Spinning Reel Combo Advice

#1
volinbham

volinbham

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#1
Hey folks,

I'm looking to purchase an all-purpose spinning combo (or put one together more likely).

My existing rig is from the 80s and I figured it's time to upgrade.

My intended use is kayak and bank fishing locally - small lakes and river; kayak fishing in lakes and possibly bay around Destin.

Ideally, I'd like to do this with one rig.

I want to stay around 150 total and I'd like to do it with one rig only.

I'm looking at the Daiwa BG series for the reel but not sure what size I need (considering 3000).

Open on rod but not sure what length and weight I need. My default is 6'6" medium.

I'm guessing most of my fishing (75%) will be fresh water.

Also open to advice on line weight, style, switching between weights, etc.

Thanks :hi:
 
#2
#2
volinbham said:
Hey folks,

I'm looking to purchase an all-purpose spinning combo (or put one together more likely).

My existing rig is from the 80s and I figured it's time to upgrade.

My intended use is kayak and bank fishing locally - small lakes and river; kayak fishing in lakes and possibly bay around Destin.

Ideally, I'd like to do this with one rig.

I want to stay around 150 total and I'd like to do it with one rig only.

I'm looking at the Daiwa BG series for the reel but not sure what size I need (considering 3000).

Open on rod but not sure what length and weight I need. My default is 6'6" medium.

I'm guessing most of my fishing (75%) will be fresh water.

Also open to advice on line weight, style, switching between weights, etc.

Thanks :hi:
Click to expand...
If you're considering hitting the salt consider strongly weighting the cost onto the reel. If you're cool with being serious about proper maintenance you can use a "standard" reel but keep that issue in mind.
 
#4
#4
volinbham said:
Hey folks,

I'm looking to purchase an all-purpose spinning combo (or put one together more likely).

My existing rig is from the 80s and I figured it's time to upgrade.

My intended use is kayak and bank fishing locally - small lakes and river; kayak fishing in lakes and possibly bay around Destin.

Ideally, I'd like to do this with one rig.

I want to stay around 150 total and I'd like to do it with one rig only.

I'm looking at the Daiwa BG series for the reel but not sure what size I need (considering 3000).

Open on rod but not sure what length and weight I need. My default is 6'6" medium.

I'm guessing most of my fishing (75%) will be fresh water.

Also open to advice on line weight, style, switching between weights, etc.

Thanks :hi:
Click to expand...

Come to the darkside and get a bait caster. Just watch out for the birds nests!
 
#7
#7
hndog609 said:
If you're considering hitting the salt consider strongly weighting the cost onto the reel. If you're cool with being serious about proper maintenance you can use a "standard" reel but keep that issue in mind.
Click to expand...

So far my plan was to put the money in the reel.
 
#9
#9
I favor the Zebco Quantum series and the Abu Garcia Cardinal series reels. Love some Mitchell too. For Rods, I love Berkley (I have a lightning rod and a cherry wood) and Ugly Sticks (I have a medium 6'6" that is stout). A good rod has a graphite core and should be flexible (medium action and lighter). You should be able to bend the rod tip to the butt of the pole. My current favorite rod is a Zebco Quantum on a 6'0" Berkley Lightning Rod. I have had it for the past 20 yrs. I have probably landed close to a thousand fish on it. Everything from 60lbs+ blue cats to Bass (Large, smallies, stripers, etc) and event the little stuff like bream. Probably wouldn't hold up for salt water fishing as you would need a more stout setup.
 
#10
#10
I like Shimano's Sahara series reels.... they're smooth and tight for the price..... and you can't go wrong with an Ugly Stick rod.

I do a lot of kayak fishing for small mouth on small rivers and big creeks.... a shorter rod works best for this type due to trees and shoreline rocks/bluffs....if you're going to be out in the open much more then the 6'6" is a good choice.
 
#11
#11
Pflueger is my favorite spinner combo, the President. The ugly stick/Mitchell combo is good also. My pflueger combo was around $80, but it's a great casting reel.
 
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#12
#12
Good suggestions....

I enjoy this guys work... gets inside the reels and finds the weak link. I have an ample variety of reels... and I usually go with the higher priced products... and that generally gets you better and more bearings for smoother operation. I have as well tore reels apart and changed the bearings to a sealed version... see Boca Bearings to do the same. Can turn a so-so reel into a great reel.

http://www.alanhawk.com/
 
#13
#13
Plfeuger president on a mojo bass 6'6" does me fine in a kayak, canoe, not sure about salt water though, look at penn salt reels. Good luck
 
#14
#14
I've got a setup I really love that I use similar to your intended​ use. Since you are using in saltwater, even a little bit, I would go with a Penn real. You can get them in multiple sizes. I have two rods, a small one for kayak fishing and small stream fishing and a long medium weight for rod for surf fishing. I can cast it a country mile with that combo. Anyway just my two cents.
 
#15
#15
volinbham said:
Briefly tried that many years ago - the birds nest wasn't hard to find
Click to expand...

I struggled for the first few trips with it until i found a good spot for my breaking system, now i only get backlash if i hit a branch or try to skip to hard. Overall i found the bait-caster more accurate, especially for casting under docks and tree branches. Strong enough to pull big bass out of the thick pads.

Always have my 6'8 pflueger spinning set up with me though, when the fish aren't biting i can go slow and finesse with a wacky rig or fluke. Cant do that with a bait-caster with Braided line!
 
#17
#17
Went to my go to LSGS - asked for a recommendation. Of course they upsold me a bit but discounted the package and gave me a good out the door price including putting the line on.

Ended up with a Shimano NASCI 2500 and a Shimano EXAGE rod (the upsale) 6.8".

Online reviews show it all to be good stuff and should work for fresh and brackish water (sealed bearings).
 
#18
#18
volinbham said:
Went to my go to LSGS - asked for a recommendation. Of course they upsold me a bit but discounted the package and gave me a good out the door price including putting the line on.

Ended up with a Shimano NASCI 2500 and a Shimano EXAGE rod (the upsale) 6.8".

Online reviews show it all to be good stuff and should work for fresh and brackish water (sealed bearings).
Click to expand...

Can't go wrong with Shimano IMO.
 
#19
#19
Late to the party. Consider a Quantum Cabo 40 reel and Star Rods.

I fish quite a bit (Saltwater) and I own a number of these. Though i build my own rods now.
 
#20
#20
Septic said:
Late to the party. Consider a Quantum Cabo 40 reel and Star Rods.

I fish quite a bit (Saltwater) and I own a number of these. Though i build my own rods now.
Click to expand...

That'd be interesting to build one.
 
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