Beginner Bass Rod and Reel

[Crainkbait]

I am looking to get a bass setup and I am wondering what you all think is something good to start with. Right now I have basically a trout setup; light action 5'6" rod using 4lb test. I have caught a few little guys (LM bass) with crankbaits, but my sources say if you are going to fish bass, you need bigger better stronger blah blah. I would like to keep things at under $100. I am very much a newbie here so please don't assume I know too much.

Thanks

[Clyde]

Hello again...one of the best bass men on this post uses that setup for all his bass. Yes, you can spend tons of money...I currently have a Rhino spincast reel with a Daiwa Procaster S rod that have never been used...I'll let it go for $40 if you are interested. My employees bought if for me and I already had a setup I really like. It's 6'6" and I believe the reel is spooled with 10 lbs line. I think this is a good price...if not make an offer. I am Basically in Hillsboro although I have a Portland address.

[1bigfish]

A cheep rod and real will work fine just not last as long. I prefer 6'6" or 7' foot medium/heavy rod. Reel needs to be something you can cast accurately. As for line I would stick to 8-10lb line till you get the hang of it.

The reason for the heavier line is because in the last 3 weeks I have caught 2 smallies with lures still in there mouth and at least 4 feet of line hanging out of there mouth. Had I not caught them and removed the lure and line I am not sure how much longer they would have lived. You can use lighter line when you have more experience with bass but I would start with the heavier line till you know what you are doing.

Just my :twocents:

[Crainkbait]

Clyde, do you know which model the rhino reel is?

[Clyde]

Its a RSC3.

[pitchnboy]

CrainBait, listen to me!!! jump on bassproshops.com and look for a NICE Rod and Reel combo!!! trust me on this one man!!!! it is SO worth it!!!

pitch

[boblag]

I would suggest getting a $30 spinning reel (like a Shimano Sonora) and a medium 6'6" spinning rod with a stiff tip/fast action (like a Shimano). This is for fishing for smallmouth bass with small plastics lures (e.g., 3 and 4 inch Yamamoto Senkos). This should get you started. For fishing crankbaits, etc. you need a different setup. You could probably fish small crankbaits and spinners/spinnerbaits with this setup, but it's not ideal.

Let me preempt the soon-to-be-arriving disagreements (and save somebody some time) by saying that you could instead opt for a baitcaster reel on a heavy action 7'6" flippin' stick (it's called a flippin' stick, I think, because instead of fighting the fish, you can flip them into your boat from 20 yards away). This can also be used to spend the day losing $30 lures in pursuit of the next state record. Or for a 6"+ Senko.

[BassMan]

I would stay away from the spincast reels. Yes, they are easy to use and cheap but you get what you pay for, and the drag systems on those reels are not the best nor is the gear ratio. I say this from experience because that is all I used when I was younger. Anyone remember the zebco 33? For $100 you can get a nice setup that will last years if taken care of, for example.......
(All from bass pro shops, but can be found at places like gi-joes or sportman's with the exception of the tourny special rod.)

Pflueger® Trion® GX-7 Spinning Reel 29.99 - 39.99
Shimano® Solstace® Spinning Reel 49.99
Quantum® Hypercast® Spinning Reels 32.99
Daiwa® Regal® Xi Spinning Reels 34.88

All good reels that will not break the bank...

Rods....

Shimano® Clarus Graphite Spinning Rods 59.99 - 69.99
Berkley® Lightning Rod® - Spinning 29.99
Tourney Special® IM-7 Graphite Rods 29.99
Shakespeare® Ugly Stik® Spinning Rods 27.95


I am sure there are lots of other options out there and the prices will vary some. As far as length and line weight I agee with 1bigfish! The rod/reel combo's is an option as well but I like picking the individual components and putting them together to see how they feel. Sportsman's warehouse in salem has a nice selection and helpfull people.Just tell them what you want to fish for and what you want to pay and they will set you up.

good luck!

-jb

[Crainkbait]

Thanks all for the tips. I really appreciate it.

[DJD]

Dont rule out the okuma spinning reels.

[IslandBass]

A flipping stick is cool but that is a limited application and not everyone is going to face it. But don't let what I just said stop you from getting one someday. :grin:

A rod with a medium to medium heavy action will give you the best overall performance for the widest range of applications. Then, as you gain experience, you will develop a taste for what you really want and start to build your arsenal. A length of 6-7' would be alright too. Unfortunately, not too many bass rods are two piece, especially baitcast rods.

One of the main reasons the heavier gear and line (compared to trout fishing) is yes, bass can fight good, especially smallies, but moreso because you will be fishing areas with greater/heavier cover cover that would eat 4-6# test and a light action trout rods mightlack the backbone to haul bass out of cover.

That's all, if there were no cover, even big bass can be had on 4# test.

I would also second bassman's recommendations. They are all reasonable, well priced and will serve you until you learn of the dark side... Daiwa Steez and Shimano Calais DC reels, Daiwa Alphas and Sols, Megabass Rods, Loomis GLX. Oh boy, I'd better stop there! :yay:

-ib

[bpm2000]

I have been using that trion gx-7 with a lightning rod and its a nice smooth reel for the price for sure.

[1bigfish]

Hey bpm2000,

Welcome to ifish. Start a new thread and tell us about yourself and give us a good fishing story(Or a bad fishing story, we ain't that picky).
:cheers:

[Dave Smith]

My advice would be to get a 6 1/2 to 7 foot CASTING rod, NOT spinning rod. Med heavy to Heavy. Get a bait casting reel with LEFT HAND RETRIEVE. Don't cripple yourself by starting off with a reel that you have to "switch hands" with on every cast. A left hand model cranks just like your spinning rod so no "re-learning" neded. You have more control fighting with your right hand (if your right-handed). There is an epidemic of young guys starting off with right-hand retrieve reels and it's sad. There is also an epidemic of guys using WAY too light of rigs and especialy too light of line. Breaking any fish off is cruel, unnecessary and bad for the resource. Spool your reel with 14 to 17 pound line and forget the 3 inch wacky-rigged senko sissy-fishing crap- you will just be training yourself to catch little fish. With a heavier rod you can set the hook and guess what? it stays! Read through the archives of all the stories of broken off fish and fish that "spit the hook" (my favorite) and give yourself a chance to catch some fish and get hooked!! Dave

[Hunt'nFish]

Get a bait casting reel with LEFT HAND RETRIEVE. Don't cripple yourself by starting off with a reel that you have to "switch hands" with on every cast.


:yeahthat: :applause: :applause:

I have some extra rods and reels. :grin:

How are you fishing..bank or boat? I actually like a spinning outfit for bank work...don't ask me why...I guess it's because I usually toss plastics and spinners from bank.
In the boat I tend do more crankbait & jig work and prefer a baitcaster for that. A fella can not have too many rods & reels setup w/ differant baits ready to go. I always have 2 casters and 2 spinners rigged and ready. Easy to lay one down and grab another than to stop, untie, and switch baits.
Hunt'nFish

[boblag]

Oops, overshot it a bit...