A friend of mine has been watching me slay the bass this month and he wants to venture into bass fishing. He has 2 trout rods. He wants me to help him pick out his first baitcaster combo. His budget is $100 for the combo. Ive narrowed it down to 2 rods for him. A 7ft MH/F Abu Garcia Vengeance combo for $79.97 and a 7ft MH/F Abu Garcia Max Ultra combo for $99.99. This will be his first baitcaster and starter rod for bass fishing. My question is, are these rods and reels mostly identical? Is one better than the other? Or should he just get the cheaper one? 

Labor Day sales will begin sometime next week. You can probably get more bang for your buck if you can wait until then.

11 minutes ago, NavyToad said:

Labor Day sales will begin sometime next week. You can probably get more bang for your buck if you can wait until then.

Oh I am so waiting for it , Just keep watching the dates like a kid for Labor Day sales to start ?

13 minutes ago, ATA said:

Oh I am so waiting for it , Just keep watching the dates like a kid for Labor Day sales to start ?

Im pretty sure you don’t “need” anything ?

Im assuming labor day sales a good for fisherman?

1 hour ago, JoeDeal55 said:

Im assuming labor day sales a good for fisherman?

Bass Pro and most of the other big fishing retailers will have some good deals.

Go the 79.99 route. It will be just fine. Set it up for him with line,and teach him casting etc. Then after time he can upgrade if he chooses. Remember to be patient, and he looks up to you for guidence. your a good friend.

If you can talk him into an extra $20.00 BPS has their “ extreme baitcast combo” on sale. It has an aluminum frame with graphite side plates which is quite normal in this price range for reels alone vs graphite frame and side plates. The one down side is it’s only available in 7.5:1 reel speed but it’s available in right or left hand retrieve which is a bonus.

7 hours ago, JoeDeal55 said:

A 7ft MH/F Abu Garcia Vengeance combo for $79.97

My Walmart had these on clearance for $40 a week ago, just FYI

7 hours ago, zpelletier said:

My Walmart had these on clearance for $40 a week ago, just FYI

My Walmart never has anything good. And all their combos are right retrieve. Which doesnt work for me. 

19 hours ago, GReb said:

Im pretty sure you don’t “need” anything ?

I will find something ?

18 hours ago, zpelletier said:

My Walmart had these on clearance for $40 a week ago, just FYI

My Walmart had an empty display of these a few weeks ago. The clearance price was $17 broke my d**n heart that I wasn’t there when they first put them out

10 minutes ago, NYWayfarer said:

My Walmart had an empty display of these a few weeks ago. The clearance price was $17 broke my d**n heart that I wasn’t there when they first put them out

Wow, I would’ve been upset too. Can’t beat that price. 

18 hours ago, zpelletier said:

My Walmart had these on clearance for $40 a week ago, just FYI

My local Walmarts quit carrying rods of even this caliber several years ago.  Last rod I bought of decent quality at a Walmart was years ago....$17 (on sale and the only one) for a 6' MH Berkley Lightning casting rod.  At least my local DSG still carries St. Croix.

 

OP, I have zero experience with combos of $100 or less.  I hear Academy Sports has a number of such combos with the H2O Xpress being pretty nice for the price.

I picked up a Lews Xfinity rod for 14$ the other day at Walmart.