FS Digest

I have been fishing on and off for about 5 years, only caught a handful of small fish using a rhino tough 5'5 foot medium-light rod and a cheap shakespeare spinnig rod I got for $10, I want to upgrade but I am limited to what I can get at walmart due to having a gift card there. I want to a good all around general rod and spinning reel I will be using in small rivers, stocked lakes and shore fishing. I am looking at the GX2 in medium action and 6'6 but I dont know if there is a better walmart rod for the price or around it? Also I am looking for a good general spinning reel for trout and a good overall test pound for panfish and small-medium sized fish. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I have 4 pound and 6 pound test currently brand new spools I will be putting on whatever new reel I pick up, which would be a better all around fishing pound for that small-medium trout/sunfish/smaller catfish and bass in small river streams and stocked ponds? thank you.

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by PanzerDivisionMe

FS Digest

Gx2 is solid

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by DarkRyok

FS Digest

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Pflueger-President-Spinning-Fishing-Reel/845236598

Here is your reel.

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by space-magic-ooo

FS Digest

thanks guys, Is the medium action /6'6 length Gx2 with maybe 4 or 6 pound test a good overall setup for trout/sunfish? I am coming from a 5'5 pole with light/medium action. Will that extra foot help? and will i notice a difference in a medium action over a light/medium?

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by PanzerDivisionMe

FS Digest

6.6' is ideal for an all-rounder. For your stated purposes, try and find a medium or medium-fast, action rod.

I'm assuming you mean 4-6 lb mono, line?

If so, try and invest in some 10lb mono, for your main line and use the 4-6lb as "Leader" material, for the smaller trout and pan-fish. Use straight 10lb for trout and catfish.

You can usually find bulk spools for good prices. "Ande" line is always a solid choice and quite affordable. You will get line twist, but since the cost is low, you can simply cut 20ft of line before every 3rd outing or so.


GL and Tight Lines!

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by drift_official

FS Digest

I currently have a #4 mono and a #6 pound mono, so #10 mono for all around?

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by PanzerDivisionMe

FS Digest

Yes -10 lb mono on your spool. Filled. You can use this for the cats and bass. (straight line with bait of lures)

For trout, you can add about 12-18 inches of the 6lb line to the end of the 10lb mono. This way the diameter of the line doesn't spook them as they are naturally "eye sight" hunters. This is commonly referred to as "leader material".

For smaller pan-fish (sunfish, crappy/bluegill) add the 4lb mono to your 10lb mono.. It effectively reduces the diameter of your line to make it less visible..

You would do this in order to save yourself the hassle and cost of having to swap out spools (which is a waste of line and money)

Example: you have 6lb mono on your spool, but find that the fish aren't biting and want to switch to the 4lb line. Instead of stripping all of the line from your spool, you simply add 12"-18", of either 4lb or 6lb line, at the end of your 10lb line (which is much stronger and more resistant to breaking) to suit your fishing needs.

I can understand that this maybe confusing to you, but if you search google on this method i am sure you will find pictorials and videos, that show exactly how this works.

Ultimately it will save you time, money and help to put more fish on the bank for you. Remembering to adjust your drag accordingly to the LB test to the "leader" material you're using.

Tight lines! :)

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by drift_official

WhiskerKnight

Lil Mermaid, or the Power Rangers 3’ers are awesome to use with 7/0 circle hooks and big baits.

Then hook into a 20-30 pound cat and it’s gets real fast

Onepercenter

Big A Loc: Mesa, Arizona

For a one-rig-for-all
situation, a 6'6" med. action UglyStik in original, GX2 or Lite Pro models (they come in sizes/actions from 4'6" ultra-light to 7' med./med.-heavy) from $25 to $50 ! A good match could include any one of several models of Shimano or Okuma reels ($35/$50), an Abu-Garcia Pro Max or Black Max ($45/ $50), or the Pfleuger President ($45/$50) ! A good idea for the ene-rig scenario is to invest in spare spools for whichever reel you pick; allows you to adapt quickly and easily to changing situations (fish species/terrain/current flow) ! With 4-lb., 6 to 8-lb.
10 to 12-lb. test lines on separate spools, you can do a quick-change in the field and be ready for whatever happens !

Big A Loc: Mesa, Arizona

Incidentally, those recommended reels should be in the 2000/2500 size ! If you plan to go frequently or consistently for larger species, then a 3000/4000
size reel matched to a 6'6" to 7' med.-heavy rod would be preferable, and don't let your line strength exceed you rod strength rating !

kprzybyla

For walmart? Berkley shock rod, 7' medium... GX2 is a tough rod but it has zero sensitivity and it's heavy as hell after 8 hours of casting. pair it with the best quantum they have in 3000 or if you have too, the mitchell 300... 20lb power pro and learn to tie fleuro leaders. That's a $100.00 set up that will handle just about any freshwater fish we have ( and most any technique ) except for the really big cats and sturgeon.