As my birthday is approaching, I am planning on buying myself a few goodies. At the time I need to fill some rod/ reel vacancies.

I need a :
-fliiping rod/reel setup
-finess worm/ dropshot rod/reel setup
-carolina rig rod/reel setup

I was wondering if you guys could reccomend some rods/ reels to fit those needs, but the catch is I dont want to spend too much over 250$ on *****EACH**** rod/reel combo. Also, what base line you would spool on them. I've tried quite a few, but wanted to see what you guys would do with that budget.


THANKS for the help guys!!!
BEN
GOD BLESS

I can help with the flipping rod set up. I fish out of a boat and in a kickboat and this is very hard on rods and reels. I am very careless with my equipment and show no mercy when on the water with a flip'n rod in hand. I fish with some of the guys here on calfishing and they can back that up.

I use this reel

http://www.okumafishing.com/products/reels/vs/vs2005.htm

Model # on the rod is GS-C-761H-T-1
Here are the specs

http://www.okumafishing.com/products/rods/gs/gs2005.htm

I use 25lb big game for line.

This is right in your price range and a sweet set up.

thanks for your help

i cant really find a store that has them, BPS and TWH dont seem to carry them.
Is there any way to adjust the anti backlash?

let me know if anyone else has any iadvice

THANKS
BEN
GOD BLESS

Looks like you in Maryland. Any of these shops should be able to help you.

http://www.okumafishing.com/shop/Locations/Maryland_Retailers.htm

thanks man!!

I really am lost on what to look for in a carolina rod/reel setup, and I know all of you california guys can help me with the drop shot stuff!

just let me know what you use to drop shot/ carolina rig fish


BEN
GOD BLESS

Not the best Carolina rig fisherman here, just don't do it all that much and don't feel like I'm missing out. On the dropshot side of things, I can help.

For the kind of budget you're talking about, I would stick to Shimano stuff for the most part. Either a Stradic or Symetre 1000, 1500, or 2500 sized reel will be perfect. These are both great reels that will run you $80-$120. For a rod, once again either go Shimano or try one of the new Powell rods. The Shimano Compre rods are very nice and I think are the best value out there at $90-$100. The next step up on the Shimano list, the Crucials are also very nice rods and run about $130. I hear lots of good stuff about the Powell rods all the time and I can't wait to try one out. Hope this stuff helps.

PS: Yes, in case you're wondering, I am a Shimano whore. :7 Not affiliated.

thanks for the help!

i like your choices too, shimano always comes through with quality reels/ rods.

let me know if anyone has any soem more suggestions

BEN
GOD BLESS

I dont like Shimano for much but calais and calsutta reels. I would go w/ Lamiglas Certified Pro's for your rods (they have about 50+ models, much more specialized than shimano) and possibly Daiwa Advantage spinning reels I can't diredt you on a casting reel since I have not used many I liked in your price range.

BTW check out www.lamiglas.com

for carolina i would go with the St. Croix Avid Casting Rod 7' Medium Heavy, and match it with a Team Daiwa Advantage Casting Reel 153HST. if this setup is a little more expensive than you were looking for then go witht he regular Team Daiwa Advantage.

for drop shot the Avid Spinning 6'9" Md Lt Xfast Dropshot is pretty hard to beat, i would match it up with either the Shimano Symetre or wait a little bit and get the new Daiwa Exceler, you can see a preview at http://www.tackletour.com/reviewfredhallsf06pg5.html , for $60 i don't think you can beat it.

and for flippin the St. Croix Avid Casting Rod 7'10" Heavy is a great heavy flippin rod but it's $179 and i really don't know a reel you can get that would set you at $250 for the combo.

hope this helps a little.

I almost forgot that I had enough money to afford lamiglas rods!!!

ok i've narrowed it down to a few dropshot rods/reels in the same price range, and really have no idea which to choose

here they are: (all from TWH)
DROPSHOT RODS:
-Lamiglas cerified pro medium light xfast 7' spinning -----140.00$

-Diawa TD-x drop shot special medium light 6'3 spinning ------150$

-Shimano crucial drop shot (6'8 or 7'2) spinning ------140$

-Any other DS rod in the 100-160$ price range

DROP SHOT REELS:

Diawa advantage reel (2500 size?)-----140$

Quantum energy PTi reel e30pt------140$

Shimano stradic 2500--------120$



Let me know if you have used one/ prefer any

I'm totally undecided on what to get

BEN
GOD BLESS

Although the daiwa is a nice rod I would not suggest it since they only warranty them or 1 year I would get the lami they have been good to me and replace any rod no questions asked and it is a nicer rod than shomano by far. Get the Lamiglas w/ the tda. BTW I have that drop shot rod and it is very nice!

I have not seen that new 60.00 daiwa but it does look very nice! For a flipping stick I would get the daiwa frog rod I have 2 and thats what I used matched w/ tdz reels it is the same as the 7'6" flipping stick w/ 2" off the butt. It is especially nice since it is also great for frogs/c-rigs/jigs ect. so you dont need a seperate rod for either of those. Its also good for shorter guys since its on 7'4" If you can buy this and not have to buy a c rig rod I suggest you take the extra money and get a tdz reel.

ya cant beat a no questions asked warranty!!!!


BEN
GOD BLESS

TM customs:

which one do you have the lami xps702 or the xps702x....i think the 702x is heavier action, i will probably go with the lighter one.

BEN

I have the 702 one but mine is an older model w/ the carbon handel that they no loger make.

Ben for your drop shot reel I would go with the Symetre for the money. A 1500 size would be perfect for 5-6 pound line or maybe even 8 pound. The Crucial drop shot rods are nice and I would go with the 7'2" personally.

For C-rig I would go with the new Citica or even the Cruxis reel. The Cruxis is $99 and performs as well (maybe even better) than the previous model Curado SF ($149) and a Compre rod like a 7 foot MH with a fast or extra fast action.

For flipping I would go with the same reels as above and a Crucial flipping stick. The 7'5" H is preety sweet for heavier cover. If you are light duty flipping like grass pockets I would go with a 6'10" MH Crucial.

Whatup Ben! Like everyone has been sayin', I would defintiely do with Shimano for reels. As for dropshot, I would go with the new Sedona 1500. Everyone has been sayin' the Symetre but I really do like the Sedona. I have the 750 model,its smooth running and it has a great drag . It can handle 3 lb. Flouroclear like a dream, so I figure the 1500 would do equally well w/ 5 or 6lb. Plus it's only $50!
As far as flipping goes, I don't think a real expensive reel make that much of a difference in close quarters, unless you're looking at the Shimano Castiac. Just use a solid reel with a good drag and you'll be good. Can't say much about Carolina rigging bcz I don't do it too much to make a difference. Also, I just got my first flippin' stick. I ended up w/ the BSP Extreme 7'6" Hvy. Woo Daves edition. Seems like a good all around stick, thoguh I'd probably use something a bit larger for extra-hvy. applications like really thick weed mats. Try it, the rod is reasonably priced and quite sensitive if you pair it with flouro or braid. Tight lines man!

thanks guys

tommorow I'm going to Bass Pro i'm gonna get a feel for a few rods/ reels
I'm kinda bummed bass pro doesnt carry lamiglas rods, i really want to see what they feel like. The only reason i'm hesitant of the shimano rods, is because they are not a specialized rod maker like st croix or lamiglas or g. loomis.

I'll let you know what i'm feeling when I get back from BPS tomorrow

BEN

i went to BPS and found that i like the fact that you can touch the blank with the shimano drop shot special rod (the front cork is carved out)

Though i like the shimano one, i'm still uneasy that they are snot a specialized rod manufacturer............i also stumbled across POWELL

powell makes a rod suitable for drop shot in fast and x-fast , they also have no front cork, enabling you to have your index finger on the blank at all times


HAS ANYONE USED/ EXPERIENCED A POWELL?


BEN
GOD BLESS

Its a cool rod basicly a rip off of kistler though. They do have a no question asked warranty I belive. I know it is a new rod company w/ Gary Dobbins 05'. BTW most of the time when your drop shotting you have your hand on the foregrip so you can keep your finger on the blank of most any rod.

Powells are good. I've never tried their new bass rods but they make real high end fly rods, well known company. They're aren't new to the rod building business, actually been around for like 60 years. They amke really quality stuff, so check 'em out if you have the money. I can say they're porbably pretty good from a company like Powell.