I’m getting my first rod/reel and I’m trying to decide what to get. I’ve seen people sing praises of the GX2 (and also say it’s a garbage combo) but haven’t seen much out there about the Kastking Centron. I’m going to be lake/pond/river fishing from the shore for small game fish like bass and crappie, maybe occasional lake trout. Im also open to other suggestions as well, this is all new to me!
Posted by BLS_Bandito
8 Comments
Gx2 is a solid combo and damn near indestructible.
Ugly stick rods lack feel but have great durability, cast king has better feel. For reels neighter impress me, a budget shimano will be better imo.
Can say after having both of these…. Go with the gx2… was one of my favorites before it fell out of my kayak and I lost it… got the kastking for christmas and my first time out, the tip snapped off at the second to last eyelet. Gx2>kastking
Ugly Stik Gx2: these rods are just about indestructible. The rods lack sensitivity and are bulky and heavy. The reels that come with the combo are garbage.
Kastking Centron: I have never used them. They have a lot of marketing and I see a lot of them being returned. Wish I could tell you more about them.
My advice: Get a 7′ medium action Daiwa AridX spinning rod and pair it with a size 2500 Daiwa Revros reel. Total cost around $120. You can always find a cheaper reel but that Daiwa AridX rods cost the same as the ugly stik rods and are light years better.
GX2 if you want something you can abuse – KK if you want a more sensitive option but lose the durability of a glass rod.
For my two cents. I would advise considering how the other objects in your life look. Do they generally look lightly used/new, or do they have some battle scars? If they look gently used, go with the KK, if not, GX2. Beginners don’t need sensitive rods so much as something that will survive being used by someone who isn’t accustomed to having a 6.5’+ rod in their hands.
You can find some good rods from the likes of Shakespeare, Berkely, or even Eagle Claw for under $30-40, look for something rated for a lure up to 3/8 oz. Buy a Shimano 2000-2500 sized reel (they make reels that cost as little as $15 and they’re still solid pieces of gear) and some 6-8 lb test line and have at it.
I just got another Lews combo and I’m definitely happy with it. My first was a baitcaster last year and got a medium light setup last month
Shimano Sienna and Okuma rod is a great match value wise. For bass and Crappie id go 2000 reel size, 6ft Light rod and quality 6lb mono line. Thats on the lighter end for bass but soo much fun when you get a decent one.
Just got a GX2 the other day. nicest pole I’ve ever had