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Started By
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What rod and reel would you suggest for a bass fishing novice?
Posted on 11/1/20 at 4:20 pm
Posted on 11/1/20 at 4:20 pm
I’ve had the opportunity to fish a bit lately, something I haven’t done much of since my youth. I’m using an old push button reel and 6 foot rod, not sure what brand, that is probably 20 years old. I’ve caught some fish, but I know it’s not the ideal setup. Will mostly be bank fishing smaller ponds and creeks, but I might find some opportunities to go up into the delta.
Hoping to keep it under 150 bucks if possible. Probably won’t fish more than a couple weekends a month. Would be a plus if I could also use it for fishing for trout or redfish in Mobile Bay.
Any input would be appreciated.
Hoping to keep it under 150 bucks if possible. Probably won’t fish more than a couple weekends a month. Would be a plus if I could also use it for fishing for trout or redfish in Mobile Bay.
Any input would be appreciated.
This post was edited on 11/1/20 at 4:21 pm
11
Posted on 11/1/20 at 4:27 pm to South Alabama Fan
I’d just buy a $150 combo from Bass pro.
Posted on 11/1/20 at 4:32 pm to South Alabama Fan
If you can find one, a Daiwa BG spinning reel combo. The 2500 ML or the 3000 M; I prefer the 2500 ML. It's perfect for slot reds and trout and good for bass unless you're going for 10 lb hawgs. I think I paid around $130 a couple of years ago for one.
Posted on 11/1/20 at 5:14 pm to South Alabama Fan
Zebco 33 rod. Walmart special reel.
But more expensive once you figure out exactly how “into it” you are and once you learn more.
But more expensive once you figure out exactly how “into it” you are and once you learn more.
Posted on 11/1/20 at 5:41 pm to South Alabama Fan
Shimano SLX baitcasting rod and reel combo, 7’ MH F on the rod and whatever gear ratio they offer around 7:1. They’re normally $99 apiece but they advertise them together for $150 all the time.
Honestly anything in that price range is gonna be fine to learn on, but shimano did a great job with the SLX stuff. They focused on the right parts and got the cost down on cosmetics, very solid for the money, and you know they’ll be around to fix it.
Honestly anything in that price range is gonna be fine to learn on, but shimano did a great job with the SLX stuff. They focused on the right parts and got the cost down on cosmetics, very solid for the money, and you know they’ll be around to fix it.
Posted on 11/1/20 at 5:48 pm to TheDrunkenTigah
Just bought an SLX, good stuff for $100
I'll have more
I'll have more
This post was edited on 11/1/20 at 5:50 pm
Posted on 11/1/20 at 6:41 pm to South Alabama Fan
Anything you can get in the price range will be perfectly fine. I use Quantum and Abu Garcia Ambassadeur reels that I bought back in the late '90s when I was in high school.
Posted on 11/1/20 at 6:41 pm to South Alabama Fan
I think a 2000 or 2500 BG combo is the perfect Louisiana bass/inshore rig at a great price, problem is you can't find them. I would be hesitant just going to BassPro and grabbing any combo, there is a lot of crap out there. What IS available right now at Cabelas and Basspro is the Penn Battle 3 combo (availability varies, but I have seen them in stock regularly). They run +/- $150 and have a great reel with an OK rod. I actually prefer the rod on the Battle 2 combo but I don't know if those are available any longer. If you go with penn go a 1/2 to a full size up over the Daiwa, they run much smaller. If you go with a baitcast combo, Daiwa has some great combo's for $99, I think they call it the procaster. My favorite baitcast reels are the Daiwa coastals, but they are out of your price range. You could find some Tatulas in that price range.
Posted on 11/1/20 at 7:20 pm to South Alabama Fan
I'd recommend checking Facebook marketplace for a few days prior to buying something new in store. Search for "shimano", "Lews", "daiwa" and see what comes up for sale in your area. Google the rods/reels and see what kind of value you're getting, I was able to get my gf a Lews/Dobyns set up for about 1/4 the price it was the worth
Posted on 11/2/20 at 8:01 am to South Alabama Fan
Appreciate everybody’s input.
Posted on 11/2/20 at 10:48 am to South Alabama Fan
Not sure how much you have alloyed for tackle but you can get a combo for 120. You are gonna need a few lures. Squarebill Crankbait. Hooks and weights for a texas rigged worm(green pumpkin works everywhere) A top water plug especially if it is grassy. A swim jig in white this time of year works good and is weedless. Be sure to add a trailer. I like a shakey head worm setup with a senko type worm. Best of luck and remember fishing is an experience. It sucks to not catch fish but it is great to enjoy the outdoors and the water. Also get a pair of pliers to get hooks out and your camera on your phone when you catch that big fat mama that has been hiding in the pond for years waiting on you to catch her.
Posted on 11/2/20 at 11:06 am to Rize
quote:
I’d just buy a $150 combo from Bass pro.
This. Get a bait casting combo from bass pro.
Posted on 11/2/20 at 4:18 pm to DByrd2
--
Zebco 33 rod. Walmart special reel.
But more expensive once you figure out exactly how “into it” you are and once you learn more.
--
Agree with the above statement, I would strongly consider a cheap combo to see if you like it. Outside the Zebco 33 (push button) any rod combo around $30 at Walmart will work just to see if you have the interest. Cheaper rods are still great for fishing for panfish so it isn't a total loss if you decide to upgrade down the line.
If you want to get a nicer rig I like the:
Penn Fierce III Spinning Combo - 4000 series ~ $90
It is a little sturdy for bass fishing however (good for getting them out of cover though) I like it as the same rod will work great for inshore fishing as well as bass fishing. Assumption is that if you like bass fishing you will also want to try out speckled trout, reds, etc..at some point.
If you are just fishing neighborhood ponds it is overkill and personally for this a zebco 33 is hard to beat for the price.
EDIT: Completely agree with the posters below if you go with the Penn the 2500 series is absolutely the way to go, I forgot to check the size when I posted.
Zebco 33 rod. Walmart special reel.
But more expensive once you figure out exactly how “into it” you are and once you learn more.
--
Agree with the above statement, I would strongly consider a cheap combo to see if you like it. Outside the Zebco 33 (push button) any rod combo around $30 at Walmart will work just to see if you have the interest. Cheaper rods are still great for fishing for panfish so it isn't a total loss if you decide to upgrade down the line.
If you want to get a nicer rig I like the:
Penn Fierce III Spinning Combo - 4000 series ~ $90
It is a little sturdy for bass fishing however (good for getting them out of cover though) I like it as the same rod will work great for inshore fishing as well as bass fishing. Assumption is that if you like bass fishing you will also want to try out speckled trout, reds, etc..at some point.
If you are just fishing neighborhood ponds it is overkill and personally for this a zebco 33 is hard to beat for the price.
EDIT: Completely agree with the posters below if you go with the Penn the 2500 series is absolutely the way to go, I forgot to check the size when I posted.
This post was edited on 11/3/20 at 4:16 pm
Posted on 11/2/20 at 6:42 pm to computerguy
(no message)
This post was edited on 11/2/20 at 6:44 pm
Posted on 11/2/20 at 6:44 pm to South Alabama Fan
I recommend everything computerguy says except for the 4000 size reel. If you plan on freshwater fishing don't go over about 2500-3000 in size. 2500 size is my favorite size for all round fishing, but specifically inshore fishing. It's small enough for freshwater and big enough for inshore. I have pulled in tons of 25+lb reds and black drums on a 2500 size reel not to mention small sharks.
I have a penn battle 2 3000 combo that I plan on getting rid of because I have nicer/too many spinning reels that I can offer for about half your budget. I need more baitcasters lol!
I have a penn battle 2 3000 combo that I plan on getting rid of because I have nicer/too many spinning reels that I can offer for about half your budget. I need more baitcasters lol!
Posted on 11/2/20 at 6:48 pm to Hurricane2020
quote:what this guy says if you decide to go the eggbeater route. A 4000 series is way overkill and bulky compared to a 2500
I recommend everything computerguy says except for the 4000 size reel. If you plan on freshwater fishing don't go over about 2500-3000 in size.
Posted on 11/2/20 at 6:57 pm to Hurricane2020
quote:
It's small enough for freshwater and big enough for inshore.
Completely agree on a 2500 for inshore. The longer I fished for reds and trout, the lighter my gear got.
But I'm the opposite of this for freshwater. My inshore rigs are too light for the bass fishing I do; I go with shorter, heavier rods and baitcasters for bass fishing. I may occasionally use a 2500 spinning reel for throwing something weightless at bass but that's about it.
Posted on 11/2/20 at 8:07 pm to South Alabama Fan
Zebco 350 what else.
Posted on 11/3/20 at 12:29 am to Flats
why do you use heavier tackle for bass?
Posted on 11/3/20 at 9:28 am to Hurricane2020
quote:
why do you use heavier tackle for bass?
Because an 8 lb bass is harder to land than a slot red. My bass gear isn’t heavy, it’s average. 6.5-7’ medium or medium heavy. My inshore stuff is probably lighter than average; I like 7’ medium light. I wouldn’t want to pull a big bass out of cover with a 7’ medium light rod.
When I first started seriously fishing inshore I just used my bass rigs, but pulling in a spec on a medium heavy rod with a baitcaster is just boring. It’s like using a boat winch.
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