Question, Because I Need Some Help.

[davidwright27]

I have been getting into Bass fishing and I have been borrowing my friend's rods the last several months.  Well my birthday is coming up and my wife, parents and grandma said they would each get me a rod for my birthday.  So that will equal my first 3 rods for Bass fishing. 

 

What should I get (budget is $200 and below for each)?  I would appreciate length and action recommendation first and foremost and then personal preferences for brands.  Thank you for your help in this matter and all your help in other forums and threads I have read. 

 

- David

 

[new2BC4bass]

First of all, welcome to the forum.  You've come to the right place.    Secondly, are you already a fisherman?  If so, what type of reels do you use?

 

Many on here use mostly baitcast reels.  However, if you are just getting into fishing, spinning reels are an excellent option.  You will be casting them much faster than if you start with a baitcast reel.  Baitcast reels require more time to learn...if you haven't ever used one.

 

Do you fish from shore, docks, a boat?  Can make a difference on length of rods suggested.  Is there a lot of cover, or is the water fairly open?  Makes a difference on what power rod to use.  How heavy are the baits you normally use?  Makes a difference suggesting what power rod to buy.

 

What types of lures do you prefer?  Crankbait rod won't be the same as a jig rod.

[roadwarrior]

For enthusiasts, technique specific gear is fun
to collect. However, three rigs cover all the
basics:

#1 6 1/2' or 7' MH baitcaster for jigs, some
soft plastics and spinnerbaits

#2 6 1/2' or 7' MM baitcaster for treble hook
lures

#3 7' MF spinning rod for lighter lures and a
variety of techniques

 

One more suggestion: I think you would be much better off pooling the

money and getting just on or two rigs, then another maybe at Christmas

or next year. The MM baitcaster can wait.

[new2BC4bass]

You can successfully fish crankbaits with Roadwarrior's #3 suggestion.

[21farms]

if i were just starting out and could only have three rods, i'd get two casting rods and one spinning rod:

 

casting rod #1: 6'8" to 7'4" length, medium-heavy power, fast action. i bet the vast majority of bass fisherman have at least one 7' MH/F casting rod. this will cover almost anything you want to do, especially bottom contact techniques. if you're willing to go used, i'd recommend picking up a g.loomis MBR-843C GLX...the last one i saw on "that auction site" went for only $165! another good used one would be a shimano cumara 7'2" MH/F. if you want new, check out the *** *** or a phenix recon2 or M1.

 

casting rod #2: 7'0" length, medium to medium-heavy power, moderate to moderate-fast action. use this for crankbaits and other treble-hook lures and some moving baits. my favorites in this category are dobyns 704CB or 705CB although i'm very happy with the abu-garcia veritas winch rod.

 

spinning rod: 6'8" to 7'2" length, medium-light to medium power, fast action. use this for drop-shotting, dartheads, shakey-heads, grubs, and tubes. a dobyns champion or champion extreme 702 would be sweet although the daiwa tatula spinning rods look intriguing to me too.

[lmbfisherman]

For enthusiasts, technique specific gear is fun

to collect. However, three rigs cover all the

basics:

#1 6 1/2' or 7' MH baitcaster for jigs, some

soft plastics and spinnerbaits

#2 6 1/2' or 7' MM baitcaster for treble hook

lures

#3 7' MF spinning rod for lighter lures and a

variety of techniques

 

One more suggestion: I think you would be much better off pooling the

money and getting just on or two rigs, then another maybe at Christmas

or next year. The MM baitcaster can wait.

He basically has it covered here...however, if you don't do a lot of crankbait/treble hook fishing.  Like new2BC4bass says you can use option 3 as your cranking stick.  I would recommend depending on where you fish most of the time (location and types of water you'd be fishing).  I'd get another MH or H  Fast rod - Use the 1st one for jigs and plastics, the 2nd one for Bladed baits (buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, swim jigs), frogs and for flipping and pitching.  Of course if you aren't fishing moderate to heavy cover a lot, I'd swap it out for Medium Fast rod to fill the gap between the spinning and Medium Heavy rod. 

 

My suggestion to stay under...200 per combo -

 

Carbonlite and BPS Pro Qualifier combo, has tons of great reviews and if you search the forum here you will find a lot of positive feedback.  I own a BPS Pro Qualifier baitcaster reel and it is one of the best bang for your buck reels you can get for under a 100.  For spinning - I'd recommend a Fenwick Elite Tech M/XF - pair it with a Shimano Symetre or Sahara 2500 size. 

[davidwright27]

First of all, welcome to the forum.  You've come to the right place.    Secondly, are you already a fisherman?  If so, what type of reels do you use?

 

Many on here use mostly baitcast reels.  However, if you are just getting into fishing, spinning reels are an excellent option.  You will be casting them much faster than if you start with a baitcast reel.  Baitcast reels require more time to learn...if you haven't ever used one.

 

Do you fish from shore, docks, a boat?  Can make a difference on length of rods suggested.  Is there a lot of cover, or is the water fairly open?  Makes a difference on what power rod to use.  How heavy are the baits you normally use?  Makes a difference suggesting what power rod to buy.

 

What types of lures do you prefer?  Crankbait rod won't be the same as a jig rod.

I grew up fishing rivers out of a canoe (for smallies & trout) and shore fishing ponds.  I have a couple of spinning rods and reels. 

 

My friend let me borrow a baitcaster and rod to practice casting in the yard.  I feel very comfortable with baitcaster for most types of cast at this point. 

 

I have been fishing about 70% of the time from the shore and about 30% from a boat.  I am hoping to increase the boat time in the near future.  Cover can very dramatically depending on what ranch or part of the lake I am on. 

 

As far as lures go: I usually find my self throwing plastics, topwater, spinnerbaits & crankbaits.  I haven't got a chace to do a lot of jig fishing yet.  But I have been practicing Pitchin/Flippin into a Home Depot bucket in the back yard, slowly but surely getting there. 

 

Thanks

[davidwright27]

This is great stuff everybody thank you so much for your time and help.  I am going to continue to read everyone's suggestions and make a Cabela's run on Sunday. 

[Catt]

What RW said

[kingkong85]

Since rods has been covered I'll give basic information on reels' gear ratio. On 2nd thought, I'll let the pros explain it. My explaination can sometimes be confusing. lol

http://www.***.com/choosing-the-right-gear-ratio-reel/

In case you want a pro's 2 cents on buying gear.....

http://www.bassmaster.com/node/98770

[Deleted account]

Give me a 7'-7'4" MH, and a 6'6"-6'10" Med baitcaster, and I'll move the world. Add  a 6'6" Med spinning/2500 combo, and I'll move it on cloudless, windless days...

[new2BC4bass]

Always good to know a guy's background.  See if you can find a Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth 6'10" MF for one of your casting rods.  This is a very versatile rod.  Got mine for $71 shipped, but doubt you can find a deal like that anymore.  Check classifieds and fleabay.  Look for a Carbonlite (the gold one) to pair with it.

 

Spinning rod: *** 7'1" MF lists $100 ($99.99), fishusa has the Fenwicks for $100 ($99.95).  The 7'4" MF would be my first choice.  Pair with a Pflueger President 6930B.

 

For a casting reel, many suggest the Pro Qualifier $100 reg., $80 on sale.  Calela's Prodigy (only one model left) is on sale $75 for a $100 reel.  I have the previous model, and it is a very good reel as long as you don't try to make it a finesse reel.  Same can be said for the Pflueger Trion...another $100 reel.

 

Used can yield some very good deals.  Hard to say what you might find.  Older Shimano Curados, Maybe a TD-X or S.  I think my TD-S was around $60.  An older model that is still an excellent reel.

[derekxec]

do you like the stuff you have been borrowing? if so get that stuff

[davidwright27]

Since rods has been covered I'll give basic information on reels' gear ratio. On 2nd thought, I'll let the pros explain it. My explaination can sometimes be confusing. lol

http://www.***.com/choosing-the-right-gear-ratio-reel/

In case you want a pro's 2 cents on buying gear.....

http://www.bassmaster.com/node/98770

Great read thanks.

[SirSnookalot]

do you like the stuff you have been borrowing? if so get that stuff

Not a bad idea for starting.  Not knowing how much you have been fishing don't know what your skill level is.  If you are intermediate or advance, you don't need advice you should already know what you want.  Assuming you are beginner taking baby steps and buy 1 decent outfit and really learning how to use it before going on to the next step.  Having 3 set ups there is just too much urge to use them all and master none of them.

[rockchalk06]

Not a bad idea for starting.  Not knowing how much you have been fishing don't know what your skill level is.  If you are intermediate or advance, you don't need advice you should already know what you want.  Assuming you are beginner taking baby steps and buy 1 decent outfit and really learning how to use it before going on to the next step.  Having 3 set ups there is just too much urge to use them all and master none of them.

Just to add to this, starting with 1 is a smart move on the off chance that he does not want to continue with it. Being stuck with 3 combos is harder on the wallet than just one

[new2BC4bass]

Having 3 set ups there is just too much urge to use them all and master none of them.

 

This is a situation I find myself in regarding both rods and reels.  Been practicing a lot more this year than ever before working on improving my skills with both.

[*Hootie]

You already have some great suggestions, so all I have to add is, you have an AWESOME family!

Hootie

[MichiganFishing1997]

Start with one, find out what you like and don't like about the rod and reel, then pick the next set up. That's my vote.