Time For A New Spinning Rod And Reel!

[BIG45-70]

This past summer I've gotten some more free time and have picked up fishing again. I've been using an old Abu Garcia setup I've had now for 15 years but I've decided it's time to spend a little money on this hobby again.

I picked up a 6'6 medium action ugly stick and am thinking about adding a Shimano Sahara due to the fact it's affordable and available where I live. This setup will be used for everything to Large mouth to pike/pickerel. I live in Northern Ontario. Any thoughts on this setup?

[buzzfrog]

I assume it would work, maybe a 3000 or 4000 size.

[derekxec]

havent tried a sahara but the sedona is pretty solid and $10 cheaper

[JSBassMasters]

i would go with the berkley lightning rod instead of the ugly stick if your on a tight budget.

[SirSnookalot]

A 4000 sahara on an ugly stick imo is a bit heavy in weight and not real comfortable.  The sahara whether a 3 or 4000 is fine but I'd look for a different rod for better balance and comfort.

[kschultz76]

Unless you have a true need for the line capacity of a 4000 shimano size reel I'd suggest sticking to a 3000 or 2500. Also if you can swing the upgrade to a Symetre you get a lot more for your money. However the quality and sensitivity of your rod is more important so considering making the additional investment there. Get the best you can afford for your budget. St. Croix Triumph rods are a great value on a quality product.

[new2BC4bass]

What power is the rod?  Pike can get pretty big.  Also you can toss some big lures for them which would better be handled by a MH rod than a Medium power.

[Marty]

I use 6'6" medium power spinning rods and they do very well as general purpose rods. Size 4000 reel is too big for my tastes, I've used 2500 size Daiwas for 10# mono and 15# braid. Unless you expect to tie into really monster pike, you don't need the capacity of a large reel like a 4000. I've foul-hooked carp up to 30# and even with the runs they make the 50-60 yards of good line I had on above the backing was adequate.

[BIG45-70]

I just picked up the reel and ended up going with a Shimano Symetre 3000FL and some Trilene XT. The setup will be my one and only for at least the rest of the year. Everything from Bass to Musky!

[Dyerbassman]

Learn everything you can with that set-up for the rest of the year. Learn the feel of different lures and presentations. Medium power may be light for pike, but I bet you'll get some. Keep us posted....

[new2BC4bass]

Learn everything you can with that set-up for the rest of the year. Learn the feel of different lures and presentations. Medium power may be light for pike, but I bet you'll get some. Keep us posted....

No where does 45-70 say it is a medium power rod.  He states it is a medium action rod.

 

So 45-70 do you hunt deer, moose or bear with that thing?  Hope it isn't ground squirrels. 

[kschultz76]

Good luck and tight lines!

[SirSnookalot]

There is a difference between using certain rods and reels for specif species and an outfit for general purpose for a variety of different kinds of fish.  From my point of view I don't do technique specific but species specif.  I'm going to use an outfit pretty much based on the average size of my target fish, average vegetation if any, strength and stamina, and they way they normally fight.  Another factor I find important is whether I'm shore, beach, jettie, or boat fishing, I may not use the same combos for each venue.

For general purpose I'd be using a 4000 reel and a mh 7' rod, I can handle a wide range of fish with it.  If I'm going to be target specif, which is pretty much my modus operandi, I'm going use lighter or heavier gear based on what my goal to catch is.  When we happen to hook another species or a larger than average for our target, that's when the rubber meets the road, can't think of a better scenario than that.

[Dyerbassman]

No where does 45-70 say it is a medium power rod.  He states it is a medium action rod.

 

So 45-70 do you hunt deer, moose or bear with that thing?  Hope it isn't ground squirrels. 

  

What power is the rod?  Pike can get pretty big.  Also you can toss some big lures for them which would better be handled by a MH rod than a Medium power.

I was responding to YOUR post regarding power. So sorry.

[new2BC4bass]

  

I was responding to YOUR post regarding power. So sorry.

No, I'm sorry.  First of all I wasn't trying to make a snooty or nasty remark.  Simply pointing out that the OP never did mention rod power even tho I asked in my first post.  Had you quoted my post I might have understood where you were coming from.   Then maybe not.  Don't you love the uncertainty of a poster's true meaning? 

 

Nothing beats talking face-to-face in order to interpret what the speaker is truly trying to get across.  Misunderstanding is easy to read into the written word unless the writer is better than average at expressing their thoughts.  I am not better than average. 

[Dyerbassman]

No harm, no foul. I agree with you completely.

[Marty]

It's widespread, including within the fishing industry, to use the word "action" when describing "power." Until we hear to the contrary, I think it's reasonable to assume that the original poster was referring to power.