More versatile type of fishing?
While I may eventually want to learn both fly and spin fishing, as a total newbie, my primary goal right now in learning to fish is to feed myself in a variety contexts, including during multi day hikes. If I could only pick one for now that is versatile enough to suffice in a wider variety of contexts, which one should I pick up first? From my research so far I'm getting the impression that ultra light spin fishing might be a good option, but I'd like to get some input before I go for it. Thanks!
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by cqrmskreit
Get a pfleuger president spinning reel and combo it with an ugly stik rod for a great bang for your buck combo. He thought I meant a closed face reel but I honestly can’t stand those they get all messed up internally and, like he said, are generally terrible quality reels.
For hikes I personally prefer an ultralight or a smaller rod or an ultralight just for convenience hiking through trees and such but that’s up to your personal preference. I’m just now getting into fly fishing and it’s a real process to learn the techniques you will need to cast in brush and a spinning reel will get you out there almost immediately and it throws a wider variety of baits.
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by poppinbass
Fly fishing (my experience) requires more specific gear like waders and location (open area to work). An ultra light can be fished from shore or boat. Multi day hiking that's not a fishing trip I would suggest this just from a gear required view point. Cheap pole and tackle box weigh less than a set of waders.
Until you have some experience you aren't going to know what you need, want, or can leave behind. Also it's a cheaper option. Buy cheaper stuff till you find out what you like. Once you wear it out or break it cause of high use replace it with more expensive stuff.
Spinners, crappie jigs, and bobbers can catch a lot of pan fish. Cut bait on a bare hook will fill a lot of frying pans too! Keep it simple keep it light when fishing to eat.
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by gonnagrowuptomorrow
Also, get your fishing license. Can’t eat if you owe big brother $500.
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by pandoriansiren93
Spin casting.. if fishing while hiking, you want a light rod that travels well. And lots of hooks , a few bobbers and a few spinners..Worms are easy to find under rocks and fallen logs.
Research area hiking or fishing, for types of fish and size of spinners and hooks, that you will need
I trout fish by using a spin rod and spinners size 0 to 2... Best of luck.
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by cuda1900
Thanks! Why spincast vs spinning, btw?
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by cqrmskreit
I like spinning reels, open face usually with a trigger, they are smooth, don’t get tangled, allows friction for snapping with you catch a fish!
A little more cost, but better, in my opinion. 😁
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by cuda1900
I'd go with a 6'6" Med rod. Much easier than fly fishing and much more versatile. A decent rod this size can catch basically any freshwater fish in North America. I would probably spool 8lb monofiliment unless you want to use braid (generally considered better line, but is harder to work with for a few reasons) Although that would probably be too thick for trout (I am not a trout angler but I know they are generally caught on very thin line, someone else can make a more accurate statement on that)
I wouldn't recommend ultra light. It would work okay, but a medium rod would be much for versatile. Pike, Large Bass, and catfish would be hard to catch on an ultra light. A medium rod could handle those fish, but still be small enough to catch crappie, walleye, trout, sunfish, etc.
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by ikwj
Ah, thanks for the tips and for explaining medium vs ultralight, that makes sense. Looks like I'll have to do some research on spincast too, I didn't even realize it was different from a spinning reel.
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by cqrmskreit
You can get an extremely light pack weight on a M weight set up if you’re concerned about toting gear (as you should be). One issue, as you probably know from hiking gear is that less (weight) is often more (money).
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by corndogge
I out-fish spin-casters with my fly rod in nearly all situations.
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by donttouchthehelp
Depends on what you’re fishing for. Ive enjoyed learning how to fly fish but if I’m in a pinch and need to catch a meaty fish for dinner I’m placing my bets on a spinning rod and reel. You can fish for pretty much anything at any time of the year with one of those.
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by poppinbass
A medium light action rod with a spinning reel would work well. You can also toss flies using a bubble float set up. Very versatile.
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