Question On First Rod And Reel 2024
Noob reply :
I'm hoping to get some advice on my first rod and reel. I fished when I was a kid, and now that my dad has gotten my daughter hooked, I'm gladly going to start myself. I'll mostly be fishing in Northern Virginia, lakes and possibly the Potomac and larger rivers.
The species I'll be fishing are bluegills, large mouth bass, walleye, black crappie, and possibly muskie.
I'm looking at the Shakespeare Ugly Stik, 7 ft, spinning rod, rated for 6-15 lbs...also, could I use 4# or line rated higher than 15 lbs?
For the reel, I'm thinking about the Pflueger Supreme (8230MG).
So, would this combo be good for those species? I'm looking for something that is versitile, durable, and will last me many years of casual fishing, and for less than $150 total package.
Thoughts? Any help is greatly appreciated.
aavery2 reply :
Welcome to the forum, you are sure to get a lot of replies to your question.
If it were me looking to get back into fishing I believe that I would do it just slightly different. While the Ugly Stick is a good rod in its own right, it does not excel at bass fishing. There are many other options available to you that will serve you well and probably fish a little better than the Ugly Stick. One that I might recommend is to find a Pflueger President combo, good solid equipment that wont break the bank, can probably find the combo for around 80 dollars. The 30 size reel would meet most of your needs well and the combo will save you some money for plastics and other essentials. I think it's great that your Daughter and You are spending time on the water together. Good Luck
jderry reply :
I use a medium 7'0" Ugly Stik GX2 and a Quantum Fire 30 reel for my "always in the car just in case I want to fish" setup.
I like the rod a lot for the money, not a huge fan on the reel, but it works.
I run 15lb spiderwire invisibraid on it just fine.
ak47soulja22 reply :
Get a good 7' med heavy rod for 100$ take your pick there are a lot of options out there. Then get the BPS pro qualifier that goes on sale February. With tax you will be a Lil over 150 but if you trade in a old rod you will be right where you want.
Noob reply :
For the species I'm looking at (I know this is a Bass fishing forum, but I would like to get those Crappies and Walleyes as well as Bass), is there an advantage of medium action (the rod I was looking at) versus medium-heavy?
One of the reviews I saw said that there wasn't enough drag, but it seems like 9 lbs should be enough, even for muskie, since using the 1/4 of line test = drag formula, that means 9 lbs of drag would mean I can use 36# line...seems like that would be plenty for what I'd be fishing.
And thanks for the replies so far, that was fast! I'm really looking forward to taking my daughters. My oldest (2 1/2) loved it so much that she watches fishing shows and cheers them on. How can you not take that kid fishing?
aavery2 reply :
Many rods have line and lure ratings printed on them. Medium and medium heavy are probably the two most versatile powers in bass fishing rods, meaning they will help you properly use many baits and techniques. Just take a look at the baits you intend to use most and their weights, consider what pound test line you feel is appropriate, then select the power of rod that best matches lure weight and line rating. Another thing to consider is the cover that you will be fishing, if it is weedy, lots of laydowns, things that will make it a little harder to move fish out of, then you may want to step up in power to also match your environment.
Medium / Fast and Medium Heavy / Fast, one or the other will probably meet your needs.
WIGuide reply :
Honestly, I think you're in the market for more than one rod. A rod that will cater more towards the bluegill, crappie, and walleye fishing will be on the lighter side in the bass world and will definitely limit the techniques you will be able to use effectively. A heavier powered bass rod is going to most likely be a little over powered for those other three yet will be under powered for musky fishing. A straight up musky rod is going to be way over powered for all three other species you're targeting. I would say look for Medium power fast action bass rod and then pick up a cheap 6' or 6'6" Light action rod for the panfish. Spend most of your budget on the medium action bass rod and reel and just pick up a cheaper combo for the panfish.
Mass Bassin' reply :
A good spinning rod for around $150 would probably be a Abu Garcia vendetta and the Orra S with 10lb braid which is the same diameter as about 2lb mono so it casts a mile. after you get hooked on fishing which you will, you should get a baitcaster. they take a little practice to learn how to adjust your tension knob, centrifugal, thumbing the spool, ect. The key to baitcasters is go big or go home, it is easier to learn on a $100+ reel than a $50 reel because the quality of your bearings and breaking systems and they will last a lot longer if you take care of them.
cbass12 reply :
The president may be a better option for you than the supreme. Not that the supreme isn't a good reel, but folks seem to really like the president, and that would free up a little money for a nicer rod.
lmbfisherman reply :
I agree that you should separate the tier. You are going to have a hard time using a MH rod for panfish. Especially if you're going to try and throw a 1/32 jig with a tiny tube. This is what I'd suggest get two rods. Look at the Crappie Maxx combos from BPS. They are on sale right now for 24.97 - 29.97. Then get a Pflueger President Combo from BPS for 69.98 MH/F your choice 6'6" or 7'.
Jaderose reply :
Casual fishing? Pfleuger President (25 or 30) spooled up with your choice of line. Right now I just have BPS Excel Mono 6lb. Mounted on a Shimano Sellus 6ft Travel rod. Good balance....light enough to throw all day. I got this set up to for Crappie, Bluegill and Finesse stuff. I also take it when I'm just going to the local park pond for an hour or so after work. Right at $100 bucks with none of it on sale. It's gets done what I need it to and it's very portable.
ps...I would NOT want to tie into a Muskie on this set up.
tomustang reply :
That combo is well within your realm for price, are you planning on throwing artifical baits or just live/dough?
What's your goal?
Noob reply :
I'd like to be able to use live bait or lures. My goal is to get outdoors, involve the family in a way I really can't yet with hunting, and put some food on the table along the way. I really enjoy making a dinner with meat I've caught and vegetables I've grown.
Alonerankin2 reply :
Sounds like any low cost spinning rod and reel will get panfish outta the lake and into the frying pan, it will do the duty.. Involving the family and great joy as well as great tasting fish! ( Panfish )
It need not be expensive, of course you can spend as much as you like, lol...
ChrisWi reply :
6' 6" Medium Spinning rod (don't get an ugly stick) and a president with 15 pound braid and various leaders would do the trick.
lmbfisherman reply :
It he's going after muskie, not sure a Medium Fast stick would be sufficient.
ChrisWi reply :
pretty sure anything heavier isn't going to be good for panfish.On 1/21/2015 at 4:15 AM, lmbfisherman said:It he's going after muskie, not sure a Medium Fast stick would be sufficient.
lmbfisherman reply :
On 1/21/2015 at 5:45 AM, ChrisWi said:pretty sure anything heavier isn't going to be good for panfish.
If you read my earlier post you would see I agree and that he needs two rods. If he removes Musky he can get away with a medium/fast rod.
FishTank reply :
Sounds like you are trying to tackle a lot of species with one set up. Not sure one set up is going to do it. If it were me and you like Pflueger, the president would be a fine reel which would give you a couple of extra bucks to invest in a better rod.
Noob reply :
Thanks for the advice folks, I really appreciate it.
I'm starting to see the light on not being able to catch everything with one rig. I talked to a local angler, and I think I'll leave the muskies be for now. They're big here, but apparently pretty tough to catch.
So with muskies out, for now, it looks like the crappies and bluegills are the issue, since a medium 7' rod might be too much, but it will be good for bass and walleye. Am I right so far?
Also, it seems like the Ugly Stik doesn't have a lot of fans here, but I saw that it got good reviews. What are the cons?
Again, thanks everyone, this is great stuff, I already feel less overwhelmed. Hunting is way less complicated, haha!
cyclops2 reply :
The small fish can save you money. Nothing heavy is needed 4# test braided line & a Ultra light spinning rod & reel. I just bought 3 Mitchell ultra light spinning reels on sale & a light weight rod for everything up to 1 pound perch & all your smaller fish.
Save again & buy the Medium heavy rod & reel for bigger fish, Lines & lures.
Worst case ? a muskie / pike grabs a small fish & you have a hell of a battle for a change. Now we are fishing 30" to 48" fish on 4 # test ?? WAAAHOO.
I now use the 4# test ultra lights for ANYTHING. Usually land them from a boat. Shore casting is a Double WAAHOO. 
4# braded is usually about a ACTUAL 8# breaking strength with my improved Trilene Knot. It CUTS weeds easily. Reeds no way
I use a 4# test setup & a 60# setup for going after bigger fish. Start small. Then decide how much bigger you will need.
Some of us like screaming drags & chasing a fish from land or starting the engine alone & still keeping a tight line in the boat.
cyclops2 reply :
I forgot.
Lures & equipment catch fisherman.
Skill catches fish.
fisherrw reply :
Ugly stiks are not good for bass fishing get abu garcia vendetta or vengance they are sweet! For the price and get a shimano Sedona or sahara reel.
Alonerankin2 reply :
On 1/21/2015 at 8:12 AM, cyclops2 said:I forgot.
Lures & equipment catch fisherman.
Skill catches fish.
How do you catch fish without equipment? You also state you are fishing at times out of a boat.
How about bait? What skill? How do you catch largemouth & smallmouth?
wallie reply :
I am not a fan of ugly stik. The gx2 is too heavy. get a ugly stik elite if you really like ugly stik. it is much lighter and has a cork handle.
i prefer a medium light spinning rod rated for 4 to 10 lb test line paired with a shimano 1000 reel for crappie, walleye and open water bass. I haven't encounter a big walleye or a big bass that my medium light rod cannot handle.
shop around for your pflueger supreme mgx. I got one for $40 when it was on sale at cabelas.com last year. Every time I bought a non-shimano I regretted later. if you cannot get this kind of deal then get a shimano according to your budget. just make sure you pick up a smooth one with zero handle or gear play. I usually have to go through a few reels to find one that I really like.
EvanT123 reply :
On 1/21/2015 at 9:57 AM, wallie said:i prefer a medium light spinning rod rated for 4 to 10 lb test line paired with a shimano 1000 reel for crappie, walleye and open water bass. I haven't encounter a big walleye or a big bass that my medium light rod cannot handle.
shop around for your pflueger supreme mgx. I got one for $40 when it was on sale at cabelas.com last year. .
This. X2
BaitMonkey1984 reply :
We all started off in your position at one point of our fishing career. I got a 6' ft MH Ugly Stick after getting hooked, and having to borrow my girlfriends brothers rod time and time again. I remember at the time thinking that Ugly Stick was the top of the line. Well it might be, for entry level rods.
I still have that rod and have caught 100's of fish and given it a beaten. I still use it to this day as one of 20 or so rods. It holds great sentimental value. However, with that being said there are much better rods out there for your price point. An ugly stick is touted as a tough rod. They don't break easily. That is good. It is also bad because it hinders the sensitivity. You need to feel the bite, or you will lose many fish without even knowing it.
There are good Bass Pro combos like the carbon lite for $150 that are far, far superior in features and sensitivity than an ugly stick. Also, the st croix rage is a good cheap stick for around $100. I would do your homework, based upon the type of fishing you generally like to do. Bass Pro, Cabellas, Tackle Warehouse all have 100's of reviews so check that out. Spend the money on a good combo now and you will still have it and still want to use it in years to come, good luck.
Noob reply :
Some more great advice, thanks. As an Army guy, I do my homework, but I really want to pull the trigger. Hell, you guys have me fired up, I want to go fishing now!
As a self-admitted 'gear-do' I know I could spend a lot of money on this. Which is why I came here.
I like the idea of going for a 4-10 lbs rod so that I can handle anything from bluegill to walleye. I did try out the Pflueger President, and I really liked the feel. Plus I figure I can move it to a heavier rod if I need to.
Sounds like I also need to look into varied use of leader lines for options as well.
Am I back on track? Haha
Fisher-O-men reply :
Ugly Stick: heavy and old-school.
Hyrule Bass reply :
first off, a 7ft medium ugly stick will be just fine for a variety of multispecies fishing(excluding the muskie). i have a 7ft medium ugly stick paired with an abu garcia cardinal spinning reel. ive caught plenty of bass, bluegill, white perch, yellow perch and catfish on it. those saying its no good for bass are just wrong. there may be better options for bass, but the ugly stik works fine for bass too. the rod will be good for live and artificial baits. and its certainly durable. a pflueger is a fine reel too, i dont own the president but its probably the most versatile. i do own a trion and supreme both of which i love.
i also would recommend the abu garcia cardinal rod and reel combos for what youre looking for. and theyre only around $30 bucks total, i got one at walmart. the price is cheap, but the gear is solid.
to be honest often your cheaper priced gear is gonna be your best gear for multispecies. the higher end stuff usually tends to be more technique specific. i would just say dont let the cheaper priced gear fool you because of the low price, you can get a solid combo that can last you for years. also i have to acknowledge, some of the cheap stuff is just that and is utter junk. the $30 cardinal combo is a good deal and a quality setup for the price, its probably one of the best values around. my ugly stik and cardinal combo cost around $70 but i bought them separate. my 6'6M ugly stik and supreme combo cost me around $130, also bought separate...
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