christmas and birthday are coming up and want to add about 4 new rods and reels to my arsenal. i just plain out am in love with the abu’s but haven’t bought one in about 4yrs and after looking at them the other day they just seem really cheap and don’t feel the same not to mention the price has dropped on them by like 25 bucks. which don’t make sense cause everything is going up these day and they drop? are the new ones with the “BCX” label on the side not a good idea? did find some old style like the ones i have on ebay. also looking at the cabelas salt striker 6600 series bait casters. trying to stay below 80-90 dollars. any thoughts? mind is made up on rods have to buy reels seperate. no combos. love my striper ugly stix and won’t ever change from them. all opinions are welcome, just don’t bash the striper stix…lol…thanx in advance
I troll and live bait fish. Don’t laugh, but for most of my rods I use the catfish Ugly Stix and for most of my reels, I just use the Tidewater baitcasters, both from WallyWorld. You can buy both the rod and reel for about 70 bucks. They work great for me, both as troling setups and down rod setups. I have a couple of the old Tidewater reels that I have had for many years and they still work great. I even use them offshore trolling on my shorter lines in the spread. I have landed several nice dolphin, kings, tuna, aj’s, striper and a couple of 60# cats on them. Another good rod that I like to use is the PowerRod by Shakespeare. Two of the sailfish my boat landed this year was on a 7’ med hvy PowerRod. Only drawback to the tidewater reels is line capacity. That’s why I use them on my shorter lines offshore. But for 35 bucks, you can’t beat them. 
Whatever you get, I hope it fits you. You have to get what you are comfortable with…
KeyWest
Bluewater 2020CC
Yammy F-150
I use the Penn 330GTI’s - 99.00 from Bass pro with striper ugly sticks. Great combo’s if’n ya askin 
.
Epic Failure=When everyday,run of the mill failure just won’t do
anything Zebco!
LOL
j/k
honestly… as for rods, i like the ugly striper rods, i love the soft tip but they have plenty of backbone. for reels…i don’t think you can go wrong with the rear drag/fightin drag system that shimano makes. the fightin drag is the heat and i will never buy another reel that doesn’t have this feature. i have mostly the shimano sedonas, but i think they were replaced with a new model this year. shimano has 2 or 3 rear drag fightin drag models that range in price form $50 to $90. lot’s of the offshore bottom fishing guys say the shimano baitrunner is a good one.
Edit: i went to the shimano website and i didn’t see the rear drag models…so i guess i need to edit the “i will never buy…” comment. i will buy a non-rear/fightin drag reel if i must. lol
quote:
Originally posted by phishinphananything Zebco!
33 Classic all the way!!!
KeyWest
Bluewater 2020CC
Yammy F-150
if i could make a suggestion i would say look at the tica or okuma baitfeeder reels for the money.for example the okuma coronado cd90 will hold 590 yds of 20lb.they have a 30,50,65 series reel as well.the ticas dont hold quite the line capacity,but are good solid reels.my friends are reelin in sharks on em.for more money…penn has a nice liveliner reel in the slammer and captiva series.just my .02
i have been very happy with my 950ssm reels.dont let anyone tell you penn is no good because theyre made in china now.not true.those come in 550,650,750,and 850 also.
I heard Shakespeare bought Penn. Is this true?
I hate that Shakespeare said they will not have their sale in Columbia anymore.
KeyWest
Bluewater 2020CC
Yammy F-150
i have not heard that lynn.either way the reels are made by specs in china with american supervisors that worked at the penn plant in philly.i have a relative that works at the philly plant.the metal senators and internationals are made in usa still.that shakespeare sale used to be easy on the wallet thats for sure.
i bought 2 penn reels last year at the shakespeare sale, drags already shot. i replaced them both within 6 months.
sorry to hear that.ive had good luck with the metal reels.
“Mr know-it-all”
murray go with the abu 7000 or 6500s.the rods are shimano saragosa live bait rods.that’s what i’m changing over to this year.i was using the white striper rods with skp2000s.both are shakesphere.the new skp are crappy.the older ones are better.this is just my 2 cents worth.what ever you choose good luck and happy fishing.
I GOT MY GAME ON!!
Have any of you striper guys tried the Shimano triton 200-g? That is a great reel!!!
1720 KEYWEST CC
FISHIN’ MISSION