freshwater fishing equipment

CCNJ

Any fisherman out there? My son (21 yrs old) and I want to get into more serious freshwater fishing (bass, trout, etc) and looking to upgrade our walmart gear to something more advanced. My son went to a place called Ramsey Outdoor and the guy told him to do his research before buying. Anything specific we should look for in a rod and reel? They stock both Daiwa and Shimano reels. Any suggestions?

codyc1ark

Very nice! I've been on this same path, lucky for me my brother owns a fishing/scuba/kayak store. Just picked up a Abu Garcia 101i reel and a bass pro shops tourney special 6'6" med/ fast rod, and love it. Much better than my wal mart rod/reel. I will say that putting some quality line on my old one helped a bunch. I'm using some trilene Xl 6lb. Trying to only use artificial bait, I'm having my best luck with some wal mart colored grubs, but have been throwing some gulp brand minnows as well. Most of the time with a simple rig or jighead. I'm probably going to sell our smaller canoe and buy a fishing kayack so I can get into the water by myself. Good luck on your fish hunt!

emoxley

Both Daiwa and Shimano are very good brands. They have cheap crap, just like everyone else, but their good stuff is kinda expensive. Shimano has a baitcasting reel or two that is over $500, I think. Bass Pro Shops has some of the better prices on them. Here is a Shimano baitcaster that is a good one, for less than $100: http://www.basspro.com/Shimano-Caenan-Baitcast-Reel/product/10219064/80470. If you want spinning reels, this one is a good one: http://www.basspro.com/Shimano-Sahara-FD-Spinning-Reels/product/102801/123911 and I'd get the model number: SH3000FD for the 15 lb. max drag and 35" per turn. There are cheaper ones, but you get what you pay for.

For rods, I'd go to a local store and buy them. I bought one online one time, and won't make that mistake again. You need to feel it in your hands. I'd get one piece rods. For baitcaster rod I'd get a 5 1/2' - 6' med. action to med. heavy action.
For spinning rods I'd also get one piece rods. I'd say a minimum of 6' med.action to med. heavy action. If you want a crankbait rod, I'd get a 7' to 7 1/2' med. action rod. There's one called a "Carrot Stik", that's orange, that I'd love to have for crankbaits. You won't find these at WalMart. You'll come nearer finding them at Bass Pro Shops, Cabelas, or even Dick's Sporting Goods, if there's any of these near you. If you must order online, order from Bass Pro Shops (decent prices and good return policy). Bass Pro Shops store brands are pretty decent too. If you're just gonna go fishing once a month, you may not want to spend much on equipment. But, if you're gonna go 2,3 or 4 times a month, it's worth it to get good stuff. Especially if you think you'll fish some local open tournaments. Y'all should think about joining a local bass club too. You'll learn a lot about fishing techniques, lures, equipment, boats, etc. and good places to fish. Most clubs have one club tournament a month. The friendly competition is great, and may lead to bigger things, where you could win some real money. FLW Tournaments are open to about anyone that will pay the entry fees. Possible to win $125,000 at each tournament. To win that money, you have to enter as a pro, and pay higher entry fees. But, if you win $125,000, hey, I'm just saying...................
Good luck with whatever y'all do.

soundfreak1

Strongly recoment looking into a local bass club. Like here u will find like minded people who enjoy the sport and will be willong to help u and give u thier knowledge. Also u can pick up used (and usually well cared for equip.) at a used price to allow u to learn about diff. Brands to see what u like.also like here there is good comradery.and u can learn the local lakes as well. I was in a club for many years ans really enjoyed it. Lots-luck. Ps i always liked daiwa reels the best. Vert durable and realiable smooth amd easy to learn.

decal

I have a friend who is an avid bass fisherman.

He spends way more money on his hobby than I do on audio.

You have been forewarned !!!! smiley_rotflmao.gif

soundfreak1

Oh ya it can be just as bad. Uses to spend 350.00 on reels amd 175.00 on a rod plus god only lnow how much on tackle and line
Carried 6 rods to each tourney.

emoxley

You may have seen the breakdown in the past, of the cost of bass fishing.

Cost of truck for pulling boat: $40,000+ to $50,000+ (for 4-wheel drive)
Cost of bass boat: $30,000+ (now days it's more like $50,000+........especially a Ranger)
Cost of gas & oil (in boat and truck, each trip): average $100 (why you ask fishing buddy to share expenses)
Cost of several rods & reels: $600 - $800
Cost of tackle box: $50+
Cost to fill tackle box with baits: $300
Cost of life jackets & other safety equipment: $200
Cost of food and drinks: $10 - $12
Cost of fishing license: $15 or more (depends on where you are)
Cost of trip to hospital to get hook cut out of face, or other part of body: ???
and other incidental costs I can't think of at the moment..............
It worked out that bass cost somewhere around $350 - $400 a pound!

This was meant to be funny, but there's some truth in it. It's worth every penny though, for all the fun and pleasure you get from it. Fishing is good therapy. I know you've heard the old saying: A bad day of fishing is better than a good day of work.
Enjoy!

rromeo923

Bass Pro Shops are a great place to buy stuff. I do mostly Kayak fishing at a local (2 minutes from my house) lake and also on the Potomac River. So much fun! I dont really own any high end equipment and I am not the best fisherman, though my friends consider me avery Lucky fisherman. Somehow I always seem to catch the biggest fish. It's all about having a great time and enjoying the outdoors!

mrbiron

Baitcast or Spinner?
Thr whole one piece or two piece rod is completely preference. There is no real gain from a one piece if all you are doing is bass fishing. Also two piece are easier to transport. The recommendation to go to a store for the actual rod is essential!

I have mid to upper level Quantum and Shimano stuff for fresh water. I also have a Fin Nor setup that runs like a dream but it had better for I paid for it 10 years ago. Those would be my brands of choice but there are many out ther. Pflueger, mitchell, browning, abu garcia, penn, shakespear...etc spend the extra $50+ and get something that will last.

One thing people are overlooking is you wrote you wanted to fish for bass and TROUT. Those are two completely different setups all together. A REAL river trout setup is on a 5' rod with heavy action, tiny reel loaded with 150 yards of about 4lb test (invisiline works great here) and then a whole slew of different lures. My favorite is a 1/8 oz little cleo in silver/red.

Have fun. While you are buying the gear, just think about all the new fancy pre's and amps you could of bought with that money.

gwg_97

Shimano reels are a no brainer. Very good! Check out Cabelas, their in-house rods are very nice.

emoxley

mrbiron wrote: »

Thr whole one piece or two piece rod is completely preference. There is no real gain from a one piece if all you are doing is bass fishing. Also two piece are easier to transport. The recommendation to go to a store for the actual rod is essential!

A one piece rod is more sensitive than a two piece rod, especially plastic worm fishing. After awhile, with breaking down the rod into the two pieces, one day you'll try to cast the line out, and the front half of the rod will go out with the lure. I've had it happen a couple of times. That's when I started using a one piece rod. Easier to carry is the only advantage of a two piece rod, and that's only if you're driving a tiny car.

Pflueger, Shakespeare, Mitchell, and Zebco are best used by kids standing on the bank of a pond, fishing for bluegill and small bass. They don't hold up to the rigors of serious fishing. That's why you don't see the pros using them. I have a couple of old Mitchell 300 reels around here somewhere. They are about 40 yrs old, and haven't been used in about 30 of those years. The Abu Garcia can be put in there with Shimano and Daiwa I own and use a couple of Abu Garcia reels. Penn reels are usually used for salt water fishing, whether in a boat or on a pier. Browning is better known for rods and guns. Quantums are ok too, but you have to order parts from the factory, when you need them (around here anyway).

I haven't been fishing in awhile now. Can't afford it any more. Was out of work for over 4 yrs., before I got on disability. I was diagnosed with COPD/emphysema. Almost any kind of exertion will have me gasping for breath, including taking my showers. I need to take my boat out and see if I can still fight a fish. If I can, that will be great. I'll find a way to go more. If I can't, I'll need to sell my Ranger bass boat, while I'm still around, instead of leaving it for my wife to deal with after I'm gone. It's a 21 yr. old Ranger 481V, with a 150 hp Mercury outboard. It runs good, and rides even better. Nothing better in rough water, in a bass boat. Below is a picture of me in the boat, the day I bought it............. I was one happy camper. I went from a 17' Bass Tracker aluminum boat with a 50 hp motor, to this 18' Ranger.

soundfreak1

I used to fish nass tourneys and the dollar run down above was actually quite conservitive.i never really kept track of what i spent (and not by accident) untill i got out of the sport and sold my gear used foe over 4000.00 to a fellow member of our club and he felt i have it away.oh yea dont forget the cost of food and beer on amd after the fishing.LOL

gdb

Ugly Stick.....

transmaster

Start reading the In Fishermen magazines. http://www.in-fisherman.com/ there are so many setups and it all depends on what you are fishing and in what environment. I am an avid dry fly fisherman which is well suited for the trout fishing in Wyoming. I also have spin cast reels and open face reels with various rods when I want to go after Walleyed Pike, and those few areas in Wyoming where there are Sunfish big enough to eat, black crappie, Yellow perch, bass etc.

CCNJ

Just wanted to thank all for your input. It was helpful to get everyones perspective. I'll let you all know what I end up with.

bruss

give me a snoopy pole and Ill fill the fryer all day long.

Jstas

First things first, get a license. You'll both need them if your son is over 15 years old.

The license isn't expensive but it isn't cheap either. Also, there are different licenses for what you are wanting to fish for and where. It's not like saltwater where you just need to know limits.

Hit the NJ Fish and Wildlife site. They have lots of info there: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/

Figure out what you want to fish for and get all the documentation you need before you head out. The fines for fishing without a license are steep and if you actually have fish caught when the game warden, state trooper, park ranger or even local cops catch you, they treat it like poaching and it can come with jail time.

Besides, responsible fishing means that the fisheries will be around for your son's son to take his son fishing one day too.

That said, gear wise, it's the same as saltwater gear just smaller. For the vast majority of people the spin cast reel or just the spinning reel is your best bet and "jack of all trades" kind of deal. Here's some info on reels:

http://www.fishingreels.us/

There are lots of brands out there and lots of opinions as well. Since you guys are just getting in to stepping up your game, grab yourselves some mass market stuff that will be reliable. A reel from Daiwa or Penn will do fine and they have plenty of ranges both up and down market. Find something in the middle that your wallet can handle and go for it. Personally, I like the Shakespeare "Ugly Stik" series for affordable rods. And yes, they are a bit on the pricey side but, they are worth the money.

http://www.shakespeare-fishing.com/index_uglystik.html

If you want a one-shot combo deal, rod and reel together, Abu Garcia. They are one of the few companies that has good reels and good rods in their combo kits. Abu Garcia isn't low-end though. They are affordable and honestly anything you pick up from them will be stellar. They are a good value and their combo kits come basically ready to run. Just gotta add a leader and your lure/bait/hook.

Combos
http://www.abugarcia.com/products/combos

Also, they have a pile of good info on their site:
http://www.abugarcia.com/angler-education

I've been fishing since I was 8 years old. I have several rods and reels and try to get out at least once a year. I have two Abu Garcia rods, one is an 7'6" saltwater rig with a Veritas rod and a Cardinal 300i reel and I have another 7'6" Vengeance rod with an old Mitchell reel that I have to replace as a surf rod. I have a couple Daiwa rods and an old Daiwa reel. The other Daiwa rod has a Penn Reels reel on it. I don't remember models on them 'cause they are old. At least 20 years. But they are my freshwater rods. My dad has some ancient (from the '50's) fly fishing rods and reels but I haven't gotten in to that stuff.

As far as bait and lures, hit a local bait shop and ask the dudes there what they are hitting with the most and then get that.

ben62670

A lot of recommendations were made without knowing the terrain you will be fishing from. I fish small streams with 4lbs line for trout. The best pole is 5'6" with a small spinning reel. For Bass I fish from a canoe or the edge of a pond or lake. There I use a 6' spinning reel. A 6'6" pole may be better if you are not fighting cover to cast from. Buying locally at a BassPro, or Cabellas is best. I like a stiff spine in my rods with a sensitive tip if you are planning any live bait. Get advice from a salesman. Let him get busy and get a second opinion from another salesman. For the bass rod I like braided 30# line with a fluorocarbon leader with 10-12lbs test. Practice the knot wet! Some don't like braid, but the strength to rip through cover, and don't have the birds nesting issues that plague many mono's. Shimono has great reels, but does put out a few junks. Make sure it has a smooth drag that doesn't feel jerky. A good reel will last a long time. Eagle circle hooks are worth their weight in gold. Don't set them, just reel it in. No gut hooks and safe humane releases.
Happy fishing.
Ben