New to fishing. Help buying first rod/reel.

[Sherlock Ohms]

Hi all, I really haven't ever fished before, but thought it would be a relatively relaxing activity I could do. I live in Western PA and would fish from land in lakes/ponds.

 

I have been reading/watching videos and think the rod I am leaning towards is the St. Croix Mojo Spinning with a Diawa BG 2500 Spinning Reel.

From what I have seen, I would like to cast spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, Senkos and Texas Rigs.  

 

I have read no less than 10 posts about the St. Croix power rating where people recommended the above with a MHF or sometimes a MF.  I only can afford 1 rod, so I was wondering whether I should choose the MH or M.  I also read that St. Croix's M is more towards a MH, if that makes a difference or not.

 

Thank you. 

[Choporoz]

Tough to say...but I think that if I were forced to fish with only one rod...using the lures you mention....well, a 7'1' MF Mojo spinning rod would be a solid choice, I think.  

[fishballer06]

First off, welcome to BR from another fellow yinzer! 

 

The setup you are looking at is a great first setup for a beginner. Being a spinning reel, I would recommend a 7' Medium power, fast action rod. This will do so much for you just starting out and you'll be able to learn numerous techniques with this one setup. Eventually, you'll get more experience, and the bait monkey will infect you, and you will want another setup or 7. At that point, come back to us and we'll gladly help you spend more of your hard earned cash. 

[SMITTY0045]

I’ve used the Mojo 7’1 MF spinning rod and honestly that’s the best for all around fishing. It’s has plenty of backbone without being too stiff. It’s a great all around Rod

[microotter]

I would get a M if I were getting a spinning rod and a MH if getting a casting rod. 

[Tennessee Boy]

Welcome to the forum and to fishing.  I don't think you will regret getting a M or MH.  We love to debate rod selection on this forum but you can catch fish on both and over time you will develop your own preferences fishing style and then you can join in on the debates. 

[MIbassyaker]

Another vote for a Medium power, Fast action. It will be perfect for senkos and light or weightless texas rigs.  And it should be able to handle lighter spinnerbaits and chatterbaits -- look for 1/4oz size.

[rod snapper]

Solid choices, reel looks great, and M/F rod will serve you very well. Basically just what everyone else said ?

[Dangerfield]

If you're going with the st Croix m/f for sure. Some really good reels around the $100 mark, Daiwa Fuego or BG, Shimano Nasci or Sedona.

[microotter]

Also, if you have the means—you should check out some of Western PA’s rivers. Some good smallmouth fishing. 

[new2BC4bass]

I have to go with the majority....Medium Fast.  Last February's Florida trip found me having taken only one baitcast reel having braid on it.....60# for my frog rod.  I had shipped an older Fenwick Elite Tech MF spinning rod down before the trip.  As luck would have it the spinning reel I had brought was spooled with braid (guessing 30# as it was on the reel when I bought it).  Almost all my catches were on this rod.  I had no problems casting worms into the lily pads and dragging bass out of them.  A MF spinning rod is very versatile.

 

I like your choice of reel.  I bought a BG1500 for my Ned Rig rod.  I think it is an extremely nice looking reel that feels built like a little tank.

[Sherlock Ohms]

Thank you all for the help.  I will get the MF this weekend.  On the shaft it says up to lure weight up to 5/8oz.  Does this mean the total weight(lead, hook and plastic) or just the lead weight?    

[MN Fisher]

22 minutes ago, Sherlock Ohms said:

Thank you all for the help.  I will get the MF this weekend.  On the shaft it says up to lure weight up to 5/8oz.  Does this mean the total weight(lead, hook and plastic) or just the lead weight?    

I treat my rods as the rating is total weight. So for a T-Rig on a rod rated 5/8, I'd use a 1/2oz bullet weight max. The worm may push it a little over 5/8, but as long as you don't go overboard it's fine.

[MIbassyaker]

42 minutes ago, Sherlock Ohms said:

Thank you all for the help.  I will get the MF this weekend.  On the shaft it says up to lure weight up to 5/8oz.  Does this mean the total weight(lead, hook and plastic) or just the lead weight?    

lure ratings on the rod indicate the total weight,  which would include lead, hook, plastic, blade, skirt, and any other hardware components, which will add up. The listed weight on a lure is usually only the weight of the lead. Plastic baits, especially when salted, weigh more than people usually think they do.  A Senko alone is about 3/8oz.   You can go a little over the max weight rating for the rod, but usually rods fish best somewhere in the middle of the range.

[GrumpyOlPhartte]

@Sherlock Ohms:  First - welcome to the madness!  Had to respond because my first bass fishing was wading the banks of the Allegheny River and French Creek back in the mid 1960’s (Little town north of Pittsburgh called Franklin) where I caught my first smallmouth!

 

Second - I have a similar rig to the one you describe, a St. Croix Mojo Yak rod with a Daiwa BG 2500. I fish from a kayak so prefer the shorter handle. I can tell ya it isn’t the lightest combo, but I find I like the balance.  More knowledgeable guys than I describe the rod as being “tip heavy” but I can’t say I have really noticed it.  All I know is that with a full spool of line the balance point is right where I prefer it. As for the weight, well, I usually fish for about six hours at a whack either from the bank or my yak and have not had any issues. Oh, and I’m 70 and probably more leisurely in my technique ... don’t feel the need to cast as quickly as the more dedicated guys.  So take this for what it’s worth but I think you’re making a good selection.  Enjoy the experience- whatever your decision!!!

 

Oh, and from what you describe, I would suggest using as little weight on your T-rigs, critter baits, or flukes as possible. Personally I use 1/16 up to 1/4 ounce weights for most of my shallow-water fishing when using a spinning rod.  Don’t need much weight in ponds and small lakes. With the added weight of the bait you will be able to cast just fine.

[Sherlock Ohms]

Thank you again.  If I were to purchase some chatterbaits and spinnerbaits what wait do you recommend?  More importantly, what do the weights do other than sink the bait?  Wouldn't any weight at all sink the bait?

[haggard]

M/F, especially if you're going StC.

 

With only one exception, all my rods at St. Croix covering UL, L, ML, M and MH. I prefer baitcasters but if I had to pick just one do-all StC it would be a M/F spinner. Very versatile. My rec would be the MJS71MF (or MF2 if you want the 2 piece for portability). AVS66MF would also be good. 

 

[MIbassyaker]

9 minutes ago, Sherlock Ohms said:

Thank you again.  If I were to purchase some chatterbaits and spinnerbaits what wait do you recommend?  More importantly, what do the weights do other than sink the bait?  Wouldn't any weight at all sink the bait?

1/4 oz would probably be good, 3/8 do-able but pushing it, and 1/2oz probably too heavy to use effectively given the extra weight of the blades, hook, skirt, and any trailer.

 

Weight first of all permits the bait to be cast by the rod. A total weight within the lure range will cast easier and farther than one too heavy or too light. Second, sink rate: heavier weights sink faster than lighter weights. This is important for horizontally retrieved baits like spinnerbaits and chatterbaits, because they tend to rise on the retrieve, and rise more the faster you retrieve them. So heavier baits will stay down at desired depths better when retrieved faster compared to lighter baits, and conversely, lighter baits can be retrieved slower without sinking too far down.

[Dangerfield]

13 hours ago, GrumpyOlPhartte said:

St. Croix Mojo Yak rod with a Daiwa BG 2500. I fish from a kayak so prefer the shorter handle. I can tell ya it isn’t the lightest combo, but I find I like the balance.  More knowledgeable guys than I describe the rod as being “tip heavy” but I can’t say I have really noticed it.

The BG is a 10oz reel, which makes me think the reel's weight is doing a good job of balancing out your rig.