A cheap, quality setup in my opinion

[Kris]

As most of you know I have been buying some Dobyns Rods lately.  As most of you also know I won't spend hundreds of dollars on rods or reels.  I won't bore you with the praises of Dobyns Fury Series Rods since they can be found everywhere here but had to tell you about my latest purchase.  I have a Friend on another Forum that has Field Tested a reel for many years and it has lived up to great reputation, the Daiwa Exceler baitcaster.  When I saw that TW had it on sale for less than $50, that is half price btw, I couldn't pass it up.  I have just ordered an Exceler 100 in 6,x:1, LH and P-Line CXX, 12lb line to fill it.  Not sure which rod will get the new reel but a Dobyns Fury Rod and Daiwa Excler combo for less than $160.00 I think is a great deal.

[LgMouthGambler]

Not too shabby of a setup.

[loomisguy]

Or buy a Omen Black.. Probably the best $100 rod on the market.
The Powell inferno is another good one in that range .

[SFL BassHunter]

If you want to stick with Daiwa, the Tatula rod is IMPRESSIVE! It can be had for about 109 dollars these days and let me tell you, I have been throwing the frog on it, and I love it. But I have even thrown a weightless 4" stick bait on it. Yeah not the right rod for that job (H Fast Frog rod) but it with my lew team lite was sending that stick bait far as heck, and the sensitivity was amazing!
I would not mind getting a MH Fast for my TRigs. It is also as light as the BPS Carbonlites but with much better components.

[rockchalk06]

Or buy a Omen Black.. Probably the best $100 rod on the market.
The Powell inferno is another good one in that range .

I'll second that.

You can always find rods used too. The used rod market is great to save a few bucks

[zippyduck]

Kris,
That will make a very good setup. I have used a lot of equipment that was more expensive and less quality.

[Kris]

Believe me ZD, my arsenal comes from the Walmart Clearance section of probably 10 different stores in four States.  Got some ok stuff, some lesser quality stuff and three new Dobyns rods.  Reel collection goes from Abu Garcia to Shimano.  My two Shimano Curados were bought used and just got them back from being serviced.  I am really happy with them but they are the larger old style reels.  I have a couple of the newer low profile reels but need to get a couple more.  I also have this thing about spending too much on fishing stuff.  The Dobyns Fury line is about my limit on buying rods.  Between $100 and $130 is going to be my limit for reels.  I know some of the better reels go on sale for $100 or so.  I am just hoping my pocket book and the sale can happen at the same time. I'll get there eventually.

[Eric-Maine]

I have 1 Lew's American Hero and 10 or so  Shimano Curados. I have no complaints with the Lew's. Use it for flipping so only have that experience. First low end reel that I have had a good experience with. Shimano may lose me.