07-27-2014, 03:24 AM
Your welcome, always glad to offer my opinion, especially to a fellow cyclist and angler! :-)
I like quantum Performance Shop reels a lot myself. I grew up trusting my old zebco casting reels and in the nineties I got my first high end quantum reel. I used that reel for years and gave it away to a friend whom used it for years. It was stolen, wouldn't surprise me if it is still working. I really like the Smoke, I don't know if its my bias or what. If you plan on spending $100+ on a reel, at least try check one out. I know Dicks has them for 120 and most places price match nowadays.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with Shimano fishing products at all. being comfortable with our equipment is the main thing. The convergence and the clarus would be as far up the line in rods that I would want to go myself. After that, they are mostly technique specific and not greatly beneficial as a do it all rod, imho.
I like a lower priced rod for general fishing, the graphite used is a softer sort compared to the $150 rods (generally) The Team Daiwa T is, in my opinion, one of the best all around graphite rods. if you pay less than 70 for a rod it won't be near as good and when we pay much more the graphite is more rigid which is less forgiving but only a hair more sensitive.
If you are just simply more comfortable with Shimano yourself personally ,don't hesitate to buy the most comfortable rod with their name on it and the most expensive reel they make to finish out your budget. It won't be a bad choice. I would go with medium power fast action if I was in your shoes. Even if you add rods in the future, the medium has many places.
look forward to hearing your decision.
[signature]
I like quantum Performance Shop reels a lot myself. I grew up trusting my old zebco casting reels and in the nineties I got my first high end quantum reel. I used that reel for years and gave it away to a friend whom used it for years. It was stolen, wouldn't surprise me if it is still working. I really like the Smoke, I don't know if its my bias or what. If you plan on spending $100+ on a reel, at least try check one out. I know Dicks has them for 120 and most places price match nowadays.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with Shimano fishing products at all. being comfortable with our equipment is the main thing. The convergence and the clarus would be as far up the line in rods that I would want to go myself. After that, they are mostly technique specific and not greatly beneficial as a do it all rod, imho.
I like a lower priced rod for general fishing, the graphite used is a softer sort compared to the $150 rods (generally) The Team Daiwa T is, in my opinion, one of the best all around graphite rods. if you pay less than 70 for a rod it won't be near as good and when we pay much more the graphite is more rigid which is less forgiving but only a hair more sensitive.
If you are just simply more comfortable with Shimano yourself personally ,don't hesitate to buy the most comfortable rod with their name on it and the most expensive reel they make to finish out your budget. It won't be a bad choice. I would go with medium power fast action if I was in your shoes. Even if you add rods in the future, the medium has many places.
look forward to hearing your decision.
[signature]