I have $400 to spend?

[bigbassin']

19 hours ago, everythingthatswims said:

A Mother

I can't think of a more efficient way to spend it.

[fishnkamp]

Okay so what are the specs on the Fenwick rod?  We know the rod is probably a lite or Medium lite or the reel is too small for it. So how long is the rod and what does it say action and lure weight?  This rod might fit into my suggested combos to start. If the reel is too small for the rod a simple change could make a nice combo

If I was starting over here is what i would want in my first two rods and boy this is hard since there are over 15 rods under the deck. With years of fishing and keeping quality and price in mind here are the setups I would look for. I also would by good equipment but be careful where I spent my money.

1. A 6'10 to 7'2 Medium spinning rod. I second the Berkley Lightning shock ( and yes I own 3 between my wife and I).  We also own 6 G Loomis spinning rods, but I do not need $300 rods for everything.  The Berkley would not be my first choice but it would be a good option.  My first choice would be a Powell Inferno 6103MEF for $99. With Powell there are 3 series and the difference is very little between them so you could save a little and get the 610MEF in a Diesel series for $75, or bump up to a rod mentioned earlier the Powell Max3d 712MLEX or 713MEF. All of these are well made and feel great in your hand. In fact several were in my paws today at my local tackle shop.  Along with Powell rods I love the Dobyns Fury series rods so a FR702SF  or FR703SF are great too, they just cost a little more at $109.

I know you have had all kinds of suggestions for reels.  I would buy a workhorse of a reel and that is a Pfueger President for $60,  I would fill it with 1/2 of a spool of inexpensive but quality mono then finish it with Power Pro Spectra braid in 20 or 30 pound test. I also like Berkley FireLine Fused (same as original FireLine) in 14 pound test and then i like to use a 3 foot leader made up of 10 pound test P Line CXX which is strong and thin.  Since you said you would love a really top notch spinning setup I would consider a step up to a Shimano Symetre 2500 or 3000 and if the Fenwick is usable maybe that is a good option for $99.00.  My wife has a 3000 and it is smooth as silk. The Presidents are great and we have fished some for over 10 years, some of our 7 are between 1 and 9 years old and I know my worm rod has one much older than that.

2. My second combo would be a 6'10 to 7'2" MHF baitcasting rod. These are the main weapons on most boat decks.  Again A Dobyns FR703C is a terrific rod or a Powell Max3d 723CF. The Inferno series would offer a great rod as well. 

Before you spend a dime let us know the specs for the Fenwick maybe the answer is that will work just upgrade the reel and pick up a second combo with different specs to round out the equipment list leaving plenty of budget for other tackle. They sell some really nice tackle bags that hold Plano boxes and keep your tackle neatly organized. Start with one of those and have fun filling it up!

[JayKumar]

Recommend getting baitcasting gear and learning how to use it.  Way better than spinning gear.  Either way get a Shimano reel if you can afford it, and Loomis or Kistler rods.  Lots of good rods out there, recommend you handle several in person and make your decision from there.  Some rods are good but feel way bulkier than others when compared in person.  Good luck, and props for selling the gaming stuff!

[Evan K]

Just learned from the deals thread that Cabela's has the Shimano ci4+ reels for $153. That's a complete steal for an amazing reel. Snap it up, OP!

[Stingray23]

Use $300 for your spinning setup and the remaining $100 for tackle.

[FordsnFishin]

On 7/6/2016 at 1:36 PM, Bassmaster3616 said:

So I have a few rods and reels but they're all anywhere from $50-$80. Well now I just found my sisters fenwick rod and shimano aero 1000 reel. She got it from this man years ago. Long before I was old enough to fish. She was one of the only young gals he knew that fished so he gave her all of his rods and reels and over $400 in tackle. Well I've been using that rod and reel setup and its sooooo smooth!!! I'm looking to spend about 250 for a nice rod and reel since I'm starting to fish almost every day. Any suggestions? 

If you are still wanting to stick to a spinning setup...

A few reels to check out:

Shimano sahara **

Daiwa exceller

Shimano saros

Pflueger president **

I suggest spending a bit less on the reel and focus on getting a good rod. 

St.croix avid or premier series

Dobyns savvy series 

Or shimano crucial series rods

Go to tackle warehouse and check things out. 

[offsidewing]

If my son had just done this, this is what I'do suggest...

If you want to start fishing right away, head to Cabelas and buy the Pflueger President Special Edition spinning reel for $65 and Cabelas Tournament ZX Drop shot spinning rod for $99 (you can talk them down to $75 pretty easily).  Then fire up tackle warehouse * and pick up some of the following tackle: 6lb yozuri hybrid fishing line, Gitzit 3.5 inch tube jigs with 1/4 jig heads, 4 and 5 inch senkos, Ned rig mushroom jig heads and Zman TRD baits, a couple packs of fat ikas, 4" rage tail craws, hula grubs, some Berkley ribbon tail worms, a pack of zoom super flukes, a pack of Keitech Fat Swing Impact swimbaits, and a pack of 4" robo worms. 

Then GamaKatsu hooks: 4/0 and 5/0 EWG for senkos, ikas, hula grubs, rage tails; gamakatsu 2/0 octopus hooks for wacky rigging senkos and drop shot; 5/0 owner hooks for ribbon tail worms, flukes, and Keitech Fat swimbaits.  Toss in some 3/16 oz drop shot weights and 1/8 ox bullet weights.

Learn to tie the palomar knot and read the articles and posts on this site while your tackle ships.  You will catch bass on most bodies of water in all but extreme conditions with this tackle.  I have a couple $600+ spinning combos and my son has what I suggested to you.  When we both use our gear and tackle correctly, we catch the same amount and quality of fish.

[trick worms]

Spend no more than 200 on the combo. That will get you a great spinning setup.