This Buyer’s Guide looks at the best rod and reel combos in the “mid-range” category. We’ve already covered combos under $200 and High-End combos. This breaks down the best “bang for the buck” rods on the market. The market is saturated with rods, let us do the hard work and find the best deals for you.
If you’re looking for a last minute holiday purchase, today is the last day that ground shipping will arrive before Christmas. Whether your rod budget is $200 or $500 there is an option here to give you the best quality, sensitivity, and responsiveness for the price point.
Below is a break down of the rods and reels discussed in this video. They are sorted by price from highest to lowest to make it easy for you to see the the best values based on our review.
Casting Combos…
Rod- G Loomis GLX: http://bit.ly/2gqziwT
Reel- Shimano Chronarch MGL 150: http://bit.ly/2n8DghB
Favorite Models… 853C JWR, 854C JWR, 893C JWR
Rod- Dobyns Champion Extreme: http://bit.ly/2ab2kRX
Reel- Shimano Chronarch MGL 150: http://bit.ly/2n8DghB
Favorite Models… 745, 746, 7’8” Heavy
Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro: http://bit.ly/2R4f2Ud
Reel- Shimano Curado K: http://bit.ly/2tHewEh
Favorite Models… 845 CBR , 966 , 854C JWR, 874C CRR
Rod- St. Croix Legend Tournament: http://bit.ly/2Ap51x5
Reel- Shimano Bantam: http://bit.ly/2H44yjG
Favorite Models… 6’10” Medium, 7’4” Medium Heavy, 7’5” Heavy Moderate Fast, 7’8” Medium Heavy Moderate (big cranker)
Rod- Dobyns Champion XP: http://bit.ly/29OVD4V
Reel- Shimano Tranx 200: http://bit.ly/2kYsvRw
Favorite Models… 805 CB, 765 Flip, 764, 734
Rod- Shimano Expride: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL
Reel- Shimano Curado DC: http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4
Favorite Models… 6’10 Medium, 7’2” Medium, 7’2” Heavy, 7’6” Medium Heavy, 7’11” Extra Heavy
Rod- Shimano Zodias: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe
Reel- Shimano Curado K: http://bit.ly/2tHewEh
Favorite Models… 6’10” Medium. 7’2” Medium, 7’2” Medium Heavy, 7’5” Extra Heavy
Rod- Daiwa Tatula Elite: http://bit.ly/2yLDr9z
Reel- Daiwa Tatula SV TW: http://bit.ly/2xALqpz
Favorite Models… 7’1” Heavy, 7’3” Med Heavy, 7’6” Medium Heavy
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Need Apparel? Tacticalbassin Gear is in stock! Get your hats, Hoodies, and sunshirts by emailing Tacticalbassinapparel@gmail.com
Sun Mask: http://bit.ly/2JcA8xi
Sun Shirt w/ Hood: http://bit.ly/2vgTOst
Light Fishing Pants: http://bit.ly/2foDx10
Reaper Hoodie (Hoodie with Warm Face Cover built in): http://bit.ly/2yRURSd
Horizon Sweater (Water resistant, great for layering): http://bit.ly/2gTC1oB
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Equipment We Recommend…
Minn Kota Ultrex Trolling Motor: http://bit.ly/2vFQypW
Minn Kota Battery Charger: http://bit.ly/2vcrbjA
Humminbird Solix 15 Electronics: http://bit.ly/2pAkXr2
Minn Kota Talons: http://bit.ly/2F0QBSP
Wireless Talon Foot Switch: http://bit.ly/2O7zWUE
Favorite Pliers: http://bit.ly/2tfxFvw
Favorite Split Ring Pliers: http://bit.ly/2fT4Qw0
Favorite Wire Cutters: http://bit.ly/2soB34k
Favorite life jacket: http://bit.ly/2odXXIP
Favorite sunglasses: http://bit.ly/2glE3eN
Hero6 Camera: http://bit.ly/2HIutxo
ElectroSamson Scale: http://bit.ly/2f7QgQ9
Promar Net: http://bit.ly/2dh9xQP
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Price: $45.95
Does anybody know how the expride mo fast handle t rigs under 3/8 oz?
Did you test the new 100 or 200 Daiwa bait casters? Would the 200 be good for deep cranking? Also would you say the SLX is as good? Thanks for the videos.
Wow i am in hog heaven getting to 2 videos in one day
I have went solely to St. Croix rods my fav is the tournament Big cranker, mojos are sensitive too.
Do you guy’s ever do any testing or reviews on the IKE series rods?
Matt and Tim, what techniques do you recommend for the 7’6MH expride?
I’m not used to asking questions on YouTube but this fan base is the best so here goes. I recently purchased a dobyns colt heavy baitcasting rod and was wondering if I could cast lures over the 1oz max listed on the rod. Nothing crazy just want to know if my rod can handle using a 168 s-waver. Any help would be appreciated.
Can we expect a review of the Dobyns Xtasy anytime soon?
Have you guys tried Denali rods? I love their baitcasters and have used them for a few years. Has been the best rods for the $ I have found and that is compared to abu, loomis, and st croix along with a few other individual mid price rods. Curious if you guys have an opinion on the brand and the rod sensitivity compared to other rods at that price-point. thanks
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Simple solution for all the braid to fluoro guys like myself is to just have the fluoro start outside of the reel so it doesn’t get caught up coming off the spool.
do you ever sell your used fishing gear How about winter clothing buying guide Your both great Happy Holidays Thx
Quick question Matt/Tim…you mentioned using the Dobyns Champ 805 CB for 10XDs and DD22s. I have a bunch of the old Lucky Craft DR120 mags. Would you use this same rod for those monster crankbaits or would you use the Dobyns 806 CB? Or is there another Dobyns that’s better suited for the Mag 120s? Thanks for all you do, guys and Merry Christmas to you and yours.
As always some great gear.
Dude y’all need to try out the lews reels there awesome
You guys definitely put out some great content, I really like these buyers guids. You touched on something I would really like to hear more about. How about a buyers guide for kayak cross over? I’m sure I can’t be the only one interested in something like that.
What is your opinion on Phenix rods?
U GUYS NEED TO STOP SPENDING ALL OF OUR MONEY!!! LOL my tackle warehouse wishlist is a mile long right now. Love the videos as always!!! #zodias #shimano. I bought a zodias prior to my last trip out and love them. Tax return season cant come soon enough!
I love the Kistler Rods, Helium 3 are super sensitive. Lightest rods too.
Matt, question about the Daiwa t wing. I use the Tatula series and really like them. I use braid to leader usually around 8 to 10 feet just so I don’t have to retie leaders all the time. Once in a while it seems like the line gets caught a little bit while casting. Is that what you are experiencing with the Daiwa? If that is the t wing then bummer. I like everything else about the reel. I have 2 now and was going to add 2 more reels this spring but I fish braid to leader on almost everything. This makes me think I should look at Curados.
Hell yes!! Been waiting for these videos ever since you guys mentioned them!! Can’t buy till next year but now I at least know what I’m going to buy! Appreciate you guys taking the time to put this together and helping me spend all my money wise! 🙂 Love the channel keep it up!
Try the St Croix Avid X. 7’4 MH or H. Seems like Matts type of rod.
Can y’all review Kistler Rods? I would love to hear yalls thought on them
I perfer the Scorpion DC over the Curado DC. It just feels better to me.
Just wondering….why don’t you guys fish any Phenix Rods ?
what legend tournament model would yall recommend for throwing megabass sonic sides and vibration x jr?
Y’all need to try duckett rods
Have you guys ever checked out the 6 sense lux rods, if so are they any good??
I appreciate all the work you both do, love the content, been learning so much from each and every video put out! A rare example of being able to live out a passion and finding a medium that provides the opportunity. Anyways, keep it up and Merry Christmas.
have you guys tried any falcon rods?
what’s a good rod for throwing lures up to 2oz and down to a texas rig worm or even 3/8 jig? i’m looking in the 100-120$ range
On that Dobyns 805 do you guys have the XP version or the non xp 805 ?
Check out the Abu Garcia premier rods along with some kistler stuff.
Y’all should do a review on the Shimano tranx 200
I ordered my expride in August. I got it in November.
What do you guys think about the Loomis E6X