I have been enjoying my ready2fish spinning rod but now looking for my first bait caster and money is tight. but I have a $10 off $50 coupon at Dicks Sporting Goods and...

this reel caught my eye,  what do you guys think??

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_100763_100001001_100000000_100001000?cm_ven=bazaarvoice&cm_cat=RLP&cm_pla=100763&cm_ite=productname_link

was gonna pick one up at wiith a $20 Daiwa StrikeForce rod.

and I'm only fishing local ponds  

Can't honestly say to much I haven't used that specific model but I do like most AG's.

I'm sure that will work great. The important thing is learning control with a baitcaster and the less crap on the reel the more control you have to apply(thumb use, cast control and brake settings).

Select line carefully(match it to your combo) and cheaply(backlashes/birdnests are common at first) at first too.

Sounds like a great combo but maybe check basspro and cabelas as they may have a same money better rig deal at one of their "MEGATHON" sales.

All I know is that reel is LIGHT years ahead of what I started with....an old ABU roundy and I still prefer round reels to this day.

Have fun!

The DSGs around here carry a Black Max/Lightning Rod Combo that sells for about $60. If the stores around you stock them, you could use your $10 off coupon and get a good starter set-up for about $50.

Here dicks has a silver max/lightening rod for $70....you gotta watch if you buy a combo that is already together at dicks or anywhere else, they get abused and are most often broken in one way or another.

Here dicks has a silver max/lightening rod for $70....you gotta watch if you buy a combo that is already together at dicks or anywhere else, they get abused and are most often broken in one way or another.

they have the same combo here.in my store they do not get abused which is nice.looks like a decent deal for the dough.

That reel along with the SilverMax are excellent for the $! I own both and love them equally! They cast a mile and are very smooth, not to mention strong! Both can be had on Ebay new for about $40 too!