Looking for some new 'grown up level' rods and reels, Suggestions Accepted!
Nov 12, 2019 11:35:21 #
JessAlynn
Loc: Bastrop, Texas
Hi everyone, my name is Jess and I am an amateur/journeyman fisherman who wants to play with the big boys (I also volunteer as a youths to junior Angler instructor for the Texas State Parks and Wildlife Foundation).
*'Hi, Jess!'* (Does this sound like an AA meeting intro? Yeah, Anglers Anonymous 🙄)
Thanks for letting me join the forum! Let me tell you of my plight...
Due to being kinda broke and just getting back into river bank and kayak fishing after too many years, I have been stuck with the $9.99-19.99 Walmart Shakespeare Spinning Combo specials. I have 20-35 lb braided line on them though 😉 and have felt that need to graduate, because my casting and rig tying are on point and my terminal tackle has everything I could need, but the equipment doesn't. I use homemade traps and casting nets and keep a frozen supply of shad and minnows, and make my own dough bait, so I am not looking to use fancy jigs or crank baits.
To be honest the biggest cat I have ever caught was a 21 inch channel cat on a telescoping pole while kayaking and the biggest bass has been a 8 inch Guadalupe bass on a Shakespeare Slingshot and I am very surprised that the poles didn't snap when I hooked them. Mostly though, I am stuck with less than 7 inch channel cats and 4-6 inch bluegill/sunfish and I am sick of not being able to bring anything home! (Photo evidence of my current range of successful catches included, including the 6 gallons of shad I netted in four throws! Lucky you!)
I really want to get some new toys as my experience and knowledge grow, and land some big bass and cats. Yesterday I purchased a Bite Alert 7'7" pole and the biggest spool they had, medium to medium heavy, fast action combo specifically for catfish. But I really want to start on bait casting reels. I was able to get a brand new Abu Garcia low profile 6:4:1 silver max reel at a pawn shop for $15 last night but am kinda wondering what lower priced finesse type rods I could pair it with?
Also looking to get a couple of baitcasting combos under $100 for big bass or even more catfishing. I mainly fish rivers, creeks and spillways, and living right outside of Austin is a Haven of unreachable trophy fish...
So any suggestions?
I appreciate your advice very much! Thanks guys.
*'Hi, Jess!'* (Does this sound like an AA meeting intro? Yeah, Anglers Anonymous 🙄)
Thanks for letting me join the forum! Let me tell you of my plight...
Due to being kinda broke and just getting back into river bank and kayak fishing after too many years, I have been stuck with the $9.99-19.99 Walmart Shakespeare Spinning Combo specials. I have 20-35 lb braided line on them though 😉 and have felt that need to graduate, because my casting and rig tying are on point and my terminal tackle has everything I could need, but the equipment doesn't. I use homemade traps and casting nets and keep a frozen supply of shad and minnows, and make my own dough bait, so I am not looking to use fancy jigs or crank baits.
To be honest the biggest cat I have ever caught was a 21 inch channel cat on a telescoping pole while kayaking and the biggest bass has been a 8 inch Guadalupe bass on a Shakespeare Slingshot and I am very surprised that the poles didn't snap when I hooked them. Mostly though, I am stuck with less than 7 inch channel cats and 4-6 inch bluegill/sunfish and I am sick of not being able to bring anything home! (Photo evidence of my current range of successful catches included, including the 6 gallons of shad I netted in four throws! Lucky you!)
I really want to get some new toys as my experience and knowledge grow, and land some big bass and cats. Yesterday I purchased a Bite Alert 7'7" pole and the biggest spool they had, medium to medium heavy, fast action combo specifically for catfish. But I really want to start on bait casting reels. I was able to get a brand new Abu Garcia low profile 6:4:1 silver max reel at a pawn shop for $15 last night but am kinda wondering what lower priced finesse type rods I could pair it with?
Also looking to get a couple of baitcasting combos under $100 for big bass or even more catfishing. I mainly fish rivers, creeks and spillways, and living right outside of Austin is a Haven of unreachable trophy fish...
So any suggestions?
I appreciate your advice very much! Thanks guys.
7 inch Guadalupe bass
8 inch channel cat
21 inch channel cat, yes it was in my bathtub, lol
Four schools of ginormous shad I caught with a casting net.
Nov 12, 2019 12:04:57 #
You put the fear in too many guys.
Hard to compete with what you are capable of.
I am sure some will be along to make suggestions shortly.
Hard to compete with what you are capable of.
I am sure some will be along to make suggestions shortly.
Nov 12, 2019 12:57:35 #
JessAlynn
Loc: Bastrop, Texas
EasternOZ wrote:
You put the fear in too many guys.
Hard to compete with what you are capable of.
I am sure some will be along to make suggestions shortly.
Hard to compete with what you are capable of.
I am sure some will be along to make suggestions shortly.
Hah! I doubt that, but thanks!
Nov 12, 2019 17:29:40 #
Well,,,,,,,,,,, Jess, I don't think anyone has welcomed you to the Forum, so, welcome! As far as your questions..... I don't think you are going to get more for your buck than you are at Walmart. You might want to look at Cabelas/Bass Pro Shop, Dick's Sporting Goods or your local tackle shop. But, welcome anyway! Stay away from badbobby he is bad news.
Nov 12, 2019 18:14:20 #
Nov 12, 2019 20:45:50 #
Nov 13, 2019 03:49:25 #
JessAlynn
Loc: Bastrop, Texas
flyguy wrote:
Well,,,,,,,,,,, Jess, I don't think anyone has welcomed you to the Forum, so, welcome! As far as your questions..... I don't think you are going to get more for your buck than you are at Walmart. You might want to look at Cabelas/Bass Pro Shop, Dick's Sporting Goods or your local tackle shop.
I haunt our local Academy Outdoors and looove Amazon.
Nov 13, 2019 07:16:20 #
Nov 13, 2019 08:41:08 #
JessAlynn
Loc: Bastrop, Texas
Raw Dawg Ron wrote:
Say what, AA meeting? A different A thing. Welcome to the FS-F
I was trying to be funny because fishing is addictive, and I even mentioned Anglers Anonymous not alcohol. I guess I should back off on the humor.
Nov 13, 2019 09:02:24 #
JessAlynn wrote:
I was trying to be funny because fishing is addictive, and I even mentioned Anglers Anonymous not alcohol. I guess I should back off on the humor.
Most who have it have thick skin, don't back off bring it on.
Have you looked in the chitchat section?
Nov 13, 2019 09:37:55 #
Nov 13, 2019 09:48:31 #
Raw Dawg Ron wrote:
But anglers anonymous is a real factor! Where`s the meeting?
Big boat of course.
Nov 13, 2019 09:48:58 #
Raw Dawg Ron wrote:
But anglers anonymous is a real factor! Where`s the meeting?
Here for now.
Nov 13, 2019 11:03:45 #
JessAlynn
Loc: Bastrop, Texas
Okay since I started the joke, I think I will make a it a topic! It will be a funny and truthful introspection on our addiction to fishing and no one will judge (too harshly 😉)!
Nov 13, 2019 11:31:09 #
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.