Spinning Reel N Rod For My Dad

[KingMidas]

So my 53 year old father wants to spend more time with me and my brother, and we like to fish. My brother is in high school tournaments and Im a atypical college student who would rather go to bed early n get up to go fishing than waste my morning hungover from the night before. Every time my Dad comes out with us though, he jokes around about having to use our "guest" tackle. He mentioned to me tonight that he would like to buy himself a nice rod and reel...spinning only, at the moment he doesn't think he can handle a baitcaster (but we are going to work on that). I would like to give him some suggestions but I want to make sure they are the right ones to give so I figured I'd ask. He likes to fish top water pop r's, crankbaits, rattle traps, the occasional TR trick worm, and his all time favorite: live bait lol. I would like to suggest to him a combo that is not geared towards any one thing too particularly and something that he will be able to throw just about anything with and have a decent shot of making it work. Basically, a beginners rod that doesnt seem like one. His max price for the whole thing is probably $300 or so. He said he wants something nice, but nothing that's expensive just for the sake of being expensive.

[BASSclary]

Powell Max 7' M/XF spinning rod, paired with a Daiwa Exceler High Speed spinning reel. As for line, it's hard to beat good ole braid on spinning as to not have line memory/twist issue. That'll be the best bang for your buck combo, and he really wont need anything more than that. I feel no need to buy anything more than Powell's, because I can feel everything, and they are as light as can be!

That should only run you about $250, and if you buy at Tackle Warehouse you'll have no sales tax (Except CA) and free shipping!

[SirSnookalot]

I personally don't see the need to spend even $300 on a freshwater spinning set-up, if it's not for a 7 day a week fisherman. Just to go out and have some fun there are many rods and reels both under $100. Not to get into a brand war, just about any popular mfg is going to have something very do able.

[rockchalk06]

I personally don't see the need to spend even $300 on a freshwater spinning set-up, if it's not for a 7 day a week fisherman. Just to go out and have some fun there are many rods and reels both under $100. Not to get into a brand war, just about any popular mfg is going to have something very do able.

I agree. If he wants to drop 3 bills on it great, but like snook said for 100 or less he can get something very very nice. Have him check the house brands from Bass Pro Cabelas etc.

[KingMidas]

I was just using 300 bucks as a guess of the absolute max amount he would spend. I was thinking of something along the lines of a pflueger president 6900 on a st. croix premier

[MCS]

Pflueger are awesome reels and would be perfect for what you want. I have mine on a BPS Carbonlite rod. And my sons on a little zebco rod.

[Marty]

I think a rod that's 6'6", medium power and fast action would be very good as a general-purpose rod. I brand-name reel in 2500 size would complete the outfit and, as others have said, a very good combo can be had for considerably less than $300.

[Highhawk1948]

Bass Pro Shop/ WalMart/Gander Mt. You can get a good outfit that will do the job for $80 to $100.00 , and your Dad will like it.

I just outfitted a young man, 14 years old, with a 6 foot Berkley Lightning Spinning Rod, Medium Action - $40, Phluger (spelling?) reel, $39.00, 8 pound Green Trilene XL, $8.

He catches bass (3 pounds his largest) with it on every trip we take.

[Long Mike]

I was just using 300 bucks as a guess of the absolute max amount he would spend. I was thinking of something along the lines of a pflueger president 6900 on a st. croix premier

That is exactly the set-up that I would recommend.

[KingMidas]

Thanks to everyone for the input!

I think I'm going to push him to buy a pflueger reel. As far as the rod, brand doesn't seem as important as length and power/action. Probably going to recommend medium power n fast action but I myself am ignorant of the differences between a 6'6" and a 7 foot rod besides having the longer lever for pulling fish out of thick cover. Is there anything besides that aspect that would should be considered when choosing rod length?

[rockchalk06]

Thanks to everyone for the input!

I think I'm going to push him to buy a pflueger reel. As far as the rod, brand doesn't seem as important as length and power/action. Probably going to recommend medium power n fast action but I myself am ignorant of the differences between a 6'6" and a 7 foot rod besides having the longer lever for pulling fish out of thick cover. Is there anything besides that aspect that would should be considered when choosing rod length?

The longer the rod the longer you can cast in most cases. If your fishing on peers docks or around trees the shorter rod might help

[RobertBG]

I recently picked up a St Croix bass mojo in 6'6 med power fast action for the same purpose (lure wise)that you are looking for and paired it with a old mitchel I had laying around(for the time being).I couldn't be happier,I like it more then other rods i have that cost twice as much and have found it to be my grab and go rod.All in all it has been the best 90$ I've spent in some time tackle wise

[northern basser]

Pflueger president xt on a cabelas xml rod. The xml's at cabelas are excellent rods for the $ and are on sale often. The pres. xt is prob. the best bang for buck in spiinning reels, IMO.

[MCS]

The longer the rod the longer you can cast in most cases. If your fishing on peers docks or around trees the shorter rod might help

To add to what Rockchalk said shorter rod is easier to do top water techniques like popper and walk the dog style lures.

[new2BC4bass]

One rod to do every technique on your list is going to be a compromise. Many like a shorter rod with a shorter handle for topwater work. Also most prefer a Fast or Extra Fast tip for topwater. For crankbaits he will want a long rod for distance and a softer action to keep the fish buttoned. I think a Fast action will be the best compromise. I find myself using that action the most.

I've been told by someone who should know that the Prodigy rod made for Cabela's is an excellent rod for the money. Also SirSnook has mentioned in a couple other threads some not so well known brands (to the average bass fisherman) that are also excellent rods for the money and well worth a look....such as Star, Tsunami, Hurricane Redbone and Calico Jack. I like the sound of the Tsunami Airwaves

http://www.jamestown...ve Inshore Rods

The rods SirSnook suggests are all strong rods. Just don't slam a tip in the car door.

[HeavyDluxe]

I bought a Pflueger 6935 combo from the local StuffMart... The rod is a Pflueger marked, IM8 graphite rod, medium powered with a MF tip. I love it and the $79 price tag couldn't be beat.

[jerkbait joe]

I was just using 300 bucks as a guess of the absolute max amount he would spend. I was thinking of something along the lines of a pflueger president 6900 on a st. croix premier

I have this exact setup. Top notch as far as I'm concerned.

[KingMidas]

So my Dad took into consideration everything I told him that I had learned on this forum. Thanks to everyone for the advice. He ended up with a combo I didn't expect him to go for but it's REALLY nice. He put a Daiwa Exceler on a St. Croix mojo bass 7 foot mh rod with fast action. Looks great and I can't wait to sneak some fishing on it to see how it performs. Once again, thanks to everyone for the responses.