Okay let's hear it!

1. Best rod for $50 or less?
2. Best reel for $100 or less?

3. Best rod regardless of price?
4. Best reel regardless of price?

TFO rods. Can buy at some tournaments like the legend of lake fork for $50
Lew's tournament pro list $199 but can be bought on eBay for $140 or so new
Don't mess around with reels that list for under $100 IMHO

Lews LFS speed spool. Can get them on ebay new for around $70. I just got 2 and I like them better than my more expensive Lews. They cast better than my BB1.
As far as a rod, I like my Abu Garcia Vendetta for $79

Danny:
How can you say that ?
My $39 Ugly Stick & $49 Black Max landed the 4.7 pound fish at the Tawakoni Bass Champs that got you a 9th place finish and all those free entry fees to Bass Champs for next year.
Thought that would have made a believer out of you !

That set up also caught the 4th biggest fish at BC Falcon Feb event this past year, 7-14, although I have other set ups I always have 2 Black Maxs on Ugly Sticks at every fishing event I go to.
Great for Spinner baits (Falcon fish) and 17# line with wacky worm set ups (Tawakoni fish).

alternate rod for under $100 is the $99 Abu Garcia Verritas.

So this is my answer to the question that was asked

Nutman
Since I have never used your rod and reels, I answered with my opinion.
Just because you caught one a couple fish in a tournament with me don't make me think your equipment is any better or worse than mine. I've caught many a fish over 8 with my set up and haven't had a problem yet.
Sometimes you are a nut, man!

Cabela's Tournament ZX casting rod + Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier. I got them on sale (actually, I have 3 of the rods, 2 of the reels), the rods for $69 and the reels for $50. This is the best value on a combo I've put together so far. Like the guy who said don't mess with a reel under $100, if you're an elite pro angler on the tournament circuit, by all means keep it high dollar. If you're a guy who just likes to fish and wants quality at a price point that won't lead you to divorce, there are definitely options.

Best rods under $50 at regular price:

Daiwa Jupiter MH rod usually $30-$45 at Wmart--good for spinnerbaits, double fluke rig, light Trig, senko
All Star Classic Topwater Medium rod usually $49 at Academy--good for smaller topwaters, jerkbaits, light drop shot
Ugly Stik Elite Medium rod usually $49--good for sq bills and lipless up to 1/2oz
Ugly Stik Elite MH rod usually $49--good for bigger crankbaits, heavier lipless, heavier topwaters, OK for frogs



Best reel for under $100
baitcasting--Pflueger supreme usually $99
spinning--Pflueger President usually $54

Just referring to the "don't mess around with reels under $100"
used my examples to back up my answer to his first question.
I'm sure your set ups are great.
Didn't get to see them in action much !

That's weird to me that you would ask about a rod that is cheaper than the reel. I personally think the rod is way more important so I will flip it.
Best Rod under 100 is the Falcon Bucoo @ 99.
Best Reel under 50 is H20 Mettle @ 29.99 on sale.

For $100 you can get the H2O Mettle camo combo at Academy. Seems like the best bargain rod/reel. IDK about high end, i'm not that fancy!!!

Best rod - Power Tackle PG104
Best reel -Daiwa Steez 7:1 gear ratio

Can you explain why you believe the rod is more important? Not trying to pose an argument.

Falcon Bucoo and Lew's Speed Spool is all you need.

No worries. To me especially in finesse fishing the rod is how you feel and fight the fish. Other than some gear ratio changes the reel is really only important for just pulling in line. If you ask the guys that fish the really high dollar rods they would say they can feel the fish breathing on the bait. I personally fish all Bucoo's because I find them the best feel and highest quality for my budget. Its just my opinion that a better rod will help you catch more fish but a better real will not. Additionally you can buy a low quality reel and upgrade the bearings to make it a high quality reel.

I forgot, I would actually put the importance of the reel even lower than the line and bait. I would buy a nice rod and good fluorocarbon line and high quality plastics before I even thought about shelling out more money for a reel. The only time I feel I have to spend a bunch on a reel is for a super high speed one b/c I have not found one with high ratio that is reasonable so I upgraded to the Diawa Tatula type r so I could get it in 8.1 ratio for flipping and buzz baits.
Just my opinion and I am sure others would disagree.