Oops I just found this

[Joseph_Blythe]

I'm looking to get a couple new rods and reels looking to spend about 200-250 on at least a spinning and a baitcaster but if I could would like to get more then 2 what would you recommend. I'm looking for something that isn't completely crap but half way decent my philosophy with bass fishing is quantity before quality

[LgMouthGambler]

Is that price for a total of the 2, or each rig? And what do you plan to do with these rigs?

[Deadeye]

Well I'm sure you will get a lot of thoughts on this one  but here's mine.

You can get something like a Lews Speedspool for about $100 and a Good Rod from the company if your choice for $80-100. That will put you around your $200.00 budget...... for one outfit.

OR

You can watch for sales (advertised or not) at places like Dicks Sporting Goods, Gander Mountain, Bass Pro Shops & Academy Sports and pick up a Combo Outfit for up to 1/2 off the normal price. For example I was in a Gander Mountain one day and happen to spot a rack of the Guide Extreme Series Combos with a 50% off Sale sign on them. I found that Quantum makes the reels (or used to) and not sure who makes the rod. The Combo normally sells for $149.99 and I got it for $75.00. 10 Bearing Reel, 7'3" MH Rod. I bought two and was pleased to find they actually work pretty good. It took a while to get the Reel broke in (was not very smooth in the beginning) but now it casts very well.

I would not have normally bought that outfit as I have others that I prefer, but for the price I took a chance and it worked out.

Also each Spring Bass Pro Shops holds a sale where you can get their Pro Qualifier Reels at a very good price, sometimes as low as $50.00.


Keeping looking until to find a deal. If you need something now, well nothing beats one of the Abu Garcia Black Max, Silver Max, or Pro Max combos that Wal Mart sells for $70-100.00.

[Pferox]

Check out Academy's H2O mettle 2 reel for around $60, if you can hold off they go on sale a couple of times a year for less. Throw on a $40 rod and you are good to go.

Most big names make serviceable spinning reels in the 3000 or 4000 size for about $40 or less so you can get a little more expensive rod. 

I fish mostly brackish and salt now and my first generation mettles are going strong with minimal servicing.  I have seen the second generation and from owners of both have heard that it is mostly cosmetic changes in the 2.  All my baitcasters are either mettle or pro qualifiers, all are at least a few years old now and still going strong.

Sorry I can't help with rods because most of mine are for saltwater fishing and I use fiberglass cheap ones for that.

[Polaris425]

I agree with the above, and would be glad to put a new Lews in your hand.

The Lews Laser MG is a great reel and won't break the bank. I have several Lews reels in stock that are all marked down for end of the year sales. Even though the end of the year passed, the prices are good until the reels sell.

Also, I actually have 2 Abu Garcia Veracity rods left in stock that retail for $150 & I have them on sale for $100 + shipping. They are both 7' casting rods, one is M the other is MH. They both have micro eyes.

[hughesjasonk]

I know every  Walmart is different but Walmart is having massive sales right now. I got 2 $110 diawa rods for $15 each. Both baitcaster. They're the same reels that come with the tatula hsl tws rod/reel combo. They're both mediums 6'6"

[Joseph_Blythe]

On tw I found the diawa arid x and the diawa Laguna for about 90 total what do you think