What is a good rod/reel combo for freshwater fishing

Question

I'm new to fishing and I don't know what to use. I don't have a specific type of fish that i want to catch. ( I don't know if that matters )

Answer 1

Shimano Sienna is a good reel if you're looking to spend as little as possible and still get a high quality combo. mathced with a shimano convergance medium action rod. in either 6 or 7 foot length.

if you're into baitcasting  then try out a Berkley Series One rod in medium heavy action with a shimano coriolis reel.

Stay away from Uglysticks. you loose a lot of sensitivity and hookset using those rods.  they are so limber that you cannot feel slighter bites and when you go to set the hook the bend more than give you the punch you need.

you can check all of these out at either  www.cabelas.com or www.bassproshop.com

Answer 2

what i would do is buy an abu garcia cardinal 300 and put on a berckly cherry wood rod

Answer 3

Use an ugly stik 6"0 or 7 foot rod with Abu Garcia Cardinal 103 reel should work great with all types of fish use 10lb test to for big cats

Answer 4

i would use and ugly stick medium action rod with a rhino reel

Answer 5

The easiest rod and reel combo for a newbie is either a Zebco 33 or 404.  they are pretty inexpensive and when you get more proficient with fishing then you can graduate to something better.  These spincast reels are very easy to use and rigged with 12 lb test you can catch pretty much anything if you get your drag set right.

When you get ready to "graduate" look at the Shimano Sedona.  It's a good spinning reel, not too expensive.  Spinning reels are easy to use after a litltle practice.

Answer 6

Unlike what most people say for bass fishing(bigger rods reels and c**p) its not true, get an Ultralight Spinning combo, you wont catch a 5lb bass immediatly and the 1 pounders will put up a great fight on UL tackle. Ul tackle is also good for bullhead catfish, bluegills, and crappie. 8lb test is a good allround. Shimano makes EXTREMELY good quality rods and reels, my dad fishes with a 25 yr old speedmaster reel and fighting stick rod, and works perfectly. and we fish in the worst conditions imaginable,down on the trinity river, walkin thru the weeds 10 feet tall. not so fun.

I find ugly stik rods are very good to, also good price 30-40 bucks.

since youre new to fishing, get a spinning reel with a feature called quick fire, it centers the bail on spinning reels, on availible Shimano only.

Lures, you didnt ask but im in a good mood

Catfish- Nightcrawlers or premade catfish bait

Bass- Stick  with spinnerbaits, rattletraps, and plastics

Panfish- small tubes and grubs, little spinnerrs

Answer 7

Ok - I'll jump in too...

Go to ebay and get a used Garcia Mitchell 300 Spinning reel and a six foot or 6.5 foot Ugly stick rod (Wal-Mart - Bassproshops.com etc) and some 20 lb Fireline (www.cabelas.com)

Most people like to catch - Bass, Trout or Catfish

If you want to eat the fish I'd go with Trout or Catfish -

Catfish are by far the easiest to catch and can be the most fun because they love to fight....

Trout are generally a cold water fish (although rainbows & browns can tolerate warmer water than other trout)  and they don't grow as big as bass but I like them best of all to eat...

Bass tend to have a fishy taste to them - not that I don't eat them every now and then.

Smallmouth bass are also fun to catch - kind of like casting out and having your lure get caught on an Amtrak train if you get my drift...

You should find out what kind of fish are in your area then you can try catching each type and see which one provides you with the most enjoyment trying to catch them - remember you don't have to eat them - there is always catch and release...

But if you opt to keep them - you should eat them or give them to someone who will eat them...

Good luck fishing

Answer 8

To start your adventure in fishing, the best all around tackle would be a  6 foot 6 inch spinning rod rated 6-15 lb test, with a decent medium size spinning reel.  and load it with good 8 lb monofilament, with a small diamerter.  You will find and see the need for more tackle as you grow in to the sport, such as an ultralite for trout, and larger spinning rods or bait casters for the larger stuff.  But, the one I mentioned will handle all but the smallest or largest species.  Consider spending enough for a decent graphite rod.  There is truly a difference in feel between that and a fiberglass rod.  Cabelas sells their brand fish eagle II that is a great bargain, and a great tool.