Rod recommendation for a newb

[IgotWood]

Hey guys. I am brand new to LMB fishing (I've gone once, but haven't caught one)..LOL! I have a light 6' rod which is ideal for trout, but not bass. I am fishing from a kayak on a small, shallow reservoir. I have done enough saltwater fishing to know that there is no magic rod that you can do every type of fishing with, however, I am looking for that exact rod. Just kidding. I plan on fishing some small jerk baits, spooks, and plastics. Can anyone recommend a rod that would maybe be the most versatile for what I am doing? 

Or, knowing that I have the 6' light rod rated around 1/4oz, what could I pair it with to be able to fish other types of lures? I am fishing 8lb mono right now, but I prefer braid. I have very little experience with baitcasters and would prefer a spin outfit. Any help here is much appreciated!

[Dylan.747]

As for your first question, I think a 6'6" Medium Power rod with a fast action would be a good choice. But I prefer a slower action for spooks (Moderate Fast), so that's the only issue I see. But there's no reason you can't make it work! What's your budget?

Also, you could pair your light rod with a 2500 spinning reel and use it for finesse fishing, if you're into that.

[new2BC4bass]

Welcome Woody!  Price range is always nice to know.  On the cheap. I've had a 6' Berkley Lightning for more years than I care to admit.  Doubt you could find a better rod at that value unless an unhappy wife was selling off her husbands gear in a yard sale. 

A little more money is an Aeto.  I don't have an Aetos spinning rod, but have to believe the lure range is a misprint.  More than likely it is 1/4-3/4...not...3/8 oz.  That would be a pretty weak MH rod.  I am a fan of Fenwick.  The HMG 7' MF is rated 1/4-3/4 oz. and HMGs are very nice rods for the moolah.

Okuma doesn't get mentioned much, but I've read some pretty good comments about the C3-40X rods (and Helios rods).  The 7' MF C3-40X is rated 1/4-5/8 oz. and can be gotten for around $130.  Normal price on this rod was $175.  The Helios costs less than 25 cents more and weighs 3.7 oz.  A nice light rod.  Check ebay for that price.

I don't know anything about the new Daiwa Tatula XT rods.  They are about $76 cheaper than the originals.  I have some of the originals in casting and love them.  Now if you don't mind spending some big bucks, you can look at GLX, Zodias, Zillion, Cara, Lamiglass, etc., etc.

As always, the flea market and for sale forums are always a good place to get an expensive rod for a lot less than new.

[IgotWood]

Most of my salt gear is Lamiglass.. I don't mind spending money, but for right now, I need to maximize my purchase because after all, I am just learning this style of fishing. Ideally, I would like to be in budget at around $200 with a reel, if possible. Also, if braid, how heavy? I like power pro super slick for my salt sticks, but no experience in freshwater. 

Please pardon my ignorance...what is finess fishing??

[lakeannaangler]

I use power pro super slick in 10-20# . The Fenwick aetos are nice rods. For a reel get a shimano Sahara or Sedona 3000

Finesse fishing to me is light line and light weight. For others it refers to how the bait is worked. 

Examples of finesse fishing is drop shot,  split shot rig,tube jigs, finesse bas jigs 

Bass pro also offers some nice spinning combos like the pflueger supreme /carbonlite  combo

[roadwarrior]

 

[Ggmogollon]

Go with Shimano Zodias, 7ft Medium, that all purpose set up is what you need.

[WIGuide]

If I were you I'd be looking at a St. Croix Mojo Bass 7'1" M/F paired up with a reel of your choice in the 20-30 size range. I know the Pflueger President gets a lot of love here, and if you paired those two up you'd have a $170 combo keeping you within budget even after line purchase. That should cover your bases pretty well. 

[lakeannaangler]

Another nice combo would be a mojo bass and a pflueger supreme 

[new2BC4bass]

1 hour ago, lakeannaangler said:

Another nice combo would be a mojo bass and a pflueger supreme 

Can't remember if it is the Supreme or Supreme XT, but a friend likes his well enough that he bought a second. And he fishes reels costing a lot more.  I have the Trion and Patriarch XT.  Both are under-rated.

[lakeannaangler]

A lot of people on here like the pflueger supreme xt

[IgotWood]

Lots of info here, and I appreciate everyone's input! Thank you! I know well that there is no ONE rod that can do it all. I understand the "technique specific gear", but just for now, it's important to me to have only two rods just so I learn how to fish certain lures/techniques, and what features I would be looking for in new rods for those lures/techniques. 

[IgotWood]

So, I went with the St Croix Mojo Bass 7'1" M/F, and I am super happy with it so far! I paired it with a Pflluger President, and 15lb Power Pro Slick. I comfortably fished senko's, jerk baits, and a spook. Now I need more rods so don't have to keep re-rigging every time I want to fish something different. Thanks for the advice guys!

[new2BC4bass]

16 hours ago, IgotWood said:

So, I went with the St Croix Mojo Bass 7'1" M/F, and I am super happy with it so far! I paired it with a Pflluger President, and 15lb Power Pro Slick. I comfortably fished senko's, jerk baits, and a spook. Now I need more rods so don't have to keep re-rigging every time I want to fish something different. Thanks for the advice guys!

Didn't take long did it? 

[BrianSnat]

I think a 6 1/2 to 7 ft medium weight, fast action rod is the most versatile for bass fishing.  It's the one rod to buy when you're b

Some good rods include
Shimano Crucial
Shimano Clarus
St Croix Mojo Bass
Fenwick HMX 

Combine one of those with a Pfleuger President or Shmano Sedona and you have a pretty good outfit that comes within your budget. If you are looking for a bait casting reel, the Lews Tournament Speed Spool is a very good real for the price.

Or consider getting two outfits.  The Berkley Lightning and Lightning Rod Shock are very good rods and cost about $40.  Get a 7' M rod and a 7' MH  rod and two Plfeuger Presidents and you are still under budget.

 

 

 

[mojojojo]

nice choice. Those new mojo bass rods are one of the best, if not the best rods you can get in the $120 area.