multiple rods so I can switch baits and techniques faster as well. In the boat I’ll always have 6-9 rods. And pond I always have atleast 2-3. Debating on the time of the year will determine what 2-3 I will bring