froze

So I'm in the market to upgrade my 35 year old spinning rod and reel which was a ultralight Shimano Aero reel that's making grinding noises, and a Berkley Lightening rod IM6. I'm thinking of going with a St Croix Avid X 7' medium fast action rod, and a Shimano Stradic FL.

Everything that I've read including my friend's recommendation all seem unanimously in favor of the Avid X rod, but reels seem really wide open, some like the Stradic FL, some like the Pflueger Supreme XT 30 including my friend, some like the Abu Garcia Revo SX30, and I heard that the Daiwa Tournament ss700 is very good. The odd duck is the Piscifun Carbon X Spinning Reel 1000, but I'm a bit leery of this one due to it being so cheap to buy, but if it's really well made and will last a long time I would rather save money! For some reason reels are very confusing with one person saying one is better and another saying a different one is better.

I do mostly lake fishing for panfish and bass, some river fishing, I'm not one of those fishing everyday guys, I might go once a month, maybe twice a month, sometimes from the shore and sometimes off a boat. But I want a rod that is sensitive, and a reel that will last a long time.

Appreciate any and all information.

fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)

Is there a nearby store/shop that has any of these on display...so you could do some "in store" handling to see how they feel? Things like weight, bail, reel crank smoothness are high on the list of features. Things like color, line capacity and drag are probably low with the kind of fishing you intend to do.

Most modern reels, with some exceptions, are built to reasonably high standards and sometimes it all comes down to what you will enjoy having in your hand. A reel is a workhorse for the process...whether or not you are just casting a lot or bringing in fish! With all this in mind, the old saying of "you get what you pay for" often does ring true.

Since you may be going with a St. Croix rod, which is certainly a quality rod, you might also want a reel that fits into that same caliber.

Best regards on your choice!

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

Go with the Stradic. And don’t think twice. Fine reel , you will not be disappointed.
Your rod choice is spot on.
The Avid X I’d a fine rod

froze

I do realize I have to get the reel to balance with the rod, I had that with my last rod and reel, but the one I got in 1963 the yoyo at the sports store didn't do that because I was kid of 7 years old, and dad didn't know anything either, so I got a reel that was for heavy fresh water and light salt with a rod for medium fresh water, being stupid I used it anyways for everything. I still have that reel, it's Garcia Mitchell 306 built like a tank, it took years of abuse as kid banging it on stuff, then later used on the ocean, that thing won't break or rust, and it's easy to take apart and clean and relube it. I still have the rod too, a Shakespeare Wonder Rod, I had to put new eyes on because the original ones rusted out, and then somehow the tip came off which I have to fix.

Anyway, thanks for confirming the St Croix rod, that won by a landslide from many sources.

froze

I was hoping to find a slightly cheaper reel but I understand what your saying, so was leaning toward that one.

Thanks for the reply, I will seriously give that one more thought.

rapala54 Loc: Nappanee,IN.

Ben knows rod and reels. Got your stuff looking for special box.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

If you have the chance, go to a tackle store and see if you can pair up the St Croix rod with a few different reels to check the balance. Find one in your budget, load it up with your favorite line and get fishin’! You can’t go wrong with that rod, buy the reel which feels best, be it the Stradic or not as there are so many nice reels out there. Good luck with whatever you choose! Your new combo will be head and shoulders above your last setup, for sure. Tight lines!

Don Fischer

Amazing! Your Berkley rod only lasted 35 yrs and you want to replace it! Rod lasted me that long I'd replace it with the same rod!

Rorylaw1

Have you considered a baitcasting reel? Ive used open faced baitcasting Ambassador Reels for almost 40 years and at first they are a little difficult to use without contantly backlashing and having to spend too much time getting the birdnest out...But once I figured out how to adjust the spool tension according with line size,weight of lure or bait and how to cast very smoothly, I love them and use them about 98 0/0 when fishing... They are the longest lasting,most dependable reels I have ever used by far as long as you keep them cleen and lubricated properly!!! and if you use them in saltwater, you must rinse them with fresh water and relube to keep the casting like new and lasting many years.I have severl 20 years old that i still use because the cast so nicely and with really good drag systems that will last you many years!!!
Recenctly I discovered the Lews Speed Spool Baitcasters and Absolutly love them,,,,small compact bait casters that out cast my older reliable Ambassador reels... The Lews reels are my go to reels for freshwater only.... I think if your were to get and stick with the open faced reels and learned how to adjust the spool tension and magnegtic backlash properly you would love them as I have for many years.......
This is just my opinion only but Im sure many others who use them with tell you the same !!!!!
Good Luck,Tight Lines and Hope this bit of advice helps you...

BruceI Loc: Canton ohio

I’ve got 2 stradic FL’s…a 3000 and a 4000. Paired both with St Croix rods…both rods are around 7’ one light action and the other a one piece heavier action…you can’t go wrong with that combination and the stradic are also rated for salt water but my preference in the surf are penn reels just a shame they are made in China now…also have 4 st croix surf rods, 2 avids and 2 mojos. Some of the st croix rods are made in Mexico and the avids are USA.
I had a long wait on the stradic steels but I think they are getting easier to find now.

Dberry Loc: Arkansas

The st
Croix avid rod
and shimano stradic is a great choice. That's what I use.

froze

Thanks guys for all your input, I have decided and the Avid and the Stradic, thanks again.

Ron620DVS Loc: Guntersville Alabama

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“WELL WELL” We have finally found someone that will listen to logic, please don’t let this guy get away 🏃🏿‍♀️ from us because we need more like him. Hope that you are around to enjoy many more years of fishing 🎣 with your new Rod & Reel combination… Please don’t forget to post a few pictures of you and your new fishing 🎣 combo…Good Luck 🍀…👍🏻👍🏻.


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froze

So what is the difference between the St Croix Avid X and the Panfish Series (not the Elite)? Which one is more sensitive?