New Sticky with Updated "Best Beginning/intermediate" advice?

[Thembones]

For someone such as myself getting back into fishing and more specifically Bass fishing this is an overwhelming world.

I may have missed it but is there a sticky that shows up to date within the past 6-8 or so months of these items are a good starting point for all.

I can google all day and find lots of reviews, some of them seem to be ad revenue based.

Example:

 

Current best beginner starting out reel

1. bass buster 90000

2. bass catcher xtreme

3. good ole reel 1x

 

Current best beginner starting out rod

1. etc 

2. etc

3. etc

 

Updated with new releases...

I would trust somewhere like this more than a random website.

[roadwarrior]

Need some pricing points and you will get specific recommendations.

[Thembones]

13 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

Need some pricing points and you will get specific recommendations.

 

First, thank you.

That is also hard for someone like me.
I am not wealthy but I am not opposed to spending a little for something that is higher quality and will last.

 

I would like to stay around $200 TOTAL but if spending $220 puts me in a way better item then I am ok with that.

[MN Fisher]

$200-$220 is a great starting point. Plenty of combos can be put together in that price range that not only are of good quality, but will make your fishing enjoyable.

[Thembones]

part of the urgency is we are going to Smith Mountain Lake next weekend I want to take a good setup.
I have a daiwa regal spinning reel now but I want to take 2 or more setups just to make life easier.

 

There is just SO MUCH!

it is overwhelming and the fear of what if i get the wrong one is real.

I have looked at
- Lews Fishing SS1SHA Speed Spool LFS $94 ish

- Daiwa TTUCT100H Tatula a little more like $125

- KastKing Verus Baitcasting Fishing Reel, Assassin Version, Only 5.4 oz. Carbon Fiber Frame & Side Covers, Carbon Fiber Drag System & 11+1 Double Shielded Ball Bearings  $52

- Pflueger® President® XT Low Profile Reel $75ish

 

Then the rods omg...

 

[Thembones]

and there is...

Abu Garcia Revo X Low Profile Baitcasting Fishing Reel for $99
 

[MN Fisher]

24 minutes ago, Thembones said:

Then the rods omg...

Okay, there's a couple I can comment on from experience.

1: The Tatula CT and the Fuego CT are virtually identical - only real difference is the Tatula has the T-Wing and the Fuego has a standard aperture...that's it.

2: I have a President XT and while it's a good reel, you can do better for the same money...Pflueger really hasn't done anything with their casting reels - and dropped most of the casting lines too...from 7 models to the 1 left.

 

Rods:

Dobyns Fury, though for less money the Maverick has been getting good reviews.

St Croix Bass-X is another one in the 'budget' area that people seem to like.

Daiwa Tatula XT is a third option in that price range.

[Deleted account]

"The fear if I get it wrong" when it comes to fishing gear is inconsequential in the big scheme of life, assuming you don't go out and buy a catfish outfit, or an offshore trolling setup, it's gonna be ok, the best rod and reel (and anything else really) is the one you have, My first car was a Chevy Vega, and while it's one of the worst cars ever made, I have very fond memories, and the backseat while not the best was "adequate" for the flexibility level of two teenage kids, if you know what I mean...

[casts_by_fly]

In terms of value, if you are buying a rod and reel both then the Shimano SLX combos are definitely the best value.  Individually they are ~$100 and worth that price.  The combo is normally $189 which isn't bad if you plan to get both.  However, they have been on sale for $129 at various retailers if you can find one.  You're not going to beat that combo of performance and price.

[ScottW]

3 hours ago, Thembones said:

For someone such as myself getting back into fishing and more specifically Bass fishing this is an overwhelming world.

I may have missed it but is there a sticky that shows up to date within the past 6-8 or so months of these items are a good starting point for all.

I can google all day and find lots of reviews, some of them seem to be ad revenue based.

Example:

 

Current best beginner starting out reel

1. bass buster 90000

2. bass catcher xtreme

3. good ole reel 1x

 

Current best beginner starting out rod

1. etc 

2. etc

3. etc

 

Updated with new releases...

I would trust somewhere like this more than a random website.

I know the feeling. Got back into it myself this year after I retired. EVERYTHING changed from what I was used to years ago it seemed. I had to do a lot of research ? to determine what would work best for me. I pond fish mostly due to having one here at the house but I also fish a couple lakes. So clear water and muddy. I started off with two spinning combos (Shimano Nexava III/ Pflueger President spinning reels both on Lew's Laser SG1 Spinning Rods MH 7 foot. 
 

The Shimano has 30# braid on it and the President has 12# mono so I was set up for most scenarios. I eventually picked up a couple baitcasters and learned how to use them. Still prefer my spinning combos though. ?

[MN Fisher]

There's nothing wrong with spinning gear...while I have 7 casting rigs myself, the rig I use to skip jigs, chatterbaits and spinnerbaits with is a Pflueger Supreme 30 on an Okuma Reflexions MH/F loaded with 20# Sufix 832.

[WRB]

=There may be a sticky that a site mod can post?

Instead trying to Google search try a site forum search.

Using the upper right hand forum search tool type “$200” and look back as far as you want, over 700 pages to short through.

My suggestion currently would a Dobyns Maverick rod & reel combo, 2500 size spinning or bait casting* with 703S or 704C power rod.

Tom

PS, Dobyns customer service is superb.

* casting reel w/ 7.2:1 gear ratio.

[Thembones]

2 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

1: The Tatula CT and the Fuego CT are virtually identical - only real difference is the Tatula has the T-Wing and the Fuego has a standard aperture...that's it.

 

I had to google t-wing
this sounds good, like something I would want?
T-WING SYSTEM (TWS™)

The T-Wing System of DAIWA solves an age old problem with baitcasting reel levelwind systems.

The "T" aperture allows line to flow freely through the wide top section on outcast, reducing the normally sharp angles, and friction that slow line flowing through a narrow aperture when exiting the reel.

For retrieve line drops in the narrow, lower channel of the "T-Wing" for even distribution across the spool width.

[Deleted account]

9 minutes ago, Thembones said:

 

I had to google t-wing
this sounds good, like something I would want?

No.

[MN Fisher]

17 minutes ago, Thembones said:

this sounds good, like something I would want?

Some swear by the T-Wing system...I've done fine with all my casting rigs without it...that includes 3 Fuego CTs.

[Mike L]

Maybe I should start a separate thread, but maybe the answers will help….

 

What is the “advantage” of the T wing?

I think I understand the basics posted above but really don’t see it being that big of improvement in overall casting efficiency. 
Am I wrong?

 

 

 

Mike

[MN Fisher]

Since I've never even field-tested a T-Wing reel, I got no idea.

 

Someone who's got both and can side-by-side compare the two would be helpful...

 

[Thembones]

FWIW I am learning a lot.

Although I still don't know what I am going to get LOL

[Functional]

Im going to be that guy at the top end of your budget...but quite honestly I'd find it hard to beat until you get into the much more expensive stuff. Prices are all from tacklewarehouse but you may be able to snag some items cheaper elsewhere.

 

Rod

ARK Tharp Money Maker $130

 

Reel (in order from my favorite to least favorite)

Shimano SLX $100

Daiwa Fuego CT $109

Lews SpeedSpool LFS $100

 

 

If you have to save that $10-20 then like mentioned above the St. Croix Bass X, Daiwa Procyon/Fuego rod are nice choices as well, I just feel the ARK is very nice for the money comparatively. 

 

EDIT: Also where in NC are you located?

[garroyo130]

I don't think the T wing makes any difference tbh. I'm not a fan of it personally. 

[WRB]

Been using the Daiwa Tatula reels since the 1st R100XS came out in 2012. The reason was the 8:1 gear ratio, not necessarily the T-Wing technology.

Reel makers have tried to over come level line drag coming off the spool when casting for decades. Simple answer reduce line drag and increase casting distance.

The Daiwa Tatula series reels are well made and taken care of will last a lifetime.

Tom

[Thembones]

2 hours ago, Functional said:

Im going to be that guy at the top end of your budget...but quite honestly I'd find it hard to beat until you get into the much more expensive stuff. Prices are all from tacklewarehouse but you may be able to snag some items cheaper elsewhere.

 

Rod

ARK Tharp Money Maker $130

 

Reel (in order from my favorite to least favorite)

Shimano SLX $100

Daiwa Fuego CT $109

Lews SpeedSpool LFS $100

 

 

If you have to save that $10-20 then like mentioned above the St. Croix Bass X, Daiwa Procyon/Fuego rod are nice choices as well, I just feel the ARK is very nice for the money comparatively. 

 

EDIT: Also where in NC are you located?

the slx you mentioned is not the dc version? 
would the dc be worth $80 ish more?

 

i am in central nc; I work in and live near cary

Hoping to find some help, until recently I haven’t fished in 30 years 

[Functional]

I've never owned/used a DC reel so I cant comment. From the performance I've gotten out of my SLX and Fuego CT I do not feel I'd personally gain anything from it. Both reels adjust well and handle a wide range of light to heavy baits. I prefer the SLX profile to the Fuego CT and the Lews when palming the reel to put a finger under the line when working bottom contact baits. 

 

You are in a good area for fishing with Shearon Harris and Jordan right there. Falls lake and badin/high rock arent far from you either. 

[Thembones]

I am looking hard at the 

fuego

lews

slx (maybe dc)

 

Worst case I just keep reading and may find a deal!

[Functional]

Theres a few like new condition SLX MGL 70s (71 is left handed) on ebay right now for about $130. I can do everything from a ned rig to 1.25oz baits just fine, its really an excellent real for the money. Personaly I'd pick an MGL spool over a DC, and I have. 

 

Having said that, ned rig is still better for me on a ML spinning setup, but I've done it on the SLX MGL70 just fine when I limited what I took out.