Hey All,

    Looking for a new rod/reel, ideally under 60 bucks for both.  Not a HUGE fisherman by any means, but fishing with a 5ft Shakespeare Uglystik Microspin.  Been doing a lot of Senko fishing recently, and have been hitting bass in the 4-6lb range.  Picked up a Quantum Tenacity rod and spinning reel today.  Looking for something that has a little bit better retrieve, and is won't have as much bend as my ugly stik (I swear it's going to break everytime)

Should I keep this combo I bought today? Return it and keep my current setup?  Get something else?  

Help out a new guy!

Get yourself a new Berkley Lightening rod and whatever reel from Shimano or Daiwa that you can afford.  

Hey Link,

I had a wonderful post going when the site shut down for maintenance so I will just give you some places to check for rods and reels.

Tackle Express on the south side of Midlothian Turnpike near Robious Road - Check with Craig and see what deals he has.

Castaways - Jeff Davis Highway south of Route 288 - they have some rods and reels but their speciality is Zoom plastics.

Peckers - The Stony Point Fashion Park store always seems to have combos on sale while I have not noticed many combos on sale at their Chesterfield Towne Center store. If you are in the Innsbrook area you can check their store at the Short Pump mall.

Green Top - Check with Ron or Billy, if you can find them, and they  have excellent rod and reel selections and they can create a combo for you. Anyone in the fishing department can help you with your selection at Green Top but try to see Ron.

Wal-Mart - Always check them out for their combos and the Shimano reels.  You have a number to visit in the area. The store on Forest Hill off Chippenham has had a good selection.

Dance's - May have some rods on sale but I have not noticed any sale items other than lures. They do have a good selection of Ugly Sticks.

Gander Mountain - No telling what they have on sale as their sale items change from week to week.

And remember the upcoming Labor Day sales the last weekend in August.

Let us know what you selected.  

And by the way, try to find a Medium Heavy six foot, six inch rod.

Your choice of a baitcaster or spinning reel, whichever you feell more comfortable.

As always Sam, you rock!  

I'm tempted to keep the Quantam Tenacity as I like the feel of it, it's just odd going to a taller pole!

Ok, i have had the same dilema you have. Here is the rod/reel combo i suggest: Berkley Lightning Rod ($35) and a Mitchell Advocet II ($20). Both are available at your local wal-mart, or any other sporting good store for that matter. Lightning Rods are VERY WELL KNOWN as being the best in their class for their price. They are super strong and cheap. They will last you forever. Those Mitchell reels are CHEAP, but ive had one for about two years now, and although its scratched, it still performs VERY smoothly. I used it in bass tournaments, carp fishing, and i even landed a dozen 30+lb salmon with it. Its a great combo. Buy it, you wont be disappointed.

Well I returned the Quantum today and got this:

Berkley Lightning Rod 6'6, MH

Abu Garcia Cardinal Spinning Reel

Took it out tonight, I like the combo.  Feels good, heavier and much larger than my microlite I've fished with for quite sometime!  

Deep down, I think I still prefer my microlite

Deep down, I think I still prefer my microlite

When you catch your first 5 lb bass you will change your opinion.

8-)

Not sure they exist where I'm fishing!  haha

Get yourself a new Berkley Lightening rod and whatever reel from Shimano or Daiwa that you can afford.  

Great advice. My first " Bass Rod " was a lightening rod with a Shimano Sedona.

Which Quantam Tenacity Combo did you get?

I have a friend who was short on green and got one.  He Loves it.  I have to admit in helping him pick it out it was a great outfit.

He got a 30 size reel and 7' rod.  He has used it for everything from Trout to Smallmouth without fault.  I have a stepson to get a 20 size for and looked at a Tenacity today for him.

Ern

Get yourself a new Berkley Lightening rod and whatever reel from Shimano or Daiwa that you can afford.

x2 have 2 of them

Lightnings are great rods for the price. They are especially good for any single hook lure, like jigs, spinnerbaits, etc. They Double as GREAT frog rogs. But, if you ever start looking for specialty rods, these do not make the cut for crankbaits, topwaters, or really anything with trebles IMO. But hey, rest assured that you Definately bought a standout rod for most fishing applications. Congrads on the purchase! May your rod always be loaded (in a good way) !