So I've used baitcasting reels since I've started bass fishing but i'm going get a spinning set up here in the next couple days.. Bear with me I've got a few questions.. And to note I plan on using this for weightless soft plastics and certain cranks.

1. What are some suggestions as to which rod and reel for a spinning set up? Trying to stay under $150 for this guy.

2. I've read that braid far outclasses mono. my question is should I use a leader for 10lb braid? as I've read that braid isn't as invisible as mono or fluoro.

thanks in advance for any replies.

I've had good luck w Shimano Sahara, I saw them for $59 at Cabelas that would leave about $80 for a decent rod probably a 61/2-7 ft med action. A Veritas in med action might be a good one i think I saw those at $79.

I just use straight flouro because its cheaper and I loose a lot of line breaking stuff off so I replace it alot. I've heard a lot of people swear by braid tho.

I'm sorry to say I don't have any great suggestions for you on on a rod and reel. I have a couple CI4 Stradics by Shimano that I absolutely love but they are over your particular price range for a reel alone. It really depends on what it is that you are fishing for and how you plan to utilize them. Bass pros pro qualifier and extreme spinning reels are both very good reels for the price point at 50-60 dollars for either of the two. They come in several different ratios as well. The rod situation is really all about personal preference and what you want as far as perks. One of the above reels on an Abu Garcia Vendetta would be a pretty good bang for your buck though. It would run you around 130.

As far as the braid situation. I run all braid on my Stradics with a floro leader on them. I use them primarily for finesse fishing so the Fluor, number one, sinks so that really helps get the baits down were I need them faster if I was to be going weightless. And two it is far much more unnoticed in the water compared to the braid. When running braid, just remember that it floats. I also run 30 pound power pro to a 12 pound leader. It's all trial and error really, you'll developed things on your own that suit to your needs and your style.

I hope I was of some help in any way!

Just bought a spinning setup. Shimano Symetre 2500FL and Johnny Morris 7' Medium Fast Carbon-Lite rod. A little more than your budget but well worth it to me. Got mine during the rod and reel trade in at BPS.

On my spinning reel i like to use 20 pound braid of your preference and then attach a few feet of fluorocarbon like G_Mize has already pointed out. It eliminates any tangles/line twist you will get with traditional mono, co-poly, or straight fluorocarbon. I learned how to connect the braid to fluoro through this video, and of my knowledge this is the best and smallest knot to use that i've tried.

I have a combo I really like. It's a Shimano Sahara 2500 reel ($80) with a Shimano Compre 6'8" medium worm & jig rod ($100). It's $180 total, a little over your budget price unless you catch a sale. If nothing else, you should check out the rod. It's a IM-9 graphite rod, very light and sensitive. I use 30# braid for the main line and
12 -15# floro for the leader.

I use 30# braid and 10 to 12# floro leader. Love it for everything except a drop shot.

So do you guys ALWAYS use a leader with braid?

Shimano Sedona or Sahara and a Falcon Bucoo would be a great setup for around $150.
And I usually just go straight flouro

Almost everybody has a nice spinning rod combo for sale this time of year.

Leader is not necessary when using braid. I use 10# on my crappie rods and like 30# on my other rods, but that's because clients get mad if they loose a big fish. A 20# is plenty for most things. The only time I use a leader is in saltwater if fishing flats. In lake water, I have never needed leader to catch fish. The average water turbidity and flash of the lure focuses the fishes attention to the bait and not hte line.

string that bad boy up with a full spool of mono... braid is for A-rigs and frog fishin...lol

and as far as selecting a combo -- diawa and quantumm make the best spinning setups in my opinion

For weightless I use a berkley cherrywood ultra-light (but I am a bit of a daredevil...lol)

Almost always.....while braid is super strong for it's size visability is one issue. and even when i fish heavily stained water i like the fluro leader againgst stumps and rocks!