Do I Need To Get A New Rod And Reel?

[joeyfishes]

So as a beginner, alls I have is a Shakespeare spinning reel and rod. I want to use all types of baits but do I need a baitcaster? Do I need a new rod? If so what brands do you recommend? Thanks!

[Darren.]

  On 4/1/2013 at 1:42 AM, joeyfishes said:

So as a beginner, alls I have is a Shakespeare spinning reel and rod. I want to use all types of baits but do I need a baitcaster? Do I need a new rod? If so what brands do you recommend? Thanks!

 

Joey, I'd recommend you stick with your Shakespeare spinning combo for now. No reason to "graduate" to a baitcaster any time soon. I didn't for years and years. In fact, some of us here on the boards don't even use baitcasters and catch plenty of fish.

 

Don't let TV or magazines fool you into believing you have to throw the same stuff you see people doing on shows, on commercials. They want your dollars. Save 'em and become proficient at what you have now, then, when you feel ready to move to the next level, do so.

[rockchalk06]

Yes and no.

There are guys here that only use spinning for every technique from crappie to inshore fishing.

Alot is going to depend on what your comfortable with. Learning on a baitcaster can be a daunting task at first. I prefer baitcasters over spinning so I only have one compared to several baitcasters.

Before you commit, see if you have someone close that can let you use one or fondle it. That may be the ticket.

[B@ssCrzy]

If I were you I would stick with the spinning gear while you are learning, but there is one thing that you can do to make your spinning gear work better for you.  I would buy some 15# Power Pro braid and learn to tie a leader to it.  This will help give you more sensitivity to your rod and also you will not have to worry about "birds nests" and line twist that can be soooo aggravating when you are using spinning gear.   I fished spinning rods for years with mono and hated them, but the switch to braid has changed my perspective on spinning reels.  Once you do that if you are still wanting to upgrade your gear I would invest in a Medium/Fast spinning rod that is under $100.  A medium/fast rod is a great rod that can be used for many different applications and would be a good starting place for you.  The rod will be the more determining factor in what lures you will be effective with vs. the reel.  Most entry level spinning rods will be really "whippy" which may hinder you in working certain baits the proper way.  (i.e. jerkbaits, frogs, etc.)  Just my two cents.  Hope this helps.

[new2BC4bass]

I don't know what is wrong with the gentlemen who have replied so far.  We all know the correct answer is a resounding YES!     Actually one more rod won't be near enough. 

 

You don't mention a budget.  Nor is your age listed in your Profile which could help us make a guess.  (Obviously most teenagers or college students can't afford much without the help of their parents.)

 

True, you can catch plenty of fish with what you already have.  We caught thousands of fish growing up on gear that definitely wasn't any better than what you have now, and was probably not as good.  Does it have the sensitivity for bottom contacts?  No idea.  You can catch fish without the sensitivity, but some will be missed because you won't be able to feel the "bite".

 

Do you need a baitcast reel?  No.  Will you like using one?  I'd like to think so.

 

Do you fish from shore only?  A canoe or kayak?  A bass boat?  If from shore, is it open or surrounded by trees and brush?  What kind of cover is there where you normally fish?  What weight lures will you be using? Is the water gin clear or murky?  As you can see there are plenty of questions to be answered before folks can give a solid suggestion.

 

I have to agree that sticking with what you already have for awhile is good advice.  Give yourself a chance to learn what type of lures you prefer to use.  Give yourself a chance to learn the equipment you have.  Give yourself time to pick up a sense of how different techniques feel on your current rod.  In other words, get out there and fish!  Have fun.

 

There are plenty of threads on rods and reels at different price ranges.  Spend some time reading through the forums.  There are plenty of "How to." articles at the top.  Spend time reading up on what interests you the most.

 

However, if you just "have to have" something new right now, then here is a good place to start looking.

 

http://www.***.com/rodspin.html

 

Find out what rod(s) you would like to try, then haunt the "For Sale" forums for a good bargain.

[Quitlimpin]

First off, welcome to the forum! Secondly, the answer to any "do I need?" question is always unequivocally yes! Rationalization and reasoning need not to be considered. Unleash your inner monkey and begin accumulating!

[joeyfishes]

I usually fish from a boat but I do fish from shore if I don't have access to my grandfathers boat. I am a teenager at the time. I am going to Walmart today to get some soft baits and maybe some spinners and jigs.

[Felix77]

My first rod/reel was a Shakespeare Combo.  I stuck with that for all my basics and let my obsession take over from there.  LOL

[down4ttown]

I graduated to a baitcaster a month after seriously starting to fish. I now have 10 baitcasters and only three spinning setups. 

[.RM.]

  On 4/1/2013 at 5:14 AM, rockchalk06 said:

Yes and no.

There are guys here that only use spinning for every technique from crappie to inshore fishing.

Alot is going to depend on what your comfortable with. Learning on a baitcaster can be a daunting task at first. I prefer baitcasters over spinning so I only have one compared to several baitcasters.

Before you commit, see if you have someone close that can let you use one or fondle it. That may be the ticket.

X2

Thats the ticket for sure...  

[new2BC4bass]

Had a feeling from your picture that you were a younger guy.  Walmart carries a Daiwa rod made exclusively for them called a Jupiter.  I have a 7' MH casting model.  Like it.  Was looking at the spinning model last night.  I am not particularly fond of white for my rod color, but can overlook that because of the price and performance.

 

I am not lucky in that my Walmarts never seem to have a sale on rods or lures.  I am better off shopping at my local Dick's Sporting Goods store.  Someone recently posted Walmart had Bucoo rods on sale for $75 (a $130 rod).  No such luck for me.  Or else it was over by Sunday. 

[ColdSVT]

a man always needs a new rig...always

[SirSnookalot]

I regressed, haven't used a b/c in over 40 years except offshore for pelagic fish and most of the time I'm using spinning.  Of the 20+ combos I own I attribute the purchase of half of them to being brainwashed into believing I needed them.  I probably use 1 spinning outfit a good 90% of the time in freshwater and mostly use 2-3 inshore outfits.  I got a line on a rod and reel I've been thinking about at an excellent price yesterday, after mulling it over I thought I have too much already and the new addition is not going to catch me any more fish.  I'm taking a pass, I'll buy it when I need it, I don't need it now.

[Bk4]

It's true that some rod are more sensitive and that you can feel the bite better, but If you're a beginner and if on a budget then stick with your Shakespeare and adjust to it and get the feel of fishing for bass first. Cause what all fishing rod do is catch fish. As you progress with bass fishing and think that you're ready to upgrade that's when you do so. In my experience I myself feel like I upgraded too fast on a baitcaster because I've been on and off bass fishing in the past but now I only been bass fishing seriously for about a year now.

[MarkH024]

Once you start buying..........you won't stop. Whether its reels, rods, or just tackle...the monkey will get you.  

I will only say this.......your success as a fisherman will improve with a better set up (rod mainly) only for the fact that you'll be able to detect more bites. I too had Shakespeares a long time ago.  They'll catch fish just fine......but you'll catch more fish as you upgrade and get more experience.  The rod choice should be your first upgrade down the road in my opinion.

[nipopotamme]

if you use a lot of deep crank's you better take a baitcasting combo.

 

but it's not necessary, its just better.

 

 

however like said before, you can catch fish on any rod. if youre a starter don't buy to much, later you will regret. cause you will know more about rods and reels, and you're gonna want you choosed an other rod, cause it's not perfect for what you will use it for, and finnaly you will know what's perfect for the use you will do with it, and buy again ...