Jwmorris5252

Absolutely. I purchased all 3 of the reels I mentioned; a Shimano, Penn Senator and Abu Garcia. The Shimano locked up on a snook (8-10#) and the Penn locked up on a large tarpon. Both on the same trip to the Florida keys. I took them apart and all the internals were plastic. I returned them with receipt to Walmart and they would not warranty them nor refund my money. On the same trip, a Good Year tire exploded and came apart on the Interstate. I got the same bad news and so I went to Good year and same sad news. By the way, look it up on the Internet and you will find all kinds of stories about it.

Jwmorris5252

I am an avid fisherman and not a Walmart hater; simply telling the gentleman who asked the truth and to beware and question Walmart before you purchase it. While there, ask them if you buy a Good Year tire, can you take it to Good Year for warranty and repair. Also send your Penn Senator to Penn and they won't touch it.

Ronniejw Loc: West Point MS

I would just buy an ugly stik in the size you want, 7 to 8 ft and look for a good reel. I've used ugly stik for close to 40 years and never had one fail yet. Would recommend a reasonable sized saltwater reel, always clean after a days fishing. Have caught 50 on tuna on a 15 lb ugly stik, plus some big skate up around 100 lb. Braid is the way to go nowadays, very sensitive to bites and if you use it no need to slog into the fish to hook it. Heard when it came out a lot of rods were broken until people changed the way they reacted when they had a take.

Ron620DVS Loc: Guntersville Alabama

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Hello MetalHeadChuck, My first question is how often are you going to fish and the second question is how well we you maintain the rod & reel? I wound advise for you to change out the fishing line in short order because the fishing line that most combos have aren't very good. Try and go a few pounds less that what the rod and reel recommends. This will make for better casting. Buy a premium fishing Line when you change the line. Also you may want to buy a "ROD SLEEVE" https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/rodspin.html
and a 'SPINNING REEL COVER" https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/reelspin.html .. You take care of your fishing equipment and it will service you very good. I would buy it for my first rod and reel combo, for the price you can't go wrong. Great Fishing. Ron620DVS



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Howard Loc: Northern Va

Braid is good but in the outerbanks of NC can't use on piers

Cleemartin Loc: Hampton, Virginia

Big dog Loc: Bayshore, Long Island, New York

Keep your receipt. When the rod snaps in half while trying to haul that big fish up the height of the pier, you’ll be glad you did.

dfn Loc: Mobile, Al.

I get the combo deals from Walmart also with no problems. Just keep it clean after saltwater and by the time you're the master angler needing a 'Mercedes' upgrade, you wouldn't have lost much. When it breaks, toss it. Combo deal rods will lose their rings if you're not noticing and jumping on a repair and careful how you store and carry them.

Big dog Loc: Bayshore, Long Island, New York

Just get an Ugly stik and decent reel and you’ll be set for years ..

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

I've bought Berkley rods, and Abu Garcia reels from Wal-Mart and they all came with factory warranty. The factory is not going to guarantee something made elsewhere. Many big brands are now manufactured in China. Just like our medicine, electronics, auto parts etc. Sounds like a Wal-Mart hater to me.

Speck Loc: Colorado Springs, Colorado

While "you get what you pay for" may be a true statement, "get what you can afford" is equally true. I was told, probably 60 yrs ago by a very good and wise fisherman to replace the factory line which is on reels. You can run the line thru your fingers and feel the bumps and imperfections. I'm not a professional fisherman, but like to get out as often as possible, I use WalMart gear, have a time or two purchased a nicer reel ($30-$40) from Cabelas. Fish for anything that bites. Oh ya, I purchased some heavy gear at WalMart in CT and used on party boats and surf fishing on the beach... think its okay.

aldeureaux Loc: Fort Worth, Texas

Yes, but just think of the fish story you could tell!! ;-)

aldeureaux Loc: Fort Worth, Texas

If you are worried about some of the combos holding up, see Catfish and Carp's youtube video about:
Fishing rod challenge! Can I break an Ugly Stik GX2?!
You will be impressed how well it did.
As a kid I caught everything on a little Zebco spincast 202. I even took it to the coast and caught a number of fish there (nothing bigger than 5 or 6 lbs.). Being a kid I didn't clean it properly when I returned home so it rusted. But, I simply upgraded to a 404 and fished that until I left for college and quit fishing for 45 years, until I took it up again last year. The new 202s and etc. are not as well made as those of my generation, and I fish mainly baitcasters anyway, some "budget" but several Shimanos, Daiwas, 13 Fishing and Abu Garcias that are "mid-range" $200 reels. St. Croix and Favorite are my go to rods. Spinning gear that is the equivalent. However, I find myself grabbing some of the "budget" gear as often as the nicer gear when I go fishing. One set-up is a 13 fishing spinning combo and the other is a White Bird Favorite rod with a Royal Legend Elite reel in the 6. whatever gear ratio range. I don't know why, I just like them. :-) I should be grabbing my Tatula or Curado with an equivilent spinning set-up, but I guess there is no accounting for taste. :-) That's why some women marry us guys ;-)

CoachLarsen Loc: Gilbert AZ

We are a little full of ourselves when it comes to gear sometimes. Let us not forget it’s the craftsman, not the tools tempered with a whole lot of luck. 😉

aldeureaux Loc: Fort Worth, Texas

Mainly Luck!!! LOL :-)