+1 on the Shimano Sahara. I also have several Quantum Kinetics that I love-very smooth and priced about 40 bucks on eBay. I have them mounted on Kistler Graphite and Magnesium Series rods. These are pretty nice rods, and paid no more than $45 for the Graphite and about $75 for the Magnesium-and no, they are not re-tipped. they were brand new.

Give the Mojo Bass rods a look see.

Consider these two rods.

MBS68MXF / Wacky Style
This is the ultimate finesse rod with a focus of working Senko�-type baits wacky (weightless) style.

MBS69MLXF / Drop Shot
Superb light-line finesse worm rod for drop shotting. Light tip design allows for shakin� and ample backbone for deep-water hook sets.

TFP

i will mainly be using this kinda of rod for shakey head, and possible throwing some weightless flukes. will these rods mentioned do the trick?

Buy yourself a Shimano Spirex reel, about $60, or a Shimano Symetre. Take the reel and try it on various spinning rods, see which pairing feels good and balanced. I prefer a 6'6" or 7' foot two-piece rod with a fast tip. You should be able to get a nice setup for less than $150.

Hey basspro, I will be selling my St. Croix Avid series spinning rod in a couple weeks. I have a new Hendrix rod on order. I bought this rod last year for 159.00. It was actually replaced in the fall by St. Croix becuase the ceramic came out of one of the guides. Not sure how that happened. It was probably my fault. So the rod will only have been used 4-6 times since it's been new. I'll sell it for 120.00. That's negotiable as well. It's a 6' Medium power rod. I use it for throwing weightless senkos, split shot rigs or shaky heads and it's a great rod. Just getting a custom rod built with Christmas money. Send me a PM if you are interested.

The cardinal series from garcia are amazing reels for the money. Mine have stood up to years of abuse in the saltwater.

The new Symetre FJ and RJ reels have are $20 more than the FIs, and RIs that they replace. So they are priced at $99.99.

The new Spirex reels are at the $59.99 price point.

The new Symetre J models have the full Propulsion line handling system including the One-Piece Bail Wire a feature that the Spirex does not have.

If one steps up to the from the Symetre to the Soras then one will gain the Paladin Gear Durability Enancement, and the AERO WRAP oscillation system. Going to the Stradic gives one the AERO WRAP II oscillation system.

TFP

These rods are VERY good choices for weightless soft plastics and shakey heads.

I actually use an AC76MLXF rather than the AVS69MLXF. the AS is an older version of the Avid, the AVS is the newer version of the Avid line. You'll note that both are MLXF rods. Thus, they have the same action, and power ratings. There a pros & cons to the 7'6" version compared to the 6'9" version.

My AS76MLXF is the first St. Croix that I ever owned. I purchased it with the idea of using it to fish the finesse version of a Mojo rig, which is just a modified version of the Carolina Rig. I ended up using it to fish 4" Senkos, and SuperFluke JRs.

In general a use the 68MXF to fish 5" Senkos, SuperFlukes, and similar weightless soft plastics, as well as Zoom Trick Worms, and similar wacky worms.

As I said above, I use the MXLF to fish lighter soft plastics such as SuperFluke JRs, as well as smaller Senkos.

I've got another rod & reel for fishing Robo Worms and lures so light that they border on ultralight.

I got a Gary Yamamoto 7' spinning rod earlier this year that's really has turned out to be quite excellent. The only thing that I did NOT like was the long butt section. I had Dave Settle of Custom Angle Rods to crop off 3" from the butt resulting in a fantastic 6'9" light power rod. This particular rod is based on an IMX G Loomis blank with Fuji Concept Silicon-Carbide guides. Gary has his rods splined.

I'm not a fan, as a rule, of G Loomis rods. I consider G Loomis blanks to be excellent, as well as the components. My dislike of G Loomis factory built rods is that they are NOT splined. NOT good! That said, a rod that utilizes a G Loomis blank, but and is wrapped on spline, utilizing quality components, and assembly will be an excellent rod.

I just noticed that Gary Yamamoto has the same rod as I have on close out at $99.98. LINK This is a very good deal in my estimate. Dave Settle charged me $10 to crop off 3" of the butt.

TFP

"i was kinda looking for something maybe a little cheaper till i get the feel of using a spinning rod and reel."

He's on a budget. Tackletour previewed the new Shimano Voltaeus spinning rods. I've not handled one, but they are $49.99 at Cabela's. He can still get a Spirex or Symetre and a good rod, and have a nice rig for $150.

He also posted:



One does need to note the context of others responses when posting.

TFP

easy now fellas, i m looking at stradics as well and reels and rods in both price ranges. I just want a good quality rod and reel that will give me the best bang for my dollar. If i have to pay a little more so be it. I am open to all suggestions at this time. I am not too familiar with spinning rods so all information helps one way or another.

thanks again

I have always used PENN spiining and baitcaster reels. I have 2 Penn Captivas spinners with Penn rods. also have a Penn Silverado spinner on a cat stick. there spinning reels to me have more bearings than others and are smoother and also lightweight and good looking. i also have a vintage Penn beachmaster which is open face bait caster that i use in the surf also very durable and light weight. i would go with Penn

A good allaround spin reel are the Team Daiwa reels IMHO. They are light and they cast very well. The stradic that you care looking at is also a good reel IMO.

When it comes to spinning reels nobody comes close to Shimano and Daiwa IMO. I would looke elsewhere.

+1 for sure.

I think you should quit living a sheltered fishing life. In this day and age, Penn is rubbish. Go ahead and compare one to a Shimano or Daiwa and you will quickly see the difference. The only use I could see for Penn reels would be the Spinfisher SS series for saltwater duty because they are tough. They are poor in regards to features and up to date technology though. Their rods are just as behind the times as their reels.