gr8advice Loc: Boston

I am a bank fisherman from Massachusetts and wanted to purchase a rod and reel for Rainbow Trout fishing and smaller LMB here in New England. Any suggestions for a relatively light spinning combo (or separate components) that total $130? What size reel would you recommend for someone like me wherein this rod/reel would be mostly used for lighter finesse fishing?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

I think I have welcomed you before, gr8advise, but maybe not, if not, welcome! Anyway, what I would suggest is like a 2500 sized reel and a 1/8 - 1/2 oz. lure wt. rod. The outfit will be too big for trout and too small for lm bass. What you are doing is splitting the difference to be able to do both, but neither very well. If you can, get a reel with two spools and put like a 4# test on for trout and put 10# - 12# for bass. Good Luck!

gr8advice Loc: Boston

Thanks for the suggestions. I should have said that I have other rods/reels for Bass. I just don't have anything light enough for trout. I think I will use put 4# test in the fall and spring when I am fishing for the trout and put on 10# or 12# braid (with a flouro or mono leader if necessary) in the summer months for LMB. Does anyone have any brand and model suggestions for a 2500 reel and a matched rod (or combo)?

As a somewhat unrelated aside, the last few days here in Mass. have been warm and I believe that we are close to Pre-spawn. I am getting stressed out from Covid-19 news and worrying about elderly parents that fishing will be a relaxing solace the next few months. Especially at this time, we all need to make time for our hobbies, especially those that can incorporate social distancing such as fishing. Sorry for the rant that should probably be a separate message...

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

You could use your braid and use 4# Floro as a leader. I don't know what you are using for bait, but if it is a lure, do not use a clip swivel to attach the lure to the floro but a regular swivel about 6 - 8 inches above the lure and do not cast the swivel through the guides or tip top. You will take the incert out of the guides and tip top. The clip swivel attached to the lure will spook a trout.

GlennMc928 Loc: Tualatin OR

I love my 7 ft UL spinning rod and I use a Pflueger President spinning reel and it works great for fishing for Trout when I am fishing from the bank. If you plane on catching any thing above 3 pounds you will want to step up to a light power or even a med power rod. I like to fish with a 4 lb to 8 lb test line for Trout as the UL rod lets you get away with a lot line wise. As for the rod you won't need to spend big just don't shop at the dollar store. Best of luck!

gr8advice Loc: Boston

Thanks again for the sage advice. I will be almost always be using lures. What do you mean by "You will take the incert out of the guides and tip top ?" Are you saying I will wreck the tip of the rod? Last question is: would a 6.6 foot medium light moderate fast rod be a good match for a 2500 reel? Thanks.

gr8advice Loc: Boston

Thanks Glenn for the spinning reel suggestion.

Atonynichols Loc: 94520

I use a cheap old $3.00 Eagle claw 9 foot fly rod it's kinda stiff bends like a regular rod. Older daiwa spin caster. I fish streams and creeks the extra track from the fly rod 9 foot of pole 9foot of line. Always walk upstream. Brooke, german browns, and cut bows all day long. Or lahontan cutthroatss if we go out on the reservation. I use 8 to 10 lb test. Doesn't matter what type. It's too hard to tie knots and too light not tangle if I use 4lb test. Spin casters worked great when I was 5. Zebco 888 is my go to sturgeon and striper reel works great at 45.

Atonynichols Loc: 94520

I use a cheap old $3.00 Eagle claw 9 foot fly rod it's kinda stiff bends like a regular rod. Older daiwa spin caster. I fish streams and creeks the extra track from the fly rod 9 foot of pole 9foot of line. Always walk upstream. Brooke, german browns, and cut bows all day long. Or lahontan cutthroatss if we go out on the reservation. I use 8 to 10 lb test. Doesn't matter what type. It's too hard to tie knots and too light not tangle if I use 4lb test. Spin casters worked great when I was 5. Zebco 888 is my go to sturgeon and striper reel works great at 45.