Recommnedation is needed. Three different rod combos

[arhuomam]

Hi ALL,

I was in CanadianTire and got three rod combos to choose from.
I got really confused and a salesman at CanadianTire advised me to buy the three and try them out and choose what I think is the best.

So, please help me choose one out of the following three rod.
I am asking for help based on the sale price.

1) Shimano FX4000 (Original price $54.99, Sale price $38.49)

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/sports...ontent=Default

2) Shimano Sedona 2500 SP (Original price $199.99, Sale price $83.99)

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/sp...l#.VbXPwlP4BrQ

3) Abu Garcia Specialist Spinning Combo (Original price $89.99, Sale price $55.49)

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/sp...l#.VbXQJ1P4BrQ



Please let me know what you think about these three for the sale price.


Thank you very much

[the local angler]

well in my opinion if you are not in a hurry for a fishing outfit check other places like even the fishing hole, bass pro, whole sales sports for other options too as they also would have the same or simular outfits. i find the fx series is a good starter for beginners and such, but if you want to move up a bit then i would choose the shimano because i am a shimano fan and have great satisfaction with their product. as for abu garcia i am not sure cause i bought a reel from them for around $60 and only lasted just over a year and there is so much play in the gears and the reel handle itself (up and down movement). so i have bad experience with them. for my advice i would say buy from an actual fishing store, because they specialize in it and the internal components are much better and you can also get more info for them. they would be able to explain the rod speed for example fast action vs slow. go talk to terry or kelly at the fishing hole they could help you out alot, i am a bit of a bargin hunter too like the shimano outfit you listed for $83.99 personally i think if you look around you can find something better for that price, like a few weeks ago i was at wholesales sports and the had a whole wack load of rods and reels combos that were old new stock all being liquidated at 50% off. sometimes these sales are not advertised and you find out by just going to the store. i am not sure if that sale is still on or not. i hope i was of some assistance. thanks

[arhuomam]

Hi the local angler,

Thank you very much for your input.

Originally Posted by the local angler

well in my opinion if you are not in a hurry for a fishing outfit check other places like even the fishing hole, bass pro, whole sales sports for other options too as they also would have the same or simular outfits. i find the fx series is a good starter for beginners and such, but if you want to move up a bit then i would choose the shimano because i am a shimano fan and have great satisfaction with their product. as for abu garcia i am not sure cause i bought a reel from them for around $60 and only lasted just over a year and there is so much play in the gears and the reel handle itself (up and down movement). so i have bad experience with them. for my advice i would say buy from an actual fishing store, because they specialize in it and the internal components are much better and you can also get more info for them. they would be able to explain the rod speed for example fast action vs slow. go talk to terry or kelly at the fishing hole they could help you out alot, i am a bit of a bargin hunter too like the shimano outfit you listed for $83.99 personally i think if you look around you can find something better for that price, like a few weeks ago i was at wholesales sports and the had a whole wack load of rods and reels combos that were old new stock all being liquidated at 50% off. sometimes these sales are not advertised and you find out by just going to the store. i am not sure if that sale is still on or not. i hope i was of some assistance. thanks

[the local angler]

your welcome

[Granrey]

I'm no sure why the rod is so important. I usually buy the cheapest possible.

The only thing I buy with quality is the powerbait.

After the bait/hook is at the right place. The rod is is not that important.

[floppychicken]

Originally Posted by Granrey

I'm no sure why the rod is so important. I usually buy the cheapest possible.

The only thing I buy with quality is the powerbait.

After the bait/hook is at the right place. The rod is is not that important.

Yeah, I don't know if I would agree with that statement, especially if you're jigging or tempting fish that are 'lipping' the bait. Pair a mid to upper quality reel with a St.Croix or Fenwick rod and the difference is immeasurable. Whether you have a $60.00 rod and reel or a $360.00 rod and reel, a light or 'sensitive rod' is going to be able to give you a much better idea of what's happening down near the hook. I've fished with a few people that had 'stiffer rods' (pun intended) combined with bulky reels and they did quite poorly when it came to finicky walleye. A proper rod and reel combination (well balanced) can make all the difference in the world in my opinion, both in performance and comfort. Having stated the former, I STILL have some inexpensive Pflueger reels that I picked up at Canadian Tire and are still just bullet proof with a couple of older Berkley Lightning Rods.

To the OP I would suggest taking 'the local anglers' suggestion and check out the places he is recommending and you'll likely be happy you did.

Cheers,

[EZM]

Originally Posted by Granrey

I'm no sure why the rod is so important. I usually buy the cheapest possible.

The only thing I buy with quality is the powerbait.

After the bait/hook is at the right place. The rod is is not that important.

100% Disagree.

You can win races with a Ford Festiva but why not drive a Mustang and see which car performs better in a race.

I used to think the same thing ..... until I learned the truth. A high quality rod will allow you to pickup more soft takes and catch more fish. A good rod also makes a difference in how your crankbait's (or lure's) action is, and allows you to dart the lure with precision.

Using a cheap parabolic soft noodle or a fence post for a rod leaves you at a distinct disadvantage particularly in both these areas.

Can a fence post and noodle catch fish? ..... it sure can ..... I remember all those guys telling me that their cheap rods have caught hundreds of fish ..... fair enough ..... but maybe they could have caught thousands.

Next time you are with someone who has a quality set up - switch rods and see which ACTUALLY gives you an advantage to catching MORE fish.

I did - and I have seen the light.

[huntsfurfish]

For jiggin/riggin rods put the money into the rod rather than the reel. For trolling rods you can go the other way round.

That said, many lower end rods are very sensitive. And 99.9% of the fisherman would be happy with them. The ones that arent are just trying to justify their $400.00 rod.

[Kurt505]

If you like fishing, get a jar and save up as much as you can, not only will better equipment let you enjoy the feel of the fight, it will allow you to land more fish.

Once you get into the higher end equipment the differences get more and more subtle but they are there, and do change your experience on the water. An expensive rod will allow you to cast farther, feel even the softest hit, have the backbone to set the hook, and the sensitivity will make the battle a lot more fun. An expensive reel will allow you to cast farther, win the battle with more fish with a smooth drag, and stand the test of time with reliability and durability.

I see the biggest difference from the 0-$60 spinning reels to the $60-$150 spinning reels. The difference's in the $150-$350 reels aren't as noticeable, but to experienced fishermen, they are there. Once you're spending over $350 on a spinning reel, you're usually buying a reel for life that can be past on to your children.

With rods I see these categories, 0-$60, $60-100, $100-150, $150-$300, $300+. 0-$60 will get you fishing, $60-$100 will show you the feel your missing when the fish are being finicky, $100-$150 will be very similar to the $60-$100 rod with a little more bling, nicer handle, maybe better guides etc. $150-$300 is where the blanks change and you start to get into the top of the line materials, you get the maximum strength and sensitivity, $300 plus you get the top of the line materials, customized bling, and usually a lifetime warranty, not worth the money to some, but to others it's worth every cent.

If a guy spends $200 on a rod and reel there won't seem to been much difference in the feel of it compared to a $1000 rod/reel combo when they're brand new, but in 10yrs time there sure will be a big difference. To the avid fisherman, this is where it's worth every cent.

[bmckenney]

What species of fish and type of fishing might be a factor for selecting the best combo. But maybe you are just looking for general purpose spin gear.

I'm surprised of the suggestion to buy all three and try them out. But that is a great option. Take out all three and cast, retrieve etc. Maybe you'll even get a fish on and test the drag out. Assuming they all have line on them, then the differences might skew your impressions.

I'd also look at reviews on basspro, tackledirect etc too.

[ETOWNCANUCK]

I've gone from the Canadian tire combos
To $200 + combos

Each has its place I think
And different styles of fishing.

I view fishing today as a sport and challenge and have spent hundreds of dollars on gear and tackle to feed what has become my addiction/ hobby

I think it all comes down to what a guy wants and what he can afford

[arhuomam]

Well, I started with WalMart/ Canadian tire cheap rods and reels and then went to higher end reels and rod from professional stores.


I agree to the statement of no much differences if to use baits or what we call traditional fishing, but the case is totally difference when it comes to casting specially with spinners and spoons.

Thank you

[arhuomam]

I think the thread went little bit outside the main purpose, please let me and others know about the best combos among the three listed above.

Thank you very much for your time and support.

[ETOWNCANUCK]

Originally Posted by arhuomam

I think the thread went little bit outside the main purpose, please let me and others know about the best combos among the three listed above.



Thank you very much for your time and support.

None of the above

All of the above

No one particular combo is going to be better than the other except in your hands.

All will do what they are designed to do.

Enable you to go fishing.

But only you can decide which one is better.

[Granrey]

I guess probably I don't value rod sensitivity much as I don't rely on it to fish.

I use slip bobbers. If the bobber goes down, I know it has something (I use small hooks, fish most likely swallow) .

For me the rod is a tool to put the bait where the fish is (x and y coordinates) , the longer the better for distance. The bobber controls my depth (z coordinate) and tells me if something is on. Then I rely on the bait.

[Crankbait]

I have many rods and reels and one of my go to set ups is the fx reel on a tfo spinning rod - heavy action for chucking heavy stuff - and the reel works great with the rod, or rather, for the purpose I want it to serve.

on the flip side, I got the crappy tire abu Garcia specialist 1.0 for 25 bucks, tossed the reel and put a very old pflueger on it and wow what a great sensitive rod, once again, for a specific style of fishing.

sometimes those combos are good just to build up a collection to swap other gear with especially if you have a limited budget.

how often do you fish?

[arhuomam]

Thanks for your input Crankbait,

I go whenever I have time and almost daily.

Originally Posted by Crankbait

I have many rods and reels and one of my go to set ups is the fx reel on a tfo spinning rod - heavy action for chucking heavy stuff - and the reel works great with the rod, or rather, for the purpose I want it to serve.

on the flip side, I got the crappy tire abu Garcia specialist 1.0 for 25 bucks, tossed the reel and put a very old pflueger on it and wow what a great sensitive rod, once again, for a specific style of fishing.

sometimes those combos are good just to build up a collection to swap other gear with especially if you have a limited budget.

how often do you fish?