Buyer's Guide: Best Casting Rod and Reel Combos Under $200

Welcome to the 2019 Holiday Buyer's Guide Series! These are the most requested videos of the year and we're thrilled to bring them back for 2019! We're kicking it off with Rod and Reel Combos Under $200! Matt and Tim show some of the best values on the market in this quick review of rods and reels from a variety of companies.

Why start with $200 combos? $100 for a rod or reel seems to be the threshold where you start seeing huge leaps in technology. The reels become smoother and lighter while the rods become more sensitive and action specific. Since this is the threshold where most anglers advancing from beginner to intermediate tend to purchase, companies often strive to put products in the category that defy their price point. This is great news for the angler looking for the best equipment at the lowest price!

In today's video Matt and Tim explore 7 different combos. These rods and reels stand out from the pack with great sensitivity, actions, and features that rise above similarly priced products. Below you will find links to all of the products in the video. Matt and Tim also picked their two favorite combos each and are listing those above the rest of the combos. To make it even easier for you this holiday season the guys included their favorite actions for each rod and reel model so that you and your loved once can easily select the best "bang for the buck" models.

Tim's First choice... SLX/SLX Combo...

Rod- Shimano SLX: http://bit.ly/2L3wppO

(6'10" Medium, 7'2" Medium Heavy, 7'2" Heavy)

Reel- Shimano SLX HG: http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

(SLX150HG)

Tim's Second Choice... Fury/Daiwa CG Combo...

Rod- Dobyns Fury: http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

(7' Medium heavy, 7' Heavy, 8' heavy swimbait)

Reel- Daiwa CG80: http://bit.ly/2NxaGbe

(CG80HS)

Matt's First Choice... Intenza/Caius Combo...

Rod- Shimano Intenza: http://bit.ly/2QADLTq

(7'1" Medium Heavy, 7'4" Heavy)

Reel- Shimano Caius B: http://bit.ly/2O3Dvuw

(CIS150HGB)

Matt's Second Choice... Bass X/SLX Combo...

Rod- St. Croix Bass X: http://bit.ly/2r0xWAs

(7'1" Medium, 7'2" Medium Heavy)

Reel- Shimano SLX HG: http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

(SLX150HG)

The Other Great Combos Around $200...

Rod- Cashion CRT: http://bit.ly/2qxYIUj

(7' Heavy, 7'3" Medium Heavy)

Reel- Daiwa Fuego CT: http://bit.ly/35hugfH

(FGCT100HS)

Rod- Dobyns Colt: http://bit.ly/2lU0LfV

(7' Medium Heavy, 7' Medium Heavy Cranking, 7'3" Heavy)

Reel- Daiwa CG80: http://bit.ly/2NxaGbe

(CG80HS)

Rod- Lews TP-1 Black Speed Stick: http://bit.ly/2Ovtbxc

(7' Medium, 7'2" Medium Heavy)

Reel- Lews Speel Spool LFS: http://bit.ly/2xEElEw

(SS1SHA)

The TacticalBassin FINESSE Swimbait Head Is Here!!!

Announcing the TACTICALBASSIN FINESSE SWIMBAIT HEAD! This new head is designed to fill a huge void for bass fishermen. When heavy hooks are too much but you’re not looking for a micro hook either, the TacticalBassin Finesse Swimbait Head is exactly what you’re searching for! This new head incorporates a medium wire 4/0 hook that pairs perfectly with 3 1/2 inch to 5 inch swimbaits and paddle tails.

Many companies offer tiny finesse heads and big heavy wire heads but few have heads that fit the middle (which is exactly where most fishermen are). For this project we partnered with Dirty Jigs Tackle and the already proven design of the Matt Allen Swimbait Head (see link below). We used the exact head shape (fantastic profile), same 30 degree line tie (destabilization to get more bites), and proven twin keeper system (single wire keeper paired with a lead collar keeper). By working from this already proven head design we were able to compare hooks and wire sizes with ease. It didn’t take long to find the perfect hook, a medium wire 4/0.

This 4/0 hook will land big fish with ease but won’t overpower smaller baits when a finesse approach is needed. The reduced wire size (as compared to the Matt Allen Swimbait Head) will also allow anglers to fish this head on lighter line and tackle, allowing for more bites in clear water finesse situations. If you loving throwing small swimbaits and paddle tails and need a hook to “do it all”, this is your hook!

If you’re in a big bass environment, especially around heavy cover, the Matt Allen Swimbait Head is your best bet. If you’re throwing micro swimbaits like a 2.8 keitech, a Guppy Head with its small 1/0 hook is a great match, but if you’re fishing anywhere in the middle, its time to try the TacticalBassin Finesse Swimbait Head.

The Heads…

-TacticalBassin Finesse Swimbait Head: http://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n

-Matt Allen Swimbait Head: http://bit.ly/29RrTYN

-Guppy Head: http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

Recommended Finesse Swimbaits…

-Keitech Fat Swing Impact 3.8 - 4.8: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

-River2Sea D Walker 100: http://bit.ly/2NwqBmz

-Megabass Spark Shad 4": http://bit.ly/2XcLZk4

-X Zone Lures Swammer 3.5" - 4": http://bit.ly/2PogV0q

-Basstrix Paddle Tail 4" - 5": http://bit.ly/2aiy7SR

-Strike King Rage Swimmer 3.75 - 4.75: http://bit.ly/2evZF8j

Favorite Combo For This Technique…

Rod- G Loomis GLX 843 MBR: http://bit.ly/2gqziwT

Reel- Shimano Chronarch 150 MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2n8DghB

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 30 lb Braided Line: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 12 lb: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

5 rods from highest price to most budget-minded that will work great for this technique…

-G Loomis NRX 853C JWR (7’1” MH): http://bit.ly/2hedqsq

-Dobyns Xtasy 7’2” Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/36fIHCg

-Shimano Zodias 7’2” Medium: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

-Shimano SLX 7’2” Medium: http://bit.ly/2L3wppO

-Daiwa Aird X 7’ Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2Z2JfYG

Fall Bass Fishing Buyer's Guide!

New Swimbaits! New Topwater! Soft baits, Blades, tail spins, and more! Fall bass fishing brings some of the best reaction bites of the year and these new lures will help you succeed! Showing the bass something different can make all the difference and this Fall we have some innovative new products to choose from.

While most of our Fall picks are lures, there are some great new terminal products as well. Blades that flash and create movement are the key element we focus on when bass are around baitfish. Both Z-Man and VMC brought unique bladed offerings that will help you stand out from the crowd. Add in a selection of blade baits from 3 proven brands and you're set all the way into Winter.

The purpose of these gear reviews is to help you wade through the plethora of new products that constantly hit store shelves. With so many options its hard to know which baits are designed to catch fish and which are there to catch fishermen. With an abundance of time on the water and a healthy tackle addiction, we fish our way through new tackle as quickly as possible to find the "diamonds in the rough" and bring that information to you in our seasonal gear reviews and buyer's guides. Below you'll find a breakdown of the products in this video displayed in order of appearance.

-Storm Arashi Glide Bait - Pre-Order Here: http://bit.ly/2nHdrL1

(Bluegill, Oikawa Mesu, Threadfin Shad)

-Teckel USA Kicknocker Topwater: http://bit.ly/2nvxkoA

(Lime Ice, Threadfin Shad)

-Z Man Giant TRD Ned Worm: http://bit.ly/2pebV3L

(Black Blue, June Bug, Green Pumpkin Goby)

-Giant TRD Mag Shroomz Head: http://bit.ly/2nHjqzt

-Daiwa Neko Macho Worm: http://bit.ly/2peg0VD

(Green Pumpkin, Natural Shad)

-Z Man TRD Spinz: http://bit.ly/2mPnyNF

-VMC Bladed Hybrid Hook: http://bit.ly/2oqWODi

-Jackall Keeburn Blade Bait: http://bit.ly/2or8sy0

(Clear Shad, Dera Shad, Silver)

-Damiki Vault Blade Tail Spinner: http://bit.ly/2or9wlu

(Black Holo, Holo Ayu, Real Shad)

-River2Sea Diver Vibe Blade: http://bit.ly/2mNBeIZ

(Bozo, TS Minnow)

Blade Bait Hook Upgrade...

-Owner Hyperwire Split Ring Size 3: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

-Gamakatsu EWG Treble (Size 4 Front and 6 Back): http://bit.ly/2cZrsbY

Early Fall Bass Fishing Buyer's Guide

Swimbaits, jerkbaits, dropshot worms, and so many other awesome products have come to market since ICAST. It looks like this Fall is going to be a lot of fun! Today Matt is showing us a few of the new lures that stand out to him, along with a few items that he's been testing for a while. You know Matt is a tackle junkie so come along and see what he's found.

Every year ICAST (Bass fishing's biggest trade show) brings the promise of fun new gear to check out in the Fall. This year Tim did a review of some of his favorites and now its Matt's turn. The delays are over, products are beginning to hit store shelves, and its time for the fun to begin. We all love showing bass something new, we just want to know that we we aren't wasting valuable time and money on a dud.

Some of today's products are brand new to market and are simply a first look, others we've been using for as much as a year and are just now circling back to confirm our stamp of approval. Below is a breakdown of the gear in the video in order of appearance.

-Big Bite Baits Smallie Smasher: http://bit.ly/2ZpCOCY

-Big Bite Baits Tour Tube: http://bit.ly/32e23VR

-P-Line Bobber Stopper (Green/Black): http://bit.ly/2ZxAYuV

-Baitsanity Antidote Glide Bait: http://bit.ly/2ztUk9z

-Hydra Battery Terminal Multiplier: http://bit.ly/329zhFK

-Duo Realis Alpha 72 Spinbait: http://bit.ly/2UbnUu9

-River2Sea D Walker Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2NwqBmz

-Lucky Craft Pointer 100 H3: http://bit.ly/2PuaFpw

-G Loomis GLX 843 and 844 MBR Rods: http://bit.ly/2gqziwT

Antidote Hook Upgrades...

-Split Ring- Owner Hyperwire Size 4: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

-Owner ST-56 Treble (Size 1 and 2): http://bit.ly/2cVg7xW