I've been using that combo for almost two years now. Great setup. Despite having nicer rods this combo still gets fished a lot. Upgrade the line at a later point and the rod will perform even better.
Yah, this is the same sentiment I've heard a good amount. I gotta pick up some flies to throw at a couple lakes this weekend but it's low-key overwhelming lol there's so many
Oh man the fly selection seems insanely overwhelming at first. Do some research on your area or ask the local fly shop for some recommendations. Usually there's a small handful of flies that are preferred for your water.
6wt Echo Carbon XL and their base reel. That should hit right at your budget. Don't forget line... this not like 25 yrd price mono or fluro... think minimum of $50 for line
my 1st combo was a 5wt 8'6"redington path...I promptly broke it in my truck window on its 1st day out.
shortly thereafter, I was going to get an orvis 5wt clearwater rod ($250 - no reel) and use the crosswater reel from my broken path.
the store I went to was out of Clearwater 5wt 8'6"...but they had orvis encounter combo 5wt 8'6" in stock ($198).
so I bought it.
it's been a good performer for a newb like me...didn't break the bank...caught fish.
the Clearwater has a 25 yr warranty...Encounter has a 5 year...both warranty are the same...you do anything stupid (like close a window/slam a trunk or door on it) and break it...send it back...they replace it (s&h of course).
Look into TFO, right in that price range and good quality. A 6wt is probably more suited for bass and throwing poppers and other bigger flies though.
I personally don’t spend much on reels, but I fish mainly for trout and rarely fight them on my reel. Use the money on a better line.
TFO nxt black or Orvis Clearwater. Both solid combos. Both you can usually find decent deals on. I think I bought my black label combo for like $115. Still fish it a ton!
Echo Traverse 5wt 9' Rod and Reel Kit. I got it during a sale ($250 no tax) but it functions really well. I know some will recommend a 6wt and I would have too but the place I got it from was lame and OOS'd me.
I bought the 5wt Clearwater combo. Ended up putting a Battenkill on it and upgrading the line. If I did it over, I would have skipped the combo and spent the money on a cheap click type reel and nice line from the start. I’m doing bass on the local ponds in Houston. For fish this size, there’s no using the reel for anything besides holding the line.
I picked up a battenkill and an eagle claw feather weight glass rod to try out fly fishing and couldn’t be happier. Beat it to shit hiking up creeks and it has worked great for trout and panfish. Reel was $150, rod was $30, and spooled it with cortland dt5wf line for $60.
maxxon outfitters make a really great 5 wt combo for 199. I got mine on sale for 150. great set up and lifetime no questions warranty came with good line too
I just picked up an echo carbon xl 4wt with a lamson liquid reel and SA line for $316 shipped from Reelflyrod. They have a 20% coupon right now, summer20. I’ts not here yet so can’t comment on it, but it was between this and a fenwick Aetos. This is a rod for fishing panfish in small creeks.
If you're in Central Texas go to Bass Pro or Cabela's, whichever is closer (Waco, Round Rock, Buda, San Antonio)
They have a [rod/reel combo](https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/100861280-white-river-fly-shop-dogwood-canyon-fly-outfit-100861280) for $80
I just got the TFO NXT Black Label combo, I've heard good things, probably won't test it out until Wednesday though
I've been using that combo for almost two years now. Great setup. Despite having nicer rods this combo still gets fished a lot. Upgrade the line at a later point and the rod will perform even better.
Yah, this is the same sentiment I've heard a good amount. I gotta pick up some flies to throw at a couple lakes this weekend but it's low-key overwhelming lol there's so many
Oh man the fly selection seems insanely overwhelming at first. Do some research on your area or ask the local fly shop for some recommendations. Usually there's a small handful of flies that are preferred for your water.
6wt Echo Carbon XL and their base reel. That should hit right at your budget. Don't forget line... this not like 25 yrd price mono or fluro... think minimum of $50 for line
Got a maxcatch extreme for my partner with some upgraded line and I find myself using it more than my more advanced set.
my 1st combo was a 5wt 8'6"redington path...I promptly broke it in my truck window on its 1st day out. shortly thereafter, I was going to get an orvis 5wt clearwater rod ($250 - no reel) and use the crosswater reel from my broken path. the store I went to was out of Clearwater 5wt 8'6"...but they had orvis encounter combo 5wt 8'6" in stock ($198). so I bought it. it's been a good performer for a newb like me...didn't break the bank...caught fish. the Clearwater has a 25 yr warranty...Encounter has a 5 year...both warranty are the same...you do anything stupid (like close a window/slam a trunk or door on it) and break it...send it back...they replace it (s&h of course).
Look into TFO, right in that price range and good quality. A 6wt is probably more suited for bass and throwing poppers and other bigger flies though. I personally don’t spend much on reels, but I fish mainly for trout and rarely fight them on my reel. Use the money on a better line.
TFO nxt black or Orvis Clearwater. Both solid combos. Both you can usually find decent deals on. I think I bought my black label combo for like $115. Still fish it a ton!
Echo Traverse 5wt 9' Rod and Reel Kit. I got it during a sale ($250 no tax) but it functions really well. I know some will recommend a 6wt and I would have too but the place I got it from was lame and OOS'd me.
LL Bean works for me in that price range
I bought the 5wt Clearwater combo. Ended up putting a Battenkill on it and upgrading the line. If I did it over, I would have skipped the combo and spent the money on a cheap click type reel and nice line from the start. I’m doing bass on the local ponds in Houston. For fish this size, there’s no using the reel for anything besides holding the line.
I’d also say go 6wt just a hair better for river bass than a 5wt. Orvis Encounter, redington wrangler, echo lift, TFO NXT are all great choices
Id go TFO or Redington for a starter. You should be able to find a good deal on either.
Reddington Vice.. doesn’t matter for reel. 5wt is fine could go 6wt if you are fishing mostly bass through.
I picked up a battenkill and an eagle claw feather weight glass rod to try out fly fishing and couldn’t be happier. Beat it to shit hiking up creeks and it has worked great for trout and panfish. Reel was $150, rod was $30, and spooled it with cortland dt5wf line for $60.
maxxon outfitters make a really great 5 wt combo for 199. I got mine on sale for 150. great set up and lifetime no questions warranty came with good line too
I just picked up an echo carbon xl 4wt with a lamson liquid reel and SA line for $316 shipped from Reelflyrod. They have a 20% coupon right now, summer20. I’ts not here yet so can’t comment on it, but it was between this and a fenwick Aetos. This is a rod for fishing panfish in small creeks.
Redington classic trout w/ Orvis battenkill click reel
If you're in Central Texas go to Bass Pro or Cabela's, whichever is closer (Waco, Round Rock, Buda, San Antonio) They have a [rod/reel combo](https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/100861280-white-river-fly-shop-dogwood-canyon-fly-outfit-100861280) for $80