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UPDATE [Feb 2016]: In case anyone was wondering or views this thread in the future I'll like to tell you what I decided on. After going to a number of places and trying things out I decided on these two combos. Ugly Stik Elite with Penn Spinfisher 6500 LLV [Offshore] (haven't ordered the reel yet) Berkley Lightning Rod Shock with Penn Battle II 4000 [Inshore/Freshwater] I liked the way the Elite felt to me over the GX2. The choices for line are numerous. So I'm starting with the Berkley Trilene Big Game Mono at 10# for the Lightning Rod/Battle 4000 combo. I'll probably go 20# or 30# braided for the Ugly Stik/Spinfisher combo. Down the road I'll have to experience and see if the Lightning Rod pairs better with a 3000. If I decide it does then I can get a third rod and put either the 4000 or the 6500 on it Now.....all I need is some hooks/sinkers/bobbers and I think I'll be all set! Researching this now...

I'll have to see if I can find them locally. I went out and to try out the rods. I felt the original Ugly Stik, the GX2, and the Elite. The Elite feels best in my hand. I'm thinking of pairing that with President reel or maybe that Penn Battle II from the article. Unfortunately they didn't have the Lightning -- but since I plan on two rods anyways it'll be great to compare with those Okumas! Thanks for the size details! I see your viewpoint. Still need to pass by the tackle shop though. Sorry to sound noobish but what do you mean by 'blunt tool' ?

Oh yea? You can send donations to my Paypal account. Thanks. I can pass by the tackle shop and see what they recommend. But what's wrong with the Ugly Stik? I haven't heard anything bad and lots of ppl seem to love them. Thanks for narrowing down the styles. I'll have to get a dedicated freshwater setup down the road. Right now I'll need two rods that can go anywhere since I'll be fishing with someone.

Thanks for your reply d-camarena After reading more I've narrowed it down at bit. Right now these are my options: Rods: 1. Shakespeare Ugly Stik (can't decide bewteen GX2 or the Elite yet) 2. Berkley Lightning (what's the real difference with the Shock series?) Reels: 1. Pfluegar President 2. Pflueger Tricon 3. Penn Battle II (out of budget but not ruling out) 4. Penn Spinfisher (out of budget but not ruling out) I should probably save now and get the more expensive reels later on. :undecided: What I'm not sure on though is the length of rod and size of the reel. I'm thinking 6' 6" ft for the rods and size 30 for the reels. Maybe 7" for the Lightning? I'm thinking maybe I should have the Lightning rod as a lighter, more sensitive, faster action set-up than the Ugly Stik. I don't know I'm just throwing ideas out... Thoughts? Any help appreciated... thanks. :fish1:

I used to fish quite often when I was younger. I want to get back into it; but there are so many choices and opinions on gear. So I need to buy TWO rods. First let me tell what kind of fishing I intend to do and what my budget is. I'm in the $50-$100 range (for each rod/reel combo). The type of fishing I will be doing: 1. Mangrove fishing (saltwater) 2. Bridge/Pier fishing (saltwater) 3. Charter fishing or friend's boat (saltwater) 4. Lake fishing (fresh) 5. Canal fishing (fresh) I'm in South FL so expect the type of fish here (Biscayne Bay, Keys, etc.) In saltwater I typically use live bait (shrimp, crab, worm, etc.) In freshwater I typically use bread or worms. I don't typically use artifical bait because I don't have any luck with it! But let's not rule this out of my options. I'm looking for a spinning rod/reel (not spincast and I don't think baitcast is best for me, is it ?). http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-rod-reel-for-most-fishers/ The article here is pretty convining on getting a Penn Battle II reel and Ugly Stik GX2 rod combo. It's $150 which is over my budget but I think it's worth it. Anyways I'm just seeing what more experienced anglers would recommend for me in my situation. Should I just get the above and call it a day? Is it worth it? I'd also like to you to include what length rod if it makes in a difference in my situation (like 6.5ft vs 7ft -- is that even a big difference?) Let me know if there's any more questions I can answer to help narrow down my choices! Since I'm buying two of them it would be nice to have two choices (or "styles") so I can compare ! THANKS!