Hello! Newbie Needs Some Quick Advice..

joedarat · Post by **joedarat** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 6:14 pm

Hello eveyone, and just want to say thanks in advance for any help.. this site looks very helpful.

I'll be going to a lake in Wisconsin this coming June. The fish in that specific lake are mostly bass, ocasional musky, pike, and walleye. The only reason I know this stuff is becuase I was there last year and fish'd for the first time and had a blast. I would like to be as prepared as possible for this time around.

My budget is about $100-150- for a reel & rod.. what the best i can get for that range.. and I think I'm leaning to spinning reels.. Thanks a lot! I want to impress my father-in-law this time!

LD483 · Post by **LD483** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 7:59 pm

Not that I am a pro or anything but I like this setup from the Bass Pro Shops website.

Shimano® Spirex® Reel/Bionic Blade™ XPS™ Rod Combo

This with a medium 7" Rod is a good multi-purpose rod and reel I feel. The only problem is I do not like any spinning reel if it has line heavier than 12 pound test. I have this rod and use it for fishing weightless Bait (for cast ability) and when I need to scale down my presentation. The Reel is a bit heftier than I like for spinning but it could pull in bigger fish (reason why I wanted it). Honestly I would spend the money and get a bait caster. Other than the learning curve is larger with a bait caster, I think most fishermen overtime would agree that you can cast more accurately and control fish during fight time better with one. I have 2 Bass Pro Shops Qualifier bait cast combo's (6'6 and 7’) which cost 80 dollars during the spring sale at BPS. 6’6 is medium and is rigged with Sea guard Fluorocarbon 15 lb, The 7” is Medium-heavy with 30lb spider wire stealth. The friend I fish with most often loves to use it when he takes our boat out by himself...especially the one with sea guard. I don’t know if the other guys would agree with this or not but I personally like going for better know brands. Hope this helps even a little though the guys on this website may disagree with some of what I said since you are just starting out.

P.S
Also I like line that has memory on spinning reels, as it seems to cast better to me. I don’t like using fluorocarbon on spinning as it does not have memory like mono. Good old fashion Berkeley XL smooth cast 10-12 pound will do. Do you plan on fishing more often? If so I would like to emphasize my point about getting a baitcaster you will not be sorry if you do.

bassfishing · Post by **bassfishing** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 12:48 am

Good advice loudog. That is a good setup. I aslo like it. good luck.

joedarat · Post by **joedarat** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 2:32 am

Hey thanks for the advice, I'll definately check those out. Another thing I just thought about.. Have any of you traveled on plane with your gear? how does that work , sinc I'll be flying into wisconsin.. should i look for a 2 section pole and try to bring it as a carry on?

LD483 · Post by **LD483** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 12:12 pm

Never carried on a plane before unless you have a huge duffelbag I would say get a combo pole and reel then find one that will section for 30-40. I have a nice one I take with me when I travel with my family (if I don't have a truck for my poles) that is for spinning it was 40 and it is a descent pole. I take a spinning reel off of one of my other poles and attach it. I am sure they make those for baitcasters but I have never purchased one.

mofish · Post by **mofish** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 12:21 pm

I'll have to agree that Bass Pro is the place to go to find you a good set up.. I like the Bass Pro reels too.

Traveling on a plane I would make me a rod carrier out of PVC pipe. Just glue an end on it and the put a treaded fitting on the other end and put you pole in there put your name and address on it and check it in and carry the reel in one of your carry on bags.