Which Rod And Reel Setup Is Most Versatile For Me?

[Jm526]

I'm that type of guy that only has one rod and reel. I grew up just using a spinning rod and I threw everything thing on that. I want to get a new spinning reel. I was thinking of getting the shimano stradic ci4+. My friend has it and throws everything on his. I would get the 3000 size. I don't fish to many baits the pull to hard like deep diving crankbaits. I mostly fish Texas rigged soft plastics with some occasional hard baits like jerkbaits, spinner, or topwated. I do have a cheap bass pro baitcaster combo but I want to stick with spinning. I don't know too much about rods but I want to get a nice rod. Please keep in mind I'm 13 I just saved enough to buy a stradic and a ok rod like $100. I was hearing that the ci4+ is just for finesse fishing witch I don't do to often. If that case would a normal white stradic work. Please let me know what you think if I should get the ci4+ or something else. Thank you jack.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

Save some.money get a trion 30 size and a berkley cheerywood 6' ad some 6 lb yo zuri hybrid andgetu some fish

[HoosierHawgs]

My spinning setup is a Quantum Performance Tuned Spinning Reel and a Berkley Amp 6' Medium. It's a great setup. At times I'd like to a have a 6'6" rod, but with all of the wading and hiking through woods I do with it the 6' is perfect. Nice and sensitive, and light. Great setup for not a lot of bucks. I would also recommend the Lew's Spinning reels, they seem good for the price.

[ColdSVT]

Ci4 is not just for finesse.

If you want an all around spinning rod get something in he 6'6 -7'0 range

Myself id get a 6'10 M

[Snakehead Whisperer]

Pair the Stradic with a St.Croix Premier 7 foot-ish M-F/XF and you'll be happy. Get a Triumph rod if the Premier is out of your price range. 

[retiredbosn]

I would get the 3000 size. Thank you jack.

Out of curiosity, why such a big reel? Just added weight, imo. A 2000 size is more than big enough, they hold more than 100yds of 10lb line. From the lures and techniques stated a 2000 would be ideal.

[SirSnookalot]

Out of curiosity, why such a big reel? Just added weight, imo. A 2000 size is more than big enough, they hold more than 100yds of 10lb line. From the lures and techniques stated a 2000 would be ideal.

I agree, although no weight difference between a 3000 and 2500 just don't see the need for the extra line capacity.  If I were 13 yo I'd buy something in the price range of president and $100 rod.

[Bluebasser86]

I agree, although no weight difference between a 3000 and 2500 just don't see the need for the extra line capacity.  If I were 13 yo I'd buy something in the price range of president and $100 rod.

Agreed, get a Pfluegar President and a nice rod in the $100 range or even less and you'll be good to go. I have a Stradic CI4, they're great reels, but I also own several Presidents and they're built like tanks while being smooth and very functional. I like to pair mine with Academy Ethos rods that are on sale for $40 pretty often, so I can get a complete combo for around $100 that will easily do everything you've described. 

[smalljaw67]

If I were you I'd grab something like 7' medium power, fast action with that reel and while some say it is big, and it may be a bit big, I think at your age it will benefit you, the larger spool is helps with distance and you'll also get a few less line twist plus you can still throw lighter baits and with the right rod you can get into some bigger stuff. Memorial day sales are coming up, get your parents to go to Tackle Warehouse, in your price range a *** black spinning 7'1" M-F would be a good choice but for your size reel I'd go with a Fenwick HMG 7'M-F and while I'm partial to Fenwick I will tell you that the medium Fenwick spinning will feel and handle like a medium but it is rated 1/4oz to 3/4oz, so you are getting a rod that is slightly heavier than most other mediums but still lighter than a medium heavy and it will give you some great versatility.

[the reel ess]

Save some.money get a trion 30 size and a berkley cheerywood 6' ad some 6 lb yo zuri hybrid andgetu some fish

+1 this. The Pfleuger Trion reel is the ticket for the $40 price tag. I think it's basically the next reel up in their lineup, but without the lightweight components. I love mine. That's about the cheapest spinning reel I want. 

 

But I would suggest a Berkley Lightning rod 6'6"-7'. I have three. Med Hvy is going to be the most versatile for bass. If you might be crappie fishing also, I'd go with medium. 

 

$80 total and you'll get years of use out of the combo. If you like it, get another combo later in the power you didn't get this time. Those two will cover all your bass spinning needs.

[Steveo-1969]

As others have said, you can get a quality reel for less, but if you have your mind set on a Shimano Stradic CI4+ you won't be disappointed.  And it is NOT just for finesse fishing.  I've been using the 3000 size for a year and I love it.  For $100 you can get an *** Black spinning rod.  My son has one that I've used and it fishes well, very light and sensitive.

 

BTW:  Welcome to the forums Jack!!

[Jm526]

Thanks to all that helped me. I was thinking of getting a pfluger president with a $100 rod and that's what I think I might do. Now if you have any recommendations on rods that would be wonderful. I want a 3000 size because I like to do some inshore.

[stkbassn]

Yeah, the President is all over Ebay right now in the $50 dollar range, new, shipped. It's a very smooth spinning reel and will serve you well. Plfueger makes solid reels.

[rosshilk]

Right now I would say you are in the perfect position to start using a Baitcaster. I started younger and it was so easy to figure out after some practice in the yard. I mention this because your post said you wanted the most versatile. I believe a baitcast reel fits the bill. You can get a lew's speed spool for $99 dollars and a 7ft duckett ghost rod that you could do almost anything with. This combo is not to expensive and it works great for me. I know a baitcast could seem intimidating at first, but it could really help take your fishing experience to the next level. You said you love to Texas rig and a baitcast is perfect to pitch baits in to hard to reach places which will get you more bites. Best of luck with whatever reel you decide Tight Lines!

[offsidewing]

I bought a high end Shimano spinning reel when I was 15 in the early 90s and it lasted twenty years with zero maintenance.  It was my only combo until I got into my late 20's.  Go ahead and get the Stradic if that's what you saved up to buy.  Get the 2000 sized reel though.  Grab the 6'6" MF St Croix premier and enjoy the combo.  However, as some others have mentioned, I did just buy my 13 year old son a Pflueger President and Cabela's Tournament ZX rod.  They may not have the brand appeal of the Stradic/St Croix combo, but this combo will fish just as good.

[kschultz76]

Since you're looking at the President, great affordable reel by the way, you should check out the Supreme. Cabelas still has last years model on clearance for $69.99. But they only have the 35 size which for some is a big spinning reel, but at 185/8lb capacity is comparable to the 3000 size Shimano. However the frame and body seem bigger on the 35 then a 3000 Shimano to me.

[aprilbass101]

I agree with ksschultz! Go with the Supreme reel (30,35,40) paired with *** Black 7'1" or 7'3" M/Fast - 3/16"oz to 5/8"oz....or....Fenwick HMG 7' M/Fast - 1/4"oz to 3/4"oz! You really can't go wrong with either! Those combos will cost the same as just a Stradic ci4 alone! I'm very pleased with both!