Hey everybody, just joined the forums but been browsing the site for a while now. I am looking to get my first baitcasting combo and have about $300-$400 to spend. Looking for rods and reels that will work for a variety of presentations and techniques as I can only afford one quality combo right now. Anybody have any recommendations? Thanks.

If I were to get one combo to do multiple things in that price range, I would look at a St Croix Avid AVC70MF paired with a Shimano Curado 200e7. Price would be in the range of $170ish for the rod and $150ish for the reel. You are looking at around 320, and spend the other 80 on tackle!

Jeff

PS- Welcome to BR!!

If I were to get one combo to do multiple things in that price range, I would look at a St Croix Avid AVC70MF paired with a Shimano Curado 200e7. Price would be in the range of $170ish for the rod and $150ish for the reel. You are looking at around 320, and spend the other 80 on tackle!

Jeff

PS- Welcome to BR!!

X2.

Yep, I agree with "oomod". Nice all around set-up.

A lot will be up to personal choice, if you can visit a tackle store where you can hold different combinations. What feels good to one person may not feel as good to another. A 7ft to 7ft 6in MH rod with a fast action covers most fishing scenerio's.

My personal choice would be a Dobyns SS743C and a Revo STX.

Your budget puts you at price points with lots of good options. Scew the budget towards the rod, especially if it will be used for jigs, plastics... 7' Med Hvy / Fast action. Get the highest end rod you can and match it with a decent reel. The St Croix Avid line is a good starting point. ABU, Shimano and Daiwa all have good reels in the $100> range. Don't be afraid to consider slightly used either.

Dobyns Champion 733C - On sale at Cabelas for $199.99, reg $249.99

Pflueger Patriarch - On sale at tackle Warehouse for $149.99 reg $199.99 w free shipping. Academy has this price too.

You get some value here by getting a $450 rig for $350. I have this same setup but with a Champion 703C. Its a great rig and a beautiful one too. I kissed her the day I brought her home!

Dobyns Champion 733C - On sale at Cabelas for $199.99, reg $249.99

Pflueger Patriarch - On sale at tackle Warehouse for $149.99 reg $199.99 w free shipping. Academy has this price too.

You get some value here by getting a $450 rig for $350. I have this same setup but with a Champion 703C. Its a great rig and a beautiful one too. I kissed her the day I brought her home!

That'd be one good combo. With my current favorite combo in mind I'd recommend a Curado 50E or 200E, both on closeout and great reels, and a Cumara 7'2 MH-F.

Take a look at the combo for sale by Shimanogloomis man in the fishing flea market forum.

If I can only have one with that budget, I'd go with Curado 50e on Cumara Reaction 6'3" Heavy Fast Action.

For me this one is pretty versatile, I can use it for working:

1. topwater - spook walk the dog,

2. jerkbait - luckycraft fm110, ima lures

3. small hard plastic swimbait between 3" to 5" - sebile, luckycraft.

4. paddle tail swimbait (3" to 5") with leadhead 1/4 - 1/2 oz.

The only thing I don't do with it is drop shooting.

Oh yeah, glue a nickle and a quarter on the butt end with shoe goo for better good balance the stick a quarter size felt slide for soft cover.

Get the following...

-A 6'-6" MH Duckett casting rod for about 160

-A Shimano Curado 200E7 (they are 139 at Tackle Warehouse)

You will not be disappointed with this setup!

Get the following...

-A 6'-6" MH Duckett casting rod for about 160

-A Shimano Curado 200E7 (they are 139 at Tackle Warehouse)

You will not be disappointed with this setup!

Hmmm, those Ducketts seem pretty cool, are they made in the USA? How do they compare with the St. Croix Avid series?

There's a lot of really good choices in that price range.

If I was shopping for myself right now I'd probably get a Loomis GL2 7'1" jig&worm rod $200 paired with a Lew's Tournament Pro Speed $179

Whatever you get I'm sure you'll have buyers remorse I always do

I would go with a Dobyn's hands down. Either the 703 or 733 Champion. As far as reels go, a lot of guys on here really like the Shimano's, but I prefer the Daiwa's. I even like my Quantum Smoke, but it is a hair noisy. It's all preference.

Falcon Cara T7. ~$ 200.

Daiwa Aggrest. ~$179.

Great combo

Go with the St. Croix LTB 7' MF and the 200e7

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions, I think I'm gonna go with the Shimano Curado for reels. As far as rods, I cant decide between the St Croix Avid, Duckett, and Falcon Cara T7. Man this is difficult.........more suggestions welcomed

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions, I think I'm gonna go with the Shimano Curado for reels. As far as rods, I cant decide between the St Croix Avid, Duckett, and Falcon Cara T7. Man this is difficult.........more suggestions welcomed

somebody mentioned the cumara earlier but it didn't make the cut here. I don't know if you forgot about it or just don't like it but if it was just forgetting definitely keep it in mind. I can't say enough good things about these rods absolutely love them.

Avid/Curado E is such a nice combo

You can get the Avid for $150 on Gander Mountain's Website with the $20 off code. (Just search for GM Coupon codes on google) It also has free shipping.

Here's a "reel" deal http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/90872-shimano-curado-200e7/page__pid__1018171#entry1018171 :D

Here's a "reel" deal http://www.bassresou...71#entry1018171 :D

Johnnytoxin, take note of the rod he is wanting. Im just sayin. I owned two Avids before my Dobyns Champion and to me there is no comparison. The sensitivity is quite a bit better on the Champion then the Avid. The Avid was a little tip heavy while the Champion is so balanced it almost floats in your hand and its just overall a more joy to fish with. Here is the setup that I recommended earlier.

Johnnytoxin, take note of the rod he is wanting. Im just sayin. I owned two Avids before my Dobyns Champion and to me there is no comparison. The sensitivity is quite a bit better on the Champion then the Avid. The Avid was a little tip heavy while the Champion is so balanced it almost floats in your hand and its just overall a more joy to fish with. Here is the setup that I recommended earlier.

Wanna sell me that rod lol :D :D

Not a chance. We sleep together when I kick the old lady on the couch. I would leave her though if you trade me a Dobyns DX743C SH Extreme with your Curado for that setup^^^

Ill even throw in a $50 Academy gift card and my old lady.

Not a chance. We sleep together when I kick the old lady on the couch. I would leave her though if you trade me a Dobyns DX743C SH Extreme with your Curado for that setup^^^

Ill even throw in a $50 Academy gift card and my old lady.

:lol: :lol: They are on sale at Cabela's right now for 199$, so If I sell the Curado I think I am going to splurge