Beginner Rods

[joeyfishes]

I haven't had a chance to get on much recently because of finals, music etc. I am in the market for a new rod and reel. I had my heart set on a Shimano baitcasting reel but as I haven't caught a fish yet, I decided on a Zebco 33 reel. I was wondering on rods however. Some guys say Berkley Cherry Wood. Some say Berkley Lightning. Others say Daiwa Samurai, Abu Garcia Cardinal. I have a Shakespeare Ugly Stik and if you have read my Pond Fishing thread, you would know that my reel casts 7 yards max. I want at least a 6' rod. Medium action would be preferred. Any help? And I would rather buy the rod at Dicks or Walmart instead of online. Thanks!

[GaterB]

Go to either and you can't go wrong with the Abu Garcia Black Max or Silver Max Combos. Both are quality beginning combos, and I believe come with Medium rods at 6'6" or 7' lengths. 

[Tuckahoe Joe]

Go to either and you can't go wrong with the Abu Garcia Black Max or Silver Max Combos. Both are quality beginning combos, and I believe come with Medium rods at 6'6" or 7' lengths. 

I just bought the Black Max Combo.  Still getting used to using a baitcaster but I'm liking it.  Only $70 at WalMart.  It's a medium 6'6'' rod.

[GaterB]

I just bought the Black Max Combo.  Still getting used to using a baitcaster but I'm liking it.  Only $70 at WalMart.  It's a medium 6'6'' rod.

That's a steal! Glad you're liking baitcasting! Tight lines!

[new2BC4bass]

I had my heart set on a Shimano baitcasting reel but as I haven't caught a fish yet, I decided on a Zebco 33 reel.

 

 

I assume you are joking.  By that reasoning I would either have to sell most of my gear at home, or ship it to Florida since that is the only place I can reliably catch a fish.  Fishing in my area just plain sucks.  Plus I don't have a chance to get out very often.

 

As I remember, you are a teenager.  Nothing wrong with a Cherrywood rod.  I caught tons of fish as a youngster on rods that probably weren't nearly as good.  (Caught lots of fish because I grew up in a different area.)

 

If a Zebco 33 is all you can afford, then get one.  The important thing is to get out and fish.  Enjoy yourself.  A friend uses nothing but a Zebco 33 even though I have offered more than once to let him use a spinning or baitcasting outfit of mine.  He catches fish anyway.  LOL.  (He fishes on a private lake.)

 

I recall you posting about not being able to get any casting distance.  Sorry to hear that you haven't solved that problem yet.  Can you use a 7' rod where you fish?  Longer rod will cast further....everything else being equal.

[Hyrule Bass]

if youre only casting 7 yards with a zebco 33 i have to ask, what size line do you have on it? you may need smaller line on it to cast better. when i bought my zebco 33 several years ago i bought it as a combo at walmart and it came with a zebco 33 rod. at the time i was just getting back into fishing. if yours came prespooled with line, i would change it immediately. first weekend i had it i hooked into a huge flathead. i was sitting in the back of a docked boat that was on a lift. the fish swam right towards me and under the boat, i thought that little 33 rod would break turns out it was tough as nails, it was bent over past the shape of a U. it pulled the flat head out from under the boat though, after that the fish surfaced, rolled on top of the water several times and that prespooled line snapped. i changed the line the next morning, havent had a breakoff since on any combo or line. i also have to ask, you dont have it on a spinning rod by chance do you? and how heavy are the lures youre throwing that you can only get 7 yards out of them?

[joeyfishes]

I don't have a Zebco I meant I had my heart set on one. I researched the Black Max Combo and that is most likely what I will get

[hooah212002]

Dick's has a better rod with the Black Max combo than does Wally World. Also, Dicks regularly has their 97 cent sale (anything with a price ending in 97, 47 or 43 cents is an extra 25 or 50 percent off). That is how I got my Veritas for $45. The one by me has Black Max combos right now for I think $69.99 with an extra $20 rebate (could be off a bit). The rod you get with the combo at Walmart is a Black Max rod (not really the greatest) and they only sell Medium action, whereas Dicks comes with a Vendetta and a more action choices.

 

You can also get lucky and find an ok reel discounted heavily (they have LH Caenan's for like $30) and get a discounted rod at Dicks. Just stay away from Shakespeare and Pinnacle for cheap stuff. Their cheap stuff is utter garbage. It's cheap and good enough to get you on the water, but you will hate it.

[Hyrule Bass]

Just stay away from Shakespeare and Pinnacle for cheap stuff. Their cheap stuff is utter garbage. It's cheap and good enough to get you on the water, but you will hate it.

i love my shakespeare rods

[bass1980]

I suggest you hit up Craigslist and you'll be able to find a nice spinning setup that'll blow what your willing to spend on brand new. I'm a Craigslist fanatic lol. If you let me know what city your in when bored I might even search for you just because I'm that bored and post it up for you.

[HeavyDluxe]

If you want a really solid spinning combo, look at the Pflueger President Combos that you can buy at your local StuffMart.  $70ish gets you a President reel - which consistently gets good reviews on here - and a 6'6M or MH rod that I think is really solid.

 

The reel can always grow with you as you move to a better rod.