FS Digest

Whats a good, affordable fishing rod for somebody whos just starting? Mainly fishing in ponds/bays.

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by yungmushroom

FS Digest

What species would you be after?

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by fishaddict420

FS Digest

Probably mostly bass and pike.

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by yungmushroom

FS Digest

If you already know that you enjoy fishing then I would spring for a Berkeley shock rod, they are designed for braid but do well with lighter mono or floro too, they usually run $40-$55 bucks. Add a decent cheaper reel and you could tackle big pike and bass for many seasons.

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by fishaddict420

FS Digest

Bass? Panfish? Pike? All purpose?

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by skinnyanglerguy

FS Digest

Mostly bass and pike, but im not opposed to other options!

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by yungmushroom

FS Digest

I generally recommend the Shakespeare combos Big5Sports sells - not because they're especially good, but because they're good enough to tell if you will like fishing at all, and because they come with a bunch of basic tackle and explanations on how to use it for ~$40 total. That's an amount people are far more okay potentially wasting than a serious rod/reel, even in the beginner bracket.

To be clear: This is not the rod/reel that will last you a life time. The rod is good and the reel is very functional, but the reel (especially the anti-reverse) does break if you use it a lot. Thankfully, they are also ultra simple to fix. By the time it does itself in(if that ever happens, mine hasn't) you'll have a lot better idea of how you like to fish, what other people are using, and what you're looking for.

Worth noting: I actually still use my Shakespeare Pier combo rod/reel, and I abuse the shit out of it, in saltwater no less. The anti-reverse has died twice, but other than that it somehow keeps on working smooth as butter. It gives the impression(when in use) of a far better reel than it is.

Edit: Plz note I'm talking about the ones they'll label "Bass Fishing" or "Surf Fishing" - the others(just rod/reel) don't come with the tackle and explanations.

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by RandomPantsAppear

FS Digest

Definitely good choice here. Still a solid combo, but this would help if you even like fishing at all. If you don't, no harm done. If you do, well you'll have a spare rod for the future.

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by DarkRyok

FS Digest

This is super helpful, thank you. Not looking for the nicest rod yet anyways, just something to use this summer while i learn all the ins and outs of the fishing world. This sounds perfect.

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by yungmushroom

FS Digest

Ugly stik gx2 will power on forever. My ugly stik is goin on 30 years now.

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by bigchungusmode99

dafjib Loc: Asheville ,N.C.

You cant go wrong with any Ugly Sticks ,I have used them for years. And they make one for anything you want to fish for ,and you break one they will replace it.. You can get good deals on their combos on line or the big box stores ,wallmart has a good selection of them where I live .