2 rods...2 reels...no clue

[no expert]

Here's the deal. I don't fish much for eyes but am starting to more often. I have a Stradic reel on a 6'6" MH Shimano rod that I truly love. If I were to buy one more outfit to give me the best all around combination between two rods, what would it be. I'll probably stick with the Stradic reel unless you can convince me otherwise. I'll spend around $200.
Rod and reel specs first please, then shoot me the brand preferences.

Thanks in advance

[Dan Shaver]

well I'm not sure about the 200.00 part. But i'm a 3rd generation mitchell 300 user. I use the old ones. No one can tell me otherwise becase my last name is linked with walleys where i'm from. And i'm using a mitchell 300 that is 25 years old and it still works great. U might find something fancier but i know whenever i'm out fishing my reel isn't gonna break down

[Matt]

If you like and are used to your Shimano, why change to anything else? Get another one. Just two years ago I bought a Sedona on a recommendation and now I have a Sahara and a Symetre. I'm retiring my other reels slowly and am going to get a few more in the next years. They all feel very similar. Once again, if you have a rod you really like why not get another in a different length and/or weight? I have two Berkley Series One baitcasting rods. A 6' medium heavy action and a 6'6" heavy action. Love them both, they feel very similar but are used for very different things.

[RANGER]

The rig you have will do the job perfectly. I would not suggest changing, especially, if you are happy with how it fishes for YOU!

If you want a suggestion - maybe a rod with a faster tip. Outside of that - nothing.

RANGER

"KEEP YOUR LINES WET, YOUR POWDER DRY and THE BEER COLD"!

[eye1]

Really depends on what techiques you like to use.Personally I like a 7' medium light , fast action spinning rod with a reel that has a good drag and feels "good" when you turn the handle.This setup should work for slip bobbers , jigging or live bait rigging.For things like casting crank baits , trolling heaver 3 - ways or using bottom bouncers sounds like the rig you have should be just fine.If you get to where you do a lot of trolling for suspended eyes then line counter setups are in order .Everybody has there personal preference on brands but I like the the St.Croix rods as they seem to be a good blend of performance and price.As for reel brand I use Quantum and Mitchels but again its more of a personal preference than to what is best.

[Chad]

Are you able to fish legally with 2 rods on the lakes you like to fish most often?

If so, you may want to get the same outfit. That way you can use both and they will balance.

The other option is to get outfits that fit specific needs. EX.....
7' med for rigging
6' med for jigging
7' med hvy for bouncing
9' med for trolling

I wouldn't blow a lot of cash on doing this unless you fish a lot. If you go 3 times per your you really dont need all the stuff.

Another suggestion I read on a different post somewhere is to spend the most money on the rod. Most reels are pretty good. I actually have 4 Vertex reels. They go for $35 and I have had them for 3 years. They have anti reverse which is your most important feature and I think they have 3 ball bearings. I almost threw them out this year but then someone suggested I lube the gears. I did and it is just like new again.

[EAGLE EYES]

Gotta agree! That was the best reel ever made. They now don't have all the fancy features of more recent brands, but the old 300's made in France were very reliable.

[bob-u]

>i still use some mitchell 300's also, especially for jigging, guys usually fish too fast and the
slower retrieve ratio almost makes you slow down, plus, like the other guys commented, they wont
break down on you. im also a believer in spending
the big money on rods, check out the new st.croix legend elite. good luck!