Kevin Van Dam Forums

Recently I bought a Daiwa Strikeforce SF100H and put it on a 6’ M Strikeforce rod. Ive used Shimano, Quantams and other baitcasting reels in the past but I absolutely love the Strikeforce. BPS and Cabelas isnt carrying the Strikeforce or Ive not seen it anyways. I got this set up from a old man that runs a baitshop/guitar shop Ive known for years now. I try to buy a few things from him every few months or when money allows because 1. I like the guy and 2. I like supporting the small guys. But he’s normaly high. Ive not really doubled checked other pricing on this reel but this winter I gave 289 dollars for a acoustic guitar that I saw later at another play for 199. Just to give you a idea. I paid 59.95 for the reel and 19.95 for the rod, he has another strikeforce that Ive told him if he sells it before I get in there to buy it just go right ahead and save us both the time and order another one. I like the strike force rods but I want a 6’ 6” MH rod for my 2nd Strikeforce.

Now my main quesiton. I feel the need for a spinning rod outfit. I had a Shimano Jimmy Houston combo Id used for years but a buddy of mine decided that Jimmy Houston was his hero and he offered me $50 bucks for it. I told him the rod wasnt worth that much. But sometimes when you got something someone wants even if you dont want to sell it you will. Aftr my experience with the Strikeforce Id really like to find a solid Daiwa spinning combo. However Ive been unable to find one I like for under $100. If Im going to spend $100 on one I’ll buy the Quantam KVD combo. What Im wondering is what type of spinning reels do you use? Is Plueger cracked up to be what they say? Does Daiwa make a solid spinning reel for say $75? What about Quantam, Abu Garcia, Mitchell? I’ll honestly probably make a list of what every suggests or says. Id like to find a complete rig for under $75 but if I have to I’ll double it. But with a 2 year old son and $4 dollar gas on top of a almost 30 mile one drive to work. Cheaper is better in this case. Especially figureing this will have to come out of my boat fund.

i have a pfleuger supreme spinning combo and i absolutely love it its so smooth and the rod is pretty nice also..its more of a finesse rod so you cant cast heavier lures with it… i think i got it for 119 bucks so kind of pricey but worth it..

profisher - 28 June 2008 09:16 PM

i have a pfleuger supreme spinning combo and i absolutely love it its so smooth and the rod is pretty nice also..its more of a finesse rod so you cant cast heavier lures with it… i think i got it for 119 bucks so kind of pricey but worth it..

I also use pfluger for spinning set-ups, only i use the president. DO NOT get the trion.

deffinetly not the trion.. yes they are cheaper but like they say you get what you pay for. if you dont want to spend the extra for the supreme setup the presedential would be a good combo for a cheaper price range.

Besides my numerous ultra-light set-ups the main spinning rig I use is a Quantum Tour Editon rod (6’6” medium) and a BPS Classic reel.  I will be switching the reel out this year with an Oxuma Epixor 20.  I want to switch the rod out with a 6’6” Quantum Tour Edition PT rod ($160), but the wife said no.

I use the Epixor series on my ultra-lights and love ‘em.  They run $60 on the Okuma website, but can find them brand new on eBay for about $40.

Ive been looking into all the rigs suggested already. I think I might try to get to BPS in the next weekend or two to get a hands on feel. But I think I might have it narrowed down between 3.

1. Abu Garcia Cardinal on a 7’ Fenwick Rod, dont know what model of rod. But I keep thinking about it I looked at it long and hard at Wal Mart yesterday. And it keeps popping back into my head. Id get the combo for around $70 bucks my target price tag. And I could take the money saved and use it for my boat fund. Plus as far as Im aware Fenwick doesnt make to shabby of a rod and if I dont like the reel I could replace it at a later date. Kinda like Im going to do after I take care of this rig. I had bought a Ultra Light Ugly Stick spinning combo a few weeks back for $32 I really like the rod but the Shakesphere reel leaves alot to be desired. However the rod alone would have costed me 30 bucks.

2. Quantam Kevin Van Dam combo either the 6’ 6” or 7’ M action combo. The more I look at this combo in the BPS catalogs the more I like it. Get my hands on it and I might not be able to put it back on the shelf. But $159.99 is really more then I should pay especially wanting to acquire a boat by the end of July.

3. Diawa SS and one of the BPS series Rods. Id have to look at them but Im sure I can find one. Maybe one of the 60 dollar All-Star rods. Ive wanted one of the Diawa SS reels since I saw Bill Dance use them back in da day. Right now I dont have alot of bills so why not full fill a dream?

Im going to check out the Plueger Presidental reels also and it might sneak in as the dark horse here. But I’ll be sure to let you guys know. A new rod or reel is like a new shotgun. Gotta show it off to your buddies!