Rod and reel setups for multiple techniques

[Dakota Stewart]

What are your recommended rod and reel specs for a beginner bass fisherman.

Thanks!

[TheRodFather]

I started bass fishing at the beginning of summer, and followed the 6 rod and reel method outlined in this website.  It worked out very well for me, I was able to have the correct lures tied for any situation and got to do a lot of fishing while I watched others constantly tying on lures.  Or struggling with lures that weren't presenting well because of line choices, etc.   I didn't spend a fortune on rods and reels, I mostly got cheap-ish combos that reflected the recommended rods/reels, and switched this or that to get the recommended gear ratios/rod powers, lengths, and line choices matched to the system.

As the season wore on, I replaced a couple rods here and there after I had a better idea of what I wanted in a rod, rather than spend a lot right off the bat without knowing yet what I liked/wanted.  I believe this to be the better route than replacing the reels first then the rods.  Either way though, the cheap-ish stuff will still get used down the road as secondary gear for the family or to keep rigged up on the boat.

I am a firm believer in buy once, cry once, and to buy the best you can afford, but ultimately, to gear up with top shelf gear, and get the convenience of 6 rods/reels, you would be into it for $1000+ easy.  The original rods/reels that I bought will not go to waste, so I look at it as getting out there fishing ASAP and as the years go by I'll build up my kit.

At this point (starting out), I prefer to have money for lures, rather than the latest and greatest $300 reel.  After a few years I will have a nice cache of baits, and that $300 dollar reel or rod won't seem as silly to me I am sure.

[roadwarrior]

[Yudo1]

That is a vague question, but I'll give it a shot. If you are interested in a spinning combo, I'd recommend a pflueger president 30 sized reel on a medium/fast rod that fits your budget.  If you're looking for a baitcasting combo, I'd recommend a tatula reel on a medium/heavy, fast action rod.  You can get a good rod for $100.  It's a good time to buy right now with all of the sales.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

44 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

Arguably the single best pinned post on the forum. 

[bigfruits]

I'd start with a 6'6"-7'3" MH/F baitcaster and 6'6" - 7'3" M/XF spinning combo for the first two rods.

100-150 size shimano baitcaster with 7.x:1 ratio, 2500 size spinning reel.

[the reel ess]

My first 2 combos back in the 80's were a MH (first) then a M. Rods were mostly 5'6" back then. Now I'd go with a 6-6 to 7' M/MF and a 6-6 to 7' MH/F. The M will cover the trebles and the MH will cover the single hooks like T rigs and jigs. These will also cover spinner and buzbaits. A 6:1-ish retrieve will work, but you can get one in the 7 range for fast presentations or just to cut down on effort. I like 30# braid on the MH and 15 lb. mono on the M.

Then you can get a couple spinning combos for lighter presentations of single and treble hook baits. 20# braid works well for me.

Finally, you can get a broomstick (H/F) for flipping/frogs. A fast retrieve is nice for these to skate fish across the surface when you get them up. I have braid on these.

Sometimes I take 7 combos with me on a kayak.   You might notice I have no floro line. I hate it and the water is stained here. You have to do what you have to to catch fish.

[the reel ess]

All said and done, here's what I use mostly:

MH/MF 7' / BPS JM reel 5.1:1, 30# braid for jigs an t rigs

MH/MF 6-6 / Cheap Ebay reel 6.1:1, 15# mono for spinner/buzzbaits and other heavy single hook presentations.

M/M 6-6 / BPS reel 7:1, 15# mono for topwaters, cranks, etc.

H/F 7-3 Frog rod / 7.1:1 reel, 50# braid. This one can whoop a bass in heavy cover and drag him across the surface of mat or lilies. I use jigs on it in cold water.

MH/MF 7' Spinning old BPS Viper combo I got about 12 years ago. Just won't quit working. 20# braid for lighter single hook.

M/MF 7' Spinning / Pfleuger Trion, 20# braid for lighter trebles.

Light 6' el cheapo Spinning / Academy UL reel, 6# mono. This is a catch all for tiny bass in creeks and ponds as well as crappie and other panfish. I have maybe $28 in the combo. 

[Dakota Stewart]

Thanks for the help guys!

[Fishinthefish]

If Mike from DVT keeps taking my checks, I'll have three rods without reels that total 1k, and three reels with line around 1k. That being said I started on a 45 dollar combo on clearence from bass pro shops. With such a broad question the best thing I can advise is to go by price, and make a short list of well reviewed reels/rods in your price range from places like TW. Search the forums for reviews on the product, and see if you can get your hands on it. We all have different tastes, and ideas on affordability. 

[Jaderose]

I would be hard pressed to find a better beginner combo than a Bass Pro PQ on a 6'6" to 7' M/H Extreme Rod.  Lightest or most refined combo you'll ever use?  Nope...not even close but it's a workhorse or a combo and one I still use every time I go out

[new2BC4bass]

Great suggestions.  Be sure to read the stickie Roadwarrior posted.  Lots of good information in it.  Casting a MHF and spinning a MF in a length you prefer for the first two rods would cover an awful lot of bases.  Just remember that "real" fishermen carry a boatload of combos with them.  

Kidding of course.  I fished with one rod for years not knowing what I was missing out on.  Now I have too many.  That is the curse of this sport.  Easy to get carried away wanting the next latest and greatest.....or even an older late and great which is why my last 3 purchases were reels no longer produced.

Being a baitcast fanatic, I'd start adding more baitcast combos after that although a ML spinning rod would be  a prerequisite for several techniques.  Next choices would depend on where and how you want to fish.  Got to have a MF and HF and at least one cranking rod.....two if you fish both shallow and deep cranks.  Don't go hog wild buying at first until you find out what techniques you prefer to fish, and then buy rods geared towards those techniques.

[fishnkamp]

Boy Yudo1 hit it on he head. Start with a 6'6 to 7' medium power fast action spinning rod. Take your pick there are lots of good ones depending on your budget. Match it with the Pflueger President in the 6930 size. This reel is a great bang for your buck reel. I have some new ones and some as old as 10 years with no trouble.  I like a lot of the rods that cost between $50 and $150, but I know of some rods that cost less and would perform well. This will handle a ton of lighter baits well

The second most needed rod is a baitcasting rod around 7 foot in a medium power moderate action. This rod can handle lots of baits with treble hooks like crankbaits, topwater baits, rattle trap type baits, jerkbaits and even some small to mid sized spinnerbaits. This is a mainstay in ones arsenal.

The third rod would be a baitcasting rod that is around 7 foot Medium heavy power fast action. Most of these call for baits that range from 1/4 to 3/4 or 1 ounce. This is your bottom bouncing combo and fishes worms texas rigged and carolina rigged,  jigs with a plastic trailer and tons of other baits.

Now this is how I break it down for beginners, but I fished for almost 20  years and owned one or two rods and was happy as a lark.  It is almost embarrassing when you look on my boat there are always at least a dozen rods or more.