Are the rod and reel combos sold at Walmart any good?
May 5, 2020 08:17:39 #
I picked up an R2F Surf & Pier combo at Walmart and it was one of the mid range rod and reel combos (about 30-40 bucks)... I was wondering if this was a good buy or if I should look for rods and reels separately? I got the surf and pier as that’s what I’m mostly going to be fishing is saltwater off the pier. Tried looking up specs on this thing but they are few and far between.
The little bit of specs I could find are in the link below... If this rod & reel combo ends up being trash, what should I look for? We get a lot of Striped Bass and Bluefish by where I’m at.
https://www.south-bend.com/products/products-brand/ready2fish/r2f-surf-pier-spin-combo
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by MetalHeadChuck
The little bit of specs I could find are in the link below... If this rod & reel combo ends up being trash, what should I look for? We get a lot of Striped Bass and Bluefish by where I’m at.
https://www.south-bend.com/products/products-brand/ready2fish/r2f-surf-pier-spin-combo
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by MetalHeadChuck
May 5, 2020 08:17:45 #
Can you yes. If it's your first set up, let it rip!
If you have fished prior, get a better set up if you want it to last.
Honestly if you get a hook up on a monster fish it will likely destroy your reel.
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by not-a-person-people
If you have fished prior, get a better set up if you want it to last.
Honestly if you get a hook up on a monster fish it will likely destroy your reel.
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by not-a-person-people
May 5, 2020 08:17:51 #
I plan on it!!!
But for the future...
What would you recommend for separate rods and reels for saltwater fishing where the size limit on a Striper is 28-35 inches? I mean from what I’ve read up on, it seems like they can reach up to about 21 pounds for the max my state allows at 35 inches
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by MetalHeadChuck
But for the future...
What would you recommend for separate rods and reels for saltwater fishing where the size limit on a Striper is 28-35 inches? I mean from what I’ve read up on, it seems like they can reach up to about 21 pounds for the max my state allows at 35 inches
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by MetalHeadChuck
May 5, 2020 08:17:58 #
Imma be honest I fish +15# fish with a 300 size diawa lexa HD and wouldn't recommend anything smaller then a 200 size.
If you want a cheaper set up look to Penn, Shimano, Daiwa, etc. Find a big brand company with a great reputation if you want it to last.
However, budget limits your set up. I went to the cheap end (<$100) combo and now own used gear ranging from $100-$250 to get all my set up's.
Cheapest set up for massive bass would be a 200 curado (used and older) with a ~7' MH fast tip rod.
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by not-a-person-people
If you want a cheaper set up look to Penn, Shimano, Daiwa, etc. Find a big brand company with a great reputation if you want it to last.
However, budget limits your set up. I went to the cheap end (<$100) combo and now own used gear ranging from $100-$250 to get all my set up's.
Cheapest set up for massive bass would be a 200 curado (used and older) with a ~7' MH fast tip rod.
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by not-a-person-people
May 5, 2020 08:18:05 #
You get what you pay for, and to be honest, $40 is not a lot. A true "mid-range" combo is $150-200, and that's in freshwater. $40 equipment will give $40 performance. Not trying to be elitist or a gatekeeper, that's just the reality of the situation. Don't expect too much out of it.
With that said, it looks pretty loaded for a $40 combo, with terminal tackle, lures and everything. That's great, but usually that just means that the individual components are lower quality. This type of setup is clearly marketed towards vacation people who might be in town for just a week or two and want to try their hand at fishing. It'll probably work reasonably well for that length of time out but if you're looking for to make this a hobby, you're better off investing in real entry level gear.
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by jl6794a
With that said, it looks pretty loaded for a $40 combo, with terminal tackle, lures and everything. That's great, but usually that just means that the individual components are lower quality. This type of setup is clearly marketed towards vacation people who might be in town for just a week or two and want to try their hand at fishing. It'll probably work reasonably well for that length of time out but if you're looking for to make this a hobby, you're better off investing in real entry level gear.
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by jl6794a
May 5, 2020 08:18:12 #
What would you recommend for saltwater pier casting? My area has mostly bluefish and striped bass.
And no it doesn’t sound elitist at all! I was saying it was mid ranged based on what I saw at Walmart which like you said you get what you pay for lol. Most if not all the sport stores by me are closed right now so whatever you suggest I’d end up getting via amazon... but for right now just to get started I’m going to rock this combo
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by MetalHeadChuck
And no it doesn’t sound elitist at all! I was saying it was mid ranged based on what I saw at Walmart which like you said you get what you pay for lol. Most if not all the sport stores by me are closed right now so whatever you suggest I’d end up getting via amazon... but for right now just to get started I’m going to rock this combo
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by MetalHeadChuck
May 5, 2020 08:18:16 #
I usually end up using my freshwater gear when I go to the coast. I just make sure to rinse carefully afterwards. I've heard many good things about Ocean Master rods. In a pinch, SST rods will work as well. Spinning reels, get anything 40-50 size, conventional reels, go with 300-400 size with level-wind.
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by jl6794a
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by jl6794a
May 5, 2020 08:30:58 #
I bought those (6 Foot ones) on a trip to Florida and they worked pretty good. I would be temped to replace the Mono with Braid. 20-25 LB Power Pro, I like better than Spider Wire. But that's just me. Later you might want a better reel on it, but take your time and find out the Max Drag on the reel before jumping in. For the Blues you might look at some Got-Cha Lures, they work pretty good for Blues and others also. Have Fun and enjoy the time fishing.
May 5, 2020 09:13:36 #
jfbanzai
Loc: Menomonie, Wisconsin
The combos aren't bad, but like anything, you get what you pay for. The biggest issue that I've seen is the terrible line that usually comes pre spooled on the reels. Get the combo, but plan on replacing the line.
May 5, 2020 09:43:40 #
All of the fishing rods-n-reels from Walmart are junk. All of the internals are made of cheap plastic and their name brand stuff like Penn, Abu Garcia, Shimano, etc... is not manufactured by those companies at all. Walmart has them made in China and then buys a royalty from those companies to sell their name. Buy a Penn 750 from Walmart and then go purchase one from say Academy, Dick's, or Field and Stream and take the spool off and look at the internal gears and shaft behind the spool and you will see first hand what I am talking about. They do the same with Good Year tires, etc... They're ok for part time fishermen, but for a serious fisherman, they wont last or hold up to the elements.
May 5, 2020 10:10:40 #
Howard
Loc: Northern Va
Been using Walmart brand for years.no problem. if you live near the ocean and do a lot of fishing. you might want a better REEL. pole fine
May 5, 2020 10:45:24 #
I love Wal-Mart. I bought two Berkley 7' Shock, lightning rods last year. Spinning rods around $40, that I put Phlueger Presidents on. I just love them. I have caught 37 catfish up to 10 lbs. with them. I have a hard time believing what jwmorris is saying. JW, can you prove what you say?
May 5, 2020 10:50:52 #
Howard
Loc: Northern Va
I've tried the expensive rod and reels had more fun fishing with the cheaper ones(didn't have to worry about breaking the rods). Now i like the 30-50 range instead of hundreds.
May 5, 2020 10:51:05 #
Did you, JW, actually do this comparison? I'm sure if you did you would have taken a picture of it to prove it. Or are you just a Wal-Mart hater spreading gossip?
May 5, 2020 10:52:20 #
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