A Quick Intro & Rod/Reel Question

Sure Jake, this is the way it all starts out. First the little ponds, then
the tiny streams, and before you know it you're in debt up to your ears in
boat payments and truck payments! On top of those payments, you can expect
that you'll probably be buying a new rod or two every other months which of
course need to have reels attached to make them useful. Then you need baits
and boxes and other goodies to fill up the other compartments of that 20K
boat.

Whew... I think my life just flashed in front of my eyes there... sorry.

Welcome aboard the R.O.F.B. I agree that this is a very nice place to be
when not on the water, but it's also like everywhere else in that you'll
find some of us are not so nice, some of the time. That's ok though because
we're all human.

As far as your rod recommendation, for finesse fishing you'll probably want
to start with a spinning rod and reel. They're better for throwing light to
medium heavy baits with lighter lines, and also easier to learn to fish
with. It's also harder to use a baitcaster when you're trying to avoid
overhanging branches from the bank. For the price range you stated, you can
get a very nice outfit with. Or, staying in that price range, you can get
two nice outfits. There's no reason to spent $150.00 on one combo at this
point. Believe me, that'll come later.

My recommendation is a 6' spinning rod like this: http://tinyurl.com/3cbx4

You can't go wrong with Shimano...


"J.P." wrote in message
...
My name is Jake.

Do you want a spinning or a baitcasting outfit?

I'm familiar with spinning gear and feel that it would best fit my needs at
this time. I suppose I should have been more specific with my post. My
apologies.

J.P.

"AJH" wrote in message
...
Do you want a spinning or a baitcasting outfit?

The Clarus is a decent rod and will give good service. The graphite material
used in the construction is IM7 on that rod, so it has good sensitivity and
a little give. It has a fast tip for casting just about anything. If your in
slop get a medium to medium heavy 6.5ft rod. If your in tight quarters learn
how to "pitch" your lure. You should be able to get about 35ft or more on a
good pitch type cast.

A size 200/2000 or 250/2500 spinning reel will be your best al-around reel
something that will hold about 100 to 120 yards of 10lb line. If you look at
the reel it should list a 6, 8, and 10 yard line size.


"J.P." wrote in message
...
I'm familiar with spinning gear and feel that it would best fit my needs
at
this time. I suppose I should have been more specific with my post. My
apologies.

J.P.

"AJH" wrote in message
...
Do you want a spinning or a baitcasting outfit?

I.F. wrote: "The Clarus is a decent rod and will give good service. The
graphite material used in the construction is IM7 on that rod, so it has
good sensitivity and a little give."

Please folks, IM6, IM7, IM8 materials, made by the Hexcel Corporation have
not been produced in over 10 years. The labels rods manufacturers are
putting on rods, such as IM6, IM7, and IM8 are just that, LABELS. They are
MEANINGLESS! A rod identified as IM8 is not better or worse than one
identified as an IM6, because these identifiers are not identifying
anything, they are MEANINGLESS!

Modulus ratings by themselves tell you very little to nothing about the
rod's overall construction, the material, and its quality. A manufacturer
can tell you they are using 58-Million Modulus material. Ok, what does that
say about the quality of that material used or the quality of the rod, or
its sensitivity. Absolutely Nothing! Now, if the rod said 54 or even
33-million Hexcel Corporation's Hercules fibers material used, at least you
would know the raw graphite (really known as pan carbon fiber) was top
notch.

But even then, you don't really know, because G.Loomis is known to sell
their rejected materials to other rod manufacturers. Now what does that say
about labels and identifiers, because Hexcel's Hercules fibers is the
standard all other companies strive to match. So, G.Loomis rejects a batch
of Hexcel's material, and then sells this rejected material to another rod
company who can now say they are using Hexcel's Hercules fiber without
lying. Rejected material, but the legal right to say they are using the
world's best material.

High end rods cost so much, because the companies or individuals producing
them have very high quality standards, which means they pay more for all the
raw materials, and spend a great deal of money developing a rod series (R&D)
to ensure the rod will perform well for years to come.

--
Craig Baugher
Be Confident, Focused, but most of all Have FUN!

Thanks Craig, you just did a huge favor to legitimate custom rod builders.

--
"The Shadow"
Millennium Rods
"Craig Baugher" wrote in message
news:m%48c.78065$Cb.1017352@attbi_s51...
I.F. wrote: "The Clarus is a decent rod and will give good service. The
graphite material used in the construction is IM7 on that rod, so it has
good sensitivity and a little give."

Please folks, IM6, IM7, IM8 materials, made by the Hexcel Corporation have
not been produced in over 10 years. The labels rods manufacturers are
putting on rods, such as IM6, IM7, and IM8 are just that, LABELS. They
are
MEANINGLESS! A rod identified as IM8 is not better or worse than one
identified as an IM6, because these identifiers are not identifying
anything, they are MEANINGLESS!

Modulus ratings by themselves tell you very little to nothing about the
rod's overall construction, the material, and its quality. A manufacturer
can tell you they are using 58-Million Modulus material. Ok, what does
that
say about the quality of that material used or the quality of the rod, or
its sensitivity. Absolutely Nothing! Now, if the rod said 54 or even
33-million Hexcel Corporation's Hercules fibers material used, at least
you
would know the raw graphite (really known as pan carbon fiber) was top
notch.

But even then, you don't really know, because G.Loomis is known to sell
their rejected materials to other rod manufacturers. Now what does that
say
about labels and identifiers, because Hexcel's Hercules fibers is the
standard all other companies strive to match. So, G.Loomis rejects a
batch
of Hexcel's material, and then sells this rejected material to another
rod
company who can now say they are using Hexcel's Hercules fiber without
lying. Rejected material, but the legal right to say they are using the
world's best material.

High end rods cost so much, because the companies or individuals producing
them have very high quality standards, which means they pay more for all
the
raw materials, and spend a great deal of money developing a rod series
(R&D)
to ensure the rod will perform well for years to come.

--
Craig Baugher
Be Confident, Focused, but most of all Have FUN!

Well then, by who's rating can you justify any materials used in any rod. To
me the IM rating indicates how much more Graphite being used in the blank.
The IM6 material has less graphite and is more flexible, softer and more
forgiving, than an IM8 material. The IM6 Rating to me means that it will not
break as easily as the IM8.

Personally, I don't believe that a $250.00 rod that just catches Bass is the
answer to catching fish. Then again I go for Musky, Pike, Walleye, Bass,
Cats, and Carp. Include stripers and lake trout. I find that no one rod
catches all types of fish. I need rods that I do not have to coddle. If all
you fish for in life is Bass you may have tunnel vision about fishing.

I read all the tournament wins etc. I don't see to many G. Loomis rods
mentioned, seems the Pro's use there sponsors product and still manage to
win, imagine that they win despite having inferior rods. No offense to those
who make rods for a living. I know you guys put your heart in everything you
make.

Sometimes Craig and his "I can't fish without a G. Loomis and neither can
you attitude" is just too much.


"Craig Baugher" wrote in message
news:m%48c.78065$Cb.1017352@attbi_s51...
I.F. wrote: "The Clarus is a decent rod and will give good service. The
graphite material used in the construction is IM7 on that rod, so it has
good sensitivity and a little give."

Please folks, IM6, IM7, IM8 materials, made by the Hexcel Corporation have
not been produced in over 10 years. The labels rods manufacturers are
putting on rods, such as IM6, IM7, and IM8 are just that, LABELS. They
are
MEANINGLESS! A rod identified as IM8 is not better or worse than one
identified as an IM6, because these identifiers are not identifying
anything, they are MEANINGLESS!

Modulus ratings by themselves tell you very little to nothing about the
rod's overall construction, the material, and its quality. A manufacturer
can tell you they are using 58-Million Modulus material. Ok, what does
that
say about the quality of that material used or the quality of the rod, or
its sensitivity. Absolutely Nothing! Now, if the rod said 54 or even
33-million Hexcel Corporation's Hercules fibers material used, at least
you
would know the raw graphite (really known as pan carbon fiber) was top
notch.

But even then, you don't really know, because G.Loomis is known to sell
their rejected materials to other rod manufacturers. Now what does that
say
about labels and identifiers, because Hexcel's Hercules fibers is the
standard all other companies strive to match. So, G.Loomis rejects a
batch
of Hexcel's material, and then sells this rejected material to another
rod
company who can now say they are using Hexcel's Hercules fiber without
lying. Rejected material, but the legal right to say they are using the
world's best material.

High end rods cost so much, because the companies or individuals producing
them have very high quality standards, which means they pay more for all
the
raw materials, and spend a great deal of money developing a rod series
(R&D)
to ensure the rod will perform well for years to come.

--
Craig Baugher
Be Confident, Focused, but most of all Have FUN!

From: Rate these FUJI guides please.
1st quote--
From: (Craig=A0Baugher)
Fuji is a very popular brand, especially with production rod makers. But
they certainly are not the best brand, and their Aluminum Oxide and
Hardloy guides are prime examples of what not to buy. --quote

A Quick Intro & Rod/Reel Question
2nd quote--
From: (Craig=A0Baugher)
High end rods cost so much, because the companies or individuals
producing them have very high quality standards.--quote


So what does this say about the G Loomis GL2 I was looking to get, it
has Aluminum Oxide guides. ;-)

Craig
There you go confusing me with facts.


Steve
"Craig Baugher" wrote in message
news:m%48c.78065$Cb.1017352@attbi_s51...
I.F. wrote: "The Clarus is a decent rod and will give good service. The
graphite material used in the construction is IM7 on that rod, so it has
good sensitivity and a little give."

Please folks, IM6, IM7, IM8 materials, made by the Hexcel Corporation have
not been produced in over 10 years. The labels rods manufacturers are
putting on rods, such as IM6, IM7, and IM8 are just that, LABELS. They
are
MEANINGLESS! A rod identified as IM8 is not better or worse than one
identified as an IM6, because these identifiers are not identifying
anything, they are MEANINGLESS!

Modulus ratings by themselves tell you very little to nothing about the
rod's overall construction, the material, and its quality. A manufacturer
can tell you they are using 58-Million Modulus material. Ok, what does
that
say about the quality of that material used or the quality of the rod, or
its sensitivity. Absolutely Nothing! Now, if the rod said 54 or even
33-million Hexcel Corporation's Hercules fibers material used, at least
you
would know the raw graphite (really known as pan carbon fiber) was top
notch.

But even then, you don't really know, because G.Loomis is known to sell
their rejected materials to other rod manufacturers. Now what does that
say
about labels and identifiers, because Hexcel's Hercules fibers is the
standard all other companies strive to match. So, G.Loomis rejects a
batch
of Hexcel's material, and then sells this rejected material to another
rod
company who can now say they are using Hexcel's Hercules fiber without
lying. Rejected material, but the legal right to say they are using the
world's best material.

High end rods cost so much, because the companies or individuals producing
them have very high quality standards, which means they pay more for all
the
raw materials, and spend a great deal of money developing a rod series
(R&D)
to ensure the rod will perform well for years to come.

--
Craig Baugher
Be Confident, Focused, but most of all Have FUN!

The Clarus, Compre, or the Guide Series from Gander Mountain will be more
than adequate, JP. Either will suit you just fine and spinning gear is
certainly easier to cast in tight quarters. One thing that concerns me is
the heavy vegetation - it can get nasty 'round here in shallow waters, and
that creates a whole new set of problems/questions:

Remember folks, he's fishing from shore with limited room to maneuver - when
that fish dives he'll have to bring a TON of salad in with him. A MH/H rod
and a super line is in order, right?

Maybe not. That heavy action rod limits casting when you're perched beneath
the trees and within the bush. The limber tip on a M rod sure makes
flip/skip casting easier to control (as it'll take less effort), but it
might not have enough backbone to bring 'em in.

A lot depends upon what the preferred presentation(s) is, too.

JP, son, ya might consider two rigs.

-- Shawn


"J.P." wrote in message
...
I'm familiar with spinning gear and feel that it would best fit my needs
at
this time. I suppose I should have been more specific with my post. My
apologies.

J.P.

"AJH" wrote in message
...
Do you want a spinning or a baitcasting outfit?