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

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.

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

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.

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.

"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

I'll support back reeling over playing with a drag system that only causes
line twist. Besides, you have much more control in the heat of battle back
reeling.

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

Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers wrote:

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.

I have both types in my locker. I use the rear drags for the wife's and
guests rods because they are easily set before fishing but I use the
front drag reels for myself because they as Steve says have a better
drag system' regardless of which you choose make sure you back the
drags all the way off at the end of the day before putting them away.
This will keeps the drags from getting flat spots and sticking you you.

Jerry

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