if you were to buy just one rod and reel for $500 what lure would you be rigging it up with?  would it be a used for finese or power fishing?

Finesse baits for sure ...... soft plastics and jigs

It would be my soft plastics finesse rig. 8-)

If I were spending that much on the reel, I'd get a nice rod to go with it, too!   :

Jigs, jigs, jigs, and maybe the occasional t-rigged plastics.

Well, unless of course I could also move to Cali, and then it would be swimbaits.

You already have a 500 bones reel RW.  ;D

Finesse fishing for sure, with soft-plastic lures  8-)

Roger

As you go up the money scale, you'll get lighter weight and increased sensitivity with rods, and smoother casting, lighter weight and better drags with reels. All of this points to one thing; just as RoLo suggested, soft plastics, finesse style.

Cheers,

GK

I have used $500 systems for hardcore Jigs, T-rigs, Spinnerbaits, and Buzzbaits. The boss (wife) uses a couple of $500 systems in spinning for soft finesse.

Tight Lines !!

I'd put some stinkbait on it and fish for cats.   8-)

I'd put some stinkbait on it and fish for cats.   8-)

I have to clean my monitor........that's funny right there! ;D

Finnesse all the way

Ronnie

Go to go with soft plastic and jigs.

I'd put some stinkbait on it and fish for cats. 8-)

Senile You aren't rite,  Thanks for the laugh ;D

You already have a 500 bones reel RW. ;D

My soft plastics rig is a Shimano Stella 2500FB/ St. Croix Legend Elite ES70MF.

My smallmouth/ live bait combination is a Stella 2500FB/ G.Loomis GLX PR844S.

For fishing most treble hook lures, Shimano Calais CL200/ St. Croix Avid AC66MF

For jigs, Shimano CTE200GT/ G. Loomis GLX MBR844C.

For light tackle, Stella 1000FA/ St. Croix AS66MLF.

I will prob be spending that much or more on a new reel and rod for some Mattlure Swimbaits.

Id go with topwater and jerkbaits.

Definitely Finesse given the two choices you listed.  Power fishing with baits such as spinnerbaits, crankbaits, jerkbaits, traps,  etc. does not require a sensitive rod, yet these baits just need the proper action, which can be found in a less expensive rod.  I like fishing spinnerbaits on my 843 glx's, but I'd be lying if I said those rods were necessary.  The Loomis CBR's are the best treble hook rods I have ever fished with, and are a great value.  

  if you were to buy just one rod and reel for $500 what lure would you be rigging it up with?  would it be a used for finese or power fishing?

It would be my soft plastics finesse rig. 8-)

If I were spending that much on the reel, I'd get a nice rod to go with it, too! :

pretty sure rod and reel includes the rod :