Hello everyone this is my first post. A little about me... I've been fishing since I was kid but have never been very serious about my gear. Currently I'm using a $40 Spinning rod. I want to purchase a baitcasting rod and reel. My price range is $150 to $180. My buddy is about to purchase a boat so I want to upgrade my current setup. I will mainly be fishing lakes and the everglades here in south Florida. I mainly use crank baits but have had a lot of success lately using worms with a Texas Rig. If you guys could please give me a good suggestions for a good all around combo with primary emphasis if it has to go one way or the other on worm fishing. Thanks

Ok if you ask ANYONE your rod and reels are personal preference cause most reels in the same price range will perform about the same but lets get to it.

Rod: Because you really want a reel for atleast $100 I would get a Abu Garcia Vendetta within my family (me, my bro and my dad) we own 10 of them. Very strong and sensitive and only $80.

Reel: Get a BPS Pro Qualifier BEST reel for $100. Ask SoFlaBassAddict he has 5 of these reels. I have never owned one but my friend has $300 reels and he wants one of these. My mom has the MG version and it is very smooth.

I hope this helped

This does help... I am completely new at shopping for good equipment all my buddies and me are using cheap spinning combos. So I don't know which brands are good or even what the different rod types feel like when fishing.

I see that there are four different variations of the gear ratio on the BPS Pro Qualifier: 4.7:1, 5.2:1, 6.4:1, and 7.1:1. I take it the higher the ratio the faster you can reel in, however I'm clueless on how to pick one.

Yea it does, for your first rod I would suggest a stiffer one for plastics and any single hook baits. If you want a Vendetta get a Medium cause they are kinda stiff. >>> http://www.***.com/Abu_Garcia_Vendetta_Casting_Rods/descpage-AGVCR.html

I see that there are four different variations of the gear ratio on the BPS Pro Qualifier: 4.7:1, 5.2:1, 6.4:1, and 7.1:1. I take it the higher the ratio the faster you can reel in, however I'm clueless on how to pick one.

4.7:1 or 5.1:1 = Crank Baits, 6.2:1 = Everything but mainly plastics 7.1:1 = Spinnerbaits

Just get a 6.2:1

That price range is a little hard because for a combo in that range, you'll notice a difference from your old gear, but if you wait a little bit until you have around $230-ish then get a Pro Qualifier or Carbonlite for your reel. The Carbonlite is just a nicer version of the Pro Q for only $20 more and weighs less. Get a 6.X:1 Gear ratio.

For your rod you suggested that you want an all purpose rod, but you mainly like throwing cranks, and texas rigs. I'm going to recommend the Falcon Bucoo. Get the 7' MH. It has just the right tip to were you wont rip cranks out of the fishes mouth, but you cant still get that nice hookset with single hook lures. Also look at the SHIMANO Crucials

If you have any questions about the Pro Qualifier, Carbonlite or Bucoo just ask me, I own them 8-) However even though Wannabe Ike's family has 10 Vendetta's, I can't and won't recommend them. They are heavier and the weight is more in the tip. Thats not so comfortable. And for an extra 20-30 dollars you will get a noticeable increase in sensitivity.

And like all people new to the baitcasting world, your going to have to learn. I can give you the written instructions by me or I can make you a Youtube video. 8-)

I only recomended the Vendetta cause it matched his price range other wise I would have not said the Vendetta

I can spend more money if we are talking about a huge difference. I just know that you sometimes get to a point of diminishing returns on what you spend.... but I'm sure I'm still on the lower price range of setups. I could do 230.

If you can do 230. do 230. Go to your local BPS and find a knowledgeable saleman. Spend 100 on a PQ or carbonlite. then spend every last dime on your rod.

http://www.***.com/Falcon_LowRider_XG_Casting_Rods/descpage-FLRC.html

Specifically, model # LFC- 5-168. An excellent all around rod that would work out very well for you. A steal at $109.99. Falcon makes a nice rod. 5 year warranty also.

Honestly, you need to look at what kind of rod you use the most. You fish down here in my area, so let me offer you this. But a rod you can dedicate to worming. Plastic worms are ALWAYS a solid producer down here. The catch 22 is this: you don't really want to throw cranks on a worming rod. They're a stiffer rod, which means that you'll more often than not, rip the treble hooks away from a fish without hooking him. Crank rods are a lot softer and slower. If I were just starting out, looking for a new rod for our area, I'd get something that would work for plastics. For the area down here, you really need a MH rod. You can slide by with a M, but you'll probably regret it in the long run.

As far as rods go, buy the best you can afford. If it's 100 bucks, there are several choices in that lineup. If you can spend more, than do it. Once you step up over the 100 dollar mark, your choices in quality rods really will expand. Shimano Crucials, St. Croix Avids, Falcon Cara, etc etc. All of them are solid rods. You need to get out somewhere and handle them though. Stick a reel on it and find something that is comfortable to YOU. You can have a 700 dollar rod, but if it isn't comfortable, you won't enjoy using it. If you want my personal choice, click here.

For reels, somebody already mentioned them, the BPS PQ. Get it in a 6.4:1 ratio for plastics. Thats a general all around gear ratio. You can do just about anything with it. The reels are 100 bucks. They're frequently on sale though for 80. You can get better reels, but not for the price.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys... I'll be taking a trip to Bass Pro Shop this weekend and seeing what feelings best in my hands. Can't wait to fish this weekend!!!

Hello everyone this is my first post. A little about me... I've been fishing since I was kid but have never been very serious about my gear. Currently I'm using a $40 Spinning rod. I want to purchase a baitcasting rod and reel. My price range is $150 to $180. My buddy is about to purchase a boat so I want to upgrade my current setup. I will mainly be fishing lakes and the everglades here in south Florida. I mainly use crank baits but have had a lot of success lately using worms with a Texas Rig. If you guys could please give me a good suggestions for a good all around combo with primary emphasis if it has to go one way or the other on worm fishing. Thanks

That price range makes things a little tougher...

If I only had $180 for a worm rod, I would look at a used Curado CU200 on EBAY (~$70) and paired with a 7' M or MH St Croix Premier with a fast tip (~$110).

Or....used AC500PT on EBAY (~$50) paired with a new Daiwa Cielo from TW ($128).

I'd probably go with the second option...you can always upgrade the reel later.

Good to see another S. Fla poster...

You are from Florida I think I read that, so that means you probably have an Academy near by (hopefully). I don't know what's on sale as of now, but every now and again they run a special. A Shimano Citica and an Allstar classic rod $120 or $130 for the combo. They run it once or twice a year, hopefully you can time it right.

As far as rods go, this Daiwa Cielo is the best deal going right now, MH'F and perfect for your needs

http://www.***.com/Team_Daiwa_Cielo_Casting_Rods/descpage-TDCC.html

Hey bruther,

I just got my first BC on Saturday.  I also wanted an all around combo, but I mostly was looking for something that was better than my spinning combos at getting the fish out of the weeds.  I wanted something that I could jig into the heavy cover, but also work a crank along the weedline.  I got alot of really good advice and suggestions from members on here.  But I live only 3 miles from BPS so I went there.  I ended up getting the Johnny Morris Elite rod and JM signature reel.  6'6" MH-F rod and 6.4-1 reel.  If you buy the combo together, they will knock off like 50-60 bucks.  I paid like 210 or so, but I also negotiated a little for that price.  Its a long story, but it should have been about 250.

Definitely within your price range.

Anyways, I finally got to practice casting the other day and it feels really good with this combo I got.  I dont have anything to compare it to tho, but if its working good for me (another BC newbie), it might work good for you. 

Just my 2 cents.

Good luck.