$50 combo challenge/experiment!

[chubbstar]

I am setting myself a challenge,

I am only allowed to spend $50 on a combo, thats rod, reel and line. I have to use the same set up all the time, no changing the line etc. I'm not allowed to pull the reel apart to fix it, the only thing I can do is tighten the screws and wash it.

I've got to catch as many types of fish with this set-up as possible untill it dies a horible death.

Why? I want to go back to basics, I remember as a kid fishing for whiteing and monster Black Bream with 30lb mono and a broom stick, trying to catch meter long Couta on a hand line with 8lb mono and no wire trace. Just the thrill of catching a fish was all it was about, none of this 50 ball bearing, fluro carbon, super tuned, wizz banger with all the bells and whistles gear.

Now this could be a major flop, the reel may die with the first fish caught:laugh: , but hey it's only fiddy bucks and could be a bit of fun.

/>http://www.motackle.com.au/index.cfm?pr=product&product_id=1233

Time will tell;)

Jayson

[tomca]

I got a $10 shakespeare combo at last years boat show, The 6' medium action rod is a ripper. The spin reels drag haemmoraged fatally on my second fish, a large catfish at Jindalee. But with a $30 reel is now my favourite plastics setup.

[ellicat]

If you bring in a good fish on that in my boat I'll cut the line (unless I already have a good one) :laugh: :laugh:

Love the idea:silly:

[mangler]

Good challenge mate, I've caught heaps of fish on a $30 combo, this was my main combo for a fair while, the reel is a bit sticky now, but still ok, I decided to splash out & spend $25 on a new reel for the rod & it's currently going quite well. Nothing wrong with going back to basics mate, if you seen my reel collection, there is 2 functioning threadline reels 2 worn out threadline reels, and about a dozen Alveys. Be interesting to see some of the catches you get with this combo. Good luck mate!

Cheers,

Matt

[benno573]

one and a half words for ya mate... e bay.

i have purchased rods and reels off ebay for as little as $20 for the pair of them! and a lot of the time the reel comes with line on it. :laugh: the reel worked at manly the other day... better than yours! :whistle: :pinch:

[username_taken]

I've got a $30 boat combo that I've caught quite a few fish on, 35cm bream was my fav catch on it, but also caught a 65cm bullie and countless catfish. I actually stopped taking it fishing much as I got sick of catching quality fish on it while my $300 combo caught nothing.

[Funfisher]

I think you will get what you pay for...

[kriso]

go the light spin setup i reckon!

[planetfonz]

i got a game set-up off ebay for about 50-60. all saratoga stuff - 15 kg carbon fibre rod for around $11 - an ok overhead which is suprisingly enjoyable to cast with for about $25 and some 24 kg el-cheepo braid which upon seeing that it was yellow gave me doubts - but the rod caught all the worthwhile fish on a trip to the whitsundays (the reason for which it was bought - and if it broke, then its true, cheap shit sux) but it didn't and is still going strong with no signs of wear/tear

[Angus]

Hahaha nice challenge. Man my entire childhood was spent using whatever combo the corner store at Noosa was selling at the time. Usually no more than 20. I still caught some great fish includign my only Diamond Trev at 45cm. Not that big but anyone that has caught DT will know they are no sooks!

By the way, this 50 ball bearing reel you speak of... Where can I get one?

Angus

[Terry H]

mate you're going way too expensive.

Try a kids rod and reel from Big W

I did....

can't remember what happened though...

[adri4n]

personally I think you'd do fine with a $50 combo. Some of the cheaper stuff are really quite durable even if its not as fancy. Just don't push the gear too hard and I'm sure it'll last a long time. Don't think you'll have problems catching fish either, I caught more fish when i first started with my k-mart combo.. think i'm spending too much time in tackle shops and not fishing.. lol

[chubbstar]

:laugh: :laugh: SOme good stories there, Adrian the whole idea for this little experiment is to give the cheap gear a hard time.

Looking around the stores etc you can get some realy good gear for $50, so I'm now thinking of spending maybe $30? I'm not sure yet depends on what line I can get with the combo. I'm looking at around the 10-15lb. Part of the challenge is No leader.

Jayson

[Terry H]

Jayson seriously mate, get one of those kids packs from Big W.. in pink for the ultimate challenge.

Oh I just remember what happened to mine

the rod smashed somehow :whistle: then I put the reel onto another better rod, ... and never got around to using the reel again.

[benno573]

chubbstar with a pink kids rod... :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

[namyau]

i reckon pick up one of those cheap kiddies alvey setups and replace the rod with a longer 6'6 or 7ft el cheapo or jarvis walker stuff - should get it to within your budget and just use some cheap mono for line - just my 2c

[adri4n]

if you're just fishing in the river, no leader should be ok, the river is so dirty and I've caught plenty of fish by just going with cheap jarvis walker mono. i think the fluro does help a little, but when fishing in mostly muddy conditions as is the brisbane river I don't really feel it matters much with leader or not, guess it depends on where you are fishing as well...

[faulked]

the barra on my avatar was caught on bellas little pink rod cost of 30 bucks plus line 14 bucks barra 74cm priceless:)

[Plastic Man]

good idea chubby will be good to see what you get mate

my old boss at tackle world took out a $25 pick combo to use on tuna for a bit of fun first hookup the reel smashed off the reel seat and started spining on the stripper guide ha ha lol funny thing is he got his money back for the combo ha ha ha

[EMP]

Hey Jayson,

I bought a Jarvis combo six months ago which cost me around 30 or 40 dollars. The first session with it, the rod broke. But guess what? I saw another Jarvis on special for 15 bucks or something and I've been using it with the old reel.

This same combo has what I've been using. I'm quite happy.

But in another month or so, I will buy myself a better one- a much better one.

EMP

[pinkey]

Untill like less than 2 years ago, i used to only use cheap combos . Had plenty of jarvis walker $30 combos... Just used whatever line came on it, and didnt use a swivel just tied the sinker on my line with a shoelace knot . Then i remember i was fishing of a bridge at the tweed and i lost 3 decant flattys in a row trying to lift them up so i went and got some 20lb pink mono for my little spinning combo

[Feral]

Hope you've got lots of time.

I've got a combo in that price range I bought 4 years ago still going strong still. Cant kill it. Caught an awful lot of fish on it.

[Jords]

i do heaps of fishing with a freeby kids alvey combo i got at a DPI fishing clinic 4 or 5 yrs ago up at noosa

was the only one 2 catch a fish

and caught 4 haha

think it was a bit unfair on the others though

but yeh still use it now

teh reel is just starting to twist a bit tooo freely