First Rod and Reel

[DogBone_384]

On March 14, 2016 at 9:12 PM, Darren. said:

You've got enough answers for your
question, so I'll just welcome you to
the forum. Interesting name...

X2  - welcome to the forum!

[cuddlewuddle]

3 hours ago, Centralinfinnesse said:

I know you have already decided, but next time you are looking at purchasing a rod/reel try looking at Fishing Factory Outlet.  Right now they have lightning rods for 18$ and a president For 35.  They don't have a huge inventory, but what the do carry is hugely discounted, usually at least 50% to 60% off.  And if you watch them close, occasionally their are some great deals like a Abu Garcia villain I picked up for fifty bucks.?

That's where I bought it from haha. I just happened to pick up some extra line and some bait. If you look at earlier comment,  I mentioned buying from ffo, but thanks for watching out for a fellow newbie (:

[IndianaFinesse]

Sorry, I didn't see that.  I didn't find ffo till after five years of bass fishing and buying rods.  Really kicking myself for not finding it sooner, could have saved some serious money and got better equipment.

[Lawsonfishing1]

On 3/12/2016 at 2:56 PM, new2BC4bass said:

You are preaching to the choir.    I grew up using spinning gear, but seldom ever leave home with one now.  Most people here are baitcast fanatics.  BUT not all.  Some only like spinning, and that is okay.  Spinning reels are used to catch bluegills to blue marlin and bigger.  A couple of my brother-in-laws only use spinning.  They think spending $70 on a rod or reel is ridiculous.  They catch plenty of bass.  (They do live in Florida...lucky devils!)  My son-in-law and his father use spincast only.  I've offered the use of spinning or baitcast gear to my son-in-law, but he likes his spincast reels and won't try any of my gear.

On the other hand, once I bought a baitcast rod and reel for my daughter, her spinning rods never leave home....even tho they are her favorite color.....pink.  She prefers to fish Senkos.  My oldest grandson won't try a baitcast reel...spinning only, while the next grandson prefers baitcast although he will occasionally use spinning.  To each his own.  I always try to get people to try baitcast reels as I am so fond of them, but ultimately it is up to each individual to decide what they like or don't like.  The important thing is to enjoy the sport.  Nothing finer than spending the day on the water fishing with family or friends.

Like you said, not everyone can afford to spend a lot on a hobby.  Some that can won't.   I try not to suggest a $200 rod or reel to someone only wanting to spend $100.  I will suggest a $110 one, tho.       I also strongly feel a person needs to buy what interests them rather than what someone else suggests that they need.  Ultimately I think they will be happier with their purchase.

I don't agree with your statement that a wider variety of baits can be thrown on a baitcast reel even tho that is my preferred reel.  People catch way bigger fish, using way bigger baits, in saltwater fishing with a spinning reel.  On the other hand, only a true baitcast fanatic fishes 1/8 oz. and less lures.  I think most will agree a spinning reel is much more efficient and commonly used for those weights.

I practice at a local boat ramp, and can guarantee that spinning gear outnumbers baitcast gear by a very, very wide margin in my area.  Some days I never see anyone going out with a baitcast reel.  I visit Florida every year and spend several days fishing, and see the same thing there.  Average Joe prefers spinning gear.

I can't disagree with you that a spinning rod is used to catch big fish an I ain't saying that a spinning rod doesn't have its benefits because it shurly dose an I know over half of the bass I'v caught in my life have came off of spinning gear. I have a spinning rod with me everytime I go fishing. but for a starter rod for someone that has no idea what they are going to throw I'd suggest a medium fast action casting rod you can fish alot more things more efectiantly. one of the reasons I bout my first casting rod is because I fell in love with fishing hollow body frogs. an no matter what I tried I couldn't stick a fish with it tied on to a spinning rod so I bought a bait caster an my hookup ratio skyrocketed. I understand an respect your point of veiw but from mine I think that there are alot of very popular ways of fishing that he could fish better on bait casting rod if they could only have one. I'm glad to see he decided to buy one of both because that is great an in due time he will probly be adding to the collection an upgrading it. an that's great. he can now figure out what he likesays more an he can make decisions in the future about what else to get.

also you have to remember it depends on what part of the country you in to what would be most efficient. if you finesse fishing up north in supper clear watter a spinning rod would probly be better suited but if you down south around alot of grass timber whatever a bait casting would probly be more efficient.I fish in south Carolina an unless I'm fishing little crankbaits my spinning rods have atleast 10 pound normally up to 12 pound line because if I'm not throwing a crankbait on a spinning rod I'm skipping docks an getting way back over cross beams an all that. so realy it's just personal preference an fishing style but to someone that doesn't realy know what there favorite way of fishing is yet I would have to say imho that a bait caster would be more efficient.

[new2BC4bass]

First let me thank you for giving me more than a 30 word reply. 

Second, if you couldn't stick a bass with a spinning rod and hollow-bodied frog, it was your rod, not the reel although if you were using mono that could also contribute.  I visit Florida each year and keep one spinning rod there...a MHF with 40# braid.  It hardly ever gets used.  I rarely use a spinning rod locally.

Preaching to the choir.  My b/c rods outnumber spinning rods by 7:1 while my b/c reels outnumber spinning reels 9:1.

Not much a b/c rod can't due as long as the operator puts in enough practice....including light crankbaits and skipping.

I think you and I would get along fine in a boat. 

Yup, the OP needs both kinds, but looks like he only bought a spinning combo.  Like I said, give him time.

Short post for me.  Do I win anything? 

[dave]

I'm sorry...

cuddlewuddle...?

[ranger7717]

hahaha     haha

[cuddlewuddle]

It's the best name out there and now you won't forget me when I ask more questions down the line hehehe