Help a Newbie with a setup!

[_BassAddict_]

ok so a little background story.

Im a city boy. grew up in southern california. never really fished my entire life except for a few times my grandpa took me when i was around 11 (23 now). Money became an issue so i packed up and shipped out to Idaho, and am now in the process of becoming a bonified cornfed country boy.

As you can assume, i plan on doing TONS of fishing. I have a cousin who fishes every day, and ive been going out with him quite frequently. as of now, im using my grandpas old rod, a Kunnan. its 7'6" light action, 2-8lb test. its a spinning rod, i would tell you the brand of reel if i knew, but over the years the logo wore off. (it must be an older pole since the kunnan factory burned down in the early 90's)

So to get to the point, im looking into a somewhat beginner/intermediate setup. I presume that ill learn quickly because i have great teachers (family and internet combined). So i dont want something ill regret buying by the end of the season. Keep in mind that this will be a multi purpose setup. ill be fishing Channel cats, bullheads, bass, bluegill, stripers. if its in a lake or stream im trying to catch it.

The rod i was looking into is the Ugly stik 6'6" Meduim action 6-12lb test.

The reason im looking at this rod is because all the great reviews its getting. Now im not sure if the people reviewing it know what theyre talking about, or if the rod is all hype. Being sold at wal-mart also leaves me skeptical.

Now for the reel. im almost dead set on a Pfleuger President XT. its right in my price range, and out of the spinning reels in that range it seems the best.

Now i honestly know nothing about either of these products other than what ive read/watched online. i did get to hold the ugly stick at wal-mart, but being new...i really dont know what im looking for while checking it out.

i COULD spend more money, but im not going to because i wanna leave a budget for lures/hooks/weights/line/etc...plus i gotta buy a tackle box/bag.

Any advice is appreciated.

[bigfruits]

As you can assume, i plan on doing TONS of fishing.

unless you want to have a spare "loaner" rod in the future, id spend a little more on a rod. buy your tackle slowly, if only a few lures at a time, if money is tight.

there are plenty of good cheap rods out there. what is your budget?

your specs look good. a 6'6", medium power, fast action spinning rod is what id go with.

ive heard great things about that president xt reel but id go with a shimano symetre 2500 as i have alot of experience with them and recommend them 100%.

good luck. youre gonna enjoy it.

[sal669]

Unfortunately, the "do it all" rod for all species was no invented yet.

If I were to start again from zero, my firs set up would be a 7ft graphyte, medium power, fast action rod made by a reputable company (especialy known for quality). "Ugly stick" is more of a "quantity" rod.

For more "bang"for your buck, you should look into a "house brand "in sale or clearance(BPS, Cabelas, etc).

A price range would help us give you more specific info.

[_BassAddict_]

well im pretty much set on the phleuger president XT for the reel. thats about $80.

for the rod, i dont want to spend over $100, but preferably less. i was thinking more like $50.

i was looking at the St Croix mojo bass line, but they seem to be too task specific.

i dont want to spend over $150 for the rod and reel.

[bigfruits]

fenwick hmx, falcon original, shimano compre , st. croix premier

i heard the abu vendettas are nice.

[ToledoEF]

Rods on a budget, Shimano Convergence : nice rod and has a lifetime warranty this is in the 50$ range. The Shimano Clarus is around 70$ has a lifetime warranty and is another awesome rod. They both won best budget rods in thier price class in the bassmaster magazine. I have also used both and they are great for the money.

[MattinOK]

well im pretty much set on the phleuger president XT for the reel. thats about $80.

for the rod, i dont want to spend over $100, but preferably less. i was thinking more like $50.

i was looking at the St Croix mojo bass line, but they seem to be too task specific.

i dont want to spend over $150 for the rod and reel.

You definitely need to change your thinking. Spend more on the rod and less on the reel. If a spinning reel is decently smooth, and has a good drag that is all you need. I'd spend $100 on the rod and pick up a Shimano Sedona, or a Pflueger Trion which is a wonderful reel for $40.

Compre Spin Rod 7' Medium

http://www.***.com/Shimano_Compre_Spinning_Rods_IM8_Graphite/descpage-SCSR.html

Sensitive rod, good price, great warranty.

http://www.***.com/Pflueger_Trion_GX-7_Spinning_Reel_/descpage-PTSR.html

Get the 4730/35.

There you go-- $140 bucks with free shipping.

[MSPbass]

I agree with MattinOK 100%! You rod is what gets your bait to the fish and what you use to work it once it's there. IMHO, it's more important that the reel.

That Trion would work great on a HMG too.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0071650124744a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntt=fenwick+hmg&Ntk=Products&sort=all&N=0&Nty=1&hasJS=true&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form1

[_BassAddict_]

ill jot down some notes. im going thursday (pay day) to cabelas so ill talk to the salesman there and see what he thinks as well.

[new2BC4bass]

ill jot down some notes. im going thursday (pay day) to cabelas so ill talk to the salesman there and see what he thinks as well.

Let's hope he knows more than most salesmen do.  Often it is a part time job for them to make a little extra money.  You are much better off listening to the advice given you on here by "enthusiasts".  These guys love to fish, try different rods/reels/lures/techniques, etc. and know of what they speak. 

[NewAngler]

Get a vendetta. Check out the flea market here.  Aquasuperstore.com has some cheap vendettas. Check them out at cabelas and pick one up for cheaper there. Then you can have more for a better reel and tackle. I'd get a mh/f, though.

[new2BC4bass]

I'd get a mh/f, though.

Yeah, pretty much what everyone told me when I asked about an all-around rod.

[_BassAddict_]

ill jot down some notes. im going thursday (pay day) to cabelas so ill talk to the salesman there and see what he thinks as well.

Let's hope he knows more than most salesmen do. Often it is a part time job for them to make a little extra money. You are much better off listening to the advice given you on here by "enthusiasts". These guys love to fish, try different rods/reels/lures/techniques, etc. and know of what they speak.

well of course i wont take his word as final, but usually cabelas doesnt hire people that dont know what theyre talking about.

ill take in all the advice and make my own decision.

Right now im headed in the direction of a St. Croix Mojo Bass rod.

[ToledoEF]

I own a mojo and some compres by shimano, and I would take the compre over the mojo everytime!

[MattinOK]

If I were stuck on getting a St. Croix rod, I would go with the Premier. It has the same blank as the Mojo, but it is cheaper. The mojo is pretty infamous for its balance (or lack thereof). Definitely tip heavy with most reels. 

[MSPbass]

Whatever you decide _AW_, have fun with your purchase. It's important to go with components that you feel comfortable with.