clemsontyger Posted June 21, 2018 Posted June 21, 2018 That subject line blows my mind that i am saying that, but over the past week or two I've realized that I really have spent my entire life knowing nothing about fishing (I am 43). I grew up with a Zebco 33 basic rod/reel combo and have never used anything else, and have mostly done bank fishing. I recently bought a recreational kayak which has been a blast, but which has also led me to become more interested in fishing. So I've been taking out my 33, and not surprisingly have not been having a lot of luck, though some of that no doubt is due to the guy holding the rod. I found this forum while reading countless articles and watching all kinds of videos. The problem is that I think i've researched myself to the point of paralysis by analysis now. So while this may be my first post, I know this has been asked countless times before, but can someone be so kind as to just validate my thinking? I'm mostly going to be fishing small lakes, and the calm rivers which lead into those lakes. Open water as well as completely flooded forests which lead to the open lake. Maybe some occasional bank fishing too of course, but primarily this is about fishing from my kayak. I know there is no one perfect rod/reel for all types of fishing, however there is no way I can get away with saying i need 4-7 rods/reels :) I'm going to be fishing for bass and crappie, and mostly using live bait, swim bait, plastic worms/jigs, and maybe an occasional topwater or crankbait. My tacklebox is very light, so I won't be fishing any of them exclusively enough to warrant a rod/reel for any one type of lure. Just want something to give me a decent chance. So far I've come up with a 6'6 MH Rod with 2500 or 3000 Pflueger President spinning for bass fishing and a 6'6 to 7 light/UL with similar reel for crappie fishing. From what I've read I am not ready for a baitcaster, so spinning reel is the plan for sure. I realize there are tons more options between these two, but if my goal is to just get out there and have a good time, would this get me started? My budget for each rod/reel is probably around $125. Thanks to any and all who will indulge me on this tired question. I know this is a long way to ask for rod/reel, but wanted to hopefully give enough detail as to what I'm looking to do. 1 Quote
Steve1357 Posted June 21, 2018 Posted June 21, 2018 My 2c first thought, grab some of those $20 combos and have fun rest of this year until it's comfortable, second nature. My thought being just starting out, dropping a $125 rig watching it sink would kill me. Almost has in the past from a boat.... Quote
clemsontyger Posted June 21, 2018 Author Posted June 21, 2018 8 minutes ago, Steve1357 said: My 2c first thought, grab some of those $20 combos and have fun rest of this year until it's comfortable, second nature. My thought being just starting out, dropping a $125 rig watching it sink would kill me. Almost has in the past from a boat.... Oh man, I've already lost my son's 33 doing exactly that. So trust me, when I do take the rod out with me now I'm more concerned about that than I am my paddle. Worst case I can arm paddle back Quote
TylerT123 Posted June 21, 2018 Posted June 21, 2018 That setup sounds fine to me, as long as you’re not going to use deeper cranks. Is that budget for for one reel or one rod or both? Quote
clemsontyger Posted June 21, 2018 Author Posted June 21, 2018 That's for each set-up, so $250 max, give or take. I'm guessing I can certainly get by on the cheaper side with crappie rod/reel than bass as well. Quote
Super User Darren. Posted June 21, 2018 Super User Posted June 21, 2018 Welcome aboard! i think you're right to stick with spinning, easiest to get going in the sport. For a $125 combo, probably best to stick with the President and look for rods in the $75 range. So many good ones to choose from. 4 Quote
TylerT123 Posted June 21, 2018 Posted June 21, 2018 I agree with Darren, many great rods in that price range, hard to go wrong. Good luck. 2 Quote
Super User Boomstick Posted June 21, 2018 Super User Posted June 21, 2018 Nothing wrong with taking cheaper rods out on a kayak because in the event you should lose them. The President spinning reel (no experience with the casting reel) is a very solid reel for the money, so I'd say start there. If you want to save some money up front, see if you can find the President combo. The rod is actually not half bad for a rod that comes with a combo that I paid $60 or $70 for, barely more than the price of the reel. I have the 6'6" M/F rod with the 35 which they don't offer anymore, but the 6'6" M/F with the 30 reel would probably be better for finesse techniques anyway. 1 Quote
TylerT123 Posted June 21, 2018 Posted June 21, 2018 2 minutes ago, Boomstick said: Nothing wrong with taking cheaper rods out on a kayak because in the event you should lose them. The President spinning reel (no experience with the casting reel) is a very solid reel for the money, so I'd say start there. The Pflueger President casting reel is suprisingly decent, I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to learn baitcasting. I had never used a baitcaster before using that one and within 5 minutes of using it I had it dialed in. Quote
clemsontyger Posted June 21, 2018 Author Posted June 21, 2018 Thanks much. And those two types of rods sound do-able for just all-around bass/crappie fishing on each? Quote
Super User Boomstick Posted June 21, 2018 Super User Posted June 21, 2018 3 minutes ago, TylerT123 said: The Pflueger President casting reel is suprisingly decent, I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to learn baitcasting. I had never used a baitcaster before using that one and within 5 minutes of using it I had it dialed in. I would take my chances with the President casting reel. I got my son a Pfueger Supreme XT casting reel and I think I like it better than the Curado or Tatula SV. Quote
TylerT123 Posted June 21, 2018 Posted June 21, 2018 3 minutes ago, clemsontyger said: Thanks much. And those two types of rods sound do-able for just all-around bass/crappie fishing on each? Yep, MH/F or your preference for the action. Just now, Boomstick said: I would take my chances with the President casting reel. I got my son a Pfueger Supreme XT casting reel and I think I like it better than the Curado or Tatula SV. Anything specific? Quote
Super User Boomstick Posted June 21, 2018 Super User Posted June 21, 2018 6 minutes ago, TylerT123 said: Yep, MH/F or your preference for the action. I would go with M/F with a spinning rod personally. You can use it for both cranks and finesse, where most MH spinning rods still don't have the backbone for heavier presentations you can get away with a MH casting rod, like frogs for example. Also going with a lighter line and lighter presentations for bass would mean it's better for crappie. That's just me. 6 minutes ago, TylerT123 said: Anything specific? I think it brakes better than the Curado but casts just as far, holds the line of the Curado K but is around the weight of the Curado 70 and brakes close to the Tatula SV but casts further. It's also arguably the smoothest reeling rod I own. 1 Quote
TylerT123 Posted June 21, 2018 Posted June 21, 2018 8 minutes ago, Boomstick said: I would go with M/F with a spinning rod personally. You can use it for both cranks and finesse, where most MH spinning rods still don't have the backbone for heavier presentations you can get away with a MH casting rod, like frogs for example. Also going with a lighter line and lighter presentations for bass would mean it's better for crappie. That's just me. He said was going to use jigs, live bait, worms, plastics, and maybe a topwater or crankbait. I thought a MH would be better for these but if it was me I’d get a M/MF or M/F for all around too, I regret buying my MHF spinning rod now, I don’t have a gap to fill for my baitcaster. Quote
Super User Boomstick Posted June 21, 2018 Super User Posted June 21, 2018 2 minutes ago, TylerT123 said: He said was going to use jigs, live bait, worms, plastics, and maybe a topwater or crankbait. I thought a MH would be better for these but if it was me I’d get a M/MF or M/F for all around too, I regret buying my MHF spinning rod now, I don’t have a gap to fill for my baitcaster. I figure M/F is good for most of them, minus jigs which can be fished on a wide range of rods depending on their size, hook size, weight etc. You can certainly fish weightless soft plastics on a M/F and you're also good with topwater and cranks. 1 Quote
jbmaine Posted June 21, 2018 Posted June 21, 2018 In my opinion, stick with spinning, it's easier to use right out of the box. Pick a rod that will throw 3/16-1/2,5/8 lures. Many people have setups for every type of bait. That's great if you have the room, $$$, etc. But to catch fish you only need one setup. I've been fishing for over 60 yrs and for the first thirty years I only had one setup, and caught fish. As you grow into fishing, and develop an idea as to how far you want to go, you can expand your arsenal of fishing gear. 1 Quote
LCG Posted June 21, 2018 Posted June 21, 2018 I got into fishing in my mid 30's also with a cheap Walmart zebco combo. Quickly upgraded. I would say an ultralight for crappie sounds right, length is a personal thing. I would recommend a medium powered fast action spinning rod, 6'6" - 7'. Check for used deals as well, you can find a much better rod for 1/2 of retail. St Croix, dobyns, fenwick, shimano, Bass Pro shop carbonlite are all good rods. Pflueger is a solid choice for value. 1 Quote
Arcs&sparks Posted June 21, 2018 Posted June 21, 2018 2 hours ago, clemsontyger said: would this get me started? Yes. 2 hours ago, clemsontyger said: My tacklebox is very light, Not for long 1 Quote
Super User Mobasser Posted June 21, 2018 Super User Posted June 21, 2018 Agree with Darren on this too.Many good rods out there at this price. Many guys when starting out get too consumed with gear. Most of the better fisherman could catch fish on far less expensive tackle than they use.They have worked up to better stuff over time. Focus on a few baits to start you with, and continue to learn the habits of bass. That's the key to success. Good luck! 1 Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted June 21, 2018 Super User Posted June 21, 2018 14 hours ago, TylerT123 said: He said was going to use jigs, live bait, worms, plastics, and maybe a topwater or crankbait. I thought a MH would be better for these but if it was me I’d get a M/MF or M/F for all around too, I regret buying my MHF spinning rod now, I don’t have a gap to fill for my baitcaster. I bought a used MH spinning rod that I had shipped to my in-laws for when I visit them in Florida. New the combo would have cost me over $300. This year I gave it to my brother-in-law....after it sitting unused for a few years. He only fishes spinning gear. Any lure heavy enough to require a MH spinning rod goes on a baitcast rod....for me. I prefer bc gear whenever possible. OP, I like your options for a crappie rod, but have reservations on the MH for bass. I shipped a MF Jig and Worm spinning rod (a Fenwick Elite Tech) to Florida for this year's visit. I used a reel spooled with braid and had no problems fishing the lily pads with this combo. I feel a MF would be a better all-around rod in your situation. Of course I have no idea what weight lures you will be using or what type of cover you will be casting into so I could be entirely wrong. Quote
TylerT123 Posted June 21, 2018 Posted June 21, 2018 39 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said: I bought a used MH spinning rod that I had shipped to my in-laws for when I visit them in Florida. New the combo would have cost me over $300. This year I gave it to my brother-in-law....after it sitting unused for a few years. He only fishes spinning gear. Any lure heavy enough to require a MH spinning rod goes on a baitcast rod....for me. I prefer bc gear whenever possible. Yeah, I have MF and MHF spinning setups now, I don’t know what to do with my baitcaster, I don’t really have a specific technique I want to dedicate it to. Quote
Super User soflabasser Posted June 24, 2018 Super User Posted June 24, 2018 Welcome to the forum Quote
Super User fishnkamp Posted June 24, 2018 Super User Posted June 24, 2018 Welcome to the forum. You will get a ton of options as you have seen. I have been addicted to this hobby for over 40 years and so is my wife. I have a bedroom/office full of equipment and my boat probably runs 5 mph slower than it could due to all the tackle aboard. LOL Having said all that we carry over a dozen rods for us to fish with and many cost well over $200 for the rod/reel combo. In fall we chase stripers. I need multiple rods that can throw rattle traps to cover different depths of water and this approach allows me to switch the weight and color of baits quickly. My wife does the same and she loves to fish spinning gear. Since these extra combos do not see all our everyday use we chose Berkley Lightning Shock Rods. These are really nice rods for an affordable price ($50) and they are matched with Pflueger Presidents. We chose a couple of 6'6" Medium action rods. I also fish two of the same rods in baitcasting models. Going this route you will get away for around $100 give or take. These rods are not quite as sensitive as my other rods costing $200 plus but they will perform well for you. Just my 2 cents from experience. Quote
The Bassman Posted June 24, 2018 Posted June 24, 2018 Lots of good advice dispensed here. What caught my attention is the OP's insightfulness in his questions. This guy is gonna be good at this in time. 1 Quote
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