Cadence CC5 Spinning Combo - Lightweight 24-Ton Graphite 2-Piece Fishing Rod with Carbon Fiber Drag System | Smooth Carbon Composite Frame & Side Plates | Perfect for Freshwater & Saltwater Fishing, Bass, Trout, and Walleye Angling

Very nice lightweight rod with a smooth casting reel. Definitely worth the moneyI bought the CC5 combo with the 2000 series reel and the 6'6" rod in medium power and fast action and I have to say that I am extremely pleased with my purchase. I spool 8lb mono on the reel and generally cast anything that is 1/8 ounce and up. The reel is smooth and quiet with a silent anti-reverse and the drag is very smooth. I put that drag to the test this spring when I hooked up with a surprise muskie. It took a lot of finesse to bring that fish to my kayak on 8lb mono.The medium power rod is appropriately stiff in the backbone, but there is still just enough flex in the very tip of the rod to aid with casting lighter lures (ie...1/8 ounce road runners, small rapala floaters, drop shot rigs...etc.). The rod is sensitive enough that I have had good success detecting bites on drop shots and Texas rigged plastic worms.I've bought other combos in the past that cost more, but weren't nearly as nice as the Cadence, especially the reels (looking at you Shakespeare). I would recommend this combo to anyone who is on a limited budget and is looking for something with better features and durability than the combos sold at big box stores.First of all, I was impressed by the responsive customer support when I had what was probably a shipping-induced issue. But I've already put this combo through the ringer. I've thrown frogs and pulled in 3-5lbers through heavy grass mats, freed countless snags in laydowns, felt every little stone, ledge, underwater grass bed, and the tiniest of panfish nibbles snipping away at my finesse bass lures. The rod's got a perfect action for what I was looking for, so that with its strong backbone are helping me kill it from the bank! I'm honestly surprised the rod or at least an eyelet hasn't snapped yet with some of the stuff it's already been through. Who needs an Ugly Stik anyway?? My only regret is getting a 2pc after I figured out how to haul it in my car without breaking it down.I'm also fairly impressed by the reel. Nice, smooth drag, and fits plenty of line. QUIET. Easily comparable to something twice the price.I was skeptical at first but now I wouldn't hesitate for a single second to buy another spinning combo from Cadence.I really like the combo, the reel fantastic. The rod has awesome sensitivity for trout, unfortunately mine snapped today on a routine snag with just 2lb test. Rod snapped just below the connection point while I was trying to get a snag loose. Hoping they will send me a new one.To be honest - before I ran across this combo on Amazon I had never hear of Cadence. For 10+ years I have always used Pflueger reels with a $60-$80 carbon fiber rod to match the reel. For Pflueger reels I have (1) Supreme, (2) President and (1) Lady President that I bought for my wife. I have used them for years and they have held up well - and for $120-$220 per combo they should hold up well.I liked the reviews for Cadence but I had a Plueger combo in my cart. I looked again at Cadence and changed my mind because of the Cadence "Go Fishing. Give Back." program. I mainly fish farm ponds and either would work fine for me - and are both actually much more than I really need. But I decided to try a company that would donate a rod/reel to a young person interested in fishing.When I got the combo I was shocked at the quality and construction for the price. The bearings and carbon fiber drag are as smooth as a reel that should cost more than twice the price of this entire combo. The 24 ton carbon fiber rod is also much nicer than most rods that cost as much as this combo.I have no idea if the Cadence CC5 reel will hold up as long as my Pflueger reels. I will update my post if I have any issues. Pflueger is a great brand and I have nothing negative to say about them - I am a big fan and for all I know they might have a charity. But give Cadence a shot - you won't regret it.When I got this combo I was excited as to the look and feel of it and was all ready to start fishing. I have no problem with the rod, and think it is rather nice. But the trouble started early on. First, the line doesn't feed well, very uneven. I tried several times but always the same result. Stacks towards the back. Second, and my biggest complaint, is the handle keeps coming unscrewed. And I mean every time you cast it, reel in, the 2nd cast your handle has unscrewed itself from the mechanism so when your lure hits the water and you turn the handle the spinner doesn't close and your line turns into a hay bale. I don't care how tight you screw it in, I've done it to the point where I thought it would strip, it still comes loose in one cast. I put loctite on it and it would sometimes go two casts. Gonna try gorilla glue next, if that doesn't work, I'm sending it back. I should send it back anyway I shouldn't have to do this. This product is difficult and frustrating to use and they say it's a great kids reel to which I say, Ha! Kids have little patience for tangled lines.There’s nothing I don’t like about this rod/reel combo. The reel is extremely smooth, the rod is quite sensitive, and both have held up well to over a year of use so far with no breakage or signs of wear. Compared to the cheap combos I’ve used for much of my life this one is light years ahead, and has made fishing a lot more fun, and I’ve landed a lot more fish. The highest compliment I can pay this combo is that not only do I feel that it was completely worth what I paid, but I liked it so much I bought another rod and reel from them.its a good rod i just ended up getting my hook stuck and ended up losing the front end of the rod in the water. not the fault of the rod. it was fairly easy to spool up. it doesn't come with line so you can stick whatever weight you want on it and the light action is good for accurate casting. i just ended up wasting my money. no fault of the rod.