What would be a good rod and reel to get?

[Supertac916]

I've never been much of a fisherman, but my 4 and 3 year old sons are getting older and I want to take them fishing. I would like to get a decent rod and reel, where I could fish fresh and saltwater fish. I understand guns, but I'm a complete newbie when it comes to fishing.

I'm planning on taking my kids to Camp Far West for a weekend camping trip. I believe there are bass, catfish, perch, and a few others species of fish. I'd really appreciate if you guys could make some recommendatons.

Thanks..

[Wingnutt]

Try the SX Avet on a Phenix rod.I have landed 20-30 lb Yellowtail on my SX rig.

[Supertac916]

Try the SX Avet on a Phenix rod.I have landed 20-30 lb Yellowtail on my SX rig.

What are some going prices for these setups? Is there a forum, where I could pickup some good used equipment? Noticed that this setup looks like it's about $320. However, if it's a really good setup that will last me a long time, I'm ok with spending the extra money.

I'm looking for a Glock of fishing setups right now. I may upgrade to the Wilson or Les later on when I catch the bug

[dirtracer24]

Fishsniffer.com
I've been a member of the forum there for 6-7 years. It's got a little bit of everything tou need. As for a rod and reel go to Walmart or big 5 and get you can get a decent setup for under 75 bucks. I've got an ugly stik rod with Shakespeare reel that I've had for 10 years and it was only 50 or so dollars.

[drifter001]

i actually wanted to ask this question too...looking to spend about $20-$30 on a rod and about $60-$80 on a reel...

[Markito]

Walmart has some Shakespeare firebird rod/reel combo with line for 12.99 I just bought 5 this week while at the inlaws. Wont hurt the pocket and works. If the kids stick to it you can always upgrade. Best bang for the Buck!

[toby]

Try the SX Avet on a Phenix rod.I have landed 20-30 lb Yellowtail on my SX rig.

This is strictly a salt water set up and the pretty high end. it will not be suitable for fresh water use.

[Rusty_Buckhorn]

IMO, for fresh water, get the kids $25 6'6"-7' Shakespear combo rigs or something in that range. They'll work for anything up the 5-6lb range. Kids will fall, drop their rigs in the water, sword fight, bang them on rocks, break ends, bend eyelets, so on, and you won't break the bank replacing when needed.
Shakespears are the only cheapos I'll buy. Their handles are much stronger than other low rent poles, and handle a big fish better if you happen to hook one.
I'd use a whole other rig for salt water and bigger fresh water fish(stripers,sturgeon, ect), and that gets a bit pricier.

[jmonte35]

Shakespear ugly stick walmart specials will be perfect.....I've caught everything from bluegills to 7 foot sturgeon and some I've had for 10+ years and still going strong.

I've bought some higher dollar rigs and I love using them but I still use the walmart specials often.

If you plan on using it for fish from 1-20 lbs just a medium action 6'6' ugly stick combo. 25 bucks at wal mart

for fish up to around 100 lb. you can get away with the shakespeare tiger spinning combo at walmart...like 30 bucks. If you consistently catch 50+lb. plus fish the real won't last long but who cares it's only 30 bucks and will still last the greater part of a decade. I've since bought heavy duty rods and reels for sturgeon but I have an old tiger spinning that I still bring with me as a back up

[olhunter]

IMO, for fresh water, get the kids $25 6'6"-7' Shakespear combo rigs or something in that range. They'll work for anything up the 5-6lb range. Kids will fall, drop their rigs in the water, sword fight, bang them on rocks, break ends, bend eyelets, so on, and you won't break the bank replacing when needed.

Yep, this. And try to get the bait casting reels. The spinning reels will probably just frustrate them (and you when you have to untangle the line) if they're just starting out. You can upgrade later when they show interest.

lol....We used to whack the wasps that landed in the mud with ours. And sword fight. And dig in the mud for frogs. And every other possible thing a kid could think of. Get the inexpensive ones.

[giantsfan]

I haven't saltwater fished but I've extensively river, creek and lake fished my entire life. I prefer lightweight equipment and currently have a Shimano everything...rods and reels. Very dependable gear and cost effective for my purposes.
Hope that helps.

[ouch1]

Here is the rig I use for just about anything in fresh water and small salt water ( perch, sanddabs, kingfish, etc ).
Pole 6'6" medium action ugly stik: http://www.basspro.com/Shakespeare-U...duct/303/54047
Reel Shimano Sedona SE2500FD Spinning Reel : http://www.basspro.com/Shimano-Sedon...0203500/131935

I bought a couple extra spools and have different lines on them. I.e. 1 for trout with 4lb test, 1 for bass and catfish with 8lb test, and 1 for stripers and salt water with 15lb test. I have caught a mess of fish with this setup and it has never given me a problem.

-ouch1

BTW I got my first ugly stik (7' med-light action) back in 1983 from my step-father and it is still going strong as my lake trout pole, and I have one of the 10' Ugly Stik Big water poles that I use for surf casting and the salt water king salmon run. Neither pole has ever let me down.

[xSARSx]

go wtih ulgy stick. thats the best bang for the buck imo... not a hardcore fishermen but i do fish pretty often and uglystick have always worked for me

[Supertac916]

Thanks guys,

I'll probably go with the ones for Walmart for the kids and I'd like to get a little nicer one for myself. What would be in the range of $150-$200 for a rod and reel. Is there a decent hybrid?

Thanks again!!

[mif_slim]

Here is what I've experianced with my 25+ years of fishing...

As a newbie we used and ugly stick(9.99-45.00 range)
As a weekend warrior fisherman we used Shakespeare,Diawa, Abu Garcia($50-125 range)
As a hardcore fisherman, meaning fishing at least 5x a week, we used G-Loomis G3+ (easy $250+ rod w/o reel)
As a experiance fisherman, we use Ugly Stick($9-45 range).

Lol...funny how it turned out...we still use GL.rods but on a simple trip, we didn't have to get anything fancy to get the job done.

Moral of the story, its not about equipment, its technique and a part is luck. Haha.

Happy fishing!