Most Universal Combination for All-round Fishing
Oct 7, 2018 13:27:34 #
Hi! So I was wondering lately, what could be the most universal setup that will do good for all-round fishing? I'm not a beginner, but I have to say that I would love to grab something, that I can use really for everything. Besides, now that I'm thinking of it - this is also great for newbies, which can't decide on what they want, don't have enough $$ to get specific on what they want to focus on etc. I was thinking of getting Ugly Stik Cat combination, which goes for pretty much less than 100 bucks. There is also Okuma Halogen 7 1/2', which has also looked pretty interesting to me. I don't really care too much about how much I will spend, but I would like something that will provide me with the most quality and the fishing overall will be extremely pleasant.
Thanks for any recommendations.
Thanks for any recommendations.
Oct 7, 2018 13:28:04 #
I would go with the second one for sure. I would go for something like Okuma Halogen 7 1/2' and 2lb flourocarbon leader, which will surely do well in any kind of environment. The Ugly Stik Cat also looks pretty good, but I would still go for the Okuma. Maybe because I have one and I'm doing really okay with it :)
Oct 7, 2018 13:28:16 #
Ugly Stik Cat combo is surely a great choice, but I would say (in my opinion) it's a little bit too heavy for bream and small trouts. So not so universal, but definitely a solid choice if you want to get a bit more specific and at the same, it's good pick for all newbies.
Oct 7, 2018 13:28:31 #
Both choices will be good, but I'm not advocate of universal approach to fishing. It's not how it works in my opinion, even if you are just an beginner or you want to just have something for wherever you go without spending too much. But fishing is a bit more demanding in my opinion. For example for catfish there is no much room for experimenting. If you want to do well with catfish, you will want to grab something that is a bit heavier than usual and can hold a 10 lb test line. For trout on the other hand, something lighter in the range of 6-8 lb will be a perfect fit. Sure, you can try and go universal and it will work, but not to the degree that picking a specific combination will. And as newbies usually lack skills in fishing, it would be best to use the best possible setup for a given environment to get maximum results. Otherwise we may get disappointed that we can't catch anything, and lack of results can greatly demotivate us to further fishing, which is not good for newbies either.
Oct 7, 2018 13:28:46 #
I go with Cerberus on this one. For newbies it will be hard with an all-round combo, and experienced users usually want to get the best bang for the buck and not waste time to get poorer results than they would with a couple $$ spend more. Besides, veterans usually know what they want and where they want to go, so they tend to get prepared before going on a trip. Picking an all-round combination is one thing veteran will surely not do.
Oct 7, 2018 13:29:00 #
I see some mixed opinions here. Frankly not sure what I should do then. I'm not really on budget, so I may go for something all-round and also specific setup on top of that. I will let you know how both approaches work.
Oct 12, 2018 18:24:56 #
Fred
Loc: Phila. Pa.
New as well. I have a Penn BattleII combo with a BattleII 5000 reel. Everything from Little White Perch to 10lb Cat caught.
Oct 14, 2018 14:47:56 #
I have 2 PENN Pursuit II's with 20lb. and for medium all around they work well.
I am getting a lightweight combo to experiment with different lures and bottom fishing for fun.
I am getting a lightweight combo to experiment with different lures and bottom fishing for fun.
Oct 19, 2018 20:32:01 #
It all depends on what you are fishing for. Back in the good old days you didn't have too many choices, but now you can go down to your local Walmart and find a decent rod for a good price.If you want to have fun fighting the fish get a rod with a fast taper( flimsy noodle rod ). Pair the rod up with a smaller reel filled with 6 pound test line. If you are fishing for meat get a stiffer slower taper rod and fill your reel with 30 pound test braided line. You'll know when you have the right rod. The rod reel combination will feel good in your hand when casting and retrieving your line. Good luck and happy fishing.
Oct 20, 2018 15:22:56 #
Use a one piece rod. You can feel the strike better than a two piece.
Nov 3, 2018 00:31:32 #
I have recently gotten a new berkley lightning rod it is one of the best rods I’ve fished with i like it more than my ugly stick paired it with a spin cast that has no reverse use it for everything from perch to stripers
Nov 6, 2018 10:12:36 #
Gtj
Loc: Oregon coast
I use an 11.5 ft. Med.-Hvy. with decent tip flex with a spinning reel and 15- 20lb. Test for tidewater/river fishing. I run my mainline with a snap swivel and carry 8-10lb weight weight lines with bullets or eggs and stop knots and barrels on the top n snaps at the end. Usually three to four different weight combos. The lines are just long enough to to wear around my neck like necklaces so that's handy. Eighteen to twenty four inch leaders snap onto the selected weight line ant snap to my hooks or lures for quick and easy change outs. I use thin steel cable leaders for luring salmon/steelhead/large trout and 8lb. Test leaders if using bait. However you set up your presentation the interchangeable weight lines keep you ready for water speed/codition variations, esp. in tidewater. I usually my ugly stick/leveline combo for surf, jetty fishing or trolling. For lakes n smaller streams a good flexible 7ft. Light-med pole with 6-8lb test is versatile enough to catch the smaller fish.
Nov 9, 2018 10:54:50 #
The rod tip must be flexible and the reel smooth there many options in the market but a good start is right where you mentioned 7 1/2 foot rood with sensitive tip and depending on target fish a open face reel with line that won’t stretch too much and a sliding sinker rig matched to the rod. I use for small game fish a 3-8 ounce sinker with 10 lb line for a quick get it in the truck and put a line in the water rig.
Dec 1, 2018 01:25:58 #
Traveler6780 wrote:
Use a one piece rod. You can feel the strike better than a two piece.
I agree. You may be able to pick up an old used Falcon Cara medium 7 ft. for a reasonable price.
It's great for about 90% of bass fishing and casts almost as well as very expensive rods and is
reasonably light to fish all day. I've caught bluegills in my pond with it, 20 lb catfish, a 11 lb 12 ounce
largemouth, and a 28 lb carp caught in the mouth throwing to surface bait with a glass rap and several
nice stripers. It can even be used with a Carolina rig in a pinch. Most all round excellent I have ever
owned for the price. Caught more with it than any other rod. Combine with a basic Lew's.
Dec 30, 2018 10:42:55 #
I don't fish for catfish on purpose. They are fun to catch, and they are good to eat, but I don't like cleaning them. My favorite set up is a 7' medium heavy, fast St. Croix Avid X with an Abu Garcia Revo SX,and 12 lb. Segaur flourocarbon. I have caught many different species with this setup. I have tried using heavy (50 - 65lb.) braid, but it backlashes on me.
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