re: Help with fishing pole purchase

Just a word of advice: I have four All-Star rods and on two of them the rod seats have started spinning completely around. It's probably just bad luck on my part, but keep your receipt for a nice easy exchange. I ended up getting two St. Croix rods and have been very happy.

I'd get a pole and reel separately that way you can get what you want with each. I like a Shimano Sedona 2500, sturdy reel, not too expensive, not too big.

As for tackle, buy a few basics (gold spoon, popping cork, jig heads, vudu shrimp, matrix shad) and learn how you like to fish. Don't buy a huge load of tackle and end up not using half of it. Start small and work your way up.