Broke Guy Needs the Perfect 2 Combos 2025

Jay Dubs reply :

Hello all! I've been fishing my whole life, but at 41, most of my gear is more than half my age and is ready to be replaced. As money is not only an object, but one I have little of, I want to build the perfect spinning and casting combo to cover as many situations as possible.

I live in Florida, and don't own a boat, so shore fish rivers and smaller lakes. I also want the spinning combo to be a travel rod, as I backpack a good bit, and love lakes that have no access and require a good few miles of hiking to get to. I am hoping to keep the grand damage for both combos around $400, and have gear that will last a long while like the gear I am replacing.

I was thinking a 2500 size inshore spinning reel, as I do some fishing on the inter-coastal, beaches and piers, paired with a Daiwa Ardito or Fenwich Methods. I like the idea of being able to have multiple setups, but I don't want to sacrifice sensitivity either. Reviews of both rods seem solid.

For the casting, I am looking at a Tatula CT Type R or Tatula SV paired with a 7' MH rod. I've heard great things about Dobyn's Fury, Powells and the Aaron's Edge rods, which I can snag for around $100. I do a lot of fishing with bottom contact baits so want something sensitive. While my old reels are dead, I do have a good crankbait rod that I plan on keeping in service.

Any thoughts, reviews and tips of where and how to save cash is appreciated. I'm also open to buying used and looking at some Shimano Cumara rods, although it seems like the newer ones have some quality control issues, which makes me nervous on buying them used. Thanks!

Fishin' Fool reply :

Casting-Daiwa Tatula CT/Dobyns Fury

Spinning- Pfluger President with any $100 rod and your set for under $400

fishnkamp reply :

Heads up on the Pflueger President. Go to Dicks Sporting Goods. Purchase some line or anything cheap. Often I go in and buy 1 $3.00 jig. Go home and go on their website. Follow the info on the back of your receipt. Finish the online customer survey. Then print out a $10 off coupon. Normally a President 6935 would go for $59.99. They are on sale and there is a rebate so it makes it $39.98. Using the coupon you just purchased a super reliable reel that normally sells for $60 for 1/2 that price. Match that with whatever rod you choose. Since you want to backpack and do some beach or salt water I might suggest a 2 piece & foot medium Abu Garcia Veritas. All Veritas rods run a tad bit heavier than they spec but I think it would fit your needs well. If you can find one of the older models online still it should run around $79. That would be a good combo for $110.

Next I would go for a Daiwa Tatula CT in a 7.3-1 ratio. Match that up with a Dobyns Fury FR 734C. The 734C is the most versatile rod in all of the Dobyns lines. That combo will coast you roughly $210. That makes it way under your budget with two very usable combos. There are better spinning rods out there but the Veritas rods are very good for their price and not that many good blanks are being made in 2 pieces any more.

Actually if you wanted you could pick up a second Tatula CT in 6.3-1 for your crankbait rod. Rattle traps work great not only on bass but stripers as well. Make sure you play with some Flukes, Bass Assassins, and Skinny dippers on lead headed swimbait jig heads. They work on bass and saltwater fish. They actually look like the head of a fish.

AC870 reply :

I think I'd pick a Shimano over the President but that's just me.

Jay Dubs reply :

I like the Shimano, but saw a Quantum PT Energy in 2500 for sale at Gander for $84, after discount. Since I was looking at $100 reels, a $140 reel at $84 sounds appealing. I'm also looking at the Daiwa BG and Shimano Nasci.

Fishin' Fool reply :

Listen to what fishnkamp has to say. This information is based on years of experience.

lmbfisherman reply :

On 8/1/2017 at 11:59 AM, Jay Dubs said:

I like the Shimano, but saw a Quantum PT Energy in 2500 for sale at Gander for $84, after discount. Since I was looking at $100 reels, a $140 reel at $84 sounds appealing. I'm also looking at the Daiwa BG and Shimano Nasci.

IMO and I'm a Shimano reel guy, for spinning you need to go to NASCI level or higher. Don't get me wrong the cheaper ones work, but I have to agree with everyone that if you want something that has the best bang for your buck and get the Pflueger President, especially at the price point. Unless you are getting a Stradic, the President works just as well as the 100+ Shimano reels before the Stradic. The features imo vs the President's price point doesn't justify the difference. Especially if you are on a budget.

I have used a friend's Casitas and it is surprisingly works well and would recommend this reel if you want an option in the Shimano line. However not sure how it holds up to saltwater, but the Tatula seems like the better choice for you. Unless if you can find a Curado E or Chronarch E used. Any 100+ rod will work but if you want my preference..it would be a Veritas or a BPS Carbonlite.

buzzed bait reply :

pflueger supreme either 30 or 35 size and the daiwa ardito travel rod 7'M (have TW price match the price that Walmart shows online). That has you at about $180 or so.

casting

call jamie at sportsmans outfitters and get a daiwa tatula for like $85 shipped, they have the 6'10"MHF on the website which is one of my favorite all around rods. then snag you the CT or SV of your choice and you're set. shouldn't put you over the $400 budget total and you'll have 2 very fine setups!

higgins617 reply :

Last I saw in the DSG near me they had Shimano Saharas marked down to 49.95. I've been using mine for about 5 years now and it's been fantastic for me. Just as smooth as when I bought it for 70ish bucks

Jay Dubs reply :

I appreciate all the advice and the President sounds like a steal at DSG! I actually have a couple of my grandfather's old Pfluegers that are probably 80 years old and still crankin' just fine.

I'm torn between Daiwa, Shimano or Lews for the baitcaster. I've got a 20+ year old BB1NG that I am replacing but have never owned a Shimano. From what I have seen, I'd love to find a used Chronarch, but man do those hold their value. I guess that says a lot about Shimano.

I've seen new Tatula CT Type R's down around $130 and new Tatula SVs about the same. For that price, I am leaning that way.

MTPanda reply :

My first setup after coming back from a long hiatus of bass fishing was a Pflueger president reel and a St Croix Premier Medium Light spinning rod. It's an amazing setup and I've caught so many bass and a 5lber drop shotting with it. I got mine on sale from Amazon for $45 shipped and it gets a lil beat up from me being careless and clumsy but it works great!

jonkevin reply :

On 8/1/2017 at 11:27 PM, Jay Dubs said:

I appreciate all the advice and the President sounds like a steal at DSG! I actually have a couple of my grandfather's old Pfluegers that are probably 80 years old and still crankin' just fine.

I'm torn between Daiwa, Shimano or Lews for the baitcaster. I've got a 20+ year old BB1NG that I am replacing but have never owned a Shimano. From what I have seen, I'd love to find a used Chronarch, but man do those hold their value. I guess that says a lot about Shimano.

I've seen new Tatula CT Type R's down around $130 and new Tatula SVs about the same. For that price, I am leaning that way.

If you can get the Type R and the SV's for the same price, I would go with the SV. I have one and it is awesome!

Bass fishing is best reply :

I don't mean to add more selection to this as you've already gotten some fine advice, and I don't think you can go wrong with any of the suggestions.

My only contribution is the last 2 used chronarch ci4s sold for $130 on ebay last week. There are a couple right retrieves on auction right now that end in 5 days. Just saying it's worth a look if you want a shot at a chronarch. Good luck.

Jay Dubs reply :

Sadly, I need a lefty baitcaster. I've been stalking ebay for a good used Chronarch but haven't had the luck yet.

BigAngus752 reply :

On 8/2/2017 at 8:09 AM, Jay Dubs said:

Sadly, I need a lefty baitcaster. I've been stalking ebay for a good used Chronarch but haven't had the luck yet.

As a fellow lefty fisher...how about a Tatula Type-R for $124?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Daiwa-Tatula-CT-TYPE-R-Baitcast-Fishing-Reel-100HL-LEFT-hand-6-3-1-TACT-R100HL-/142163817285

Jay Dubs reply :

I just bought an Ardito in 7'0" Medium/Fast. I was able to find one for under $75 shipped, which put it $35 less than the Methods. I get the Methods is 2 rods in 1, but it seemed like they don't flex as smoothly as the Ardito, and aren't quite as sensitive. Way I see it, I am $35 closer to buying a travel casting rod!

Jay Dubs reply :

I also just scored a Fury through Dobyns. They have an upgrade program, so this was a trade in from there. Like new, 703C for $80 shipped. I'm ecstatic and now just need to decide on a baitcaster...

XpressJeff reply :

On 8/1/2017 at 8:35 PM, Fishin' Fool said:

Listen to what fishnkamp has to say. This information is based on years of experience.

fishwizzard reply :

I have a ML Okuma Citrix travel spinning rod that sells for around $100. I like it and it is decently sensitive for a multipart rod. The reel seat is very minimal, which seems really polorizing among the friends I have loneded it too.

Also look around ebay for Fenwick Smallmouth Elite rods. They are a discontinued line and are amazing for the $80 they ususaly sell for.

Jay Dubs reply :

On 8/11/2017 at 7:50 AM, Bunnielab said:

I have a ML Okuma Citrix travel spinning rod that sells for around $100. I like it and it is decently sensitive for a multipart rod. The reel seat is very minimal, which seems really polorizing among the friends I have loneded it too.

Also look around ebay for Fenwick Smallmouth Elite rods. They are a discontinued line and are amazing for the $80 they ususaly sell for.

I appreciate the tip and am surprised I haven't come across these before! I've never owned a Fenwick, but from handling them in stores they seem top notch: balanced, light and sensitive.

fishwizzard reply :

Someone recommended the Fenwick smallmouth elites to me because they have comparatively short butt sections, which is a huge plus for kayak fishing. I have a pair of the MH/F casting rods and a 5" senko (3/8 oz) is about the lower limit and a 1oz total weight jig is about the upper. I have also fished lipless cranks, larger spinnerbaits, and small swimbaits on mine and they all fish fine. For $80-100 I like them a lot, far more then the St croix Premier rods I have owned.

Jay Dubs reply :

I ended up with a Tatula SV paired with a Dobyns Fury 703C and a Quantum PT Energy E25 paired with a Daiwa Ardito 7' Medium Fast. Total cost, $374 including tax and shipping. I really appreciate all the help and advice from everyone!

the reel ess reply :

Some of y'all's idea of broke and mine are two different things. LOL. When I was "broke" a $50 combo would have been expensive. I worked at WalMart for a year when I was a student. I would check with the sporting goods department guy to find out what would be going on clearance and I would have him hide one for me till payday. I got a couple $40 rods for $10 that way.

Jay Dubs reply :

On 8/13/2017 at 2:46 AM, the reel ess said:

Some of y'all's idea of broke and mine are two different things. LOL. When I was "broke" a $50 combo would have been expensive. I worked at WalMart for a year when I was a student. I would check with the sporting goods department guy to find out what would be going on clearance and I would have him hide one for me till payday. I got a couple $40 rods for $10 that way.

Trust me, I understand. Most of my original gear came from flea markets, or clearance. Only thing I spent some serious cash on was my BB1NG, which was paid for by my paper route. I'm hoping that spending some money on a couple of good quality combos, I'll get a solid 10 years from them. If it makes you feel better, I moved to Florida in 1997, and all my gear is from before I moved!

DenhamBruce reply :

For spinning reel go with the Daiwa BG. Aluminum frame and its built for salt water. Should be a tank and is looked upon as the best bang for your buck spinning reel out right now.

the reel ess reply :

On 8/13/2017 at 11:41 PM, Jay Dubs said:

Trust me, I understand. Most of my original gear came from flea markets, or clearance. Only thing I spent some serious cash on was my BB1NG, which was paid for by my paper route. I'm hoping that spending some money on a couple of good quality combos, I'll get a solid 10 years from them. If it makes you feel better, I moved to Florida in 1997, and all my gear is from before I moved!

Yes, I recognize the "need" for quality gear. Now that I'm able to afford it (almost too old to enjoy) I'll spend for what I want. But then I fish from a kayak, so I'm not spending big bucks on the boat. Yes, you should get a good decade of use from those.

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Broke Guy Needs the Perfect 2 Combos 2025

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