opinions welcome - plug setup on a budget

[Pete_G]

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.

[labrax]

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.

[ProfessorM]

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

[labrax]

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

[Mike P]

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

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.

[basswipe]

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.

[luds]

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.