Hello. I am looking for a combo that will do the Nedmiki, drop shot, Ned rig, shakey head, and maybe a Texas rig worm, and of course, I will be doing Wacky rig. I have been looking at buyer guides from Tactical Bassin'. My budget is around $150. I never cared for or liked spinning reels but I would like to try one and use it for and see how I like spinning gear. Thank you.

Shimano Sahara reel and it’s going to be hard to stay under $150. Most rods I would recommend are around that price point themselves. I’d recommend spending the money on a decent rod that’s what you need for feel. If you can spend 80ish on a reel and $150ish on a rod then I would recommend a st croix premier or mojo bass. 
 

the bass x are on sale other now at TW for 115. I have never used one though.
 

others may give you better options on rods.

45 minutes ago, Susky River Rat said:

Shimano Sahara reel and it’s going to be hard to stay under $150. Most rods I would recommend are around that price point themselves. I’d recommend spending the money on a decent rod that’s what you need for feel. If you can spend 80ish on a reel and $150ish on a rod then I would recommend a st croix premier or mojo bass. 
 

the bass x are on sale other now at TW for 115. I have never used one though.
 

others may give you better options on rods.

I’ll have to double check but I think I have the setup you recommended! The Mojo bass spinning rod is sweet 

@TnRiver46 I think the 150-200 St. Croix rods are great rods. I’ve actually  heard people say they prefer premiers over their legend tournaments. Rods to me are everything that’s what helps with bite detection.  That reel is an absolute work horse. It might not be smooth as a super models skin but, it’s going to last like a farm tractor. 

I've also had good performance from my Shimano Sahara 2500. St Croix Premiere is a good rod for the dollars. 

You can get a 13 Omen Black and an Exceler LT.  You would have to spend another 10$, buts it 100% worth it for the lighter reel and as for the rod 80$ for that blank and components is great.

It's not hard at all to stay at or under $150. Daiwa Legalis reel, Daiwa Aird-X rod. $130, but value that feels like $200+. Don't even think about it. Just do it and be happy.

Dobyns Maverick 703SF. 79.99

Daiwa Revros LT 3000.    49.99

 

$129.98 From Tackle Warehouse

 

This is good stuff.

4 hours ago, Columbia Craw said:

Dobyns Maverick 703SF. 79.99

Daiwa Revros LT 3000.    49.99

 

$129.98 From Tackle Warehouse

 

This is good stuff.

You could step up to a Fury with the 20% off right now and keep it right around $150.

 

I'd be hard pressed to decide between the 702SF and 703SF. 702SF is absolutely fantastic for light drop shots and ned rigs, the 703SF is better for senkos and shaky heads and heavier drop shots. The 702SF does pretty well with senkos with the Owner J Light hooks.

There are sales now on rods and reels at TW and ALF.

Up your budget to $200+ and lots of good choices.

I suggest looking at Daiwa, Dobyns,IROD and St Croix. St. Croix is closing out some models.

Tom

1 hour ago, WRB said:

There are sales now on rods and reels at TW and ALF.

Up your budget to $200+ and lots of good choices.

I suggest looking at Daiwa, Dobyns,IROD and St Croix. St. Croix is closing out some models.

Tom

 

Right now I want to stay under $150. I have never liked spinning reels, I find them awkward too. But I need something to fish lighter finesse-type lures. I never really gave spinning a good go. I want one that will do finesse and I will stick with it for a while and give spinning reels a chance. I might be wrong and turn out to like fishing with spinning reels.

I like the look of Dobyns Maverick. How better is it than the Daiwa Aird-X? It is only 20 dollars more since they are on sale.

For many years I have carried one spinning rod and reel loaded with 8 pound green Maxima mono.  I have won numerous tournaments with this outfit.  The reel is a trusty old Daiwa Black Gold BG13.  The rod is a 6' 6" Browning Medallion.  I have used Daiwa Black Gold reels on everything from bass to bonefish and tarpon.  They are cheap and they work. The rod is on the stiff side with a sensitive tip.   You don't need to spend a ton of money on a spinning outfit.  As long as the drag is smooth, the reel is light and reliable and the rod is comfortable, you will be fine.   Learn to flip the bail over by hand.  That will keep you from having the dreaded "Bird's Nest". 

7 hours ago, Fishthunder said:

 

Right now I want to stay under $150. I have never liked spinning reels, I find them awkward too. But I need something to fish lighter finesse-type lures. I never really gave spinning a good go. I want one that will do finesse and I will stick with it for a while and give spinning reels a chance. I might be wrong and turn out to like fishing with spinning reels.

Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier Spinning Combo
Sale
$119.98 $139.98
Save $20.0

Going cheap on a new spinning combo when you dislike spinning combos is surely going to cause you to leave it in the truck on every trip.

 

My 2 cents.

Daiwa Fuego LT 59.99 paired with a Laguna will be about $100 before tax. I dislike spinning too but they are definitely a necessary skill set to utilize. 

 

A good drop shot rod will not be as good for shakey heads and small t rigs to drive the hook home. Embrace the spinning set up and have a drop shot/Ned set up a.d another for your shakey heads ect.

41 minutes ago, 928JLH said:

Daiwa Fuego LT 59.99 paired with a Laguna will be about $100 before tax.

Forget the Laguna - go up to an Aird-X. I had a Laguna and it was 'dead'...got rid of it quickly - meanwhile, despite having Mojos and Victorys in my lineup, I still have a couple Aird-Xs that get used.

3 hours ago, Fishthunder said:

I like the look of Dobyns Maverick. How better is it than the Daiwa Aird-X? It is only 20 dollars more since they are on sale.

 

You might want to go visit a store that has some of these options in person so you can pick them up, hold them, and try them for yourself.  I'm definitely more of an in person shopper when it comes to items like this since feel, balance, and weight is a big part of the equation here.  Just a suggestion.

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

 

You might want to go visit a store that has some of these options in person so you can pick them up, hold them, and try them for yourself.  I'm definitely more of an in person shopper when it comes to items like this since feel, balance, and weight is a big part of the equation here.  Just a suggestion.

I agree. There's a lot of rods that look good in a catalog or online. I say try and go to a good tackle shop and handle some of you can.

I'd go with a sahara ($68 shipped).  

 

https://www.digitaka.com/item/5/4/1/4969363044549

 

I'd probably pair it with an clearance omen 3, but there are a few rod options

Matt and Tim just put out their $100 combos vid...Matt recommends an Aird-X with a Revros LT. He even says that the rod he's showing has been 'in and out of my boat for 6 or 7 years.' For the budget angler, he loves the Aird-X.

16 hours ago, gimruis said:

 

You might want to go visit a store that has some of these options in person so you can pick them up, hold them, and try them for yourself.  I'm definitely more of an in person shopper when it comes to items like this since feel, balance, and weight is a big part of the equation here.  Just a suggestion.

I would if I could there are no local stores with Dobyns rods.

3 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Matt and Tim just put out their $100 combos vid...Matt recommends an Aird-X with a Revros LT. He even says that the rod he's showing has been 'in and out of my boat for 6 or 7 years.' For the budget angler, he loves the Aird-X.

I'm pretty much going with the Daiwa Revros LT or the Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier Spinning Combo.

With the Daiwa Revros LT I am trying to find out if the Dobyns Maverick is worth the extra $20 or should I just go with the Aird-X.

3 hours ago, Fishthunder said:

With the Daiwa Revros LT I am trying to find out if the Dobyns Maverick is worth the extra $20 or should I just go with the Aird-X.

Well - in a store I handled a Dobyns Colt and an Aird-X side-by-side and I preferred the Aird-X. The Aird-X really does perform well above it's price point.

No way I would go with the Revros or Regal at the moment since Tackle Warehouse and others are closing out the Fuego LT for $59.99 right now with the new MQ reels coming out. You'd be crazy not to jump up to a Fuego at about the same price!

 

Fuego LT at that price is a no-brainer to me. Couple it with an Aird-X and you are well under your budget with a nice light rig that has good sensitivity!

 

I agree with what Paul said above. If you go with lower level items already saying you don't like them, you might as well not buy them. Get the better quality reel that is marked down!

7 hours ago, Fishthunder said:

I would if I could there are no local stores with Dobyns rods.

I understand, not everyone has that availability. If it were me, I would not just buy one without holding it in person. Maybe pick another brand instead.