Can you help a newbie out with picking out his first spinning Reel/Rod combo?

Thanks for all the tips. You have all helped me greatly in deciding on
my first setup. I think I will choose a front drag since it is
smoother and it sounds like back reeling would be the better method to
use.

Before I choose the Spirex, has anybody heard of the Okuma Halogen?
Does this reel compare to the Spirex? Or should I just go with the
Spirex?


(DiggityDanks) wrote in message . com...
I have been looking at all of your recommendations and the Spirex
seems to be a solid buy but there are two versions, one that is front
drag and one that is rear drag. What does this mean?


"Bryan" bryandotshaveratqg.com wrote in message ...
I would consider looking into the Shimano Spirex 2000. It is a great
spinning reel and falls within your price range. As for rods, the choice is
up to you. You, alone, know what feels most comfortable. Just be sure to
find a rod that matches the reel and fishing conditions.

Best of Luck,
Bryan


"DiggityDanks" wrote in message
om...
Hi,

I am a newbie and I just came back from the Kern River in California
where I was trying to catch Rainbow Trout and Bass. My friend caught 1
trout and 2 bass and I got nothing. I have bait fished for stingrays
before off the Newport docks but that required little skill and
instinct but it was also really fun because I actually caught
something. I find that freshwater fishing is very interesting because
it involves tricking the fish. I now need my own setup so that I can
start learning and adjusting to my own gear. All I know is that my
friend recommended that I get a 4-6-8lb tested rod/reel and that it
should be spinning and not baitcasting. I have looked through my local
stores such as Sportmart and Turner's but I am confused as to what I
need to buy. I am only 5'4" so I don't want a rod that is too long. I
want to spend a decent amount of money on a setup that will last me a
few years and won't leave me wanting to upgrade anytime soon. I am
thinking of spending around $50-$70 or possibly a bit more on a combo
if it is a reliable setup. My friend says that Shimano is one of the
well-known and trusted brands so that is what I have been looking at.
Could anybody recommend me a good reel/rod combo and a good deal? I
would really appreciate it.

Use the Pump and wind the line in method...
Pull back on the rod and let the drag work when
you drop the rod wind the line in as you drop the rod.
No twist no problem...a bait caster works better on
bringing the fish in but can be a problem to cast...
don't back wind. That as assnine solution to learning
the correct way to use your reels drag system...
Try it the old farts way.. it might just work...
Not to brag... but I have caught over 1000 bass over
18" (small mouth) using anywher from 4 lb. to 8 lb.
and never did I once back reel... I have caught 1000's
of carp from 12 to over 40 inches using no more than
12 lb test and a Michell 300 and I "NEVER" back
wound on a fish. I now live in Daytona Florida and
fish Ponce Inlet 2-3 times a week and catch reds to
30+ lbs, shark to +50lbs using no more than 20# line
and I "NEVER" back reeled and I use a ABU 7000
and a Penn 5500 with 20 lb stren on the 7000
and 15 lb yozuri on the 5500.
I do change my line once a month... or when fish
"spools me" = you will never haver have that problem...
but go fish.. don't look for the magic solution
to every little problem that may cause you to loose a fish or two....
I hope you get where I'm coming from....
allen at http://sea4two.net


"Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers" wrote in
message ...

"DiggityDanks" wrote in message
om...
I have been looking at all of your recommendations and the Spirex
seems to be a solid buy but there are two versions, one that is front
drag and one that is rear drag. What does this mean?

Not to be a smart a$$, but on one, the drag is on the front, the other, on
the rear.

If you're the type that likes to fiddle with the drag setting constantly,
a
rear drag reel is better. The drag control is mounted on the aft of the
reel, and thus easier to get to. But...typically a rear drag uses smaller
drag washers and the drag isn't as smooth operating.

A front drag reel (for some) isn't as easy to re-adjust in the heat of the
battle, but then again, a smooth drag, once it's set properly shouldn't
need
to be re-set.

Or, as I'm sure RichZ will chime in with, crank the drag down tight and
learn to back-reel, which brings up a whole new set of questions for
you.....
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com

Allen wrote:
don't back wind. That as assnine solution to learning
the correct way to use your reels drag system...


With the exception of some of the postings made by Al and of course Rodney,
this is the most absurd statement I've ever read on this group. Backreeling
is not only a more efficient method of playing/fighting a fish, it's more
fun and puts you in more direct control of the action.

RichZ©
www.richz.com/fishing

In article , RichZ
wrote:

Allen wrote:
don't back wind. That as assnine solution to learning
the correct way to use your reels drag system...


With the exception of some of the postings made by Al and of course Rodney,
this is the most absurd statement I've ever read on this group. Backreeling
is not only a more efficient method of playing/fighting a fish, it's more
fun and puts you in more direct control of the action.

I would only say that you might find it challenging to use with
bonefish, tarpon, snook, redfish, jacks and even fresh water species
like river/stream run trout and salmon steelhead.

Can't think of anything I typically fish for where back reeling would be
of much use. At least if I had any concern for my fingers and knuckles.

Also not something I would try to get someone new to fishing to start.

As always, different strokes for different folks.

As far as that goes turn your spinning reel up on top of the rod if you
want.

Good Fishin'

atljoe
--
"Atlanta Joe" aka Joe Webb
Flats fishing is Flat Fun!
Visit my site at http://flatsfisher.com

I don't I will pick the Spirex after all since the store clerk told me
it was the least updated out of most/all the Shimano models. I think I
want the Sahara and saw some decent combos at Cabelas and Bass Pro but
my friend is telling me that the combos are not good at all. He hasn't
seen the websites but is assuming that they bundle low quality rods
with these reels. Is this true? I have seen the Tourney Trail,
ProGuide IM6, Fish Eagle® II, and Bionic Blade. Are these all just
generic rods that the stores put together in order to bundle with the
nicer reels? Would anybody actually recommend these because my friend
told me I shouldn't buy their combos.

In article ,
(DiggityDanks) wrote:

I don't I will pick the Spirex after all since the store clerk told me
it was the least updated out of most/all the Shimano models. I think I
want the Sahara and saw some decent combos at Cabelas and Bass Pro but
my friend is telling me that the combos are not good at all. He hasn't
seen the websites but is assuming that they bundle low quality rods
with these reels. Is this true? I have seen the Tourney Trail,
ProGuide IM6, Fish Eagle® II, and Bionic Blade. Are these all just
generic rods that the stores put together in order to bundle with the
nicer reels? Would anybody actually recommend these because my friend
told me I shouldn't buy their combos.

Your friend may have his reasons but I have had very good use from the
combos I have purchased at Bass Pro and would think my experience would
be the same with Cabelas.

I have 5 Bionic Blade rods I have used in sal****er for the past two or
three years and have had little trouble. The problem I have had is with
the butt cushion breaking loose if I twist it too tight. They replaced
it for me free though. I have lost one eye due to line getting wrapped
around it. Since these are primarily 'freshwater' rods I might have
expected that they would not hold up. The eyes have done well and the
cork handles (as comfortable as any I have used) show little sign of use.

The rods that are bundled with the combos are the same that you can buy
separately. Not sure how that could be a 'cheap' rod. You can buy more
expensive even from Bass Pro if you want. I did get one bait caster
combo that had a rod that would be considered less than the Bionic Blade
but it was FREE with the reel. I could not argue with that as the reel
was on sale as well. The rod has also worked very well.

I can not give specifics for all the rods you mention but they get the
blanks many times from the same place as more expensive rods if not from
the manufactures themselves with a store brand added.

I would check the prices and if there is a significant savings on the
combo it should be a good bargain. If you live near a Bass Pro you can
certainly stop in and give it a closer look over. Both Bass Pro and
Cabelas stand behind their products and if you do not like the looks
when you get your order send it back.

Good Fishin'

atljoe
--
"Atlanta Joe" aka Joe Webb
Flats fishing is Flat Fun!
Visit my site at http://flatsfisher.com