FS Digest

I'm upgrading my rod and reel for Christmas and looking to get an all around setup. I'm still very much a noob/rookie and so I've been focusing on a spinning rod/reel. However, I recently watched a video which suggested that the best 'all around' setup that would allow me to do 90% of everything is a Baitcaster on a 7ft Med Heavy Fast action rod.

I was leaning toward a 6.5ft Med Fast action spinning rod/reel. Thoughts? They suggest that while the learning curve on a baitcaster is a bit steeper, it's nothing a beginning can't work out with some practice at the pond.

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by Javaslinger

FS Digest

I’d go spinning, especially if you’re on the newer side. Baitcasters are nice, but have a steep learning curve and can be very frustrating at first. I’ve been using both for decades and still use my spinning set up 1/2 the time. Its more versitile and if I only had one, I’d go spinning.

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by montanabob68

FS Digest

I'd def go spinning rod. I love my baitcaster but spinning beats it it for "all around" if nothing else but the fact that baitcaster struggle with very light bait.

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by thatdudeman52

FS Digest

Spinning reel with braid!

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by benjamino8690

FS Digest

I'd go spinning. Casting setups are nice and all, but they come with their own problems. I do a decent amount of wade/bank fishing, and fishing from a kayak. Wade fishing, if you dip your lure in the water on the back cast, a casting setup will bird nest. Same with hitting weeds/sticks/brush when fishing from a bank. In a kayak, I've had it happen (and seen it happen to others more often) where you hit another rod on the back cast, and you're either picking a bird's nest the rest of the day or retiring the setup until you're home later. Standing in a kayak is ok, but you've still really got to watch what you're doing.

For my money, for "turn your brain off and fish" kind of stuff where you don't have to (or want to) worry about stuff, I'll take a decent spinning setup all day, every day.

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by xXDarkSide13Xx

FS Digest

I'd go spinning too. To me the heavier baits that baitcasters are "ideal for" can still be thrown on a good spinning setup with acceptable results, whereas the lighter baits that cast great on spinning gear can be a real headache on casting gear.

If it were me, I'd step up to at least a 7 ft rod, unless you typically fish where you don't have room to cast. Medium action, fast tip should be a good choice. If it is in your budget, I do like using 15-20 lb braid as a mainline on all of my freshwater spinning gear. It casts great and adds sensitivity to your setup. Then pick a couple of leader sizes depending on the size of your local fish so that you can adjust your leader to different situations. I mostly use 8 or 12 lb mono as leader line when bass fishing.

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by wookiepoop93

captjohn Loc: Northern Illinois

Although I am first and foremost a bass pro guy I would recommend a 7' med heavy combo by Lews. It's not the most expensive or cheapest but I think that combo will serve you the best in the long run whether your a newbie or a grizzled old vet like some of us on this site. Don't make price your #1 consideration the most expensive doesn't always mean the best choice for your needs and the cheapest probably will not do the job for a long time . Get a good piece of equipment and clean and lubricate it and it will last many , many years. Hope this helps

JRK227 Loc: Cedarburg, WI

Spinning reel loaded with Power Pro braid. Easier casting and line that will hold up to all conditions. A good medium action rod is a good match. Utilize your drag to fight fish. With a medium action rod you can feel the bite. You don't need a telephone pole to catch fish.