Rookie In need of help.

[Johnson Smithers]

I've fished my whole life but never took it seriously, but now I want to go on a regular basis and start excelling at the sport. What I'm asking of you guys is whats a good rod and reel combo for around $120 dollars or less. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Collin W]

Are you looking for a spinning combo or a baitcaster?

[fishnkamp]

Lets start from the begging with a few questions. Do you own a medium action spinning rod and reel combo?  That is always the best setup to begin with.  That combo can cost $50 for a very reliable reel like a Pflueger President and as little as $50 or less for a 6'6" Berkley Lightning Shock rod.  It could be a little more expensive if you choose an Abu Garcia Veritas for around $80. I would look at the 7 foot medium Veritas spinning rod.

 

If you have a good medium spinning rod then I would look at a reel like the Abu Garcia Black Max and either a Veritas 7 foot MH baitcasting rod or perhaps go to Dicks Sporting Goods. They sell a rod made by Quantum called an Escalade. It regularly sells for $100 but is on sale for $50.

[Collin W]

A lot of people love the Plueger/Fenwick Ironhawk as a baitcaster combo. I personally like to purchase my rods and reels separately so I don't know many good spinning combos. I heard the Plueger/Fenwick Nighthawk is good, I also have friends who like the Gander Mountain Vortex combos. One of my biggest tips is if you decide to buy the rods and reels separately, buy a Shimano reel. They come in the most sizes and they are the best for the money. Hope this helps at least a little! Good luck fishing!

[Johnson Smithers]

I'm looking for spinning. They don't necessarily have to come together. Just looking for good quality whether i can buy them as a combo or individually.

25 minutes ago, fishnkamp said:

Lets start from the begging with a few questions. Do you own a medium action spinning rod and reel combo?  That is always the best setup to begin with.  That combo can cost $50 for a very reliable reel like a Pflueger President and as little as $50 or less for a 6'6" Berkley Lightning Shock rod.  It could be a little more expensive if you choose an Abu Garcia Veritas for around $80. I would look at the 7 foot medium Veritas spinning rod.

 

If you have a good medium spinning rod then I would look at a reel like the Abu Garcia Black Max and either a Veritas 7 foot MH baitcasting rod or perhaps go to Dicks Sporting Goods. They sell a rod made by Quantum called an Escalade. It regularly sells for $100 but is on sale for $50.

I'm starting from scratch.

[fishnkamp]

Okay then starting from scratch I want to see you avoid "beginner gear"

Start with a Pflueger President spinning reel. My wife and I have been using them for decades and they are reel workhorses. We have several that are less than 2 years old and some that are over a decade old.  I would suggest a model 6935.  

For the rod either consider the Abu Garcia Veritas 7 foot medium action rod for $80.

For a little more money and quality look at a Powell Inferno 6103 medium extra fast action for $99.

Right now Dicks has the President reels on sale for $49.99. The factory is offering a $10 rebate off that reel so you could get a $60 reel for $40.  Then just ad the right rod to go with it.

[lmbfisherman]

Welcome to the boards.  Fishnkamp is spot on and welcome to our addiction.

[GrumpyOlPhartte]

@fishnkamp: Big fan of the Pfleuger President myself. I'm just curious why you chose the 6935. I'm not disagreeing in any way; just happened to pick the 6930 myself because it was lighter and certainly holds enough line for the fishing I do, but maybe I'm missing something. Would love to know your rationale for the model selection. Thanks!

[fishnkamp]

I really like the 6930 for my 6' ml spinning rod.

I just prefer the balance and extra line capacity the 35 holds when matching up with a 6'6 or 7' medium spinning rod.  

I do bass fish areas where stripers and big cats roam also. I have had more than half of my line taken out by several stripers and blue cats in the last 5 years. We also have big snakeheads here, but I have never caught one. That is the fun when fishing on the tidal rivers feeding the Chesapeake Bay.

The 35 also does have 1 pound more drag, but that really not that big of a deal.  The size is definitely personal reference. 

On my two 6'6 medium spinning rods with 35's on them they balance right at the front edge of the threads of the reel seat.   Either way you will not be wrong.

 

 I was trying to keep his cost down, but the President XT and Supreme reels are really nice. My wife has a Supreme 35 on the her frog rod. That reel is super smooth and has the same line retrieve per turn of the handle as my 8-1 Tatula. baitcaster.

[new2BC4bass]

10 hours ago, fishnkamp said:

Lets start from the begging with a few questions. Do you own a medium action spinning rod and reel combo?  That is always the best setup to begin with.  That combo can cost $50 for a very reliable reel like a Pflueger President and as little as $50 or less for a 6'6" Berkley Lightning Shock rod.  It could be a little more expensive if you choose an Abu Garcia Veritas for around $80. I would look at the 7 foot medium Veritas spinning rod.

 

If you have a good medium spinning rod then I would look at a reel like the Abu Garcia Black Max and either a Veritas 7 foot MH baitcasting rod or perhaps go to Dicks Sporting Goods. They sell a rod made by Quantum called an Escalade. It regularly sells for $100 but is on sale for $50.

 

Never fished one, but have held a couple in store.  Look and feel very nice for $99.  I would think the $50 sale price would be a no brainer.  Pretty darn light.  Never tried one with a reel mounted, so no idea how they feel then.

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard!

 

Walmart sells the very good Lightning Rod Shock series for $40. These, 

as mentioned by @fishnkamp, are excellent rods. And while I don't prefer

the feel of the Pflueger President as much, it is a great reel with solid

longevity, and lots of fans.

 

I prefer Shimano, but for $50 the Pres a fine reel.

 

I would suggest a slightly smaller reel, as well, unless your waters are

stocked with really big species, you don't *need* more line capacity. A

2500 size reel is considered the "standard" size for bass fishing...

 

(That said, I use 1000 size reels for all bass fishing, and I do fish water with 

Stripers in them (caught a 14 lber, but on a bait caster), tho not worried 

as I'm in a kayak (can be towed by the fish) and know how to play larger

fish.

 

For a beginner, my way is not nec. the best way to go. Just mentioning to

say this isn't a "one size fits all" sport.)

 

Bottom line:

Lightning Rod Shock - $40

Pflueger President - $50

Total for rod/reel - $90 (add on tax)

 

Leftover: ~$30 for bait!! Good deal, IMO.