Hey guys I need some help picking out a fishing set up. Ive never really had my own pole and I've been fishing more lately so I want to get my own so I can stop having to borrow one. My question is what would be a good all round set up for? Fish id be catching can be bluegill, large mouth, and possibly pike or catfish. I have little knowledge on what to be looking for so if you guys help me out on that it would be great. What brands of rods and reels are good and so on. Im not looking to spend a ton just enough to have a decent set up so I can go out and catch fish when I want to.
If you prefer a closed reel the Zebco 33 is pretty rugged. I've had catfish pull them in a farm pond and got it back a week later, cleaned it & replaced the line and it still works like a new one.
I agree. Even though it's a cheaper brand, Shakespeare has been good for me. I have a just a $30 dollar ugly stik with a Shakespeare open faced reel, and I use it for bluegill, crappie, Largemouth, big channel cat, and the occasional walleye. It's very durable for being that cheap. If you want to go the more expensive route, St.Croix has some expensive, good rods. Personally though, I love my cheap ugly stik combo because its never let me down in 4+ years.
Probably right around $100. Not sure what that will get me rod and reel wise but with only having a partial job on the farm I dont have much to spend.
I would recommend a 6'6" Medium light action with a 1000 or 1500 series size reel. A good all around rod, a little on the big side for bluegills but doable.
The Best All-Around Fishing Rod and Reel for (Around) $100 | The Wirecutter, I think I'd look at Shakespeare.
Don't go with a closed bail reel like a zebco. Go to either bass pro, cabelas or gander mountain (whichever is closest) to you and get a spinning combo that is already set up. They offer great deals and most of them are decent, especially for $100. 6'6 Medium is the way to go. The reel will already be the correct size for the rod if you get a combo. As madman said, it'll be overkill for bluegill, but once you start fishing more frequently, you won't be catching those anyhow. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk www.skyangler.com
Do they have any good stuff at Walmart? I could go to Gander Mountain but its a little drive so if I could maybe find what i need in town it would save me trip.
Yes. Walmart usually has similar combos. Shakespeare, Quantum and Abu Garcia usually have combos that they offer or produce for Walmart and will be great to start with. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk www.skyangler.com
They will have cheaper stuff at wally world. Are you comfortable using an open face reel? They do have a lot of good combos as was mentioned, I guess I just assumed that you were a beginner and wouldn't be ready for that yet.
I can use an open face reel. Ive fished a lot just never with my own pole or havent been that serious about it so i need some help.
I personally would go to Wallyworld and get an Ugly Stick Shakespeare combo. Med light weight. They are great for the money I've used them for years and years. Plus you'll have plenty $$ leftover to build up a tackle box. That's just my .02 and the route I would go for first pole and tackle with $100 budget.
Okay sounds good. Ill check there first. I was reading on some reel and different reels have more or less bearings what will that do?
Thanks for the input Remy. Thats another subject is lures and all that stuff. I dont know when to use what lol
Generally, the more ball bearings a reel has, the smoother it will retrieve. They help to reduce friction under pressure/weight from a fish while reeling in. I tend to look more at the gear ratio and line retrieve per turn that ball bearings. Some others have said that a ML rod would be best, but I feel that you will have more options with a M 6'6. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk www.skyangler.com
That's where it starts really adding up in $$$. Thats why I stick with the cheaper priced but good ugly stix combo. No point in having a nicer rod and reel with no money left over to get tackle. Believe me its like bowhunting in the sense that the little things you want and need add up quick.
