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

I suggest a 6'6" rod with medium to medium heavy power, medium to fast
action. And an Okuma AV20
spinning reel. If the rod has alconite guides all the better as you can use
Power Pro line . Line anything from 6lb.to 12lb.test.

--
"The Shadow"
Millennium Rods
"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.

\"The Shadow\" wrote:
I suggest a 6'6" rod with medium to medium heavy power, medium to fast
action. And an Okuma AV20
spinning reel. If the rod has alconite guides all the better as you can use
Power Pro line . Line anything from 6lb.to 12lb.test.


I think a medium to medium light action would be a little better for
where he is fishing and for what he is fishing for. The trout in those
rivers are 1-2 pounds and sometimes maybe 3 pounds. About the same for
the smallmouth bass in the same rivers. The lighter action would be
better for casting light lures and spinners for these fish. WalMart
carries a Abu Garcia "Harold Ensley signature" rod that is 6.6 feet and
rated for 6-12 pounds for about $30. The Shimono 2000 series spinning
reels have decent drags and hold 110 yards of 10 pound test lines for
about the same price. Both of these (rod & reel) are good quality at a
low price and will last many years if taken care of. Caution ........
you're going to get hooked on this sport and when you do that $70 limit
for a rod and reel is going to go right out the window. You've been
warned. BTW I use to live in California and fished a lot of rivers and
lakes out there and one of my favorite lures for trout and smallmouth
was a inline spinner such as Blue Fox and others of that type.

Jerry