Beginner Rod/Reel/Line Setup!

[EVG]

So I have read a lot, then read some more!  Posted some questions and received some great feedback.  I have came to the conclusion that I have no business buying higher end equipment as I need to learn to catch fish first, and learn all the various techniques to see what I like and don't like before dropping more $$ on higher end equipment.  I know there are many in the same boat as myself.  My hopes are to use this thread, and one I will start in the tackle section to  combine a lot of the info I have read throughout the various posts.  I am looking for feed back on my suggestions, just trying to create a different type of post for those who want a 3-4 rod setup, and all the tackle involved to jump into bass fishing and all the techniques involved for $700 or less! 

 

So here goes my thought on the rods/reels I will be using:

 

-Lews Xifinity M spinning combo from Wal-Mart $60

-Shimano SLX combos MH with a 7.2, and a M with a 6.3 $256

-Lews Carbon Fire H with a Daiwa Fuego CT $130

-I will add a ML spinning once I decide on what I want!

 

Line I will be using:

-Spinning combos will receive Yo-Zuri #6 Hybrid $11

-M casting will use #12 Sunline super natural Monofilament $7

-MH casting will use #12 Yo-Zuri Hybrid $11

-H will get 50# braid

 

Current total for 4 rods/reels/line=$505

[ResoKP]

If I was to do it all over again, I would buy decent gear to begin with instead of going the cheap route because eventually they all got replaced and I ended up spending more money that way.

 

Problem with going the cheap route, is they have no resale value. They become 100% sunk cost.

 

If your budget is $700, I would go with no less than Curado, Tatula level of gear (with exceptions to things like Fuego).

 

JIMHO. DYODD. GLHF.

[Derek1]

Bps carbonlite2.0 mh/f with a currado= $269

Bps carbonlite 2.0 m/f spinning Shimano nasci=$220

tackle backpack ~$50 or so

some trrminal tackle, soft plastics, a few spinner baits,  a couple lipless a few square bills and a jig or two. 

Then go fishing and see what you like to throw. Those two rods will do allot of things. While your figuring out what you like to throw. The most important thing is you’ll never outgrow them. That’s the start of a nice collection. Starting with decent gear is better in the long run. I started with a couple cheaper setups, started replacing them the first season. Good luck lots of decent gear out there in your budget to get started. 

[jbsoonerfan]

All those rods and reels will be replaced with more expensive rods and reels in the future. My advice would be to buy a couple med range set ups and go from there.

 

I should add this. I would also buy used from the classifieds here. There is a heck of a deal on 2 Tatula CT's reels right now and you can always get some great gear here.

[MN Fisher]

I agree with the Fuego CTs, but I'd get a better rod for both...Diawa Aird-X's aren't much more expensive but I think would be an improvement over the Berkleys.

 

For the spinning rigs, I'd step it up. Mitchell 300 series Pros are great reels and there are a couple combos that I think would work great

Mitchell 310 Pro Combo 7' L rod - $90 (direct from Mitchell)

Mitchell 308 Pro Combo 6'6" M rod - $90 (direct from Mitchell)

 

That'll cover almost everything. The L and M spinning setups have overlap on lure/line weight and would allow even lighter presentations than the ML rig.

 

[Lead Head]

Are you fishing from a boat, kayak, or the shore? If your walking the banks, 2 mid level combos is probably the way to go. If your out on the water I would stick to the cheaper, multiple combo plan you currently have.

 

The fuego ct is an excellent choice for your baitcasting reels no matter what you decide. They are the same reel as the tatula only without the t-wing and an amazing value at $50-$70 from Ebay. 

 

I personally would go mh and h on the bait casters, especially if you plan to throw frogs. You would need 50lb braid on the h if you go that route, but this is just my personal preference because I don't finesse fish much.

 

 

[Joshua van Wyk]

7 hours ago, ResoKP said:

If I was to do it all over again, I would buy decent gear to begin with instead of going the cheap route because eventually they all got replaced and I ended up spending more money that way.

 

Problem with going the cheap route, is they have no resale value. They become 100% sunk cost.

 

If your budget is $700, I would go with no less than Curado, Tatula level of gear (with exceptions to things like Fuego).

 

JIMHO. DYODD. GLHF.

I agree, personally I'd grab a few of the Slx combos from Alf as they are great value and great quality too. 

[Fishin' Fool]

As a new person I'd suggest you stay with rods and reels in your price range from Shimano or Daiwa. Over time you'll branch out with other manufacturers.

[EVG]

24 minutes ago, Joshua van Wyk said:

I agree, personally I'd grab a few of the Slx combos from Alf as they are great value and great quality too. 

Problem is....I posted the link for the great deal, now they have nothing left! ?. 

 

I sent them an email asking when they would get more in, haven’t heard yet!  I did find them somewhere else for $143 with a discount.

40 minutes ago, Lead Head said:

Are you fishing from a boat, kayak, or the shore? If your walking the banks, 2 mid level combos is probably the way to go. If your out on the water I would stick to the cheaper, multiple combo plan you currently have.

 

The fuego ct is an excellent choice for your baitcasting reels no matter what you decide. They are the same reel as the tatula only without the t-wing and an amazing value at $50-$70 from Ebay. 

 

I personally would go mh and h on the bait casters, especially if you plan to throw frogs. You would need 50lb braid on the h if you go that route, but this is just my personal preference because I don't finesse fish much.

 

 

I will be fishing from a boat.  I know there is better higher $$ equipment out there, however I really believe I need to “walk before I run here!”  This equipment will most definitely be moved to backup/extras down the road when I upgrade, but I want to upgrade knowing why I’m upgrading, not just buying it because it looks cool!  In my original rod thread I received great advice on higher quality equipment, and I will get there, just believe I need to spend less to learn what techniques I prefer and then I will invest in those techniques.  

[CrankFate]

I second the idea of buy better gear and less setups. I fish two setups. One heavy and one light. For just about all types of fishing. For most people 2 setups covering two weight ranges is all you need. Two set ups with comfortable, light $200 reels paired with $150 rods will be better than 3 or 4 cheaper setups. Or even one $200-250 reel with two $200-250 rods. You will be amazed what the same reel can do when paired with a lighter or heavier rod. You don’t really need all those rods and reels.

 

A lot of guys are just buying the extra stuff because we can, not because we need it (myself included).

[Falkus]

Did the same thing when I first started with lower ends. End up upgrading all of them to Gloomis (NRX for bottom contact), Dobyns and St Croix. 

 

I would spend more money on the rods (60% or more) vs reel (40% or less). 

 

 

[offsidewing]

Rods - Cabelas Tournament ZX.  They were the belle of the ball at iCast a few years ago and go on sale regularly for $80 or less, sticker price is $99.  Really tough rod to beat at that price.  You have to get into the $200 + range to find something noticably more sensative. I can't say enough good things about these rods.

 

Reels - with some patience, great deals are to be found on popular auction sites and 'Murican Leggacy Fishing (wink, wink).  Casting reels: The Curado K feature set is great at the price point when found on sale.  Daiwa Fuego gets a lot of recommendations from reasonable non-fanboys as well.  Spinning reels: its tough to beat the Pflueger President and Supreme reels at their price points.  If you're thinking of spending $150 on a spinning reel, bite the bullet and step up to a Shimano Stradic Ci4+.

 

I use these pieces of gear along side my really expensive combos.  With some patience you can get a Curado K / Tournament ZX combo for $250 or less and a Pfluger Supreme / Tournament ZX spinning combo for $160.

 

 

[Lead Head]

I feel like your on the right path. For me personally, fishing from a boat, I would rather have 3-4 budget set ups than 1-2 nicer ones. Everyone is different though. 

 

I also agree with the rod before reel upgrade line of thinking (especially with fuego ct). While I'm not familiar with the cherrywood, I will say using braid will help compensate for any lack of sensitivity they have, especially for bottom contact presentations. 

[Catt]

@EVG There's nothing more disheartening than buying a mid to higher end setup based on someone's opinion & then finding out it aint what your comfortable with.

 

Because of this I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment of starting with a decent setup until YOU figure out what you're comfortable with.

 

May I suggest looking at combos; Academy, Bass Pro, & Cabela all have good quality combos from $79.99 to $149.99.

[greentrout]

and you might want to consider KastKing .... and keep some money in the bank ... and fish with great rods and reels .... can't go wrong to start off with them and you might stay with them a long time ...

 

good fishing ...

 

 

[CrankFate]

54 minutes ago, greentrout said:

and you might want to consider KastKing .... and keep some money in the bank ... and fish with great rods and reels .... can't go wrong to start off with them and you might stay with them a long time ...

 

good fishing ...

 

 

Please, even after years of fishing, there’s a lot of times that I still look like that kid..........

[EVG]

12 hours ago, greentrout said:

and you might want to consider KastKing .... and keep some money in the bank ... and fish with great rods and reels .... can't go wrong to start off with them and you might stay with them a long time ...

 

good fishing ...

 

 

Sadly this video sums up my entire thought process!!!

[Boomstick]

I started really fishing a couple years ago, bought some lures and cheaper gear. I didn't even know at the time that I'd love fishing as much as I do or even that bass would become my favorite species to fish for (I thought I'd be targeting channel catfish mostly, because they're tasty!). Once I figured out that I'm in it for the long haul, I then did some research and bought myself a higher end casting rod and reel -- and then added several more both for each of my kids and myself.

 

If I was starting off again, I would seriously consider the Shimano SLX combo which I've seen for sale (as posted by another forum user) for as low as $129.99. While I'm sure I still prefer the gear that I have, I'm fairly sure that I would be comfortable adding new rods for specific techniques before upgrading them. Also, I would start off with no more than 2-3 rods.

 

My suggestion would be to buy the MH/F SLX casting combo (run 40lb braid which will handle jigs and frogs in moderate cover just fine), a ML/XF spinning combo for drop shots and neg rigs and the medium SLX casting combo. This will cover most scenarios very nicely, and next year you can get a heavy rod for frogs in heavy cover. If you were not regularly fishing from a boat, I would say skip the medium combo for now as well, but having regular access to a boat gives you many more options.

[Log Catcher]

 You might check with a local tackle shop to see what they recommend and see if they have any good used equipment for sale. We have a local tackle shop that takes in and sells a lot of used equipment for people.

[Choporoz]

I think you're off to a great start.  You've done your homework.

I have no issues with your starting line up.  I haven't used those rods, but I've heard enough to know they should suit you just fine. 

As to used gear recommendations...I suggest steering clear for now.  I just don't think the potential value of the rare 'steal' is worth the risk.  Buy new for now...unless you can handle 'like-new' in person

[EVG]

After reading through the thoughts and contemplating myself, I have made some adjustments to the OP and changed the rods up!

[roadwarrior]

Keep an eye on our Flea Market. You might be able to pick up a St. Croix Avid or G.Loomis IMX

"gently used" for the same cost of new lesser models. As an all-around rod I would specifically

recommend St. Croix AVC70M/F or G. Loomis IMX MBR844C.

 

 

[Tennessee Boy]

The video that @Green Trout posted is spot on.   The difference between a $500 combo and a $100 combo in terms of fish caught is very close to zero.  You’ll be better off in the long run buying a cheap medium action rod and a cheap heavy action rod and learning why action matters than buying a high end rod someone else recommended based on their preference and the way they fish.