Fishing Stage - Forum
Home Active Topics Newest Pictures Search Login Register
Main
Need Recommendation for Spinning Rod & Reel Combo
California Fishing
Page 1 of 2 next>
Nov 11, 2023 18:53:53   #
SDJayhawk Loc: San Diego, CA
 
I used to be a pretty good LMB fisherman way back in the day, but life’s responsibilities have kept that pursuit to a minimum for the last 20 years and I haven’t kept up on today’s equipment. I’m hoping to get back on the water before long and want to buy my adult son a good quality spinning reel with a matching rod for Christmas. The fishing would be mainly for small to medium size lakes in San Diego County for bass….and maybe crappie and bluegill. I don’t want cheap or low quality and am assuming that a range of $180 to $230 would work to get both components. (I can spend more if critical). Somebody correct me if I’m wrong and/or suggest some equipment for me. Thanks in advance for any ideas.

Reply
Nov 11, 2023 19:19:31   #
audigger53 Loc: Severn, MD
 
I would advise going to some place like Bass Pro and talking with them. then I would go to Walmart and buy what they were talking about. LOL Seriously, 5'6"-6' rod. How it feels in your hand and then the reel. Medium/Light rod and then the reel.
Example: If the rod is good for 20 LB line, you don't want the reel to have more than 20 LB Drag max. Say 6-10 LB rod and then 10 LB max drag on the reel. Hope this makes sense to you. BTW No one every got yelled at for giving an Ugly Stick. LOL

Reply
Nov 11, 2023 19:23:03   #
charlykilo Loc: Garden Valley Ca
 
I hate to seem trite. But men all have their idea of perfect wives / fishing stuff. Any chance you taking him shopping?

Reply
 
 
Nov 11, 2023 23:33:58   #
audigger53 Loc: Severn, MD
 
LOL Your closer to him than me.

Reply
Nov 11, 2023 23:49:04   #
The bus Loc: San Francisco ca
 
Recommendation get him a gift card to Bass Pro 250.00 and warn him that’s just the start

Reply
Nov 12, 2023 04:42:47   #
1Oldboat42 Loc: Kearney, Nebraska
 
I too would recommend Bass Pro or Cabela's but stay away from Walmart if you want your equipment to last. And the way I look at it, bigger isn't better. The heaviest line we use is 10 lb test mono, and that's for trolling for walleye. For bass and crappie 6 & 8 lb test is sufficient. I know we all have favorite brands, but Daiwa and Shimano are my two multi species combos. Lews was ok but didn't hold up like I hoped it would. For casting combos Zebco's Delta and Omega's on a Zebco rod make good combos. I also personally find the crank baits and spinners give more action with the lighter lines. And I have caught 27 lb catfish on my 8 lb line; you just have to use the drag properly and play the larger ones in on their terms. Good luck and enjoy the game of fishing!

Reply
Nov 12, 2023 07:08:22   #
bknecht Loc: Northeast pa
 
SDJayhawk wrote:
I used to be a pretty good LMB fisherman way back in the day, but life’s responsibilities have kept that pursuit to a minimum for the last 20 years and I haven’t kept up on today’s equipment. I’m hoping to get back on the water before long and want to buy my adult son a good quality spinning reel with a matching rod for Christmas. The fishing would be mainly for small to medium size lakes in San Diego County for bass….and maybe crappie and bluegill. I don’t want cheap or low quality and am assuming that a range of $180 to $230 would work to get both components. (I can spend more if critical). Somebody correct me if I’m wrong and/or suggest some equipment for me. Thanks in advance for any ideas.
I used to be a pretty good LMB fisherman way back ... (show quote)


SD, if you’re looking for a quality setup that will cover your bases I’ld suggest a Fenwick HMG model HMGPX76ML-FS paired with a Pfluger President 30. This rod and reel are solid performers and I believe best bang for your dollar, balance well together and should cost you less than $200. I wouldn’t want to throw large topwaters or plastic worms with it but it’s an ideal setup for throwing paddle tails, small crankbaits, and finesse dropshotting. The combo would work well for bass and panfish, again with the exception of large topwaters and things such as Texas-rigged worms.

Reply
 
 
Nov 12, 2023 09:35:49   #
Bcmech1 Loc: Clinton Wisconsin
 
SDJayhawk wrote:
I used to be a pretty good LMB fisherman way back in the day, but life’s responsibilities have kept that pursuit to a minimum for the last 20 years and I haven’t kept up on today’s equipment. I’m hoping to get back on the water before long and want to buy my adult son a good quality spinning reel with a matching rod for Christmas. The fishing would be mainly for small to medium size lakes in San Diego County for bass….and maybe crappie and bluegill. I don’t want cheap or low quality and am assuming that a range of $180 to $230 would work to get both components. (I can spend more if critical). Somebody correct me if I’m wrong and/or suggest some equipment for me. Thanks in advance for any ideas.
I used to be a pretty good LMB fisherman way back ... (show quote)


I've had really good luck with Shimano reels and Berkeley or Fenwick rods. You could spend more for a St. Croix rod, but my opinion the others hold up well for bass and pike

Reply
Nov 12, 2023 14:08:57   #
orion033 Loc: Kernville, CA
 
For the reel, try Legalis LT, best bang for your buck, try it against other reels before you buy something expensive. I use the 2500 for smaller fish and the 3000 as my 'sturdy rod/reel' set.
For the rod, I kid you not, try the Shakespeare micro series LIGHT 7'0 rod for bass, the ULTRA light (LT) 7'0 for crappie and bluegill. Super inexpensive, but to get back in they're only $20-$30 and I'm telling you, try this setup before you dish out all kinds of dollars first. And you can swap the Legalis LT on either rod and it feels balanced either way. You'll end up with two rods & a nice reel, for the price of just a rod on the expensive side.

Reply
Nov 12, 2023 14:14:27   #
orion033 Loc: Kernville, CA
 
And when you're out on the water you won't feel like you compromised. Put the set together at the store to try it out against the "Bass Pro recommended". That's what I did.

Reply
Nov 12, 2023 16:27:07   #
bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington
 
Get a quality shimano stradic 1000 reel. Often on sale in the $180 range. Mine are spooled with 20 pound Sufix 832 braid. The heavier line is for my eyesight. They have lasted for years catching everything from bluegill to silver salmon. After 15 years serving as a fun rods on my Alaskan charter boat they are still going strong. If you move into bigger fish than bass or walleye or need to cast further for surf fishing then move up to the 2500 or bigger. I have 2 1000's on different rods. One ultra light extra fast tip, and one stiffer rod with extra fast tip. between them, now that I am retired, I can fish anything from bluegill to coho using anything from 1/8 oz jig and 1 inch tube to froga and Texas rigged 1/2 oz. jigs. I have a seperate 10 foot rod with 2500 for drifting eggs and salmon jigs in the river for coho chums and pinks. I also use the bigger rig for surf perch fishing. I use a fairly stiff rod like an ugly stick for fishing the 2500 off the boat for flat fish and greenling (halibut and lingcod excluded) I do on occasion use the 2500 on a tiger ugly stick for Lingcod and would use the same rig for cats and carp if there were any around here.

Reply
 
 
Nov 12, 2023 19:37:54   #
JTsao Loc: San Rafaeĺ CA
 
There'll be plenty of opinions about this but so far I've had pretty good luck buying spinning and baitcasting reels on Temu. Yes it's a mass market Chinese online store and yes there's more pure junk there than you can imagine, BUT if you are patient, discerning and if you take good care of your equipment you may find yourself a good buy. I'm talking in the $10-25 range for a reasonably built reel with fast retrieval rates and good drags. Is it comparable to the top Shimanos and Daiwas at 10X the cost? Of course not but you get what you pay for. I've fished two spinning reels and one baitcaster for about a year, fairly regularly, and I always rinse them out after each use and towel dry. So far so good. I haven't had much luck with rods though-

Reply
Nov 13, 2023 07:30:25   #
Clappy Loc: Michigan
 
St Croix Rod, light or ultra light model (Made in the USA) coupled with a 25 or 30 series Plueger reel. This is my favorite go to rod/reel combo for pan fish. St Croix rods are well made and sensitive, Plueger reels are reliable reels in an attractive price range.

Reply
Nov 13, 2023 09:36:43   #
questions Loc: Macedonia Ohio
 
Hello

I don’t know what type of fishing you do but for panfish my recommendation is the ACC Crappie Stix is my go to for a rod.

Milan

Reply
Nov 13, 2023 09:41:54   #
questions Loc: Macedonia Ohio
 
Forgot to mention a Lews spinning reel with 4 pound test. Ultra Light combo that’s nicely balanced.

Milan

Reply
Page 1 of 2 next>
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.
Main
FishingStage.com - Forum
Copyright 2018-2024 IDF International Technologies, Inc.