Re: favorite brand of rod and reel?
Spinning Reels:<br />Grew up on Michell 300s. Diawa and Shimino have performed the best for me, over the last 20 years. Reels I purchase are generally under $60. Others have mentioned Okuma. I am not that satisfied with the one I have. It has had bail return problem, since new. Might have a bad spring, and will work on it over the winter, and give it another shot.<br /><br />Bait Casters:<br />I don't use them allot, and all have held up. Abu seems to need very little maintenance.<br /><br />Rods:<br />I use to be very partial to Cabelas Pro-Guide series (around $40), but they changed the poles or went to a different manufacturer. Last few years, have been using Ugly Stick Lites, and have been very happy. <br /><br /><br />Bigger $$$ rods and reels:<br />My son landed a part-time job, in the fishing dept, of a good sized sporting goods store, while he is off to college. He gets a good employee discount, along with immediate family members
, plus there are special order offers on rods from glommis and st croix. I will be trying some of his St. Croix rods this coming year. I have always wondered how the $150 rods stack up against the $40-50 ones, I normally go for.
Spinning Reels:<br />Grew up on Michell 300s. Diawa and Shimino have performed the best for me, over the last 20 years. Reels I purchase are generally under $60. Others have mentioned Okuma. I am not that satisfied with the one I have. It has had bail return problem, since new. Might have a bad spring, and will work on it over the winter, and give it another shot.<br /><br />Bait Casters:<br />I don't use them allot, and all have held up. Abu seems to need very little maintenance.<br /><br />Rods:<br />I use to be very partial to Cabelas Pro-Guide series (around $40), but they changed the poles or went to a different manufacturer. Last few years, have been using Ugly Stick Lites, and have been very happy. <br /><br /><br />Bigger $$$ rods and reels:<br />My son landed a part-time job, in the fishing dept, of a good sized sporting goods store, while he is off to college. He gets a good employee discount, along with immediate family members
, plus there are special order offers on rods from glommis and st croix. I will be trying some of his St. Croix rods this coming year. I have always wondered how the $150 rods stack up against the $40-50 ones, I normally go for.