Best rod and reel combo for bass fishing

[Bigdawg90]

So my neighbor is old and retired. Good guy and he’s taught me everything I know about fishing.

I’m not super into the intricacies and just enjoy throwing a crank bait and hitting pretty much anything.

He’s a tournament bass fisher. He throws spin reels and bait casters, but prefers the finesse baits with his bait caster. His last tournament two of his reels went down. His wife mentioned that he’s down to one rod till they can save up.

I wanted to gift him a rod and reel for Father’s Day as a surprise. I know he uses mainly falcon rods, but most of his reels are from the 90s-00s.

What would you recommend? I’d like to be able to go pick it up so it’s ready for him on Saturday. He usually takes his grandchildren out fishing on Sunday. They’re like a second family to us, so I don’t mind putting good money into it. Chances are he’ll let me use it when we’re out on his boat anyways. Lol

 

[dancer4life]

You can’t go wrong with Shimano, Lew’s and Abu Garcia. Most of my bait casting reels are Shimano but I do have a couple of Lew’s reels and a couple of Abu Garcia and I like them all.

 

[O4L]

Just casually ask him what reel he is going to buy next or get him a gift certificate from his favorite gear store, that way he gets what he wants.

 

[Glocktogo]

You can’t go wrong with Shimano, Lew’s and Abu Garcia. Most of my bait casting reels are Shimano but I do have a couple of Lew’s reels and a couple of Abu Garcia and I like them all.

I'd second this. I've owned all three and on newer models I'm partial to Lew's. They make some great combos, but bass fishermen tend to be picky on rod weight, balance and speed. Finess fishing really depends on your preferred baits and presentation. Because of that, a gift certificate to Bass Pro or Academy might be best?

If you really want to try and hand him a good combo, you might want to read this article before going shopping. https://www.bassmaster.com/how-to/news/choosing-your-finesse-fishing-rod/

My personal finesse baitcast setup is an old school Falcon 7' LFC-1-17 rod with an equally old school Abu Garcia Black Max 1600 reel. With this combo I can precisely place very light baits anywhere I want. The tip is sensitive, yet I have enough backbone I can and have hauled in fish like a 5.5# smallmouth, 6.5# walleye and even an 8# hybrid. If these were still available, I'd buy enough of them to last me the rest of my life without worry.

 

[Oklahomabassin]

Take him shopping to help you pick out a good reel for yourself. (Wink wink) Explain how you are getting more interested in finesse fishing for bass. Gift him that reel.

Serious fishermen have a lot of preferrences and all reels are not equal.

 

[Ready_fire_aim]

Take him shopping to help you pick out a good reel for yourself. (Wink wink) Explain how you are getting more interested in finesse fishing for bass. Gift him that reel.

Serious fishermen have a lot of preferrences and all reels are not equal.

Something like this ^^^ or the gift card idea I’d say.

I have a modest fishing arsenal and through the years the more I practice and learn, the more equipment preferences I have.

That being said personally I’d go shimano. And be prepared to drop $200-$300 if you want to gift him the bees knees. Plenty of decent reels in the $100-$150 range too though

 

[dennishoddy]

So my neighbor is old and retired. Good guy and he’s taught me everything I know about fishing.

I’m not super into the intricacies and just enjoy throwing a crank bait and hitting pretty much anything.

He’s a tournament bass fisher. He throws spin reels and bait casters, but prefers the finesse baits with his bait caster. His last tournament two of his reels went down. His wife mentioned that he’s down to one rod till they can save up.

I wanted to gift him a rod and reel for Father’s Day as a surprise. I know he uses mainly falcon rods, but most of his reels are from the 90s-00s.

What would you recommend? I’d like to be able to go pick it up so it’s ready for him on Saturday. He usually takes his grandchildren out fishing on Sunday. They’re like a second family to us, so I don’t mind putting good money into it. Chances are he’ll let me use it when we’re out on his boat anyways. Lol

There are zero answers to what is the best rig for bass fishing.
Every pro will say their sponsors are the best that they are given for free, and so on while fishing with another.
The best rig is the best one that works for you. There are about 10 or 12 classifications of rods. Heavy, light, ultra lite, type of action and so on.
Fast tip, easy tip, heavy tip and so on.
Do a little snooping the next time you're out with him. See what brand he is using and match it. Not just the brand but the model.
I'm a huge fan of Shimano spin reels and not sponsored, LOL!
Bait casters, take no advice from me. Hate them.

 

[turkeyrun]

Take him shopping to help you pick out a good reel for yourself. (Wink wink) Explain how you are getting more interested in finesse fishing for bass. Gift him that reel.

Serious fishermen have a lot of preferrences and all reels are not equal.

^^^^^^^^

I am partial to Ambassador, and have several, but have Shimano, Penn and Daiwa that I like.

Rarely have I purchased a combo. Mostly spinning combo.

Talk to him, take him to Academy or Bass Pro, and get his endorsement and hand it to him.

 

[Bigdawg90]

So I’m thinking of getting a gift card to bass pro. They carry falcon rods and have most of the reel brands listed here. Does anyone know of a local shop in the Tulsa area that would be better?

 

[Glocktogo]

So I’m thinking of getting a gift card to bass pro. They carry falcon rods and have most of the reel brands listed here. Does anyone know of a local shop in the Tulsa area that would be better?

Academy carries Falcon rods and all the reel brands. Better prices, smaller selection.