Looking for a new set-up

[jp58]

Hi guys, I'm relatively new to bass fishing. I've been using an older rod/reel that I've had for a while, and it just isn't cutting it for me.

The reel is some unnamed black monstrosity that my father had from around the time I was born. All it has on it is 30x.

The rod is an Ugly Stick I picked up when I was in high school to go catch catfish. I probably bought it at Walmart because it was supposed to have been indestructible. 

I'm having two different kinds of trouble. It's not very sensitive as a set up, and it doesn't handle light lures at all (poppers, weightless worms, etc.)

I was looking to either get one set-up to get me through the summer, or a pair of set-ups to last me for a while.

I'm much more comfortable with a spinner set-up. I haven't used a baitcaster much at all, and I imagine it would cost quite a bit more to get a baitcaster on par with a $40-75 spinner. Not to mention the time it would take for me to build familiarity.

My question is whether is would I be better served with a single set-up that's a little higher quality? Or would I be better served with a pair of rods/reels designed for different purposes?

I was thinking that I could probably get away with a light/medium light rod with moderate action for topwaters and cranks, and a second rod in medium/medium heavy for worms, jigs, spinners, etc. Most of my tackle is fairly light weight, and I've not caught a bass larger than two pounds yet.

My friendly local fisherman recommended Pfluegar reels, specifically the Trion and President as being solid for beginners. Any others with similar features in that price range?

I'd be looking to spend less than $250 on everything if I can help it.

Thanks in advance!

[roadwarrior]

[Yudo1]

I'm always in favor of buying the best you can afford.  If you're sticking with spinning gear you can get a medium power rod which is versatile enough to handle those techniques.  When I started fishing I bought a bunch of inexpensive gear which just takes up space in my garage.  I regret wasting my money.  I'm a big fan of pflueger presidents and still use it when I rarely pick up my spinning gear.  You can get a really nice rod for about $100.

[new2BC4bass]

Pfluegers are quite reliable as a general rule.  Well worth their price.  I would suggest going for quality over quantity.  However, it needn't be too expensive.  You can get a quality spinning rod for $100 or less.  The company that is banned from here has rods well worth their price.  I'm a fan of Fenwick and think the HMG is one of the better rods in its price range.  If you can find one you are looking for on FFO, then you would not only be getting a good rod, but a heckova deal.  I didn't see much on the FFO site right now. You have to check occasionally as available items change.

Other nice rods in the $100 range are the Falcon Bucoo, Okuma EVX-A (the  Concept C3-40X is on sale and gets great reviews), Shimano Compre, Phenix Maxim and possibly the Daiwa Tatula XT.  I know nothing about the XT, but one of the original Tatula rods would make a very good rod for you.  Love my casting models.  I have zero experience with Lew's and Denali, but I'm sure someone good comment on their worth.

If you want to keep price down, I can suggest the Berkley Lightning.  I've had a 6' Medium for many years and still use it...when I bother to take spinning rods out with me.  The Shock is highly rated, but I can't get past its looks.  I've also read good reviews on the H2O Express rods from Sports Academy, but have never used one.

[buzzed bait]

honestly i think for $250 you can have the best of both worlds!

2 Pflueger Presidents at about $60 each (excellent reels)
1 Berkley lightning shock spinning rod at roughly $40 (underrated rod, but worth every penny IMO)
1 Dobyns Fury spinning rod at $110 (well balanced, versatile, nice rods)

now i know, math puts all that at above $250 it's $270 to be exact.  BUT i listed the full MSRP of those items.  if you shop around and/or wait for memorial day sales, you'll get all that under your $250 budget.  just what i'd do if it were me....

or you could just go with the fury and 1 president and have some dead presidents left over to buy tackle with!

[jp58]

Went with a Pfluegar President combo 6'6" M. I figure that will give me solid all around compared to what I have, the weight range covers all of my lures (I think), and it'll let me know what I need to look for in a future set up. I figure it'll also expose what I'm doing wrong because I can't blame it on the equipment anymore.

 

Thanks all!