opinions welcome - plug setup on a budget

[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.

[basswipe]

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.