Hi all,

As title really, looking for a spod rod and reel combo new or used that's not going to break the bank. Budget would be £100-200 ideally.

Looked online there's so much choice.

Any recommendations would be great.

Johnson Ross sell combos - i have the shimano TX Spod and aerlex spod reel combo - don't do much serious spodding but it certainly does the job for me.

In reply to Post #2
Thanks will check it out

In reply to Post #1
After researching this same topic myself; I recently went for a Wychwood Dispatch 7500 reel for like £50.

Then went for a Shimano TX A 5lb t/c rod for £80.

In reply to Post #4
I would definitely lean more towards paying a bit extra for the reel and less for the rod as being honest most spod rods cheap or expensive are used at the same sorts of ranges so therefore do the job but i get loads of cheap reels back for repair that i can't do anything with as parts simply aren't available. At least from the 2 bigger brands you have the option to replace parts as a spod reels life is sheer hell

I use a free spirit spomb rod and shimano xtb spod reel with Berkeley 50lb braid right though, great combo better than any other I've ever used tbh

In reply to Post #5
I'd agree with that, when I got the emblem spod it seemed a bit extravagant being more expensive than my other reels but it's been faultless after 12/13 years. I have an aerlex too but I don't like it so it's hardly used, just the little quirk with the bail position, so can't say whether it's as robust

Ok thanks guys. I'll look at the emblem reel and find a cheaper rod.

Having had both the Shimnao Aerlex Spod and the Daiwa Spod I don't think the Daiwa justifies the extra money personally. From memory the Aerlex can be bought for 70 odd and the Daiwa about 130. If working to a budget I'd put the 60 odd quid towards the rod and get the Aerlex every time.

How does the Daiwa EMCAST SPOD'N'MARK compare to the Emblem Spod reel?

In reply to Post #9
Why did you get rid of the aerlex?

I'd agree with the comment below about getting a quality reel.

I've been using the Wychwood rod/reel combo for a couple of years. Had quite a few issues with tangles, line getting caught behind the spool etc so recently bought the new Diawa Emblem Spod reel.

It's been perfect, not one tangle or frap up using exactly the same line that was on the cheap real.

Spod rod is still going well, was spodding at 30 wraps the other day, more than enough distance for me.

It's up to you if you want to cheap out on a spod rod. I'd advise against it as you'll get inferior materials. I've gone down the cheap route and had a nightmare with ring lining's falling out and have cracked off as a result more times than I care to count. As tempting as a cheap rod is, there is a reason they're cheap.

Same goes for reels. I went with a XTD spod reel. Found out that these things are not water sealed and after if fell into the drink it hydrolocked. It's still not right weeks later.

In reply to Post #11
Left it at the lake along with my rod. It's a park lake so of course it was gone by the time I returned

Sonik Vader x hybrid.

I had the Wychwood rod reel combo and also had a problem with the braid getting behind the spool and wrapping round the spindle. Got fed up with it so now have the Sonik spod reel. Much better and a good reel