Newbie Qustion on Reels

[KaBar]

Greetings,

I'm getting back into fishing for the first time since I was a kid and am looking at purchasing some new equipment. There's a lot more selection available now and I have a few questions that someone can hopefully help me with.

I'm looking to get a decent rod/reel combo for panfish, bass, and maybe smaller walleyes & Northerns. I don't have a boat and will therefore spend most of my time fishing from shore or a fishing pier. Based on other posts in this forum and elsewhere, I think a spinning reel is the way to go. There are different sizes of spinning reels out there, and I'm not sure which one to pick up.

Shimano reels look like they come in sizes of 750/1500/2500/4000. The higher the number the larger the reel, right? So if I'm looking for panfish and bass for the most part, am I better off looking at smaller reel sizes, or does it not make that much difference? I'm looking at using 4 or 6 pound test line to start with.

Can someone point me in the right direction?

Thanks,

Bart

[Slyster]

Others will probably disagree.. but good for the budget... I use 6' Ugly Stick rods.. Medium Heavy action.. and Shimano spinning reels (medium sized 2xxx I guess? I don't have them here right now) with 6lb (or is it 8lb) power pro braid line. I do have good success with fluorocarbon leaders tied on for clear water (if you tie the knot right and superglue the knot!)... I have 4 of these setups: for senkos, tubes, bettlespins (for panfish), and one with a steel leader spinnerbaits and crankbaits and chatterbaits etc (good for bass and pike)... Probably only $70 per setup!

Sorry I can't be more specific.. but it's a start to this thread!

[Questor]

The best recommendation I can give is a Penn 430ss and a matching St. Croix premier rod. This is an extremely high quality durable combination that is not terribly expensive.

I've had several Shimano reels and I consider them "three year reels" because they seize up or otherwise fail within three years. They're certainly popular, but my experience has been uniformly bad.

I use two spinning outfits, one with the 430ss reel for panfish and trout, and one with a 4400ss for larger fish.

[Ufatz]

Since you are going to be shore fishing might I suggest a longer rod, 7' and a Shimano #2500 reel or similar size reel would be fine, loaded with 6 or 8 lb. Stren or Trilene line. You simply do not need any more than this for what you plan to do. Do NOT end up with an over-sized, clumsy and heavy outfit-after all, 95% of what you catch is going to weigh under three pounds!

Regarding the posted comments about Shimano reels: I am baffled by the gents experiences. I have bunches of them around here and they ALL still work fine, despite the fact that I don't even know HOW old some of them are!

[Sandmannd]

If you are looking at not spending a lot, look at the ungly stick combos. Used them for years before I stepped up to a St. Croix and loved them. For the money I don't think you can beet them. I still take people out that swear by them. If you want to spend a little more, get the ugly stick and choose your reel. If you want to spend even more then go St. Croix and get a good reel. It all goes by how much you wanna spend. By the way, if you want, I usually have open seats when I fish in my boat. I live on the East Side. If you are interested let me know and you can tag along if you want.

[gunflint]

I try to stay out of these but I'm not confident in the advice that you're getting so far. Stay away from Ugly Sticks unless you're going to fish with a bobber most of the time or if you're going to be putting it a dishwasher. I own several Shimano reels and for the buck they are one of the better ones.

Now as a newbie getting back into fishing I suggest either a Cabela's or Gander Mountain combo. They're good quality and for a beginner can be used in many different situations. Once you get into fishing more (and you will) you'll figure out a more customized set up to best fit your needs.

[Bobby Bass]

Don't get all hung up on price and rod and reel names. Go to a store, Gander, local bait shop where you can put reels on rods and feel how they feel together. Lots of fish are caught on 30 to 50 dollar outfits. Buy what you can afford and what feels good in your hand. I would go with a 6-6 to 7' rod if you are doing a lot of shore fishing. Will let you get out there and give you enough rod to set the hook. If you are just getting into fishing this will not be your last rod and you can always upgrade with the next rod after you fill the tackle boxes.. Good fishing

[KaBar]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I appreciate the information.

I've still got my ancient Zebco 202 and 33 combos from when I was a kid. They're over 25 years old now, but I took both of them apart last night and cleaned the congealed grease out of them and will respool them with 8 pound line for those times I want to try my hand at something larger. For the rest of this angling season I'll be taking my 4 year-old out with me, so we'll be concentrating on Sunnies & Crappies I think, since he has told me he wants to catch a 'really big fish' and holds his hands about 6" apart.

Because of this, I'm thinking about getting an ultralight setup using 4 pound test on a longer rod as some have suggested...

Does anyone have an opinion on Rapala's spinning reels? I've seen some very positive reviews of them online (much bang for the buck) but haven't been able to see one in person.

I hit the Gander Mountain in Woodbury over lunch today and checked out the spinning combos from Shimano, Pflueger, Daiwa and Gander Mtn's "Guide" series. Anyone know who makes Ganders' reels? They don't look too bad to me.

Thanks,

Bart

[rosspj59]

I don't know who makes them, but I have 3 gander reels that are working pretty well for me. Two are over 2 years old and one is from last fall. No problems with them yet.

[polarsusd81]

While I don't own one, I recommended the Gander rod/reel combos to my buddy when he move back from college. We fish quite often and he could not be happier with the three guide series combos he has purchased. Now that I think about it, I have one. He got a 6' medium action spinning combo with the IM6 rod for about 75 bucks. Great combo. Then we picked up matching ultra-lights for 30 bucks, great little combo 5'-6" rods spooled with 4 lb test line. Then he picked up a 6'-6" medium heavy baitcaster and after a couple times out getting used to it, I can't get him to put it down in the boat long enough for me to pick it up. We look kinda goofy when we go out on the water because in my little 14' lund, 2 people and about 14 rods. But we have favorites for each application.

I would highly recommend them and for what you are looking for, a $30 ultra-light combo would be a great buy. Take a look at the racks and find one with a 5 bb reel and a 5'-6" combo and run it through the price checker. Sometimes they are misplaced on the wrong rack.

Tom