all-around rod reel combo

[JTLogan57]

Looking for some advice to get a all around pond fishing combo anyone have any advice for me. I am new to fishing and looking for a bait casting combo that can be used for basically anything.

Thank you

[Caliyak]

2 minutes ago, JTLogan57 said:

Looking for some advice to get a all around pond fishing combo anyone have any advice for me. I am new to fishing and looking for a bait casting combo that can be used for basically anything.

Thank you

Abu Garcia Black Max combo 

[redbirdsfan44]

The Black Max isn't terrible but if you have a little extra in your piggy bank check out the lews mach I combo. Well worth the extra coin

[JTLogan57]

7 minutes ago, JTLogan57 said:

Looking for some advice to get a all around pond fishing combo anyone have any advice for me. I am new to fishing and looking for a bait casting combo that can be used for basically anything.

Thank you

Right now I fish with a Wright & McGill Skeet Reese Baitcasting Combo 

[EllisJuan]

BPS Pro Qualifier.  7' Med/Hvy Fast

[new2BC4bass]

Welcome JT.  Don't know where you live or fish, but around here fishing from shore often involves bushes, trees, high weeds, etc. close by.  A shorter rod is going to be the best in this scenario.  No more than 6'6".  Also spinning is better than a baitcast in those conditions....for me.  I need more room to cast with a baitcast than a spinning rod.  I try to avoid those spots as I seldom carry a spinning rod with me. 

A MF or MHF makes for a good all-around rod.  You don't mention a budget, but I am going to assume that less is better.  Right now Fenwick is selling their Aetos 6'8" MHF for $95 on sale.  It is a $180 rod.  I think I could put up with the extra 2" given the quality and price of the rod.  Lure weight is listed as 1/4-3/8 oz.  That has to be a misprint.  I think 1/4-3/4 oz. is what it should say.  If 1/4-3/8 oz. is a true weight range, then I would forget this rod.  However, I don't recall ever seeing a MHF with those ratings.  Those ratings are more along the lines of a ML-XF or possibly a M-XF.

A Mettle from Academy Sports or Pro Qualifier from BPS....preferably when either are on sale.  I personally don't think I would pay $100 for a PQ when I can get a Tatula for about $95.  If willing to spend a few dollars more the Lew's Tounament can be had for just under $110, has dual braking and is a nice reel...plus a good looking one.

[Raul]

If I were to get me an "all around" combo for pond hopping the last thing I would purchase me is a baitcaster. The kind of ponds I fish always have overhanging trees and/or thick brush around them and you can´t swing the rod to make good casts with a bc, while with a spinning reel you don´t need to swing much the rod to make a decent cast.

I do have a couple of "all around" spinning combos for pond fishing, Shimano Sahara 2500+Shimano Clarus 6´6" MH + 8 lb test Yo-Zuri Hybrid or GraphiteLeader Bosco 6´ ML + Daiwa Revros 2004 + 8 lb test Yo-Zuri Hybrid.

[Ratherbfishing]

I picked up a Pflueger president spinning rod/reel which I use for just about everything (when i don't feel like lugging more around).  It has been an excellent all-around combo.

[An Outdoor Guy]

Its hard to find this combo but seriously after buying 6 different setups I have finally found the one that can be used for anything. it is the 7 foot medium power fast action rod with a decent bait cast reel. (7.1.1 gear ratio is best because you can always slow down if needed) The rod can throw anything from light 1/4 oz chatter baits up to heavy 5/8 oz Deep diving DT16 from rapala. spool up with 15lb co-poly and its the only rod I ever use.

[timsford]

I'd get the aetos recommended above and a daiwa exceller or tatula off ebay. Or looked for a quality used reel

[new2BC4bass]

It was mentioned in another thread about the lure weight listing on a different Aetos rod not seeming to be right so the guy contacted Fenwick.  They said the listing was correct.  If the rod I suggested with the 1/4-3/8 oz. listing is correct, then it would NOT make a good all-around rod.  Lure weight is way too limited.  Instead look at the Tatula 6'10" MHF at Sportsman's Outfitters.  I really like my older Tatula rods.  Not as cheap at $110, but these rods are quite a bit better than there price AFAIC.

[fishnkamp]

I do not like buying CHEAP stuff and upgrading later. So I will suggest something I find at a reasonable cost and you can add more expensive equipment to fill other needs later, but you will still want to fish with this one. Look at a Berkley Lightning shock rod in either 6'6 medium or 7 foot medium. Both spec  1/8 to 3/4 ounce lures and 4 to 12 pound line.  Match it up with a Pflueger President 6930 reel and add some 10 pound copolymer line like Suffix Siege or 14 pound Berkley Original FireLine braid. Then tie on a mono or copoly leader.  The rod can be purchased from Walmart stores in a 1 piece 6'6" or 7 foot model for less than $50. Otherwise you can order it from Tackle Warehouse for the same price along with the Pflueger President spinning reel for $60. Another good reel to consider for the price is a Lews Mach 1 for the same price,  Either way you will have a good all around combo that will work well. Someone here already mentioned the Lews Mach 1 spinning combo and I think it is fine also.  Since you have a baitcaster and it does not seem to fill the "all purpose" rod I would use it to throw heavier baits like heavier tx rigged worms, and jigs and use the spinning rod for baits that are definitely pond must throw baits. I would have a good supply of small 4 to six inch worms, Sencos, small spinnerbaits, and definetly 4 to 5 inch grubs. These baits definetely fish best on a rod like I suggested.

[buzzed bait]

2 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

  Instead look at the Tatula 6'10" MHF at Sportsman's Outfitters.  I really like my older Tatula rods.  Not as cheap at $110, but these rods are quite a bit better than there price AFAIC.

that rod is by far the most versatile rod i own, absolutely gets my vote for best all around rod, no doubt about it!