what action and lenth should i buy for a openface

[WesGue22]

i'm in highschool and i saved up some money for a new rod to go with my openface reel. I want an accurate casting rod but still has enough stiffness to set the hook and still casts a good distance, what length and action should i buy, 6' or 6'6  and to go with that should it get a Medium light action or just Medium action rod, or is 6 inches thatbig of deal?

thanks,

[roadwarrior]

Welcome aboard!

We need a price range to recommend a specific rod, but generally I would suggest 6 1/2' or 7' Medium Power/ Fast Action. This will work as an all-around spinning rod. These rating have enough strength to fish the majority of your lure weights. Medium Power makes catching bass under 5 lbs more fun, but still has the backbone to wrestle a hawg.

[eyedabassman]

If I where you I would go with the 6'6" in a MH rod because you can use that rod for alot baits. I like 7' rods, there is a bigger up side for the 7' rod.But do your home work ( no pun) and go to Bass Pro or a good fishing store and get them in your hand to see how they feel to you.Not every one likes the same rods.

[TrickyVT1887]

I agree with eyedabassman with the 6'6" med heavy and to add to feeling the rod in your hand at the store have them but a reel on it also so you can get a better feel of how the rod will balance and feel while fishing, i see no problem going up to 7' but for me i like the little bit shorter 6'6" for more casting control and just i think the length is just right when using a spinning reel. Try them both see how they feel to you because rod selection is mainly personal preference and what is your price range that would help to find the right rod your looking for.

[WesGue22]

I have 120 bucks to work with mabie 130 by the time i go get it.  but you see i live out in the boondocks,  the closest store with fishing rods is walmart and that's 40 min away. bass pro shop is 4 hours away.  i was going to get i nicer one than i'm used to off line so i can't really get a feel for it before i buy it. Do you i know a good rod i can get for $130.

thanks,

[Grey Wolf]

WELCOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yoy are going to have to go to BPS to get a rod in the 130.00 range.

Wal-Mart probably have rods in the 60.00 range.

[WesGue22]

i'm can't go to bass proshop it's too far away and i don't want to get a cheap one at walmart, i was going to order one off line so anybody know the name of a good rod for $130 i can order offline?

thanks

[roadwarrior]

We have a section here called the "Flea Market." Check that section out over the next few weeks and you will probably be able to pick up a great rod at a good price.

[WesGue22]

Well i guess that solves my problem.  Thanks for the help everyone.

[LAO162]

I'm pretty much in the same boat.  BPS is a full day round trip.  Cabelas even further (but were getting one soon .  You might try going out to some manufacturer websites and look for dealers in your area.  If you are going to buy a name like Shimano, you will pay full boat whether its online or from a dealer.  Might as well support your local guy.

If you really want a deal, it seems as though the BPS and Cabelas combos are a great deal.  The BPS Extreme has gotten a lot of good reviews.  If you have time, do a few searches on it.  I've been looking at some of those combos & may buy online myself.  The only thing stopping me is that I'd like to buy from my local dealer since I will be asking him for advice about gear and checking out his inventory.  More importantly, though, I'll be asking him about locations and local conditions

Maybe someone else can address the Cabelas & BPS combos in your $ range.  Good Luck!

Leon

[Hawgin]

For the price you are looking to spend I would recommend the Fenwick HMX, or a St. Croix Premier.  

[LAO162]

oops, I didn't catch that you already had the reel  :-?

[WesGue22]

i do have a reel. my rod broke and i was just going to get a new rod to put on my old reel, but now that you mentioned it i think i should just get a combo instead becuase my old reel is kinda cheap. does anyone know a good combo i can order?

[LAO162]

I think Cabelas & BPS can go lower on combos when they involve their own brands. These were some of the combo's I was first looking at before I increased by budget and found a local tackle shop. DISCLAIMER ;D - I do not have experience with any of these combos and you can get better information for the others on the board 8-) Hope these give you a frame of reference, though.

Pflueger President BPS Extreme $109

http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=59170&hvarDept=100&hvarEvent=&hvarClassCode=3&hvarSubCode=2&hvarTarget=browse

BPS Extreme Combo $99

http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=90689&hvarDept=100&hvarEvent=&hvarClassCode=3&hvarSubCode=2&hvarTarget=browse

Shimano Sahara / BPS Bionic Blade $99

http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=59167&hvarDept=100&hvarEvent=&hvarClassCode=3&hvarSubCode=2&hvarTarget=browse

Cabelas Tournament ZX / Tourney Trail Combo $89

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/horizontal-pod.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/pod-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20166-cat20287&rid=&indexId=cat20287&navAction=push&masterpathid=&navCount=1&parentType=index&parentId=cat20287&id=0030188

Cabelas Tournament ZX / Fish Eagle II Combo $109

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/horizontal-pod.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/pod-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20166-cat20287&rid=&indexId=cat20287&navAction=push&masterpathid=&navCount=4&parentType=index&parentId=cat20287&id=0022922

Shimano Symetre / Cabelas Tourney Trail Combo $109

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/horizontal-pod.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/pod-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20166-cat20287&rid=&indexId=cat20287&navAction=push&masterpathid=&navCount=4&parentType=index&parentId=cat20287&id=0030874

Warning - its easy to spend more

Cheers! Leon

[Pond-Pro]

BPS definatley has good values in their Extremes and Bionic blades.  I would go with one of those.  You can save even more money if you get a combo deal.  Good luck!