I am trying to put together a plugging/lure setup with a budget of around $100. Cheap I know, but thats what I have to spend. The 2 rods I currently like are an 9' Ande Tournement and a 10' Ugly Stick (40-50 bucks). The Ande is pretty sweet. It's rated up to 4 oz. and is light as a feather. The Ugly Stick has its reputation that we all know. Tough.
For Reels I like Penn's Captiva 5000. #^&#^&#^&#^&s Sports has Okuma Stratus (not GT) reels for around 35.00. I already have an Okuma Avenger (a cheap line) and I like it. I also may be able to pick up a used Coranado. I also like the idea of scoring a 700 series Penn on Ebay: 704, 704Z of similar for around the same $.
#^&#^&#^&#^&s also has a Penn Captiva combo (9') for 99.00. Walmart (Wallyworld) has a Captiva 5000 combo (7') for 65.00. Whats the best deal/best way to go. I'm open to ideas and certainly other retailers, I'd prefer to buy from the boards sponsors or local b+t, but I gotta stay around 100.00

Try hitting the shows Last year I picked up a Daiwa sealine-x for $55 and I am sure there are nice reel deals also. other than that I like Penn for an all around good choice. or try to get it up to 150 and you could get a prity good setup.

Aim for that Z series on ebay. If you're going to use it in the surf my opinion would be that you'll be disappointed with anything else in respect to reliability and longetivity within that price range. I don't think there is currently anything you could buy new in that price range that will perform as well long term in the surf. Z's are still one of the best in the surf and if maintained it will take good care of you for years to come.

As for the rod, check out the "Dolphin" series from Tica. I don't have them in the shop yet but they're supposed to be similar to the TC2 series Tica's except with Fuji guides. Tica has 1 year warranty as well and they often honor it outside of the first year as well.

I'd agree with getting a Z series as well - I got a 710z for $28 on eBay for a Christmas gift. I think you would be better looking for a used Penn (Diawa, Shimano, etc.) in good shape rather than spend any money on the Stratus from Okuma. I remember checking the Okuma catalog and I don't remember finding the Stratus - could it be the brand name they make for the #^&#^&#^&#^&'s chain? With the Penn reels at least - there are many places to get replacement parts and people to service the reel. What is going to happen a few years down the road when you want another spool, or need a part for the Stratus - will the closeout reel have a network of dealers with spare parts and spools?

I briefly fondled a Tica Dolfin spinning rod today - I think they are around $85. A Tsunami rod is another cheaper option that many seem to have good things to say about them. I have a Daiwa Sealine-X that I got for $50 new and it is very nice to fish with. I think you can set yourself up pretty well for about $125. You can get something at Wal-Mart, but I think there are some very well regarded sponsors here that offer competitive prices for better equipment than you can find at Wal-Mart.

Good luck - shopping for equipment can be a lot of fun.

Hey Labrax nice meeting you today. For the money the Tica are a very good buy. Paul

Paul,

Good to meet you and the others today as well. If my wife and daughter were not sitting in the car I would have loved to poke around the shop a bit more, and really introduce myself instead of rushing out.

Pete

Mikecc has the Tica Dolphins> I did some ceiling poking with the 10 footer today. Very similar to the Arra 1205 at about a fifth of the price. Not a bad stick for the price. It has a 50 mm Fuji BSVLG as the first guide, spaced nicely. I was very impressed with what you get for short money. Of course, no guarantees on how it'll hold up over time :huh:

Little too much rod for all around plugging tho. I didn't try the 9 footer, but that might be a better stick for the lighter stuff, under 2 oz.

Any new reel in the $50 +/- price range is going to be a piece of junk that won't last a season of even moderate use. I second, third and fourth the folks here who've suggested trying to score a used Penn 700, 704 or 704Z off eBay.

I will say this the Ande rods are some of the worse crap rods there are.
Why Ande would put their good name on such junk is beyond me.

Tica UGSA Dolphin.Go with that and the 704 and you'll have done yourself alright.

There were a couple of places selling used 704's cheap at the MSBA show last year. Definately, worth checking the shows out unless you need to factor the price of admission into your 100 bucks. I would however recommend you bump your budget up to $150 so you can get a 9 foot Tica and NEW 704.

A Shimano Spheros 8000 ain't a bad reel to look at either.But like Luds said gotta bump that budget up another $50.Worth it though.

Thanks all. seems like great advice. I don't know that the Ande rod is complete crap, though-(it looked and felt a hell of a lot like a mislabled tsunami :) but I'll seek out the Tica and try it. I'm definitely going for the ebay 704(z maybe). Thanks again to everyone for pitching in their 2 cents. Any thoughts about the greenies vs. the Z series? How are these with Braid? Thanks in advance.

I have 65# PP on my 704z and it preforms well. I picked it up at a flee market for $40 with a cheap rod. and I have to say its a great reel. I know a couple places that carry them new but if you can get one used its better. they last forever if taken care of.

$100 is a though working limit. I'd stay away from the walmart specials because they will definately cost you more in the long run, I wouldn't be surprised if one decent fish completely destroys one of those reels, never mind if it gets dunked. There are options out there were you could spend around $180-$200 that would last you for years of tuff use. I'd go with a Z series and tica if I were you and if you can find a way to pay alittle more.

If you're gonna go with the Z series, I'd get the 706 if you're willing to go with a manual bail. New 704s and 706s are gonna run you over $100 though. Another thing to do is keep your eye on the classified page on this board and the other similar sites, quality used products are gonna serve you better than cheap new ones.

I forgot to answer your question about braid, the z series reels will handle it but not especially well. One thing to consider is that braid is alot more expensive than mono.

If I were you I'd start out with mono and put the extra $25 or so that you'll save there into the reel. Then you could spend in the $125 dollar range on the reel which opens up some good options (penn slammer, penn z series, shimano spheros, etc.) to use on the 9' rod that you have now. You get a new rod down the road when you can afford one. A batson rainshadow 9' rod, 1088 or 1089, with a simple black wrap can be bought from mikecc for probably less than $50 more than the new tica dolphins. Something to think about anyway. I sent you a pm.

My favorite budget set-up: Tica rod 9' rated 1/2 -3oz. Penn 710z from ebay. Well under 100Bucks and will stop anything. Just use the drag.

What type of fishing do you plan on doing primarily? Surf? Bay? Jetty? Breachway? Cliff? Boat? when do you plan to do most of your fishing? Day? Dusk & Dawn? Night?
Are you new to the sport or getting back into it after some time off?

When people call me looking for stuff - I always query them before making suggestions - but the $100 budget is very pretty low. Its tough to expect to get into this sport for $100 in 2006.

You need to narrowly define the type of fishing you are going to do and then ask around. I suggest writing down all the stuff you need and then place a "wanted" ad in the used tackle forum. You're better off rolling the dice with used stuff than getting a small amount of new. Buy from a reputable member.

Thanks again to everyone for pitching in their 2 cents. Any thoughts about the greenies vs. the Z series? How are these with Braid? Thanks in advance.

There's no real mechanical difference between the 704 greenies and the Zs. Every part is interchangeable. Don't let anyone try to steer you into paying a premium price for a greenie. There are some major differences between the early 700 reels and even the 704 greenies. Some 700 parts are hard to come by, and unlike the case between the green and black 704s, there are some major mechanical differences between the 700, and the 704s.

About the only difference worth talking about is that the later gold machined spools that were introduced around 1992 or so are much stronger than the old cast aluminum green and black spools. But, a gold spool will fit on a green 704.

If you want a low stretch, small diameter "superline" that's very compatable with 704s, try Fireline. A 704 will hold a full 300 yard spool of 20# Fireline, with just 10 yards or so of mono backing to prevent line slippage on the spool under a load. 30# will work too, but you'll only get about 225-250 yards of it on a 704.

What type of fishing do you plan on doing primarily? Surf? Bay? Jetty? Breachway? Cliff? Boat? when do you plan to do most of your fishing? Day? Dusk & Dawn? Night?
Are you new to the sport or getting back into it after some time off?


I started fishing last season (first time since I was a kid fishing snappers off the docks with my grandfather). I had bought a cheapie shakespeare alpha rig. The reel didn't make it through the season. It just exploded. I replaced that with an Okuma Avenger. It's ok. I cleaned and lubed it and it seems fine. I fished the surf at Hummarock, a river near that, the jetti in Little Compton, and rocks at Beavertail, and I even tried the ditch (was too late in season though). I guess I'm looking for a versitile rig that I can take a lot of different places at different times. I'd like to keep the alpha-okuma rig as a backup or for staking with live bait and use the new rig for plugging. My 100.00 limit will probably go out the window. I picked up a 710 today with some lures for 40.00. I'm considering a 704z (shopping price) as well and pole for 40- 50. Damn fishing bug....

Use the 710, that reel caught the record striper. Get a 9 foot Tica or Daiwa rod, some 14# Fireline, a plug bag and a light. If you have any money left buy some sluggos.
Go fishing, not equipment collecting, you don't know what you want yet.

Good suggestion above. So long as the 710 is working well now, I would stop shopping for reels.
Sounds like you would be best suited to dusk and dawn fishing until you are completely familiarized with your stuff and can do it with your eyes closed - I would not fish the rocks at night until you can afford Korkers. Beavertail is a very tackle-hungry (expensive) place for beginners to fish - you get a lot of hang-ups.
Some sluggos, a couple of small bucktail jigs and a Super Strike Popper in Chartreuse/White, a cheapo bag and a light.

I think you're going to have to shell out more like 150 bucks for a decent combo.Sounds like most of the guys think the Tica rod is the place to start.

If you truly want a great setup for short money I recommend the 9' Tica UGSA90MH2S Dolphin rod($70) and the Shimano Spheros 8000($100).

You can't beat this setup for the money.And by going new with both items you get a decent 1yr warranty from both companies who have outstanding customer service.

Spending the extra dough will be well worth it.$170 isn't much when it comes to fishing gear these days.

I like the 710 and I'm glad I got it rather than a 704 just because of the weight. I'm just looking for a pole now. The 100.00 limit is just for the rod and reel. I expect to pay more for line, a bag, more lures, sluggos, etc. I'm looking into the Tica's (who has'em in SE Mass?) and a member here has also offerered up some gear on the cheap that he has upgraded. So I think I'm good! Thanks again for all the advise.

Joe- I like Beavertail, It was where I caught my first keeper last year.Yes, it did cost me a little tackle though. It is a great place to take the family. Dad gets to fish and the kids arent bored- hell yeah! I have mainly night-fished on beaches with friends.

Your 710 will be a better fit for a 9' rod anyway.

mikecc has plenty of the Tica Dolphins in stock. His shop is on the outskirts of Wareham Center, just before the Narrows. If you need directions, he has a map posted on his site, www.capecodtackle.com