Not looking for "best" but rather versatile value.

[Aquarian]

Hi there

 

So I live 8 minutes from a Bass Pro Shop and very much enjoy going in there. I am not an avid fisher. I lost my old Shakespeare spinning rod/reel, but did find my tackle box recently, with various bits of tackle for only stripped bass setup. Still a beginner, I have caught a few on what I think was a medium heavy rod. Okay so here's what's going on. A friend says hey let's go catch trout for the first time. I really want to learn more about trout for survival cooking etc.... much more than sporting for bass. I want to eat trout instead of bass BUT I will still enjoy the challenge of reeling strong heavy bass here and there. Conflicting? 

 

So since I barely even fish at all, I decided to stick with just one rod, instead of getting both an ultra light and a medium for both species. I don't go fishing often enough to justify having 2 rods. With that said, would I be correct in assuming that I should get a "medium-light" rod that will be great for both bass and trout? After doing my homework I suspect it's what I want. At first I shopped for a medium but changed my mind after seeing a Pflueger rod/reel combo advertised as a medium-light. I don't want to fish at Lake Mead anymore, but rather the lower portion of the Colorado River, located near mojave, which has all kinds of species and is slow-moving flatwater. Also Eagle Valley on another river is an easy trout reservoir. I've no interest to fly-fish but in future I will possibly own a kayak later if that makes any difference in rod.

 

I am hoping that someone will confirm my choice of a medium-light 6' rod for mostly sitting on the shore or bank, the occasional boat rental, and later maybe from a yak. I will have them spool 8" lb. low-vis green line on it, and if you think that 8 is too much for trout, but 6 is too light for bass, please let me know what to do. 

 

It's a 60 dollar setup that seems perfect for a once-a-year angler, I do believe in keeping quality gear for life. Just wondering how versatile I can make it.

 

Thanks... 

[jbsoonerfan]

Sounds like your mind is made up, no suggestions needed.

[xxRambo_21xx]

longer the rod the better the distance. i like 7 foot medium. if u use alot of treble hook baits get a moderate action

[PatrickKnight]

All I fish is rivers and 95% of that is wading. I do not like rods under 7 feet long as I feel it hinders my casting distance to much. A medium light should do double duty just fine, as I have caught 25 inch redfish on a ml and I can promise you there is no trout or bass that pulls like they do. I also prefer braided line over mono but for as little as you say you are going to be fishing it might not be worth the cost to you as you would really need leaders going after trout imo, I would also go with 6 lb over 8.

[LCG]

A medium light rod should be perfect for what you want. Length is a personal choice, I have a fenwick hmg 6'9" ml f that works well for most freshwater situations I have encountered so far. I use 10 lb braid to 6 lb p line cx premium fluorocarbon leader and have not had issues yet. SunLine makes a 7 lb fluorocarbon if you want to really split the difference. 

 

Good luck and enjoy. 

[Pikeman12]

I use an Okuma Celilos light(feels more like a medium light honestly) and I have used it a lot for bass. 6-8 lb mono using 3/8 lures as well as plenty of ultralite tackle. I matched it with a Pflueger trion spinning reel and I have to say it is a great cheap versatile setup.