Looking for my first nice rod and reel

[oldnewguy]

I took up fishing about a month ago, and bought an Academy brand spinning rod/reel that was on sale for $13.99.  It's been fine, but now I'd like something a little nicer/more substantial.

 

I've been shore fishing, and caught sunfish, channel catfish and a large mouth bass.  The catfish and bass were probably 2-4 pounds.

 

Just wondering what sort of rod and reel I should be looking at.  I'm not opposed to another spinning reel, but I also wouldn't mind trying a baitcast type.  I'll say my budget is $150-200 total.

 

[swhit140]

I'd say if you're catching sunfish and smaller fish your probably fine with a spinning setup. I don't think you would need to spend $200 for what you're planning to catch.

[oldnewguy]

For the size and type of fish I'm talking about, would a spinning or baitcast reel be preferable?  Or just a personal choice?

[Skunkmaster-k]

A 6’10” - 7’ medium fast spinning rod with a 2500 - 3000 reel is a good place to start, at least for the way I like to fish. Are you using live or artificial bait ?

[oldnewguy]

I've only used live worms to this point, but I'm sure I'll use other baits or lures in the future

[Derek1]

If I were in you’re shoes right now I would get a 6’6” medium fast casting rod. From shore you can fish all kinds of weightless and lightly writes plastics. Along with some smaller top water plugs, small spinnerbaits and things like that. As long as the cover is not to heavy where you fish. That length will still let you get decent distance, and not be to cumbersome if you fish around trees and bushes. Good luck and have fun. 

[JS8588]

Since you've been using spinning, I'd stick with that.

 

I'd buy this rod (the 2 piece): https://www.fishusa.com/13-Fishing-Omen-Black-Spinning-Rod

 

And this reel (the 2500D. You don't need the higher gear ratio):

https://www.fishusa.com/Daiwa-Exceler-LT-Spinning-Reel

 

Spool it with 8lb Sunline Super Natural Mono and go catch fish.

https://www.fishusa.com/Sunline-Super-Natural-Monofilament-Line?quantity=1&L-Spool-Size=233&L-Test=554&L-Color1=10846

 

[JS8588]

3 hours ago, JS8588 said:

Since you've been using spinning, I'd stick with that.

 

I'd buy this rod (the 2 piece): https://www.fishusa.com/13-Fishing-Omen-Black-Spinning-Rod

 

And this reel (the 2500D. You don't need the higher gear ratio):

https://www.fishusa.com/Daiwa-Exceler-LT-Spinning-Reel

 

Spool it with 8lb Sunline Super Natural Mono and go catch fish.

https://www.fishusa.com/Sunline-Super-Natural-Monofilament-Line?quantity=1&L-Spool-Size=233&L-Test=554&L-Color1=10846

 

Apologies. The Monkey got me. I ordered that 2 piece rod myself. Price was too good to pass up. ?

[bulldog1935]

@JS8588 has really good recommendations there.  I'll second them. 

 

Light baitcasting tackle is really fun, but the good stuff is beyond your budget - you're in the learning fishing stage, and spinning tackle will take your focus off the casting effort and point it toward the fish. 

 

 

Save the BFS tackle for later, and then up the ante. 

[new2BC4bass]

I've never tried it, but casting live worms on a casting rod might be hard to keep the worm on the hook.  Either type reel will do fine as far as the type of fish you are catching.  I'd probably look at another spinning combo...and I love baitcast reels.  For me it (baitcast reels)  was one deep rabbit hole.

 

There are several combos that would fit within your $200 budget should you decide to try a baitcast combo.  I'd also look at used reels.  Can get some good deals occasionally.  Again, there are a lot of good options going this way.  BUT...fishing with live worms would probably require a ML power rod at most.  Spinning you could go with a Medium power rod with no problem.

 

I'm a little biased towards Daiwa for spinning reels and they offer several models between $50 and $100.  The Aird X ($55) is said to fish above its price.  13 Fishing offers several models below $100.  Maybe look at the Ark Lancer Pro currently $20 off at TW.  Or an Ark Viper Classic at about $110.  I've never fished a Bucoo, but have several other Falcon rods, and like them a lot.  I've always felt I got good value for my money from Okuma.  Shimano also has several below $100, and I'd even be willing to try a Sellus now that they are blue instead of white. 

[oldnewguy]

I'm not necessarily against another spinning setup, I just don't think I throw this one very accurately.  But I could be throwing it wrong, or just need to practice.

[bulldog1935]

You may discover a big difference casting with a quality rod over a $15 combo. 

Generally casting any tackle, the harder you try, the less accurate you can be. 

There are many different ways to load the rod that will fit in different spots - underhand pitch, side-arm (back-hand and fore-hand), overhead (usually the greatest distance). 

Get the feel of loading the rod to time your line release - you'll get a lot more feel from a better rod - it will talk to you, and your cast accuracy will become intuitive. 

Until you get this worked out with spinning tackle, you probably shouldn't mess with baitcaster. 

The timing is different casting a baitcaster, and you also have to understand how to set up the reel and load the cast, plus use your thumb to slow and stop the spool - all to avoid backlashing the reel. 

 

If your spinning cast is going too far, you put your fingertips into the line coming off the spool to slow it down.  This is a good habit, anyway, it's called manual bail technique.  Stop the line with your fingertips, close the bail by hand rather than by cranking the reel, and turn with the rod to take up slack before you crank the reel.  This will eliminate line problems. 

 

[oldnewguy]

Thanks for the suggestions.  I stopped into BPS and looked at a few things.  I think I will stick with a spinning setup, and I liked the Ugly Stik Elite and St Croix Triumph rods.  Maybe I can find something similar on sale this week.

[oldnewguy]

I found the Exceler on sale for $54, so I bought two.  I also ordered a 7' M/F Ugly Stik Elite.

 

 

[JS8588]

1 minute ago, oldnewguy said:

I found the Exceler on sale for $54, so I bought two.  I also ordered a 7' M/F Ugly Stik Elite.

 

 

Nice score on those Excelers. They're a lot of reel for the $$.

 

Let us know what you think!

[oldnewguy]

Will do.  Can't wait to try out the new setup.

 

I'll start looking into some tackle as well.  The only thing I've used so far are bobbers, hooks and worms.

[JS8588]

6 minutes ago, oldnewguy said:

Will do.  Can't wait to try out the new setup.

 

I'll start looking into some tackle as well.  The only thing I've used so far are bobbers, hooks and worms.

I strongly recommend kastmaster & dardevle spoons for a beginner. You'll catch fish on em.