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[Jewelz]

You have $200 to spend, what would you choose when it came to getting a casting setup for float fishing the Vedder for salmon/steelhead:

1. Cheaper rod with a better reel
2. Cheaper reel with a better rod
3. Okay rod & reel

I know I can get a great setup for more money, but this is all I have, all I'm willing to save and all I'm willing to spend

[Humpy]

Personally, I prefer a nicer reel with an average rod.

[charles]

some items, older items are better.  For example, the good old Shimano curado E series casting reels are far better than the new model after that.  You can save money by looking at finding them use and new.  Not saving shimano is better than other brand, just giving an example.  Just pick something that is a good maker, decent drag material (although you can upgrade those yourself later on), good gear toleratence, fit your fishing style, butter smooth casting and reeling in, and most important to me, not how strong the drag is, but how constant the drag is on all the range setting.  You are going to fight fish with good pulling power, you don't want jerky drag...  My choose of reel for my casting rod is Shimano chronarch D5 if that matters.

For rods, it is a little different.  You have to try to get experience with people of each of the rod.  Everyone has a different preference for casting rod from weight of the rod, action of the rod, length of rod, size of the rod (how thick the blank is), position of the guides, type of guides, length of back grip and front grip if any, etc. 

I have someone built 3 verison of casting drifting rod for me each has an improvement of the one before that and there is still more room to improve on the next one.  But I am more into single hand fly and CP for a while so the casting rods are just collecting dust at the moment.

If you have a bunch of friends that fish a lot, why not try out their rods while you are out with them. 

I don't know if that answer your questions.  But save your money and buy better and something you are happy with on both rod and reel.  I can catch the same amount of fish with my daugther's rod and reel.  But it is a joy to fish with my prefer single hand rod and reel each outing.

[Fish Assassin]

If I had to choose, I go with a better rod with a cheaper reel.

[Tex]

If I'm gear casting? A better reel with a cheaper rod.

If I'm fly casting? A better rod with a cheaper reel.

Really depends on what I'm targeting and how I'm doing it.

[Animal Chin]

I vote for the better rod and cheaper reel. Especially float fishing. I'd look at the Abu Garcia Black Max and a Fenwick HMX for under $200.

[DanL]

For float fishing the Vedder I would probably spend a bit more on the reel since it has all the moving parts/gears and spending a bit more for that end of it pays off IMHO.

Something like a Shimano Convergence rod can be had for ~$80 and the remainder on the reel.

BTW for $200 I’d keep an eye on the used market? The entry level gear seems to depreciate fast so some good deals to be found there if you can be patient.

[bbronswyk2000]

If I'm gear casting? A better reel with a cheaper rod.

If I'm fly casting? A better rod with a cheaper reel.

Really depends on what I'm targeting and how I'm doing it.

Yup double what he says

When using a reel with gears and bearings dont cheap out. Atleast go with the reliable Abu. Shimano makes good rods for around $100 good dependable rods.

Fly fishing is another ball game as most of the time your playing the fish off the real and not using the reel's drag ( unless salmon/steelheadhead fishing ) Dont cheap out on a flyrod.

[Flytech]

I've got a 6 wt fly rod and reel, $125.

[VA7DDP]

I second what Tex Said.

For fly fishing your reel is really just a line storage device.

While with drift and lure fishing your reel is doing a lot of the work.

[firstlight]

You can get a good decent used set-up with your budget.
Take your time.

[wallygator24]

Since you specified that you are planning to float fish, I would suggest go with a nicer reel.  You don't have to have a sensitive rod for float fishing.  Just keep your line tight and you will feel the bite as you get your bobber down action.     

[TheChumWhisperer]

I vote for the better rod and cheaper reel. Especially float fishing. I'd look at the Abu Garcia Black Max and a Fenwick HMX for under $200.

The Black Max is a terrible reel.  Speaking from experience using crappy gear, owning an average reel is 10x better that an average rod.  Abu Revo and any used 10'6 float rod will do fine..

[Humpy]

The Black Max is a terrible reel.  Speaking from experience using crappy gear, owning an average reel is 10x better that an average rod.  Abu Revo and any used 10'6 float rod will do fine..

What makes the black max a terrible reel? Just because its cheap doesn't mean it isn't good. I have one and it has worked great on all species of salmon.

[Jewelz]

I bought a Fenwick Eagle GT rod from A&N for $85. I haven't made any decisions on the reel yet... Have $100 to spend...