Rod/reel Suggestions New Fisherman

[Trickerie]

Hey all,

Fairly new Florida fisherman here. I've fished all my life, but never seriously with my own equipment, etc. Recently, we got a house with a decent sized man-made lake behind it. Its full of Bass! However, I have some concerns.

First, the lake is very shallow, and has very little cover because its kept "clean" by the community. At its deepest, I estimate its depth is around 7-8 feet.

Second, the ecosystem in the lake still seems to be developing, seeing as the biggest fish I've caught yet is only around 2 1/2 lbs.

So, my question is. I like to use lighter tackle, because it seems to work better with the shallowness of the lake and the size of the fish. My only pole, though, is a daiwa baitcaster. It has a supremely difficult time casting, say, my 1/8 micro jig.

Are there any relatively non-expensive reel/rods I can get to cast light tackle with a baitcaster, or will I need to get a spinning setup

Also, any tips you guys can offer a newbie on fishing a shallow, murky, coverless lake would be appreciated!

Thanks!!

[guitarkid]

I would rrecommend a spinning rod, they handle light line better in my opinion. The best bang for your buck reels are going to be either a pflueger president or abu garcia cardinal. As far as rods, I would recommend a St, croix triumph. I might also point out to watch sale racks, youy can get some amazing deals on some really nice stuff.

-gk

[Hi Salenity]

I see about 3 options,

1 go with a spinning reel

2 Try a Shimano 50e It does good with lighter baits but 1/8oz?

3 Fish bigger baits & catch bigger fish!

[B@ssCrzy]

Definitely a spinning reel. Unless you want to get into spending a good amount of money for a baitcaster. 50e I hear is a good option as previously suggested or something like a pixie if you want to get into something that can really throw small baits. I personally would just save my money and go with a spinning reel, but then load it with braid instead of mono. If you are worried about water clarity you can always then do a fluoro leader or even a mono leader. The braid will keep you from getting birds nests from the spinning gear due to line twist and line memory from mono. This has worked for me quite well with my spinning gear. Used to hate spinning gear b/c of the line twist until I strung it with braid. Does not bother me now. Good luck.

[Trickerie]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll probably just pick up a spinning reel/rod and also learn to simply fish bigger lures. Haven't had much luck yet, except with some bigger zoom worms.

[Packard]

I'd get a spinning rod and reel to toss your lighter baits. Then with your baitcaster I would toss some bigger baits. My suggestions for smaller lakes are weightless senkos, strike king red eye shad 1/2oz, strike king kvd 1.5 squarebills, zoom flukes, and 7.5" culprit worms. These are just some great baits to throw and with a little experimenting, you will figure the lake out and will be reeling in the bass!

[flippin and pitchin]

The key word was " coverless. " A 7 foot spinning rod with #8 to #10 will be so versatile for you. Go with a 3 power (m/f) and you can toss 1/16 to 3/8 ounce baits with ease. You have some excellent options in reels. Don't hesitate to buy a good quality used rod to soften the blow to you wallet. Your lure/presentation options will fill a full page. If you add a BC, figure it to be for baits at 3/16 Oz. and heavier. Packard covered it well. WELCOME TO THE FORUM !

[Trickerie]

Hey guys. Thanks again for the suggestions. Got me a 5lber last night!!!

[SirSnookalot]

I live inb a Florida community and our ponds are exactly as you described. Some years he vegetation is thick other years, like now it's sparse. I use a 6'6 6/12 rod and 30 supreme and 6'6 light 4/10 with a 25 supreme, anything along those lines will be perfect. I do not throw big baits as bigger rods are needed and for me big rods are for big fish and small rods for small fish, I have caught bass up to 8# in my ponds, that's pretty much the limit. When the vegetation is thick, I often go to a heavier med spinning rod just to pull them out, I really don't like it. No real need to invest a bundle on equipment and tackle, not much is really needed.

Congrads on the 5 pounder, that's a good pond fish.

[J Francho]

Get a 7' M/F or ML/F spinning rod, and a 2500 series spinning reel. You pick the budget. Load it with 8# Yo-Zuri hybrid or 20# braid. From there, knock yourself out catching your pets.

[bman310]

Get a 7' M/F or ML/F spinning rod, and a 2500 series spinning reel. You pick the budget. Load it with 8# Yo-Zuri hybrid or 20# braid. From there, knock yourself out catching your pets.

Very good advice there.

I'd also like to add one thing. U mentioned there are areas that still have some cover. Those are the areas u need to target until your lake's water temps warm up.

-b