Need help with a new set up

[BigJohnny]

I'm looking to upgrade my fishing gear. I am just getting into bass fishing and don't know too much about equipment. I'm currently fishing a 6 1/2 foot shakespeare alpha medium action rod with a 3 ball bearing shakespeare reel, so just about anything would be an upgrade but...

My two friends that I fish with both fish a medium action 6 ft lightning rod with pflueger president reels and they both love them, but I don't want to spend the money until I hear some other opinions.

[Sam]

Flooger, Shimano, Diawa - any name brand reel around $100 to $200. Consider a middle of the road ratio of 6:1.

Graphite medium heavy 6' 6" rod is a good all around rod - any name brand rod is a good selection.

Look for sales.

The guys use all kinds of rods and reels so everyone has a different suggestion.

If you don't want problems when learning, try a spinning set up, but nothing over a size 2500 spinning reel.

The fun is getting started and learning from experience.  Sooner or later you will have a room full of rods and reels, like the rest of us.  

[adclem]

Lots and I mean lots of good reels and rods out there.  List the style reel you want spinning or bait caster and the type of fishing you mainly do and believe me you will be overwhelmed with the responses you will get.

You won't go wrong with Shimano, Daiwa, Pflueger, Abu Garcia, St. Croix, etc...

Later,

[SirSnookalot]

The first question is how serious of a fisherman do you want to be and how much do you want to spend.

The pflueger trion for about $39. is a great modest upgrade, for 79 you have the president, for my money either one would be more than adequate.

6'6 would be my chocie fro an " all around rod", the lightening is about 40, I'd take a good look at the shimano clarus for 59

[BigJohnny]

I wouldn't say I've earned the right to call myself a serious fisherman, but I've been fishing quite a bit lately with no intent to stop anytime soon.

I am willing to spend no more than $100 on a reel, and I expect to spend 40-60 on a rod. It just seems that lots of folks use the president so naturally that was the one I was initially attracted to. Anyone ever use the president XT?

[dodgeguy]

if you are going to buy a pflueger which i highly agree with then get the supreme at 100$.i disagree with a 2500 size.get a 4000 size.the bigger spool will give you far less line issues.the reel is magnesium so it is light even in the 4000 size.stay away from graphite frame reels.the president is graphite in the spinning version.graphite reels have to much flex.i have had big fish snap the neck on graphite.it also flexs to much causing bearing misalignment.you can probably pick up a bps bionic blade for around $50.these are great rods for the money.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_98372_100002002_100000000_100002000_100-2-2

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_94739_100001002_100000000_100001000_100-1-2

[mrlitetackle]

just want one rod...go for 6"6" its a pretty versatile length.. as far as reels ...you will never go wrong with anything from shimano or daiwa...Personally i have never used any pflueger reels but have heard many good things about them as well.

[bigfruits]

shimano sahara 2500 and a fenwick hmx HMXS66ML or HMXS66M

[BigJohnny]

Thanks all of the help. I was at Gander Mountain last night and they have the Pflueger Supreme rod/reel combo for $99. I just might go pick it up