Collinjet Posted April 9, 2019 Posted April 9, 2019 Hello, I'm new to the forum but not new to fishing. I've been fishing since I was a kid and now I'm 20 years old. During those years all I've ever really used was spinning gear. I'm now looking into getting a new medium all-purpose rod as I snapped last one. My question is should I go for a casting rod or another spinning? I'm a fan of throwing lighter gear and I don't plan on throwing anything heavy any time soon. I just want to have a rod that I will be able to handle decent size fish with. I have a ML spinning rod for finesse and what not. Any input is greatly appreciated! Thanks Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted April 9, 2019 Super User Posted April 9, 2019 I'll be the first to ask....what price range? Quote
Collinjet Posted April 10, 2019 Author Posted April 10, 2019 Id like to keep it under 150. I've got my eye on a Shimano SLX if I go the baitcasting route which I can get for around 80. I haven't looked into spinning gear yet as I figured I would ask for some advice first. Thank you! Quote
Manly Studson Posted April 10, 2019 Posted April 10, 2019 8 minutes ago, Collin Tuchalski said: Id like to keep it under 150. I've got my eye on a Shimano SLX if I go the baitcasting route which I can get for around 80. I haven't looked into spinning gear yet as I figured I would ask for some advice first. Thank you! The SLX reel is a good choice. The SLX rod is average. I typically find that combos have better reels than rods. In my experience, a $100 reel paired with a $100 rod is a solid setup. For example, a Lew’s LFS paired with a St. Croix Triumph or an Abu Revo paired with a Fenwick HMG. Find some of these on sale and your closer to $150. But at the end of the day, if you’re throwing light lures, then another spinning setup sounds good. 3 Quote
Super User jimmyjoe Posted April 10, 2019 Super User Posted April 10, 2019 1 hour ago, Collin Tuchalski said: I just want to have a rod that I will be able to handle decent size fish with. Ever see a video of someone landing a steelhead on light tackle? If you've got open water, it's no problem to use light spinning tackle. As for versatility, spinning would again be my choice. However .... you also gotta go with your gut feeling. Good luck. jj Quote
LionHeart Posted April 10, 2019 Posted April 10, 2019 So you currently have just the one rod and it is ML spinning correct? Are you planning to hunt bass? If so, a ML spinning rod wouldn't be super ideal. Picking up a baitcaster is completely your call. It certainly isn't required to land a bass but if you decide to get a spinning rod, I'd go with at least a medium power setup. If you are sure you will stick to throwing light tackle then a medium spinning rod will do just fine. A casting setup does have a few arguable advantages though. It will be more accurate, more powerful, and ultimately cast further depending on the tackle you throw, and your ability to control the spool on the reel. If you do jump into casting, expect a learning curve. You will backlash many times in the learning process. The best favor you can do for yourself is to not get a crappy reel. You don't have to get the most expensive reel, but it needs to have decent spool control functions. Diawa Fuego CT is a commonly recommended starter reel. It's like 65 bucks on Ebay and worth every penny. What lure weight do you like to throw? 1 Quote
Collinjet Posted April 10, 2019 Author Posted April 10, 2019 Im planning to hunt bass as well as I want to have a rod that is a bit heavier duty in case I find some other larger fish species as well. The heaviest lure I plan to throw is probably around half an ounce Quote
Collinjet Posted April 10, 2019 Author Posted April 10, 2019 I throw a lot of spinner baits and cranks baits. Then I use the ML for NED rigs, drop shots, among various other things. I fish out of a kayak a lot if that helps narrow anything down. Quote
LCG Posted April 20, 2019 Posted April 20, 2019 If you have a ml spinning rod already and you are interested in trying casting rods I would highly recommend looking at a mediums heavy rod with action and length of your choice. I have owned fenwick, shimano, st Croix, and carbonlite 2.0 rods all of which I would recommend. I only have Daiwa casting reels and they are very easy to use. Doesn't take long to get the hang of it and I have come to prefer using casting gear. Spinning still has its place though. Quote
Super User Columbia Craw Posted April 20, 2019 Super User Posted April 20, 2019 Collin, it sounds like you are ready for your first bait casting combination. Do not be intimidated by bait casters. LiionHeart's comments are much the same as mine. The Diawa Fuego CT is so user friendly. There are several good entry level rods to get started and keep you under you budget cap. A 6-6 to 7-0 medium power rod would be a great start. A great value rod to take a look at is a Dobyns Colt 703C but that's just one of several possible choices. Good luck ! Quote
Glaucus Posted April 20, 2019 Posted April 20, 2019 Do yourself a favor and get a Daiwa Aird X for $30-$50 in both casting and spinning. Check Amazon and eBay. Then get yourself a Fuego CT casting reel for $50-75 and a Pflueger President spinning reel for $30-$50, again checking Amazon and eBay. At worst your total cost is $275 retail if you have to pay full price, but you rarely will online if you're looking in the right places. Hands down the best budget rods and budget reels. And you'll be set up nicely. 2 Quote
Collinjet Posted April 24, 2019 Author Posted April 24, 2019 I just picked up a Shimano SLX on ebay for 65 bucks! Now looking for a rod to go with it! Quote
smr913 Posted April 24, 2019 Posted April 24, 2019 I bought a few Carbonlite 2.0 rods and reels earlier this year as a way to save my budget. I've enjoyed them. I got the 7' medium, mh, and heavy. They have performed well. I even took them to Louisiana for redfish, just to give them a test. Wouldn't be the worst introductory BC rig. Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted April 24, 2019 Posted April 24, 2019 Are you asking for bait casting advice or if you need a baitcaster ? I like playing with different types of tackle as part of the experience. There’s spinning tackle to do about anything you want if that’s your preference. 1 Quote
Falkus Posted April 25, 2019 Posted April 25, 2019 2 hours ago, Collin Tuchalski said: I just picked up a Shimano SLX on ebay for 65 bucks! Now looking for a rod to go with it! Nice pickup price Quote
Super User Boomstick Posted April 25, 2019 Super User Posted April 25, 2019 17 hours ago, Collin Tuchalski said: I just picked up a Shimano SLX on ebay for 65 bucks! Now looking for a rod to go with it! I think you will like the baitcaster once you learn it. It's more fun to me than a spinning reel to me as I spend less time between casts. As you prefer smaller and lighter lures, I would see if you can swing a Mojo Bass 7'1"M/F plastics rod or a Dobyns Fury 703C (although if it was me personally, I'd try some jigs, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, etc and buy a MH/F rod, and they pair nice with a ned rig or drop shot on a 2 rod setup). Quote
Collinjet Posted April 26, 2019 Author Posted April 26, 2019 Im looking for a "do all" type rod that I would be able to use for pretty much anything I would throw on a baitcaster. So what length, power, and action should I be looking for? Quote
d-camarena Posted April 27, 2019 Posted April 27, 2019 Aird x rod would be a cheap option if you end up not liking casting gear you wouldnt be out too much money Quote
Collinjet Posted April 28, 2019 Author Posted April 28, 2019 At a local store 13 fate & *** are on sale for 50 bucks. I also have a gift card for the store, seem like a good deal? Omen got replaced with *** Quote
GeekOutdoors Posted April 29, 2019 Posted April 29, 2019 On 4/25/2019 at 11:36 AM, Boomstick said: I think you will like the baitcaster once you learn it. It's more fun to me than a spinning reel to me as I spend less time between casts. As you prefer smaller and lighter lures, I would see if you can swing a Mojo Bass 7'1"M/F plastics rod or a Dobyns Fury 703C (although if it was me personally, I'd try some jigs, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, etc and buy a MH/F rod, and they pair nice with a ned rig or drop shot on a 2 rod setup). I would not recommend the 7'1" Mojo for light stuff. It is quite stout for a medium. My do it all spinning Rod was for a while a Fenwick HMG 7' MF for a while. The HMX isnt bad either and a little cheaper. Quote
Super User Boomstick Posted April 29, 2019 Super User Posted April 29, 2019 11 hours ago, GeekFisher said: I would not recommend the 7'1" Mojo for light stuff. It is quite stout for a medium. My do it all spinning Rod was for a while a Fenwick HMG 7' MF for a while. The HMX isnt bad either and a little cheaper. I agree the plastic rod is a little bit stiffer than what I would call a true medium, but when I was shopping medium rods, I did hold the Mojo Bass plastics rod and the Fenwick HMG M/F side by side. The HMG felt like the Mojo Bass 7'1" MH/F Jig & Bait rod, that thing was a complete broomstick for a so called "medium" where the plastic rod, while stouter than what I'd call a true medium was still not quite a medium. The spinning rod may not be as stiff as the casting rod. Anyway, in this case I did suggest the plastics rod as an only rod since it will handle slightly heavier lures and lighter lures alike. I ended up getting the 6'8" M/XF "topwater" mojo bass, which is a true medium. Quote
Collinjet Posted April 29, 2019 Author Posted April 29, 2019 I went with the 13 Omen in Medium Fast. Thanks guys! Quote
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