I'm looking for suggestions on how I should add to my fishing gear.  I have some funds in my PayPal account.  I'm hoping to negotiate $150 of it for fishing gear.  Unfortunately, I do not have any tackle shops in my area that stock gear above the Shimano Compre & St Croix Premier range.

My situation:  I consider myself fortunate if I can squeeze in 2.5 hours of fishing per week during the summer.  I fish only from the bank in 2 environments.  

• Open water with little obvious structure.  Here, I find casting distance to be important.
  

• Pond/quarry surrounded by cattails & trees.  Sometimes there is little room for casting.  The quarry bottom has lots of rocky structure of various sizes.  The vegetation is not matted.
  

Some of the areas are heavily pressured.  I do not expect to encounter many bass over 3 lbs in these areas.

My current gear:

• 
  Browning Midas (boron) Spinning 6'6 MF with Stradic FH 2500.  It has a somewhat softer/slower tip so I would consider this to be my cranking rod.

• Shimano Crucial 6'3 Spinning MXF with Daiwa Exceler 2500.  This has become my main rod.  Its short handle is great for casting one-handed in the crowded areas.  I actually prefer the Exceler to the Stradic because it casts significantly further.   Line management is equivalent.
  

• Fenwick Techna AV Casting 7'7 MF with Revo S-L.  I consider this to be my plastics/jig rod.  It also has the most backbone of the group.
  

• BPS Extreme Spinning 6'6 MF has been retired.
  

I'm still more comfortable with spinning gear and I'm not as comfortable yet with 7' rods with long handles.

My thoughts Either a quality spinning reel (leaning towards Tierra 2500 or possibly Stradic 3000) or a 6'8 MHF spinning rod to complete my spinning needs.  I like the Crucial Drop Shot rods and find the Powell Max to look appealing.  The Avids I've handled haven't impressed me as much as the Crucials (or Midas).  On paper, the Cumara is exactly what I would like.  However, $200 is stretching my budget (unless tomorrow's trip to the Casino is successful).  On the other hand, I could invest in some quality baits & terminal tackle...

My strategy is to fight off the bait monkey long enough to find the right deal on the most appropriate piece of equipment.

BassResource has been a great source of information for me over that past year.  Thanks for your guidance & suggestions.

Leon

You know the monkey wants a Loomis   ;D

An IMX would certainly satisfy the monkey for a while.  Maybe I can find more "junk" to sell and increase the Paypal account.  

Heck, lets really make the ape happy.  go for a Kistler Helium LTX or an Orvis rod....   : :-?

The 6'8" MH fast spin rod you mentioned makes a lot of sense.  This should round out your collection nicely.  Save up a little longer and splurge on the Cumara.  You know you'll be happy you did.  

Also give the carrot stix and Dobyns rods a look.

Thanks, any thoughts about adding a quality reel before another rod?  Another rod would mean having more spinning rods than spinning reels.

Reels- The 2500s you have are perfect.  I don't see any reason to go higher unless you are fishing for larger fish. And the Shimano and Diawa models you have are excellent, too.

Rods - Wow! What a query.  There are rods out there for every technique and bait available and you can drive yourself crazy selecting one. It boils down to personal preference.

If you want top of the line models, how about a Kistler, All Star, Carrot Stix or a G. Loomis?

Or you can go to a St. Croix

I enjoy by Shimano rods, too. They cost me under $60 and they work fine.

May I suggest a 6' 10" length medium heavy rod as this should meet most of your needs.  You can always go up to and past the 7' length but I suggest you do this when you have a few 6' 6" and 6' 10" models.

Just as long as you get a quality brand name rod you can't wrong.

Any of the rods the guys mention will work for you.  But as I said, it is totally personal preference as to your rod and handle lengths and the weight of the rod and how it balances with your reel.

How about checking out the Cabella's or Bass Pro Shops' catalogs and you will be able to view the different rods that are on the market.

Hopefully there is a tackle shop in your area that carries the Kistlers and Carrot Stix so you can see them, too.

Good luck and let us know what you get.  

Heck satisfy the monkey with a CUSTOM loomis with a Abu Premier with  some brand spankin new lucky crafts, Tungsten line. And  300 yards of some Iron LC line!  ;D Wow Now thats some spending

Thanks

Be patient and buy something from the "Flea Market".

We have great deals pop up all of the time.

8-)

Thanks RW.  Part of my strategy is to keep my eyes open.  However, with funds available, I'm afraid I might do something impulsive and silly, such as applying some funds to the kids College Savings Play  ;D