I have 3 St. Croix Premieres that have been a good rod for what I paid(half price).  Also a shimano symetre which makes fishing spinning tackle less of a chore.  I also own a Bionic Blade I got from senko77 that is a hell of a frog rod and is also tough.  I have a problem sticking them in the ceiling fan or hitting a wall and it has still not had any problems.

Muddy, how do your AllStars compare you old Techna AV? Please feel free to be long-winded? Also, have you tried the AllStar Platinum compared to the rest of the AllStar line.

Growing up Fewick was the"king" of rods for us. However, I've recently realized that my favorite rod was a Shimano Sensilite. Thus, I'm thinking of going the Shimano route. However, an AllStar / Revo combo seems to be a great value...

Were there any specific attributes for the AllStars that got you to switch your allegience

Thanks, Leon

Hey Leon: I will PM you, if I asked others to keep it under a hundred I shouldn't do it myself

I have a old Shimano Convergence 6' MH rod I still like to use.  I think the Convergence is a great rod for it's WAY under $100 price tag.  

Getting close to the $100 mark is the Shimano Compre and I like the one I have.  Would definitely consider another, except I just like the Crucial's better now.  Still, for under a $100 the Compre is a good choice.

I have 2 Gander Mtn spinning reels (which are Pflueger as I understand)  I have a GS35 and a GST30 and they are excellent reels for $39 and $49 respectively that I paid for them, actually quite unbeleiveably good for the price.  Will possibly be getting one more soon. (I have been very impressed with what I've seen of the Pflueger's lately)

I have a Cabela's Prodigy 1500 spinning reel and the Prodigy baitcaster ($65 each on clearance but still retailed for $99).  Against the rules of this thread, I have not used these yet but am as impressed as one can be by a product without actual use of it, especially the baitcaster.

Muddy, thanks for keeping me (and my wallet) in line

I should add that I think my Daiwa Exceler is a fine reel.

Hey just don't go on me, I am still learning. I asked for this thread, becAUSE THIS IS THE BRACKET I SHOP IN MOST AND I KNOW OTHERS COULD USE THE VAST EXPERIENCE HERE

I like the BPS extreme combos. It is hard to beat for the price, most of mine were $99 for the combo.  All mine I bought online and I like the wide range of options.

I'll second the gander mountian guide series rods/reels. They do use rebadged Pflueger reels and our local one offers great customer service. They offered to exchange a yr old reel without a box or reciept. I typically buy these as combo also, usually $99-$129.

I personally prefer to have more combos (specific to the type of fishing, lure, gear ratio, power, action, etc). Than have fewer slightly higher quality equipment. I would rather have six $100 combos than two $300 combos.

good luck

I use a $100 BPS Rick Clunn rod; got it for $80 on sale. They go on sale every year. It's a 7' medium power worm/dropshot model. Not sure why they call it a worm rod. It's a lousy worm rod. The tip is way too soft to be a worm rod. But, it is a great crankbait rod. Soft tip, with good backbone, SIC guides, excellent real seet, comfortable over-sized cork grip, and a nice EVA butt cap.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_58458_100002006_100000000_100002000_100-2-6

Another $100 BPS rod that I got for $80 is a 6'9" med-light Pro XPS Finesse baitcast rod. If you want an affordable baitcast rod to throw unweighted plastics, this is the one. And I don't mean Senko's. A Senko is heavy enough to throw on just about any bass rod. I mean Flukes, unweighted tubes and worms, etc. A very light rod with SIC guides, the excellent real seet and over-sized cork grip. I paired this rod up with  Johnny Morris Signature series baitcaster, and have pretty much eliminated spinning gear. Everything I used to throw with spinning gear gets thrown with this setup.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_73559_100002006_100000000_100002000_100-2-6

These are both fine $100 rods. They are both on sale every year, and are contenders in my best bang for the buck sweepstakes.

Cheers,

GK

Rods:

Shimano 6'6" Compre MH Spinning normally $89.00, got it for $50 something - It is tough to beat at that price; hardloy guides, IM8 graphite if it means something to some.

Lamiglas Competitor 6'6" M - MSRP is now $112 but most places will sell it between $60-80.00.  - The backbone for this rod in incredible not to mention excellent sensitivity.  It has more backbone than the two Shimanos listed above. Even 6# bass among wooden pilings don't stand a chance against it, and it can be used to toss 1/4 oz cranks (rated for 3/8 - 1) easily and works great for t-rigs. It is the definition of a all-around rod.

Shimano Clarus Clarus M Casting, $59.00 - Also another good value, good rod. AL Oxide guides, and IM7 graphite.

Berkley 7' M Cherrywood Rod Spinning - At < $20.00, I found this rod to be unbelieveably sensitive for a "low end" rod. It is worthy of feeling the the nibble while dropshotting.

Tica TC4 6' M action rod - Just bought it and haven't used it much yet, but for $15, I am not complaining.

Other thoughts - These are rods in my arsenal and with the excpetion of the Lamiglas and Tica, they are all 2-piece rods! Two Piece out of necessity to fit in the trunk. At this time, the Shimanos are my "beater"/trunk rods that I keep in the car because you never know when a fishing opportunity might present itself.

Reels:

Shimano 2500 Symetre - Shoot.  Need I say more?  ;D

Rapala 6Sxi Spinning Reel, size 20 - Awesome reel that normally costs $50 back in the day but I scored it for $34.00.  Use it as my main reel for dropshotting.

Pflueger Trion Casting - At $99, this reel is just about on par with the Curado BSF but can hold more line. It has never failed me and it has battled salmon that would make a 6# bass look like a dink. It happens to be running like the Energizer bunny.

Shimano Cardiff 301A - Awesome round reel at this price. If I use it for bass fishing, I like to use it for cranks because it has a 5.x:1 ratio. It just seems "easier" to crank and "feels" better to me when compared to my 6.x:1 reels, including one with HE Gearing.

My other stuff exceeds the $100 barrier. I won a GL2 Loomis and scored a Crucial for $59, but I won't count them because they normally wouldn't be under $100.  

For spinning reels

Pflueger President $59

Shimano Symmetre $79

Pflueger Medalist $79

All of these can be had for less on E-bay with a little effort

For Rods

BPS Extremes are easy to get as they go on sale so often lesst than $100

Berkley Lightning rod good rod for the money $20 to $35 ( and you don't have to cry if it breaks)

Berkley Cherry wood no very sensitive but it got the job done $20

Shakesphere Excursion probably a piece of crap rod but I had fun with the one that I had. My buddy slammed the door on it or I would still use it. I think it retails for $12.99 I'm going to buy another just for an " up yours " to the bait - monkey