Anyone have any thoughts or opinions on the following combo from Catfish Connection?

OKUMA AVENGER ABF65 MED/HVY 7ft COMBO

http://catalog.catfishconnection.com/itemdetail.php?itemnumber=OK765ABF

Would I be better off ordering the reel separate and picking up an Ugly Stick locally?

Looks like a good setup. I have several Okuma Avengers, but they are the AV80s. They are bigger and do not have the bait feeder. I'd like to try one with the bait feeder like that.

I'm using the Salt Striker 65 bait runner. It's an Okuma reel rebadged with Cabela's name on it. Great reels. If you're looking for a rod that's not a Pro Angler look at the Jarvis Walker Tuff Tips.

Thanks, I appreciate the honesty and maybe if I graduate up one day I can make a trip to meet someone and get a Pro Angler. Thanks for your honest opinion.

what area u in?

I am in the Austin area, actually about 40 miles NE of Austin near Granger Lake.

ok if u were in ft worth area i knew of cpl deals on spinning combos from individuals.....above combo looks good to me....

Well I ordered the reel online but can't locate a Jarvis Walker locally. Apparently Academy said they recently clearance'd them out and don't carry anything Jarvis Walker anymore.

U ordered reel and not combo?? ......catfish connection has good rods too--- heard good things about ole Whiskers rods ....like $14.95, call them back and add rod MH 7-8 foot

I wound up ordering the reel from Wal-Mart (found it in another thread here on TFF), they have it for $44.95 plus 97 cents shipping. I ordered it thinking I would find a rod locally. I went looking tonight and ended up buying the white Ugly Stik Catfish rod. From what I read they have a good reputation and stand behind their rods. Not sure if I should have got the catfish rod or something a little less stiff though. Guess if I don't like it I can just take it back

I do appreciate the efforts of those selling the ProAngler rods, I will say that they all went above and beyond to try to meet me or whatever the scenario may be. Because of shipping costs and my schedule and gas and such I just decided to pick up something locally. I am sure the rod is awesome and next time I am in one of the areas of a reseller maybe I can snag one.

One of the other factors is that I am just trying to start back fishing with my small children and I don't really want to break the bank testing the waters so to speak.

if channel cat fishing -esp with kids- ain't nuttin wrong with the $19.99 Tiger Spinning Combo at Walmart!! just get the spinning reel and not the closed face push button version...or Zebco 33 combo's for $18.99- good for crappie and channel cat fishing- I gots a few.......

The Ugly Stik is a good rod. Don't worry...it isn't too stiff. I caught the fish in my signature in an Ugly Stik catfish rod and I have caught 2# channels on it. It is highly versatile.

Sstitches,
Give me a shout if/when you want a pro angler. I have several of my customers that are talking about putting in a group order. Could meet you halfway or something.

Thanks everyone, I appreciate everyone's willingness to help. Going out to Granger this weekend and going to give it a shot.