New to bass fishing

[Xirmev]

Hello everyone,

Im from Puerto Rico and i have been saltwater fishing for the last two years. Ive been watching lots of bass fishing videos recently and decided to give it a try. I have been using my inshore baitcasting setup (lews bb2 inshore / 7"1 MH *** Omen 2) and have only had luck with 1/4-1/2oz. crankbaits and jerkbaits. So I guess that ill focus on using hardbaits for now, I want to get the lightest setup posible that can handle bass and peacock bass (budget : $400.00). Ive been reading the forums and the setup that got my attention is a curado or scropion 71 with a zodias 6"10 M rod. Will this setup be good enough? What fishing line should I use? If i get a JDM reel and it has a problem, do i have to send it to Japan or can Shimano US honor the warranty? 

We barely have any fishing stores down here and the variety on the existing ones is very limited, making it hard to see the rods and reels in person.  I was only able to handle a curado 200i at West Marine (the only baitcaster they had...) and it felt really good. I figured out the 70 would be as good but more compact.

Any imput is greatly appreciated and sorry for the bad english

Thanks!

[Oklahoma Mike]

Welcome to the BR forums!

The Scorpion 70 with the Zodias will be a great setup, though for my personal preference I'd probably go with the MH since I think it's a little better suited for an "all around" rod.

Shimano will not warranty JDM reels here in the US. Your best bet there would be to find someone local for repair work, or ship them off to someone like forum sponsor DVT for service. 

[A-Jay]

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~

A-Jay

[new2BC4bass]

  Welcom to the forum.  You have come to the right place! 

 

Nice choices.  The 6'10" M-MF is rated 1/4-3/4 oz.  That is plenty good enough to be an all-around rod for the baits I use and if you plan on sticking to the weight range you listed, I think it would be a better choice than the MHF.  Especially since it seems you will primarily be using it for treble hook lures.

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard!

[Xirmev]

1 hour ago, Oklahoma Mike said:

Welcome to the BR forums!

The Scorpion 70 with the Zodias will be a great setup, though for my personal preference I'd probably go with the MH since I think it's a little better suited for an "all around" rod.

Shimano will not warranty JDM reels here in the US. Your best bet there would be to find someone local for repair work, or ship them off to someone like forum sponsor DVT for service. 

Thank you everyone for the welcome messages.

Local repair is out of the question, if i get a JDM reel ill have to send it to DVT i guess. Good to know that they can service it.

My only concern with the Zodias rod is the shimano warranty... it is 1 year only, right? What other rod would be a good match for the curado/scorpion 70?

[new2BC4bass]

Fenwick Aetos rods are very nice and have a lifetime warranty.  The 7' MM or 7'MHM for treble hooks.  The MHM would be a better all-around rod...I would think....given its lure rating.  I have a 7' MHF and think it is a beautiful rod.  The Avid X is a few dollars more than the Zodias, but I've only read good things about them.  Cashion has a nice lineup of crankbait casting rods.  I know zilch about the Phenix line of rods, but it seems many think highly of them.  The 7' M composite crankbait looks to be very versatile for a crankbait rod.  One other line of rods you might want to look at is Hammer.  You'd want a MH in their lineup.  I just purchased two, but haven't had a chance to do more than a little casting practice with them.  They have a nice parabolic bend kind of like Falcons.  They are getting very good reviews.

I'd also like to suggest one of the original Tatula rods.  I have both the 7' MLR rated 1/4-5/8 oz. and the 7'2" MHR rated 1/4-1 oz.  These are exceptionally nice rods for the money...imo.

There are quite a few options available at the price you are willing to pay.  Deciding on only one can be tough.  Good luck deciding.

[Xirmev]

22 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

Fenwick Aetos rods are very nice and have a lifetime warranty.  The 7' MM or 7'MHM for treble hooks.  The MHM would be a better all-around rod...I would think....given its lure rating.  I have a 7' MHF and think it is a beautiful rod.  The Avid X is a few dollars more than the Zodias, but I've only read good things about them.  Cashion has a nice lineup of crankbait casting rods.  I know zilch about the Phenix line of rods, but it seems many think highly of them.  The 7' M composite crankbait looks to be very versatile for a crankbait rod.  One other line of rods you might want to look at is Hammer.  You'd want a MH in their lineup.  I just purchased two, but haven't had a chance to do more than a little casting practice with them.  They have a nice parabolic bend kind of like Falcons.  They are getting very good reviews.

I'd also like to suggest one of the original Tatula rods.  I have both the 7' MLR rated 1/4-5/8 oz. and the 7'2" MHR rated 1/4-1 oz.  These are exceptionally nice rods for the money...imo.

There are quite a few options available at the price you are willing to pay.  Deciding on only one can be tough.  Good luck deciding.

Ill do some research on those rods, thanks.