Hi everybody, I've been fishing the flats on the Gulf of Mexico for several years now and have fished for bream my whole life and caught plenty of bass. I have nice graphite rods and Shimano reels for teh flats, but have just used a little 2' 6" pole with a Zebco 33 for the bream and bass. I recently gained access to a nice lake nearby with tons of huge bass in it...and I was interested in getting a nice graphite rod and a nice reel for fishing. What would you guys suggest?These are the rods I am considering:

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_97971_100002002_100000000_100002000_100-2-2

I have a friend who uses AllStar rods and hes loves them.

http://fish.shimano.com/catalog/fish/products/group_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302036713&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181270&bmUID=1197683056321

Fish these on the flats and they are fantastic...plus they have the lifetime warranty.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&partNumber=303&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults

Have another friend who swears by these...they seem like a good deal but no backbone.

I cannot spend more than $75.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&partNumber=46267&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults

3000 size

That is the reel I will most likely get, as I've been using them for years with great luck, but if anyone has any other suggestions I will consider them.

I will also be using 8lb dia. PowerPro, for the same reason as the reel.

Thanks everyone.

Welcome Aboard!

I have the Clarus in a 7ft MH, it is paired with a Shimano Symtre 4000FH, which is around the smae size as the Shperos 3000. The Symtres are built on a bigger frame. If you like that size reel look into the Sahara 4000, I believe it is the same size as the 3000 but a little lighter, and it is around 20 dollars cheaper. Alot of guys use 2500 series reels for bass fishing. I am having a hard time getting use to the smaller reel unless I am using ultralites for panfish. I think it comes from years of inshore saltwater fishing as well. Oh by the way my Clarus is six or seven years old and has reeled in everything from redfish, catfish to bass.

Big T

Thanks for the info Big T! Actually, my dad has a Sahara 4000 on his rod, and he likes it, but I am not a fan of the 6.2:1 gear ratio. Also, the smaller the reel, the better in my opinion.  Have you heard anything about the Shimano Sedona 2500? It looks very good to me.

apathy, you have a PM

Big T

Responded.