Hi guys I am keen on getting into stickbaiting but not at the top end as I usually would with any new endeavour I do, as much as would like to I cant justify $2.5k on a rig that is just a part of the arsenal on a day trip. However I would like to know what the best options would be up to or around the $1.5k mark for rod and reel only. I don’t want to go entry level as I know I will just trade up in a few months and spend what I should have in the first place on top of the first set. Anyway hope you can help, I live and fish in Marlborough so anything is possible size wise, in reality I think I would fish 50lb braid as I am getting older and losing me fitness and strength which also means I cant fish 15+ kg of drag out of a 5m pontoon or cast for endless hours.
I have read back through the pages here and see that there are a lot more options now and also some of the rods particularly like Shimano change frequently or are no longer available here.
Cheers in advance

Cheers Pete, helpful thank you 😊

Cheers