You have 300-400$ to spend on a new rod/reel...

[dr.crentist]

I don't care where you go but you have $400 to spend on a new walleye/jack rig, don't care if it is spin or baitcast. What do you get, live a little, list some rod and reel you'd buy. Something you put together based on personal taste, not an off the shelf combo.

Would be cool if it cold also be used for some lighter trout stuff in the river or stocked ponds.

[dfarms11]

...you have too much money!! LoL.

Sorry, couldn't resist!

[pikergolf]

Diawa PROCYON reel 2000 or 2500, St Croix Premier medium 7ft spinning rod.

[dr.crentist]

...you have too much money!! LoL.

Sorry, couldn't resist!

nah, it's not that. I just wanted to live vicariously through people. I'm a on sale combo set kind of guy but seeing the new stock, and a lot of it, getting put up I thought to myself it may be fun to dream. So many many rods and reels it's intimidating to even start the search while you're at the store.

[dr.crentist]

Diawa PROCYON reel 2000 or 2500, St Croix Premier medium 7ft spinning rod.

googled it. very nice!

[1973 Moose]

G Loomis NXS and a Shimano Calcutta, Spooled with any braided line you can't beat it for that soft bite of a walleye

[trophyhunter]

Shimano stradic, fenwick elite tech


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[Bushleague]

I don't care where you go but you have $400 to spend on a new walleye/jack rig, don't care if it is spin or baitcast. What do you get, live a little, list some rod and reel you'd buy. Something you put together based on personal taste, not an off the shelf combo.

Would be cool if it cold also be used for some lighter trout stuff in the river or stocked ponds.

I'd get a vintage Mitchell 300, slap it on an Ugly Stick, and spend the rest on beer.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50030213593_96ecd93c17_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jdZVtx)DSCF1520 (https://flic.kr/p/2jdZVtx) by [/url], on Flickr

Get a spare spool and it works pretty good for trout too. This particular reel was made in the mid 50's, its old enough it has S/N or model number on it ( Mitchell only made one model of reel at this point).

https://live.staticflickr.com/960/41830862762_6583583726_k.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/153108294@N08/)P5190076 (https://flic.kr/p/26Js78L) by , on Flickr

Not sure if I've got a problem, but pretty much all the reels I'm currently using are older than I am. They've all outlasted at least one owner and with a little TLC when I'm too old to use them I will likely pass them on to my kids in working order.

https://live.staticflickr.com/905/27857067988_f17230ac7e_k.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/153108294@N08/)P4250045 (https://flic.kr/p/JrCKME) by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/153108294@N08/], on Flickr

[SNAPFisher]

I'd get a vintage Mitchell 300, slap it on an Ugly Stick, and spend the rest on beer.

Good idea on the beer.
I would spend $375 on beer and the rest on a $25 on a rod and reel combo. I'm not exactly selective when it comes to spin cast rod and reels for pike and walleye....no need.

That said, 2nd choice would be an Islander LX series fly reel.

https://www.islander.com/product-category/fly/?v=3e8d115eb4b3

I could seriously see myself getting one of these after polishing off $375 in beer. :)

[mlee]

A pike rod and a walleye rod are 2 very different animals lol.

My pike setup was right around $400
Fenwick elite tech 8'6" H predator rod with an Abu revo 300 reel spooled with 50lb braid.

If I was buying a new walleye rig....savage battletek rod diawa procyon or pflueger Supreme xt in a 2500.

[SamSteele]

It’s not hard to spend $400+ on setup these days.

One of my fav light spinning setups is a G Loomis E6X901-2S WUR paired with a Shimano Vanford 1000 series spooled with 8lb PowerPro.

For heavy duty pike I’m using the Shimano Skixx 8 ft Heavy with a Shimano Tranx 300 spooled with 50lb PowerPro.

For something closer to the $400 point I would look at a Shimano Zodias or 13 Fishing Omen Gold paired with either a Stradic FL or Vanford C3000 size.

SS


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[Jims83cj5]

That money is just a reel lol

[Moe]

Oh man! The Mitchell 300 post brought back a lot of memories. The first reel I ever bought and I loved it. Caught a ton of fish on that reel. Classic!

[Walleyedude]

That money is just a reel lol

Sadly, with the crazy prices of stuff these days, that's all too true.

You can buy a really nice combo for $300-400, but if you're looking to go to a truly high end "dream" type rig, you'll easily spend $300-400 on the reel, $500+ on the rod.

In the $300-400 range, I'd be looking at the latest Shimano NASCI in a 1000 or 2500, and pairing it up with a 6'6" to 7' MF Compre or Curado, or maybe splurging a little and going for the G Loomis E6X.

If you're going dream rig - Vanford 2000 or 2500 on a G Loomis GLX or NRX. The new NRX+ 821S 6'10" MLF looks absolutely incredible, I'd love to get my hands on one. They're only about $800.:scared0015:

Personally, I would WAY rather spend $300-400 on really nice fishing gear that I'll enjoy for a lifetime than on beer that'll be gone all to soon with nothing to show for it...

[35 whelen]

What will you be fishing for ,Spinning or Baitcaster ,There are lots of options But $400 is a very nice reel never mind the rod,

[Buckhead]

Pflueger Supreme XT and a Fenwick HMG rod.

[SamSteele]

Pflueger Supreme XT and a Fenwick HMG rod.


I have two Pfleuger Supreme XTs and they function well, but the finish is coming off of both. Used less than my Shimanos and showing worse wear.


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[brass410]

i'd rather be fantasizing over if I wanted a trophy walleye or pike or trout, so many choices its daunting maybe I should just give up and go hunting, lets see which rifle should I take maybe a shotgun to Hmmmm

[Jims83cj5]

Sadly, with the crazy prices of stuff these days, that's all too true.

You can buy a really nice combo for $300-400, but if you're looking to go to a truly high end "dream" type rig, you'll easily spend $300-400 on the reel, $500+ on the rod.

In the $300-400 range, I'd be looking at the latest Shimano NASCI in a 1000 or 2500, and pairing it up with a 6'6" to 7' MF Compre or Curado, or maybe splurging a little and going for the G Loomis E6X.

If you're going dream rig - Vanford 2000 or 2500 on a G Loomis GLX or NRX. The new NRX+ 821S 6'10" MLF looks absolutely incredible, I'd love to get my hands on one. They're only about $800.:scared0015:

Personally, I would WAY rather spend $300-400 on really nice fishing gear that I'll enjoy for a lifetime than on beer that'll be gone all to soon with nothing to show for it...

Lol, I bought a boat and I want all 9 setups like that omg

[OL_JR]

Diawa PROCYON reel 2000 or 2500, St Croix Premier medium 7ft spinning rod.

That is a pretty good choice. Can't go wrong with much of anything from either manufacturer.

It's kind of asking a lot though to cover trout to pike in one combo. I think I'd rather get two less expensive combos instead. Maybe a Daiwa Revros with a fenwick HMG or something similar for a lighter rig. For the heavy rig probably a regular ol ugly stik casting rod as a start- getting a decent casting reel with appropriate drag weight would take some sale searching and might have to fudge the budget just a bit but in the end would work out better.

I do like Bushleagues suggestion as well though but instead of beer put it into gas to get to a place worth fishing as much as you can :).

[Bushleague]

Sadly, with the crazy prices of stuff these days, that's all too true.

You can buy a really nice combo for $300-400, but if you're looking to go to a truly high end "dream" type rig, you'll easily spend $300-400 on the reel, $500+ on the rod.

In the $300-400 range, I'd be looking at the latest Shimano NASCI in a 1000 or 2500, and pairing it up with a 6'6" to 7' MF Compre or Curado, or maybe splurging a little and going for the G Loomis E6X.

If you're going dream rig - Vanford 2000 or 2500 on a G Loomis GLX or NRX. The new NRX+ 821S 6'10" MLF looks absolutely incredible, I'd love to get my hands on one. They're only about $800.:scared0015:

Personally, I would WAY rather spend $300-400 on really nice fishing gear that I'll enjoy for a lifetime than on beer that'll be gone all to soon with nothing to show for it...

The beer part was a joke, given my taste in fishing gear I'm obviously too cheap to spend huge amounts of money of alcohol.

Mainly I put my money towards a future where all I do is fish, hunt, and cut firewood. I could likely swing a lengthly period of semi-retirement in the next couple years, but will likely wait until my kids graduate... then just hit the road.

BTW, neither of the rigs that you mentioned in the OP's price range would be likely to last me anywhere near a lifetime... thus my love of vintage gear.

[elkhunter11]

I have been using Loomis rods and Quantum spinning reels for around 40 years now, so I would probably stick with both. Only now that I no longer have a coworker that builds my rods for the cost of components, as he teaches rod building courses, I don't think that I could keep the cost at $400. I did however recently buy a Quantum Smoke baitcasting reel and matching rod, but I haven't had the opportunity to use them yet. I did get a good deal by purchasing each during the Canadian Tire spend $200, and get $40 in Canadian Tire money back days, so the cost was under the $400.

[AlbertanGP]

Sadly, with the crazy prices of stuff these days, that's all too true.

You can buy a really nice combo for $300-400, but if you're looking to go to a truly high end "dream" type rig, you'll easily spend $300-400 on the reel, $500+ on the rod.

In the $300-400 range, I'd be looking at the latest Shimano NASCI in a 1000 or 2500, and pairing it up with a 6'6" to 7' MF Compre or Curado, or maybe splurging a little and going for the G Loomis E6X.

If you're going dream rig - Vanford 2000 or 2500 on a G Loomis GLX or NRX. The new NRX+ 821S 6'10" MLF looks absolutely incredible, I'd love to get my hands on one. They're only about $800.:scared0015:

Personally, I would WAY rather spend $300-400 on really nice fishing gear that I'll enjoy for a lifetime than on beer that'll be gone all to soon with nothing to show for it...

Honestly, I'd buy a Vanford and whatever rod I could afford with the money left over until I could upgrade. Yes, they are that good IMO but will eat most of your $400 budget. I have four or five NASCI's as well. I'm not a fan. They are a good reel, but really, really heavy. But then every reel is really, really heavy after using Vanfords.

P.S. On second thought, I think everyone should boycott Shimano reels completely until they swap the handles on the Vanfords back to the old folding style on the Ci4+. You shouldn't have to worry about losing the handle all the time on a $350 reel... :mad3:

[SamSteele]

P.S. On second thought, I think everyone should boycott Shimano reels completely until they swap the handles on the Vanfords back to the old folding style on the Ci4+. You shouldn't have to worry about losing the handle all the time on a $350 reel... :mad3:

I asked the Shimano guys about this and was told they did it for the salt water guys as many would forget to rinse the hinge portion of the handle and they would corrode. I’m sure that there was an economic advantage to a solid handle as well.

I prefer the folding handles as well. Makes storage in a rod locker easier and the neoprene covers can wrap around the entire reel to protect the handle too.

SS


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[AlbertanGP]

I asked the Shimano guys about this and was told they did it for the salt water guys as many would forget to rinse the hinge portion of the handle and they would corrode.

Inconvenienced by the stupidity of the masses. There's something new nowadays. :rolleye2::rolleye2::rolleye2:

[Buckhead]

[QUOTE=SamSteele;4515563]I have two Pfleuger Supreme XTs and they function well, but the finish is coming off of both. Used less than my Shimanos and showing worse wear.

I haven't noticed the same issue. Those are the reels that get used the most in my boat, as I give then to the least experienced people to use. I'm not about to give them my specialty rods to use.
Perhaps the reels have come in contact with a contaminant of some sort. Fuel residue, insect repellent?

[Kings]

I would go for
Shimano Stradic FL 2500 size with St Croix premier rod 7ft Medium.
This will fit in the budget.

[AlbertanGP]

I have two Pfleuger Supreme XTs and they function well, but the finish is coming off of both. Used less than my Shimanos and showing worse wear.

I haven't noticed the same issue. Those are the reels that get used the most in my boat, as I give then to the least experienced people to use. I'm not about to give them my specialty rods to use.
Perhaps the reels have come in contact with a contaminant of some sort. Fuel residue, insect repellent?

I've had the same experience as SamSteele with several Pflueger's I own...doesn't seem to matter whether it's their high end or lower end models. The chrome finish is especially prone to bubbling on the handles. Still very good reels for the money though.

[Buckhead]

I've had the same experience as SamSteele with several Pflueger's I own...doesn't seem to matter whether it's their high end or lower end models. The chrome finish is especially prone to bubbling on the handles. Still very good reels for the money though.

That is odd. Out of the 2 Presidents, the 2 Supreme XTs and the Patriarch I am not seeing anything. I will watch for that. All are good reels.

They compare very favorably with the Shimano Stradics, CI4s and Sustains I have, as well.

[Deb]

Shimano stradic, fenwick elite tech


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This!

Almost the same set up as was stolen from my boat last year, along with husband's rod and reel and two nice baitcaster set ups.

[EZM]

ABU GARCIA REVO X Reel

https://www.cabelas.ca/product/117055/abu-garcia-revo-x-spinning-reel

ST CROIX Premier Split Grip Rod

https://www.cabelas.ca/product/134413/st-croix-premier-split-grip-spinning-rods

for $400 - add some Power Pro Braid - and it's CHECKMATE for the win

[mooseknuckle]

ABU GARCIA REVO X Reel

https://www.cabelas.ca/product/117055/abu-garcia-revo-x-spinning-reel

ST CROIX Premier Split Grip Rod

https://www.cabelas.ca/product/134413/st-croix-premier-split-grip-spinning-rods

for $400 - add some Power Pro Braid - and it's CHECKMATE for the win


Me likey that reel. Like I need more gear. Lol

[Adrien Schnee]

Honestly, I'd buy a Vanford and whatever rod I could afford with the money left over until I could upgrade. Yes, they are that good IMO but will eat most of your $400 budget. I have four or five NASCI's as well. I'm not a fan. They are a good reel, but really, really heavy. But then every reel is really, really heavy after using Vanfords.

P.S. On second thought, I think everyone should boycott Shimano reels completely until they swap the handles on the Vanfords back to the old folding style on the Ci4+. You shouldn't have to worry about losing the handle all the time on a $350 reel... :mad3:

I agree about the Vanfords. I hadn’t purchased any spinning gear in many years and wanted a few outfits for giant snakehead and jungle perch fishing. I bought a 2000, 3000 and 4000 with the high retrieve. Wonderfully smooth, powerful drags and exceptionally light reels. I fished several outings with a friend who was running Stella’s on all of his spinning rods and we both preferred the Vanfords for this kind of light to medium heavy freshwater application due to their weight savings. The reels ran $225 to $250 Cad each and I paired the 3000 and 4000 with Rapala Vaaxy rods which weigh in at 3.5 to 3.8 ounces each in M and MH 6 1/2 footers. The combinations with braid included came in at a little under $400 Cad. and are a real pleasure to fish.

( and yes, I can’t figure out why they don’t make a collapsible handle for them! )

[TheBigShooter]

Just picked up a Stradic 2500
unboxing here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bPj9dWnMvs&t=4s

Pairing it with a new Fenwick HMG ML Fast 6'9" one piece, heading out tomorrow, hopefully get some hooksets in.

[AlbertanGP]

After a weekend mapping a local lake (I bring the rods with me just in case I get the itch), I found a Vanford handle in the bottom of the boat while cleaning it yesterday. It's only a matter of time until I lose one... :(