Good Starter/all Around Rod & Reel

[pjmags]

Hey Everyone! Just had a newbie question. I have recently gotten into bass fishing and I absolutely love it. Im ready to ditch my rod and reel from when i was a kid and want to buy a new setup. I wanna get a fairly affordable rod and reel. I have been thinking about the ugly stik lite 6'6" medium rod and the pflueger president 6935 reel. Is this a good combo? Or would you recommend something else? Also would trilene xl 8# mono work well with that setup? Thanks!

[ww2farmer]

Your reel choice is fine, but IMHO skip the Ugly Stick, for around the same price (maybe a few bucks more) you can get a Berkley Lightning Rod shock. Those are pretty good entry level rods........heck I got a boat full of St Croix's and I use them. A 6'6" M would be fine, I would also put 20lb braid on it. Braid has just about zero managment issue on spinning gear, and it lasts forever. If your worried about line visability a 2' leader of 10lb mono, copoly, or fluoro, is the way to go.Google the "alberto knot" for attaching the braid to leader........it's stupid easy to tie, and I have never had it fail

[zachb34]

I agree with the reel and the advice above is good but go to academy.com and get the vendetta spinning rod it's on sale for 48 shipped and is a great rod

[pjmags]

How about this one?

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product__10151_-1_10051_103653

[zachb34]

That's not bad either it's up to you but if it were me I'd get the vendetta I riders two today for 100 bucks shipped its a good deal

[MCS]

I would skip the braid. Check out the monofilament thread to see why. Mono is cheaper, more forgiving and easier.....8-12 pounds and make sure your drag is setup. You'll be good to go. I have an ugly stick as a second rod, good rod, but a little heavy IMO. I would go with the vendetta if you could get it around 50. Also BPS and Gander have some nice "store brand" rods in that range too.

[Capt.Bob]

I wouldn't run anything but Braid on any spinning reel for mainline because of these benefits, No Stretch so it gives instant hooksets and feel, It is much smaller diameter and cast like a dream, it has no memory so there is never a chance of it coiling like mono or fluoro, and I always use a leader with it, that way when I have a snag or break off, the only thing I loose is the leader, usually even if I use the same weight leader and it doesn't break at the lure the knot joining the leader is where it will break.

This allows me to fish with all the benefits of braid much cheaper than mono, as I usually get 2 years out of the braid before I turn it around and use the unused end for another 2 years. if you run your reels this way you will have to spool with mono 4 times before you will with braid.

I also would look at other options on the rod as the ugly stick leaves much to be desired for sensitivity and weight, any of the suggestions on the rods would be better,

[smalljaw67]

I'll stay out of the line debate, if you feel like you can handle tying leaders so be it, but the rod, yeah, for 50 clams a Vendetta is a good choice. I have a few high end rods including 2 customs but the majority of rods and reels are mid tier $120-$250 and the cheapest rod I own is a Vendetta and it goes with me just about every trip. It is very versatile, I have a 6'6" medium and the thing cast fantastic, it is rated up to 5/8oz lure weight but you can go to 3/4oz with no problem. The rod is an excellent caster and if you are using braid it will be pretty sensitive. The best uses for it are spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, jigs and all kinds of plastics.