Affordable And Nice Rods And Reels 2025
ChasingBass reply :
Hey guys! I need some ideas on some new rods and reels I can get for a good price but are also good quality. Both spinning and bait casting ideas will be accepted. Thanks!
Darren. reply :
What's a "good price" in what you are looking for. You'll get a huge range leaving it wide open 
dodgeguy reply :
falcon bucoo and pflueger supreme or patriarch spinning.abu garcia mgx or pflueger patriarch or president baitcasters.
ChasingBass reply :
On 5/11/2013 at 11:11 AM, DarrenM said:What's a "good price" in what you are looking for. You'll get a huge range leaving it wide open
I would probably say under $80 for the rod and under $100 for the real
ChasingBass reply :
On 5/11/2013 at 11:54 AM, dodgeguy said:falcon bucoo and pflueger supreme or patriarch spinning.abu garcia mgx or pflueger patriarch or president baitcasters.
I will check those out, thanks!
lmbfisherman reply :
These will be from my own experience.
Rods
BPS Extreme Rods when they are on sale can be had for 79.99. Regularly 99.99, I owned one very solid rod and decent sensitivity.
You can go for a Veritas if you looks for a sale price or online. I can buy them locally for 79.99 regularly.
Shimano Convergence or Clarus. Both have lifetime warranty and are decent entry level rods. You can get either for under 80, convergence can be bought for 69.99, Clarus around 79.99.
Reels
I'd say one of the BPS brands - Extreme or Pro Qualifier. I'd probably stick with the PQ.
At my local BPS the Revo S is on sale, for 109.99. Never owned one though, but they get very good reviews.
As for Spinning - Symetere or Sahara would be a good buy for under 100. Symetre FJ was on sale at American Fishing Legacy for 59.99, and it still is. Get it, thats a steal for that price!
ChasingBass reply :
On 5/11/2013 at 12:14 PM, lmbfisherman said:These will be from my own experience.
Rods
BPS Extreme Rods when they are on sale can be had for 79.99. Regularly 99.99, I owned one very solid rod and decent sensitivity.
You can go for a Veritas if you looks for a sale price or online. I can buy them locally for 79.99 regularly.
Shimano Convergence or Clarus. Both have lifetime warranty and are decent entry level rods. You can get either for under 80, convergence can be bought for 69.99, Clarus around 79.99.
Reels
I'd say one of the BPS brands - Extreme or Pro Qualifier. I'd probably stick with the PQ.
At my local BPS the Revo S is on sale, for 109.99. Never owned one though, but they get very good reviews.
As for Spinning - Symetere or Sahara would be a good buy for under 100. Symetre FJ was on sale at American Fishing Legacy for 59.99, and it still is. Get it, thats a steal for that price!
Thank you so much! I will look into all of those!
Chris at Tech reply :
Look at BPS combos with either Extreme or Pro Qualifier rods. In that range, PQ reels aren't bad either
Darren. reply :
On 5/11/2013 at 11:59 AM, ChasingBass said:I would probably say under $80 for the rod and under $100 for the real
All I can speak to is my own experience, and I did pour a lot of time into my choices. Few of us can test everything out there...
$80 rods, check the BPS models lmb suggests, and definitely check the Daiwa T (black/blue). They are super light and get good marks. As well, for $20 more look at shimanos Compre line. Lifetime warranty, solid rods. If you can get to a BPS, grab a Compre, walk over to the Veritas rods, check the St Croix Lineup as well, pick up the Daiwa T and any other rods that strike your fancy.
Next, find a reel you like. Again you need to try and see what you like. Obviously there are Pfleuger fans here, Shimano fans and so on. I tried all the reels before hand. IN MY HANDS, Shimano felt the best. The only one I didn't try in store was the Daiwa Lexa. And I love it. You can find one on eBay for around $100. Incredible reel for the money. I have mostly Shimano now, but in the future, I will probably get another Lexa...
Finally, and BPS will let you do this, try the reel (reels) on each rod and see how you like the feel and balance. You aren't fishing MY favorite rig, you want to find your own. So only you can decide which feels best.
With rods and reels it is a "to each his/her own" thing. For some, a heavy tip is preferred, others like me, a light tip. So best thing you can do is pick them up yourself.
Hope this helps.
Packard reply :
Definitely pick up a BPS Pro Qualifier reel while they are still on sale for $80, I would go with the 6.4:1 gear ratio for all-around techniques. The BPS Extreme rods are good for their price but some do not like the "Powerhump" handle. I would instead opt for the Carbonlite rods which are also on sale for $80. This would leave you with a great setup for $160 plus shipping. If you do chose to buy from Bass Pro Shops online, please click on the advertisement on the right hand side of this website and purchase the items through that window.
ChasingBass reply :
On 5/11/2013 at 9:18 PM, DarrenM said:All I can speak to is my own experience, and I did pour a lot of time into my choices. Few of us can test everything out there...
$80 rods, check the BPS models lmb suggests, and definitely check the Daiwa T (black/blue). They are super light and get good marks. As well, for $20 more look at shimanos Compre line. Lifetime warranty, solid rods. If you can get to a BPS, grab a Compre, walk over to the Veritas rods, check the St Croix Lineup as well, pick up the Daiwa T and any other rods that strike your fancy.
Next, find a reel you like. Again you need to try and see what you like. Obviously there are Pfleuger fans here, Shimano fans and so on. I tried all the reels before hand. IN MY HANDS, Shimano felt the best. The only one I didn't try in store was the Daiwa Lexa. And I love it. You can find one on eBay for around $100. Incredible reel for the money. I have mostly Shimano now, but in the future, I will probably get another Lexa...
Finally, and BPS will let you do this, try the reel (reels) on each rod and see how you like the feel and balance. You aren't fishing MY favorite rig, you want to find your own. So only you can decide which feels best.
With rods and reels it is a "to each his/her own" thing. For some, a heavy tip is preferred, others like me, a light tip. So best thing you can do is pick them up yourself.
Hope this helps.
I appreciate it man. This really helps!
smalljaw67 reply :
Take a look at the Diawa Procyon line up, I don't know about the casting rods but I got a 7' ML spinning rod off of my sister-in-law for Christmas and I was going to send it back and put it toward another rod but I decided to try it and I'm glad I did. It isn't super light but far from heavy and the rod is surprisingly sensitive, plus it has a 5 year warrany for a rod that retails at $69.99 you can't beat it.
Darren. reply :
On 5/12/2013 at 1:54 AM, ChasingBass said:I appreciate it man. This really helps!
Always happy to help!
MCS reply :
On 5/11/2013 at 11:59 AM, ChasingBass said:I would probably say under $80 for the rod and under $100 for the real
For spinning anything Pflueger for the reel, President, Purist should do you good then get a BPS carbonlite, Powell or a *** spinning rod.
PondBoss reply :
H2O Xpress has everything you need, and at the prices you want or less. You won't find a better product for the price.
JunkYard814 reply :
In my opinion, you are right on the fringe of building a really good combo. The better tier of baitcasters start between $100-$120, below that I feel that there's a pretty significant drop off. Conversely, I see no need to spend more than $100 on a freshwater spinning reel. Pflueger President has been my favorite spinning reel, however I hear quite a bit about the Shimano reels around that price range.
Rods around $80, I'm not too sure about. I have yet to try out my new Powell Diesel, but I've heard some great things about it. Again, right around the $100 range you start to get into the pretty good equipment. Shimano Compre, St. Croix Mojo, St. Croix Premier and the Abu Garcia Veritas all have favorable reviews.
You will probably find that many people set their bar at different levels, some lower than mine, and some much higher. This is where I set mine and where a majority of my equipment recommendations will come from.
JunkYard814 reply :
Just checked the Cabela's website and it would appear the Veritas is on sale from $100 marked down to $80. The Fenwick Elitech Smallmouth series has been marked down to around $100. I've heard great things about that rod as well.
Fishwhittler reply :
I love the Team Daiwa T rods. They are better built than the Abu Garcia Vendetta V1 while costing less. I own both and definitely prefer the TDT. Both are in your price bracket. Also, right now Tackle Warehouse is blowing out the Daiwa Ballistic rods for $80. Haven't used them, but if they're anything like the TDT they're going to be very nice.
Pondboss suggested the Academy H2O Xpress rods and reels. I can only go on what he and others say about the Ethos rods, but I own two H2O Xpress Mettles and one of the new Menace reels. The Mettles are solid and smooth, nothing revolutionary about them except the price—which can't be beat. The Menace is $40 more and is the smoothest reel I've ever used. It feels absolutely liquid even under heavy load, and casting is excellent on both reels. Only thing I wish they'd do is offer LH models.
Incidentally, the H2O Xpress reels share the same insides as the Daiwa Lexa 100. Braking is different and the reels aren't exactly the same shape, but the clutch and many of the other parts are exactly the same. Pics of the reel exploded diagrams can be found here.
new2BC4bass reply :
Many great suggestions so far. Not much I can add. However, I think you should try a Prodigy rod next time Cabela's has them on sale. Local Dick's Sporting Goods currently has $10 off the Field & Stream Tec Spec Elite and Tec Spec models. Normally $80 and $60 respectively. I have an older Tec Spec. It is a decent rod for the money. Am considering an Elite model as I for one like the blue color. Also look at the Daiwa Jupiter rod sold by Walmart. Not fond of white rods, but love how well it casts. No idea yet how well it handles with a fish on as I only got to use it one day, but it is a Daiwa. 
Very little experience with reels in your price range. Pretty much everyone says the Pflueger President spinning reel is a great buy. My suggestion for a good baitcast reel at that price limit is to look for a used reel. H20 and Pro Qualifiers get recommended a lot, but I have never used either. I have an older Prodigy baitcast reel that I got on sale. Very good reel for the price. Feels solid like a tank. No idea if the new model is as good, but both are/were made by Daiwa.
I can second the Elite Tech Smallmouth rods as quality products. Getting hard to find one new at $100 or less.
GOOCHY reply :
You should check out the *** *** series of rods if you're looking in that $100-ish range. IMO, they're easily as good if not better than anything that's been suggested in here.
cbass12 reply :
The extreme is on sale at BPS right now for $69. Good rod, I have no complaints about mine.
Jack Fate reply :
As far as reels go you can't beat a Lew's . I love them! After trying them they are the only reels i will buy
ww2farmer reply :
Any Shimano spinning reel in the $50-$80 range will last you a long time. I use, and beat the tar out of Sonora's ($50), Sedona's ($60) and Sahara's ($80) and never felt like I was missing something, or the need to spend more on a spinning reel. For casting reels however, I don't spend less than what it costs to get one with an aluminum frame. In the Shimano line...new...that's the Citica at $130. Used Citica's can be had for $50-$100 though, depending on what series, ( I prefer the D series) and I have never bought a bad used one, either from the flea market here or ebay.
CiMo reply :
For a casting rod yhe H20 express ethos rods from academy can not be beat at 59.99+tax they could easily double the price of those rods and they would be worth it still, also love my Berkley Lightning rods at 39.99+tax tbey are fantastic to me, Depending on the ratio your looking for the Quantum Code 7.0:1 is nice set up with a flipon switch on it for 89.99+tax reg price on sale for
79.99$ right now at academy or a lews tournament series with a 6.4:1 ratio is super nice it is a bit over 100$ (149.99) I'm sure you could find em new on ebay or amazon cheaper though. Good luck in your choices, let us kmow what ya end up with!
Edit: Also what a few have said, You can't go wrong with a Pfluger president spinning reel. Great all around hands down foe the price range they are in.
Arv reply :
BPS Pro Qualifier/Carbonlite Combo. $100 PQ reel and $120 Carbonlite rod together for 160.
mtaag3 reply :
In my limited experience I bought BPS carbonlite rods on many of the recommendations here. I broke two of them on hooksets (I didn't even get the fish). They weren't weakened from bouncing around in a car or being stepped on as I only had the first one two weeks. I'm not trying to bash BPS or the Carbonlite by any means, only relaying my newbie experience that may be relevant here. When I returned the second one to CS at BPS the guy told me the Carbonlite rods are the ones returned the most with issues.
Now I was looking at the regular Johnny Morris rods and they seem very nice. Can anyone chime in on those?
For reels, I bought a BPS PQ casting and it is very nice. I'm not comparing it to anything but only relaying I have zero complaints about it. Another BPS I bought and seems very nice as well is the BPS Bionic (the white one). I've fished them 20-30 times from the shore plus tons of yard practice and it's ran very nice as well.
$.02
ChasingBass reply :
Thank you guys so much for all your help! I now have so many different opinions and choices. I appreciate it guys!
cbass12 reply :
On 5/13/2013 at 11:44 PM, mtaag3 said:In my limited experience I bought BPS carbonlite rods on many of the recommendations here. I broke two of them on hooksets (I didn't even get the fish). They weren't weekend from bouncing around in a car or being stepped on as I only had the first one two weeks. I'm not trying to bash BPS or the Carbonlite by any means, only relaying my newbie experience that may be relevant here. When I returned the second one to CS at BPS the guy told me the Carbonlite rods are the ones returned the most with issues.
Now I was looking at the regular Johnny Morris rods and they seem very nice. Can anyone chime in on those?
For reels, I bought a BPS PQ casting and it is very nice. I'm not comparing it to anything but only relaying I have zero complaints about it. Another BPS I bought and seems very nice as well is the BPS Bionic (the white one). I've fished them 20-30 times from the shore plus tons of yard practice and it's ran very nice as well.
$.02
I have not used one, but I have 5 cabonlites and really like them. From talking to a guy at basspro about the Johnny Morris rods, the only difference between them and the carbonlite is that they use Fuji guides and the carbonlite does not.
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