Baitcaster choices....

[BassNinjaV]

Casting Reels:

Abu Garcia Revo STX
Abu Garcia Revo Premier
Quantum EXO reel
Quantum Tour Edition KVD reel
Shimano Curado
Shimano Chronarch
Shimano Calais

Casting Rods:

Shimano Clarus
Shimano Crucial
Shimano Cumara
Falcon Bucoo rod

I recon any of those. Can really never go wrong with Shimano Rods and the heigher end reels.[/b]

[smurf]

For my money,I would go to a well stocked tackle dealer and check out their range of rods and reels....virtually all models worth buying are locally available and if you intend buying a few,haggle for some discount or getting them all spooled for free.Your contact coming from the USA can bring you a suitcase full of goodies that you can pre order and have ready to collect.As Toadee says (and he knows the drill too well !) wait for the sale days and you will score big time.Getting rods and reels will not save you a lot unless they are on special.You definitely do not have to be enticed to buy ultra top end signature series rods or reels....you are just paying for a pro's name...the guys here have already mentioned the reliables,and yes,Quantum is reliable and well priced.But I have been with Quantum for 25 years,I would happily choose Abu Garcia reels fitted to Quantum or Falcon rods.I like to support the local shops as far as possible,and if you take the rate of exchange and duty into consideration,I prefer to touch and feel before buying...that way you will be satisfied you bought the right thing,and should it go wrong for some reason,even a rod snapping at the tip,the local supplier will replace it free of charge.

[BassNinjaV]

For my money,I would go to a well stocked tackle dealer and check out their range of rods and reels....virtually all models worth buying are locally available and if you intend buying a few,haggle for some discount or getting them all spooled for free.Your contact coming from the USA can bring you a suitcase full of goodies that you can pre order and have ready to collect.As Toadee says (and he knows the drill too well !) wait for the sale days and you will score big time.Getting rods and reels will not save you a lot unless they are on special.You definitely do not have to be enticed to buy ultra top end signature series rods or reels....you are just paying for a pro's name...the guys here have already mentioned the reliables,and yes,Quantum is reliable and well priced.But I have been with Quantum for 25 years,I would happily choose Abu Garcia reels fitted to Quantum or Falcon rods.I like to support the local shops as far as possible,and if you take the rate of exchange and duty into consideration,I prefer to touch and feel before buying...that way you will be satisfied you bought the right thing,and should it go wrong for some reason,even a rod snapping at the tip,the local supplier will replace it free of charge.

Smurf summed it up nicely... Somerset sport Somerset West has just received awhole range of most of those rods. have a look and feel and decide from there.
They are also not badly priced there.

[jonni]

I would get a quantum exo (just cause they look awesome and are apparently awesome), a shimano chronarch 50 (shcweet reel for finesse) and a abu garcia premier (super build quality and very light)

[Ninja]

What ever you pick make sure it is Shimano! :blue-cool:

[Valrath]

Shimano & Abu Garcia are the only reliable brands for reels.

[dreamfish]

Shimano & Abu Garcia are the only reliable brands for reels.

Oooh Navriks gonna love this! :blue-lol: :blue-evil:

[Roy]

Shimano & Abu Garcia are the only reliable brands for reels.

Oooh Navriks gonna love this! :blue-lol: :blue-evil:

Fishing with Quantum is the same as kissing your sister or supporting the Blue Bulls in all three cases its very bad!!! :blue-badgrin: :blue-badgrin:

POP!!!! goes the can of worms!!!! :blue-biggrin:

[Valrath]

Quantums are for people like KVD who don't mind throwing reels away because they get replaced for free :blue-shock: As Roy says ... I wouldn't take a Quantum even if you gave it to me for free :blue-smile:

[Riprap]

We've been down this long and winding road before - Shimano vs. Quantum.
For the benefit of the newbies, herewith the link if you haven't already come across it.
Rath - you are stirring up emotions amongst the animals again..... :blue-badgrin: :blue-badgrin:

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[Roy]

We've been down this long and winding road before - Shimano vs. Quantum.
for the benefit of the newbies, herewith the link if you haven't already come across it.
Rath - you are stirring up emotions amongst the animals again..... :blue-badgrin: :blue-badgrin:

<!-- l --><a class="postlink-local" href="http://www.bassfishing.co.za/bassingnews/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=5556">modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=5556</a><!-- l -->

Oi!! Rip what about me? I am trying my best to get Navrik and Smurf going lol

[Riprap]

.....But Roy, there are some okes here that kiss their sisters and support the Blue Bulls......!!!
<img src="http://cdn.content.sweetim.com/sim/cpie/emoticons/00020456.gif" border="0" title="Click to get more." >

[BassRat]

Shimano Reels
Falcon Rods

Support local in my opinion... Plasticman has Falcons. Go feel them first to better understand the range, chat to him and he can advise you. Price wise you may save a few buck but you cant send it back if it gets damaged in the post and if you do you still wait and pay postage. Id get all 3 reels and rods the same manufacturer... keeps the feel of your rods the same ....

[Roy]

.....But Roy, there are some okes here that kiss their sisters and support the Blue Bulls......!!!
<img src="http://cdn.content.sweetim.com/sim/cpie/emoticons/00020456.gif" border="0" title="Click to get more." >

Whahahahahaha what a chirp!!!! Touche!!!

[jonni]

I'm a huge shimano fan, even though some of there products are overpriced. You pretty much know that when you buy a shimano you not gonna get a lemon. But quantums are really good value for money, you just have to be careful, i don't think their QC is up to scratch. I bought a kinetic and its a seriously good reel, super solid. But If you read reviews they seem to vary wildly. Another reel I would probably buy if I had the cash is the exo, that looks super awesome. picked it up and gave it a whirl in the shops and it immediately felt like something awesome Definitely a step in the right direction for quantum.

i personally love to own different brands, i find it a bit boring to buy too many of one brand or buy a reel that everyone else has. At least quantum are trying to be different, kinda like volkswagen vs alfa romeo.