tbone-111

The fish I catch will be in a wide range of 1-50lbs. About 95% of those will be between 0-10lbs and a couple times a year I'll go for a larger 20lbs carp/catfish and sometimes I'll catch one. I've had larger fish on the line as well but pretty rare. So I'm thinking the 4000 should be the size that fits that range the best. Agreed? Possibly the 3000 but 4000 will be better when I'm fishing for larger species. I can't seem to find the Lew's and Abu Garcia max drag. The Penn Fierce 4000 can be set to 13lbs. But I don't know about those other models. Also, I noticed the Lew's has 9+1 ball bearings while the Penn has 4+1...what difference does that make? Thanks again!

Thanks all! I think I've decided on getting a spinning reel as it just seems a better fit for me at this time being newer to fishing and that I think it will be a better all-purpose reel for me. A couple more questions: 1) Universally, everyone is recommending 6'6''-7'' rods. My rod now is 6'...what does that extra 6'' or 1' give me that I couldn't get with another 6' rod? Not trying to be facetious here, just genuinely curious and wanting to learn. 2) I found a website that had some good rod and reel recommendations that matched what you guys were telling me: http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/the-best-all-around-fishing-rod-and-reel-for-around-100/ As for the reel, he recommends the Penn Fierce 6000. What does everyone think of that reel for my purposes? The review is for fresh and saltwater and the 6000 seems like a really heavy duty reel so I'm not sure if that exact model is right for me or not. It looks big but maybe I just need to see it in person. He also mentions the Lew's Speed Spin SS300A and Abu Garcia Cardinal STX. Didn't know if anyone had recommendations between these 3 reels and the specific model that would be the best fit. Thanks again!

Any other recommendations out there?

Thanks for the recommendation!

I posed this question over on this thread: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/125645-getting-a-new-rod-and-reel-need-advice/#entry1378348 The majority recommended a baitcasting reel and gave me some great recommendations, thank you! There were some who recommended spinning reels and for some balance, I'm wondering if you guys could help me out once more with specific spinning reel/rods models that would be best given the above requirements? Thanks in advance, this forum is awesome!

Thanks. I am leaning towards a baitcaster given the abundance of votes that way but I'm curious - given my requirements I listed above, what are the spinning reel and rod models everyone would recommend if I decided to go that route?

Thanks everyone! It seems the concensus pick is an Abu Garcia or Lew's Speed Spool baitcaster reel and a 6'/6"-7' rod. The "pros" I can think of for a spinning rig would be: 1)easier to cast ligher lures 2)easier to learn, 3)they usually come with two spools so I can spool one with ligher line for my panfish/bass fishing and heavier for carp/catfish. What is the allure of baitcasting reels over spinning? Virtually everyone I ask says go baitcaster but I guess I just don't know as much about that reel type and would liek to learn. Thanks in advance!

Between $100 -$150 for reel and rod.

Based on the discussion and advice I received in this thread: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/123746-using-drag-on-a-spincasting-reel/ I've decided to get a new rod and reel. I've been using cheap spincasting reels since I was a kid and I'm just wanting something more reliable. Right now I'm looking for either a baitcasting or a spinning reel. Any recommendations on type or specific models? I'm looking to buy only one rod and reel and I go for all kinds of fish - bluegill, bass, carp and catfish are mainly what I fish for. I've been fishing with a lot of hollow body frogs and spinners lately for bass and just bait for carp/catfish. What reel type would be best for someone like me who has used only spincast? I've tried baitcast before but have gotten massive birdsnest messes...probably just need practice but not sure which type would be best.

Thank you!

That thread deals with the merits of spincast vs spinning/baitcast. That's not at all what I was wanting to discuss. Getting a new reel is not something I want to discuss. I had two specific questions: 1) The drag behavior I outlined in my opening post (reel handle spinning backwards when fish pulls hard on the line with bait alert clicked "on"....is that normal and how the drag works with this type of reel? 2)I'm thinking of using 50lbs braided line since I know the drag on these reels isn't very effective to decrease my line breaks when a bigger fish takes my lure. This line is roughly the same size in diameter to the 10lbs mono I currenly have on the reel...is there anything else I should be considering or should this be a pretty obvious move to make?

I'm a fishing noob and I have a cheap spincasting reel that I use to catch all sorts of fish, bass, bluegill, catfish, carp, etc. The problem I'm having is "fighting" the bigger carp/catfish with the pre-loaded 10lbs line. Everyone I talk to says I should be able to catch 30lbs + fish on 10lbs line if I do it right so I must be doing something wrong. I have trouble with 15lbs fish consistently snapping my line. I've done a lot of reading and I think I know how to set the drag appropriately...I just don't know how to use it when fighting the fish. When fighting the fish and it pulls hard, if I don't have my hand on the reel handle it spins backwards fast...is that supposed to happen on this type of reel? Is that the drag working? I don't see reel handles on spinning/baitcasting reels do this so I didn't know if it was an oddity of this particular type of reel. Also, it only seems to do this when I have the bait alert system clicked on. I have a Zebco 33. Any tips on fighting 'bigger' fish on this type of reel would be helpful. Also, I fish in the river and use frog lures in the muck a lot and was thinking of going with 50lbs braided line, which is roughly equivalent to the 10-15lbs monofiliment in thickness I'm currently using...bad idea or good?