Outfits/Rod+Reel Combo Kits

[Tim Pommer]

This might not apply to everyone here since many/most of you have been into the sport long enough to not be interested in combo kits.  However, I’m not sure the industry is giving up on these.  Redington, Ross Worldwide, SA, Sage, not to mention Cabelas and Bass Pro, all offer Combo Kits.  

Examples:

Low End:
Pflueger

SA

Mid Range:
Ross

Redington

What do you guys think of these kits?

Too expensive? Too cheap?  

Would you rather put the package together on your own?

Would a Premium kit do anything for you? (High end rod, high end reel, high end line)

[Neal Osborn]

You are right – that’s a tough question for the guys on this board to answer fairly.

[Eric Weller]

Tim,

[Aaron Christensen]

Kits don’t do it for me (indeed, I just spent several hours researching which line I wanted for an upcoming trip) but there is almost certainly a very small market for premium kits among the highly affluent who are just getting into the sport.

[Mark Schafer]

A balanced upper end “kit” might work for two-handed setups.
MS

[Peter E.]

it all depends on your market. I teach folks from all incomes and some folks with money will have me set them up with high end material. So rather they know it or not, they ended up with a package. Personally I just wish the combos that they made now had a better line and a faster action rod. It would be alot easier to point students to set ups similar to my own. Most often a student likes to emmulate their teacher at least in brand. Thats my experience anyway.

[bt miller]

Combos are great for the beginner.

[Tim Pommer]

Thanks for the responses guys.

[Adam McDowell]

if it was a quality reel and you could save $100 on a manufactured package without having to mail a rebate in i would be inclined

[Tim Angeli]

Tim,

I started with a combo from Cabelas back in the day.

[M. Wood]

Some of the slower rods offered on combos have great action for bass rods and chucking larger flies.

[Author]

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