5 hours ago, Stale KracKer said:

How do u do the right side reeling then the left side . ...2 wrongs make it right i suppoose LOL

I can do both.  I had to retrain my left hand for baitcast use and it is still way slower than the right but I enjoy the palming cast of a lefty reel when making short target casts.  For bomb and wind I still prefer righty.  

I paired the HP rod with a Carbon 2.0 and like it so far. 

 

Dobyns Maverick series.  They perform far above their price point. Combos are 189.99 and easily worth it. 

On 1/1/2023 at 11:14 PM, Jmontgomery87 said:

Another big fan of the 7' MH/F Hank Parker casting rod. Mine is paired up with a solid Lew's LFS.

 

For budget spinning I've had a Daiwa Legalis 3000 for a couple of years that's still really smooth. I picked it up on sale for $48 and put it on a 6'6" M Berkeley lightning rod.

 

I just picked up a Shimano SLX on sale this week for $39. I really like my LFS but I think the SLX the best reel under $100 by far. It's the smoothest reel I own and can cast a 1/4oz T-rig at least 40 yards. It really feels like a much more expensive reel. I have it on a Hank Parker MH/F but I'm getting a 7'3" Aird-X for it soon. I like it so well that I think my next reel will be a SLX XT.

 

I've been the least impressed with a Daiwa Tatula CT that I purchased used. It casts well and the brakes offer great control but it has the clunkiest retrieve out of any of my reels. I probably need to give a new one a try.

 

There are a lot of great budget options out there, you just have to sift through the junk.

Where did you get the SLX for $39?? That’s a crazy good deal. 

On 1/1/2023 at 11:14 PM, Jmontgomery87 said:

Another big fan of the 7' MH/F Hank Parker casting rod. Mine is paired up with a solid Lew's LFS.

 

For budget spinning I've had a Daiwa Legalis 3000 for a couple of years that's still really smooth. I picked it up on sale for $48 and put it on a 6'6" M Berkeley lightning rod.

 

I just picked up a Shimano SLX on sale this week for $39. I really like my LFS but I think the SLX the best reel under $100 by far. It's the smoothest reel I own and can cast a 1/4oz T-rig at least 40 yards. It really feels like a much more expensive reel. I have it on a Hank Parker MH/F but I'm getting a 7'3" Aird-X for it soon. I like it so well that I think my next reel will be a SLX XT.

 

I've been the least impressed with a Daiwa Tatula CT that I purchased used. It casts well and the brakes offer great control but it has the clunkiest retrieve out of any of my reels. I probably need to give a new one a try.

 

There are a lot of great budget options out there, you just have to sift through the junk.

Where did you get the SLX for $39?? That’s a crazy good deal. 

My favorite sub $100 reels are:

- Spinning - Pflueger President 

- Casting - Lews Speed Spool

 

Only decent sub $60 rods I’ve used are the Bass Pro Fish Eagle rods.