I am looking to add another rod/reel combo to my arsenal. Because I am an Co-Angler and a Kayak fisherman I need to limit the number of rods I have on the boat at one time and need to combine uses for them where possible.

I'm looking to get a Heavy rod/reel combo to do things with heavy braided line such as punching, flipping, frogging, and big custom poured swim baits(~6"-9") if possible. I know I really need a slow gear ratio for the swimbaits and the opposite for the punching setup, but am trying to figure out a way to combine the two into one rod.

I'm more interested in a reel suggestion than a rod, so what kind of reel would you suggest? I'm thinking a 6.4-1 would be a good middle ground. I would just need to slow down the swim bait presentation.

My goal is to keep the reel under $150.

Thank you for any useful input you can provide.

I would go with a Shimano Curado 200I with a Dobyns Extreme 705 or 706. Just my preference, but there are lots of good options out there.

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Dobyns_Champion_Extreme_HP_Split_Grip_Casting_Rods/descpage-DCE.html

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Shimano_Curado_200_I_Casting_Reel/descpage-SCI.html

Daiwa TAT CT 6.3:1 and Daiwa AIRX 7.0H.....160.00 combo!!!! I fish this setup and i've caught numerous fish flippin'.


AIRX rod
TAT CT

Find an older Shimano greenie, 6.2 ratio. Bulletproof.

For heavy braided line in 6.4-1 just under $100 I like the Pflueger Supreme. I use a LH one for frogs and flipping. Great reel for the price.
review

average price

Lew's Tournament Pro G Speed Spool

It's very hard to find a reel out there that will cover all of those techniques, especially big swimbaits. However, the Tournament Pro G Speed Spool will handle all of those techniques you mentioned. Big swimbaits can ruin the components of a cheap reel (found out first hand) if used excessively, but this reel has top of the line components and will stand up to rigorous abuse. I recommend you try the TPG1H. This reel has a 6.8:1 gear ratio which is not a common gear ratio. However, it's slow enough for a swimbait but you'll have plenty of line pickup for flipping/pitching/punching or offshore structure fishing. It's the perfect gear ratio for everything! This reel will also hold a good bit of line to allow you to make long casts with that swimbait. You just can't go wrong with this reel. It's a fantastic reel!

Megabass Levante Casting Rod 7'11" Leviathan (3/4-6oz) - $199.00 - this rod works well at less than 3/4 oz - not perfect for frogging but doable.
Shimano Cardiff 300/301 - 129.99

The real kicker you need to decide this is how much do your 6-9 inch swimbaits weigh. If they are 2 oz + then they will destroy some of the rod/reels mentioned. If they are soft plastic swimbaits at maybe 1 oz then some of these other rod/reels can play that game for you.

Thanks for the reply regarding the weight of the swim baits. I updated to post to say custom poured swimbaits. Not planning on throwing any heavy hard baits with this set up.

Lews super duty would just about cover all that. Kistler Magnesium 2 rod. They have a 7' and 7'3" that will handle everything you mentioned except maybe the 9" swimbait. I throw 6" 3:16 Rising Son with rod.

On the national brand availability front, I would go with a Veritas or Ducket model with a Lews Laser MG.