Hello, new member here. I'm starting to get back into bass fishing a little bit. Don't really have much equipment as i havent been bass fishing much in several years. Last few years i've been focusing on getting stocked up on fly fishing gear. I've never really used baitcasters but am trying to make myself learn now! I want to get a new rod, but only looking at entry level ones. I've somewhat narrowed it down to a few choices and would like some input on them if possible? They are, Diawa Aird ($50), Falcon Altrax ($50), Shimano Scimitar ($50) & H2O Xpress Mettle ($35), Berkley Lightning Rod. Any thoughts on these budget rods? I currently have a KastKing Royale Legend GT reel that seems ok for what i paid, but was looking to add another reel also. Would the H2O Xpress Mettle ($70) be an upgrade from the KK? Any other "budget" reels worth getting? Such as Abu Garcia Max STX , Daiwa CC 80, Shimano Caius etc? Or is another KK suffecient in that price range??

Thanks for any info

Welcome aboard..

Welcome to the forum.

I always think of Lews in the budget market.

The Academy Mettle has a good reputation in my neck of the woods. Tough, durable reel. The rod? Don't see how you could go wrong with the Daiwa Aird-X. Big favorite on this board. Academy gives you a 60 day return window.

Good Fishing

13 minutes ago, GreenTrout said:

Don't see how you could go wrong with the Daiwa Arid.

Would help if it was spelled correctly

 

"Daiwa Aird-X"...plop a Fuego CT on it and you've got a winning, decent price combo - one I used for a few years before upgrading.

Welcome!

Welcome

Quit buying multiple budget reels, combine your dollars and get a better reel, Daiwa comes to mind. Also that Arid rod gets good reviews on here. 
 

Best wishes. 

welcome!!!

 

let me introduce you to a monkey we call the Bait Monkey.    

First and foremost welcome from Illinois. As far as the rod choices I don’t own any of the above but do own a few different Lews that are in the same range and I think you’ll be happy with any of them until you get hooked on baitcast gear and are ready to upgrade. As far as the reel I don’t own the exact one you’re referring to but I have some experience with both Piscifun and Kast King reels, the Piscifun was extremely difficult to keep the settings where I needed them and the KK a Royal Legend 2 although not horrible would not be my first choice in your situation. I would opt for a name brand simply because as I’ve said in the past parts and service is virtually non existent for the “off name” brands unless you can find the name brand reel they are based on such as my Piscifun Saex Elite which is a rebranded Ardent Elite. I have a Daiwa CA 80 which a quick search on Amazon I saw for right around $80.00 and it’s a Doyo platform I believe which means it should be serviceable by none other than site sponsor DVT should the need arise. Sorry for the long winded explanation.

Howdy and welcome.

 

I suggest getting a rod with a soft tip. My favorite all around rod is an Abu Garcia Black Max. It's a cheap rod. It might not have the backbone to pull a hog out of heavy slop, but it casts excellently. It has enough tip flex for any type of casting, and it has enough backbone for any normal bass fishing, but probably on the lighter side. Certainly on the light side for the trend on this forum. 

 

I have owned a Berkley Lightning casting rod and I found it to be too stiff for 3/8oz lures. The tip was mighty stiff. Like casting a broomstick. I finally had enough and got rid of it.

We all tend to believe casting distance is our goal and it should proper casting mechanics and accuracy. Casting distance will come as you learn proper technique.

A moderate action rod is more forgiving to achieve the correct release point when casting with a bait caster. 
The problem we all face is finding rod / reel / line that fits our needs. What is good for me may not work for you, we have different needs and skill set.

”Crank Bait” rods tend to be more moderate action and good to develop your casting skill with. Medium to Medium heavy power is another bag of snakes as no standards exist to make good comparison.

The average casting rod length currently is 7’, any rod between 6’10” to 7’2” within your budget rated moderate-fast will work for you.

Berkley Big Game 10 to 12 lb test or Sunline Super Natural 12 to 14 lb test mono works good.

Tom

Welcome! 

 

I was fishing with a Diawa Aird-X 7ft. medium and Diawa cc80 yesterday.  With 10# Trilene Big Game, this is my light topwater setup (poppers and small ploppers).  Very happy with both rod and reel, but it’s not a general use setup.
 

But if assembling your first baitcater for bass, I’d walk into your local shop and buy a Lews combo 7ft. MH/F with an 7-speed reel and spool it with 40# braid.  That’ll cover the majority of largemouth bass weed/wood fishing techniques pretty well.  If not Lews, Diawa also offer great value at the lower prices IMHO - a 7ft. MH/F Aird-X and cc80 with braid would be good too.

35 minutes ago, The Baron said:

cc80 with braid would be good too.

Personally, I'd up it to the CA-80 - same reel but Aluminum frame instead of Carbon-Composite frame (second letter notes the frame material - C=Carbon, R=Resin, A=Aluminum)

13 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Personally, I'd up it to the CA-80 - same reel but Aluminum frame instead of Carbon-Composite frame (second letter notes the frame material - C=Carbon, R=Resin, A=Aluminum)

Aha - I didn’t know what those letters actually stood for.  Thanks - and I agree!

1 hour ago, The Baron said:

Aha - I didn’t know what those letters actually stood for.  Thanks - and I agree!

I forgot one too - CG is a graphite frame - still the same internal workings.

On 6/21/2025 at 6:44 AM, GreenTrout said:

The Academy Mettle has a good reputation in my neck of the woods. Tough, durable reel. The rod? Don't see how you could go wrong with the Daiwa Aird-X. Big favorite on this board. Academy gives you a 60 day return window.

Good Fishing

The Aird does seem to be the best choice from the responses. I guess its considered a better rod than the Falcon Altrax? And i am definitely leaning towards the Mettle reel. Would you consider it as good or even better than the Abu Garcia Max STX ? 

 

5 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Personally, I'd up it to the CA-80 - same reel but Aluminum frame instead of Carbon-Composite frame (second letter notes the frame material - C=Carbon, R=Resin, A=Aluminum)

Its my understanding the Mettle is an aluminum reel also, is that true? And how do you think the Mettle compares to the CC-80 and the Abu Garcia Max STX? 

1 hour ago, jt7 said:

Its my understanding the Mettle is an aluminum reel also, is that true? And how do you think the Mettle compares to the CC-80 and the Abu Garcia Max STX? 

I'm not familiar with either the Mettle or the Abu - I've got Daiwa and Pflueger for my casting reels.

For a baitcasting reel, are you looking for left-side retrieve or right-side? If unsure, try both at a store and find out what feels most natural to you. If it's a left-side retrieve, and if you're open to buying used, I'm about to start paring down and have a St. Croix PC66MF with a Shimano Caenan 151, one of my first combos around 2017, which is lightly used and still as good as it was then as it is now. It's a fantastic general purpose bass combo. I usually spooled it with 12 lb mono and caught largemoutn and smallies all around the lake. Absolutely simple setup, yet so versatile, and high quality St. Croix and Shimano. Since then I've "upgraded" to the Avid series because I got bit by the bait monkey, but would have zero reservations and full confidence in this setup if it was the only one I had, which is why I still have it (actually them... two!) - If you're interested, message me and I'll find some pricing.

4 hours ago, haggard said:

are you looking for left-side retrieve or right-side

Thanks for the offer but i'm looking for a right side. My fly rods are left side and even after several years fly fishing it still feels weird! 

I believe i'm gonna go with the Mettle and see if they are as good as all the reviews i've seen

11 hours ago, jt7 said:

 

I believe i'm gonna go with the Mettle and see if they are as good as all the reviews i've seen

Wise decision ... if you don't like it, take it back within the 60 days grace period. And the Mettle does have an aluminum frame. 

Good Fishing

Welcome aboard! 🤙

Welcome home!  We're glad you're here.

On 6/21/2025 at 7:44 AM, GreenTrout said:

The Academy Mettle has a good reputation in my neck of the woods. Tough, durable reel. The rod? Don't see how you could go wrong with the Daiwa Aird-X. Big favorite on this board. Academy gives you a 60 day return window.

Good Fishing

I have an Academy Tac 40 reel. They don't sell it anymore. It was a great deal for the features it has, as is the Mettle. I mean you're talking $55 for a reel with an aluminum frame. That used to cost you $80 min. It gave about 5 years of good service. It now has an issue with slipping out of gear. But I used it on my pitching stick, yanking good bass out of trees and laydowns with 30 lb braid and the drag very tight. Now I keep it and another old reel to help me swap ends of braided line because I'm a cheapskate. 😃