Selecting A Reel

[Porta]

Hey, I'm new to the forum and to fishing. I have fished in the past but that was when I was younger fishing with my grandpa. Need some help on getting started again. I've been looking at reels and am trying to decide on either a bait caster or spinning reel. I want something thats versatile in a lot of situations. I am up for fishing anything. Any suggestions would be great.

Thanks

[endless]

Others oppinion will be different but depending on what you starting off with like plastics. T-rig, wacky, shaky I would just start off with a spinning reel. You can also toss light spinnerbait and chatterbaits depending on rod. I have 7' M-F spinning that I use for 3/8 chatterbaits. I also use spinning for popper lures. Outside of those that I would consider BC for cranks, jigs, buzzbait, frogs, etc.

Welcome to the site and this is about rods but still useful for what presentation is for what action and power in Spinning and Casting.

http://www.basspro.c...&objectID=32921

Choosing freshwater gear

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CFPage?storeId=10151&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&&mode=article&objectID=29934&cat=Fishing&subcatID=50&cmid=OLBUYINGGUIDE_29934_TITLE_50

This site also have allot of helpful fishing articles I would look into as well.

If need to learn how to fish a certain lure like C-rigs, jigs, spinners, etc on youtube bassresource has a channel with allot of helpful videos.

[Elk River]

I mainly use spinning rods for my fishing since where I live anything over 5lb is a monster. I suggest starting with one try to find a rod rated 1/8 to 1/2 oz MF. It would work for throwing topwater poppers,small walking baits, t-rigs, wacky, shakeyhead, in the range of the rod rating and 3/16-1/4 oz spinnerbaits. If you want to use cranks or heavier spinnerbaits and want to stay with spinning you will need another rod a MH to have the backbone to handle the lures.

[The Rooster]

I would say get a spinning reel and rod if you will only have the one to start out with. I'd get a medium power rod with a fast action tip, and in either 1/8 - 1/2 oz., or 1/4 - 3/4 oz. for a lure weight range. When I started and got spinning gear 1/4 - 3/4 was all I found everywhere I went and I never had a problem throwing the baits I wanted to throw, even when I was throwing the 1/8 oz. baits, that rod still did a decent job of it. But otherwise, ask yourself what types of baits you will be throwing and what the average weight of them is to know what you need there.

I don't want to cloud the water for you, but there are some considerations you may want to think on as you make this purchase. Some baits do weigh more than they say. Spinnerbaits for example, weigh nearly twice what they are rated at. The weight that is listed for them only accounts for the lead used in the head of the lure, so a 1/4 oz. spinnerbait has 1/4 oz. of lead, and then will weigh closer to 1/2 oz. total when you consider the added weight of the blades, hook, skirt, and wire frame. Buzzbaits and jigs are some others that are like this too, they weigh more than rated at. Still, other baits like crankbaits or jerkbaits will weight just what they say, with nothing more to consider, so a 1/4 oz. crankbait weighs a true 1/4 oz. So, not every bait will be easily able to cast on a 1/8 - 1/2, or a 1/4 - 3/4 spinning rod. Most will, but there will be a few that just don't do as well. Remember that. I only mention this because it sounds like you plan to get one rod to begin with, and that one rod would need to cover as broad a range as possible, so look at what sort of baits you plan to throw and then get a rod that will do that. Also, if you plan to get other rods later, then you could cover just the lower end of the lure weight range for now, with a 1/8 - 1/2 lure weight rated rod, and add another rod to this later to cover the heavier end of baits, maybe a baitcaster then.

Myself, I use 8 pound line on spinning reels. I find it to cast the best while still retaining enough strength to not break so often. 10 pound is stronger, and might be the better choice for an "all around" line for "general" baits, especially since this might be your only rod for everything, but I use spinning gear for only my lighter baits now and prefer how 8 pound works over the heavier lines.

Hope this helps get you started.

[Bluebasser86]

I'd go with a spinning reel, probably a 2500 or 3000 size reel on a 6' 6" or 7' medium/fast action rod. You could fish for most freshwater fish with that setup.

[new2BC4bass]

First, welcome to the forum. I switched to baitcasters when I got back into fishing 3 years ago. Love them, and now use a spinning reel only when I have to. However, I have to agree with everyone else. For a new fisherman, a spinning reel is the best way to go. You will be casting it like a champ the first day, although not with a great deal of accuracy yet. Not so with a baitcasting reel. They have a steeper learning curve. Especially if you plan on using 1/4 oz. or lighter baits.

You can be catching fish with the spinning reel instead of removing backlashes. Always a plus & way less frustrating. If I were starting again with just one rod, it would be a 7' M-F. Of course, I don't fish in the heavy cover some people do. I've come to prefer rods of 7' or longer. I can use a 6'6", but a 6' just seems way too short. From my research, I've come to believe that the Fast action rod is going to be more versatile than a Moderate or Extra Fast rod.

Keep us posted on what you buy, and how you like it. I have no idea what you budget is, but look at the Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth rods on Amazon or from RealRecreationUSA for the best prices. Some are less than $80, a $129 rod that is getting excellent reviews. In the spirit of lower budgets, look at a Pflueger reel like the President although there are plenty here that will recommend a Shimano. Can't argue with that choice either since all my spinning reels newer than 30 years old are Daiwas.

[Darren.]

Welcome! And I'll agree with everyone else, spinning is what you want to start out with. Bait casting is good when you feel you're ready for another step, another tool. But you can do pretty much everything with a spinning outfit. Digging out backlashes is no fun when you could be fishing. Another day, another time.

I echo the spinning reel size, around 2500. I use 1000 for my bass fishing, some would consider that ultra light, but not me.

For a rod, a medium or medium heavy 6' or 6'6" model to start with. Opinions vary on rod length, so go with what feels right. Ask the store to put the reel you want on various rods and feel the balance, feel the weight in your hand. Does the tip fall to the ground, or is the rod+reel horizontal (good IMO)? What feels best in your hand?

Then start with soft plastics (also IMO). Don't despise a good float and live bait either. Do what you need to do to get your feet wet, back into the game. Once your confidence starts building, then you can add on.

[Michael DiNardo]

Since you are going to start with one outfit see if you can find a reel that comes with a spare spool. If you fish a creek or small river for smallies you can use 6 lbs test. If you fish a lake with cover or use a heavier bait you can have the second spool loaded with 10 or 12 or braid and a leader. I also would recommend a 7 ft MF rod. Welcome to the site and GOOD LUCK and have fun.

Mike

[Porta]

So if I through lighter lures spinning reel? And heavier lures bait caster? What does lure weight really mean bigger fish v smaller? Also can you throw all lures with either or only some? Ill prob used mostly lures. One last thing is that I'll mostly be fishing lake shore and near dam and shallow water. I appreciate all your knowledge and taking the time to educate me.

Thanks

[Bluebasser86]

1/4oz and up will be easier on a baitcaster, lighter it's easier with a spinning reel is a pretty easy rule of thumb. Different weights can very greatly on how much they weigh depending on the material they're made from or if you add weight to them. You could fish most kinds of baits on either of them but spinning reels are easier to learn with and more forgiving than baitcasters are. Plus if you decide to fish for other kinds of fish like panfish/catfish/walleye/trout a spinning reel will work better for them in most cases.

[ww2farmer]

I'll add this, if you do get a baitcasting reel, spend a little money and get a good one. The cheap ones will do nothing but cause you headaches. With Spinning reels, you'll be fine with most moderately priced options.

Also don't assume the reel has every thing to do with casting. The wrong rod can make things tuff too. I have friends that are not into fishing, but want a decent set up for when they do go, I usually recomend a 6'6" M power, fast action spinning rod, a 2500 size spinning reel, and 20 lb braided line. That way, as a beginer you wont have to deal with line twist,or any other line managment issues that pop up with spinning gear and mono/fluoro. 20lb braid is the diameter as 6lb mono, so it handles wonderfull on spinning gear.