opinions welcome - plug setup on a budget

[5 String Bass]

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.

[New_Caster]

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.

[Clogston29]

$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.

[Clogston29]

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.

[Backbeach Jake]

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.

[Joe]

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.

[5 String Bass]

Originally Posted by Joe

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....

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by 5 String Bass

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.