New to forum, general equip advice

[fleegs]

Hey everybody. New to the forums, what a great tool.

Looking to add a new rod/reel to my arsenal. Currently have a spin rod/reel combo that I got for cheap. I'm not a hardcore fisherman, but really enjoy my time on the water and want to get into it more.

Any and all advice is welcome! Thanks!

[Savage Brewer]

Rough budget and type of fishing you are looking for will help alot. Many rod and reel recommendations will vary depending on what you want to fish for.

[fleegs]

Probably $100 but if it's worth it I may go higher. The lake I visit often in Nisswa is packed with panfish and some decent bass. Also want to start fishing walleye. I've got a lot to learn.

[Savage Brewer]

Well, my go-to would be then a Medium or Medium-Light action 6' to 6'6" long graphite spinning rod with a reel capable of holding 125 to 150 yards of 8 pound test.

An example would be a berkley lightning rod or a Cabelas Pro Guide rod for about $40.

And then pair it up with a Shimano Sonora 2500 for about $50

Add in some 8 pound line and taxes should be under $120.

[nofishfisherman]

For sure check out the Shimano reels. You can get a good spinning reel that will serve you very well for $40-50.

For rods also check out the Guide Series at Gander Mountain. Its been awhile since I've looked at them but I seem to remember them running in the $40 range and they are good rods for the money.

For $100 you should be able to get a nice set up that will serve you well. If you aren't hardcore I don't see much point in spending more than that for a rod/reel. You can pay more and get better stuff but I don't think it puts that many more fish in the boat to justify the cost for someone who isn't hardcore about fishing.

[fleegs]

Forgive me for being naive but how does a more expensive rod/reel combo put more fish in the boat?

[fleegs]

Also, what about rod length? I think I currently have a 6' 2 piece rod

[TruthWalleyes]

For applications such as casting a jig, a more sensitive rod allows you to feel the bottom and inturn keep your lure in the strike zone longer.

Almost everyone starts off with a cheap rod and then a few years down the road quits buying cheap stuff and starts buying rods that last and are of higher quality.

Don't be afraid to go buy cheap shakespear stuff as a beginner. Spend more money on different baits to use with your rod/reel combo. Then just go fishing and you may or may not get the itch to buy a $200 combo.

Last winter i gave away about 10rods/reels that were all of lower quality as i've upgraded over the years, but this made a beginner fisherman very happy to have what he needed to get started.

[nofishfisherman]

For rod length if you plan to use it for multiple applications I'd go with a 6'6" rod. Its a good do it all choice.

Like said above the higher quality rods will give you more feel. You'll be able to get a better feel of the bottom and a fish strike.

In my mind I lump rod/reels into 3 categories. 1) cheapos 2)Middle of the road ~$100 for the combo 3) high end - Sky is the limit on price.

The difference between the cheapos and a middle groud rod is quite noticeable. Stepping up from the cheap to middle ground will help put more fish in the boat and will give you a ton more feel and you'll get a rod/reel that will last awhile. Once you take the next step from the middle to the high end rod I feel like the difference is a little less noticable. You'll get better feel but its not as big of a difference as between the cheapo and middle ground.

The high end rods and reels sure are nice to fish with but if you aren't fishing a ton I'd be hard pressed to recommend spending the money when a good middle ground rod and reel will still serve you very well.

[fleegs]

Thanks everybody. Going to check out some equipment this weekend. Thinking a shimano reel but I may stick to the cabelas line of rods. Seem a little less expensive and should be fine for what I'm doing.

Looking forward to learning a lot from everybody. Great group here.

[bturck]

I have several Cabellas spinning rods,they do a good job. Also have a couple of spendy

y ones. More money spent does not GURANTEE more fish; knowledge and presentation coupled with your willingness to explore different options is still key to success. Good luck you are headed for some good times.

[ClownColor]

cabelas magtouch with president reel.

[walleyeking19]

I'd recommend a Berkeley Lighting Rod. Its only like $40, so its a great value. I have a few of them.

[jac714]

Depending on where you live it might be worth a trip to Thorne Brothers and ask them for help selecting a rod adn reel. They have the product knowledge you might not find at the big C store. They also will take the time to help you find the right rod for you.

Their prices are comparable to the big stores so you can't really lose.

Good luck