Hey guys and gals. I have 2 friends who are hardcore muskie fishermen. They used to bass fish but it's been years. Anyways, they now wanna dabble in the bass game again and asked me for recommendations on a rod/reel setup. 

 

For reels, I know they like Shimano and Daiwa. Rods they don't really care. They both wanna keep the budget around $300, and wanna be able to throw bladed jigs, lipless, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits. I have separate rods that I throw all those on, and those combos are more than $300. 

 

Any suggestions would be appreciated. 

 

 

I am certainly not an expert, but I think I'd rather get 2 $150 combos vs 1 $300 combo.

 

For example, one for single hook baits and one for treble hook baits.

 

IDK, maybe that would be difficult to build for $150. I'm sure there's a lot of guys that do it.

 

My initial thought, since everything mentioned are moving baits, I would want something medium heavy with a slightly slower, more moderate action. 

 

At first I was thinking a Dobyns Sierra 734 with a SLX or SLX XT if Shimano, or a Fuego if Daiwa. For a bit more on the Daiwa,... Maybe step up to a new model Tatula 100. 

 

Other options at the rod, due to comments being made due to Dobyns being bought out might be maybe a Falcon Lowrider or look for a deal on a Megabass Levante.

 

Any of those options should put you in the ballpark of $300 for the combo, give or take a bit.

Although I haven’t felt the new 13 fishing Oath 7’-4” med heavy mod fast I handled the 7’-3” med heavy extra fast and at $99.00 I think there pretty nice. As far as reels I would look at the new Tatula 100 as @FrnkNsteen said. That is just under $300.00 all in.

Falcon Lowrider swim jig rod. MH, moderate fast. It will do everything that you wrote and t rigged worms or paddletails in a pinch.

Tat 100 a good choice.

For the rod I'd suggest a SA 704C or SA 734C. The sierra line is a bit softer so while it wouldn't be ideal (IMO) for the bladed jigs or lipless crankbaits, it would probably work ok and should do fine for buzzbaits and spinnerbaits. I'm pretty sure you could find it on sale for at least 20% off which should leave enough for a good reel to go with it. I did see tatulas on sale a while back and if it were me I'd pair it with 7.1 tatula 100...strongly suspect they would do ok w/ that setup for those lures...VTC73MHF would also work and is on sale for $140 at fishermans warehouse...personally own this one and 2 sierras (although not that specific model) btw and I'm happy w/ them.

4 hours ago, little giant said:

Falcon Lowrider swim jig rod. MH, moderate fast. It will do everything that you wrote and t rigged worms or paddletails in a pinch.

Tat 100 a good choice.

 

It’s funny, a friend just asked me almost the same question and this was the answer I said for a $300 budget.  A low rider for $130 plus a Tat SV TW JDM for $170.  The swim jig is probably the model I’d go with also, with mono.  With braid I think it’s too much for some of those things but with mono it’s a great choice.  

On 6/11/2025 at 6:19 PM, Brian11719 said:

For the rod I'd suggest a SA 704C

That’s what was going to say. This is the rod I use for all moving baits after trying many other rods. This one is perfect. 
 

For the reel, SLX in the best version he can afford. 

If theyre using chatterbaits under .5oz and FC line they can go with just about any 7'2-7'4 MH F and it would work.  If they want to use chatterbaits .5 and over than a H with a some tip would be the way to go.  A Mag heavy Sierra or 7'4 H R Tatula would probably work.  

Thanks for the recommendations, all!

 

 

On 6/11/2025 at 4:25 PM, little giant said:

Falcon Lowrider swim jig rod. MH, moderate fast. It will do everything that you wrote and t rigged worms or paddletails in a pinch.

Tat 100 a good choice.

 

On 6/11/2025 at 9:22 PM, casts_by_fly said:

 

It’s funny, a friend just asked me almost the same question and this was the answer I said for a $300 budget.  A low rider for $130 plus a Tat SV TW JDM for $170.  The swim jig is probably the model I’d go with also, with mono.  With braid I think it’s too much for some of those things but with mono it’s a great choice.  

 

Swim Jig rod over the bladed jig rod? They're both rated pretty much the same, except the Bladed Jig is 1" longer. 

I haven’t handled the bladed jig rod, but from the comparative descriptions from others it is truly a moderate fast, slightly softer action.  The swim jig rod is a fast action (at least in the Cara).  It has a lot softer tip and a lot more butt compared to how the bladed jig is described.  Maybe there Cara is a lot different to the lowrider, but I would be very surprised if they used a different mandrel and flag for the two.  I expect it is the same mandrel and flag (graphite sheet template) and they use a different graphite sheet and scrim for the lowrider.  It will keep it the same action, but just change the responsiveness a little.  It will seem a little slower in speed, but the action will stay the same.

 

So for me, I would prefer the swim jig rod over the bladed jig since I prefer a little faster action for all of those things.  That said, if you took the lipless out of the wishlist, then it would be the head turner for me.  That’s what I throw my spinnerbaits and bladed jigs on now, and what I threw a buzzbait on last week and liked a lot (I still like the heavy cover jig best for buzzbaits).  It’s a little too much for a lipless crankbait though I think.  In a pinch it would do, but if you know you’re going to be throwing one it isn’t the rod I’d pick.  The other two to consider would be the 7’ all around fast and the 7’4” heavy cover jig.  Both come with considerations though.  I haven’t fished the all ‘round fast.  I have the all’round in the bucoo and it isn’t enough rod for me for those things.  BrianMDTX on this board has the fast version and likes it a lot.  I’ve considered getting one, but the swim jig I think would superseded it for me.  The HCJ is a great all around rod.  It is a much bigger rod though.  At 7’4” it just fishes bigger and as a 6-power it has a good bit more butt to it compared to the swim jig or the other 5 power rods (the head turner is al so a 6 power).  I haven’t fished a lipless on it, but it is more moderate than the HT at the same total power and I think it would work.  It’s my best buzzbait rod and is a great bladed bait rod.  But, it’s best with a 1/2 oz lure weight.  A 3/8 plus a chunky trailer, a 3/8 weight plus plastic Texas rigged, etc.  I’m sure I could throw a 1/2 oz red eye shad a mile with it and I’m going to test that out next trip. If that’s your range then hammer down.

 

I still think the swim jig with 16# sunline is the right choice in this case.  

People here seem to be liking the new st. Croix gxr combos. I think you could get two for $300.