beginner to bass fishing

[Anonymous]

I recently moved to georgia and am interested in getting in to bass
fishing. I was curious what type of rod and reel would be a good
starting combo.

[TW_Staff]

Thanks for the question. An all around good starting combo would be a 6'6" casting rod in a medium heavy action. Pair this with a reel that has fairly high speed gear ratio 5:1 or better. I would suggest buying getting a Shimano Curado this reel will last you for years and will perfectly fine to use when your skills improve. Hope this helps!

Thanks,

Rich/Tackle Warhouse

[DementedFish]

It all depends on what type of gear you want to use: Spinning or Low Profile Casting.

For spinning get a reel rated for around 6-10 pound test. A good reel would be the Okuma Metaloid MD30, or if you're a shimano guy, something like a Sedona SE2500FB would be perfect. Get a rod that matches the reel.

For casting, get a low profile casting reel. Or, if you want a round casting reel, something like a Calcutta 50 or a Cardiff 100 would work well. I have a Cardiff 100, and I have it on a 6'6" Pinnacle Triwing and I LOVE it. Great rod for the money.

[G.Loomis GLX]

Hello,
I am pretty new to bass fishing myself. i have only been doing it for about 3 years. I personally like the G.Loomis GLX jig and worm rod paired up with the Curado 100B. For something a bit cheaper though a diawa casting rod wiht the curado 100B is also a good pair.

[surfrage27]

If i were you, i would go with a spinning reel. I have been bass fishing all my life, and i find that the spinning reels work the best. Definately purchase some Robo-Worms. They are the best for shore fishing, and shallow trolling.

Of course this is just a point of view, but look into what i've said.

-matt

[SENKOSAM]

Depends on the weight of the lures you'll be casting. Baitcasting for heavy lures; spinning for light lures 1/8 oz or less. The highest ratio possible and the lightest weight made in rod or reel.

For most casts, 7- 7 1/2' baitcast rods; 6 1/2 - 7' spinning rods.

[lightninrod]

I too fish(Bass only) here in middle GA. I fish only ponds and small(100 acres) lakes out of a 10'X4' Basshunter plastic boat.

I've used many different rods over the last 30 years or so and when I discovered(after readind a review here on TT) this Kistler Helium Medium (http://www.kistlerrods.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=He70MC&Category_Code=fresh-helium-top) casting rod back in Sept. of 2003, I bought three more as I believe it is the most versatile rod available. It weighs less than 4 ounces at 7' in length and with 10 line guides. You will feel everything your bait touches but you will be able to discern an inantimate article(wood) from the lightest of Bass bites with one. Yes, it's an 'expensive' rod but believe me, you will end up saving money in the long run(assuming your fishing 'passion' builds as mine has and still does) by starting out with the most satisfactory tackle instead of buying something that will end up laying against the garage wall---don't ask :wink: .

As to reels; Rick's suggestion about a Shimano Curado is a good starting reel that will last for years.

Dan

[rjb427]

I recently moved to georgia and am interested in getting in to bass
fishing. I was curious what type of rod and reel would be a good
starting combo.

I know this is an old post but this exactly what I need

[samrawet]

A fishing rod and reel assembly holder having means for signalling a stroke. The holder includes an upright support and an alarm box carried by the top of the upright support. Clamping means are carried by the top of the alarm box and a pair of opposed forward and reward U-shaped members, the legs of both of which are adjustably held by the clamping means, provide a rod and reel assembly support. Lever actuated switch means is mounted within the box with the lever thereof positioned through the top of the box so that the fishing line may pass from the reel around the lever and then through the eylets on the rod and into the water. The slightest pull on the fishing line of a supported fishing rod and reel assembly by a striking fish triggers the lever, actuates the switch and initiates the alarm.

[David Danel]

I would agree with TW. I own six Shimano Curado 200E Reels, and they are by far very user friendly. For a new Angler that is just getting into Bass Fishing, this real is a great start. Combine that with an Abu Garcia Vendetta Casting Rod. These rods are great for the price, and they fight, and haul some big ones in with ease.
Good Luck!

[michiganbasser88]

I started out with a St.Croix Mojo bass 10-17 topwater and jerkbait and stuck an abu garcia revo s on it and very easy to use and will last for a long time

[Nibbles]

I would say don't spend too much on tackle at first. As a beginner, your equipment will have a lot less to do with your success than your knowledge of bass/baitfish behavior and habitat, structure, cover and how it relates to structure, and your local lake patterns.

As you progress in experience, you can start to upgrade your arsenal since you will by then have a good idea of how to use higher end tackle to their full potential.

I would suggest you go with a Shimano Caenan (http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Shimano_Caenan_100_Series_Casting_Reels/descpage-SCE.html) first to see how you like centrifugal braking. Funny thing is that it's not for everyone - some people swear by it and others just seem to like magnetic braking more. It's got a well-rounded gear ratio, and is a solid reel.

For your rod, I would suggest the Dobyns Savvy 6'6" Medium Heavy Fast Action.

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Dobyns_Savvy_Casting_Rods/descpage-DSVC.html

While longer rods are good for better distance/leverage, shorter rods excel at accuracy. Since you are new, accurate placement of the lure will probably be more important than casting distance or leverage. After all, you have to get the lure to the fish before you get to play the fish.

The price is reasonable, and Dobyns rods have been great from my experience.

Use your additional leftover money to expand your arsenal of baits. I know a lot of people swear by the Senko. It undoubtedly catches a lot of fish. The problem is that I feel like it discourages many beginners from learning more about cover/structure and patterns, since many of them feel like they can just toss out a senko to any spot that looks good and wait.

My recommended lures to expand your versatility and experience would be the following:

Ezee Finesse Jigs in 5/16 oz, Black and Blue Color and Green Pumpkin Color: http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Ezee_Jigs_Finesse_Jig_2pk/descpage-EZEJGFJ.html

Kalin's Double Tail Grubs, Black Color and Green Pumpkin Purple Color (on sale): http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Kalins_Double_Tail_Grub_4_10pk/descpage-KDTG.html

LFTL Ring Fry 4", Green Pumpkin Color: http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Lake_Fork_Ring_Fry_8pk/descpage-LKFKRF.html

LFTL Live Magic Shad, 4.5" and 5.5", Green Pumpkin Color: http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Lake_Fork_Live_Magic_Shad/descpage-LFLMS.html

Gamakatsu EWG Hooks, 2/0 size, maybe 3/0 size too if you want: http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gamakatsu_Offset_EWG_Worm_Hooks_Black/descpage-GOSWG.html

Owner Wacky Hook, 1/0: http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Owner_Wacky_Hook/descpage-OWNWHH.html

Netbait C-Mac 7" Worm, Green Pumpkin Color and Junebug Color : http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/NetBait_C-Mac/descpage-NBCM.html

Gamakatsu Superline Weighted Hooks, 1/8 oz 3/0 size: http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gamakatsu_Superline_EWG_Weighted_Hook_5pk/descpage-GSEGW.html

Zoom Super Hog, Green Pumpkin Color: http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Zoom_Super_Hog/descpage-ZSH.html

Generally, keep it simple for now. You have much to learn that has little to do with baits, so don't dedicate too much of your time overthinking about them. Generally, finesse jigs are good for beginners since they tend to be versatile. You should use the double tailed grubs as trailers on your jig. Black grub on Black and Blue jigs, Green Pumpkin Purple grub on the Green Pumpkin jigs. These will be your staple when you want a faster rate of fall for your lure presentation, or when you want to maintain contact with the lake floor. You should fish the C-Mac worm on a "weedless" texas rig on the EWG hooks. Weighting is up to you. It will help you learn how to fish a bait at different depths and through weeds and cover, since it has a slower rate of fall and tends to be less snag-prone than a jig. The same can be said of the ring fry, although I like it because you can wacky rig it too, which is what the wacky hooks are for. The Live Magic Shads should be fished with the Superline Keel-weighted hooks, and will help you learn the basics behind fishing swimbaits. There are certain situations where swimbaits can work very well, and you should probably learn to use them at least somewhat. The Zoom Super Hog can be fished on a weedless texas rig for times when you want to throw into nasty cover (such as submerged tree branches or stumps) that jigs would get hung up on, but you want to use a bait with a bulkier profile and a faster sink rate than the C-Mac worm. It's great for pitching.

[rambassin']

if you are just starting, i would get a spinning combo for your first setup. you don't need to get all technical and caught up in specializing every setup yet. go pick up and shimano sahara. decent price reel for beginners. and get a 6'6" med fast action rod. and you gotta get some robo worms or zoon finesse worms. have at it and enjoy!!!

[apminavila]

if you are just getting in to bass fishing. my recomendatiot would be 1 spining and 1 baitcasting setup. a 7' med heavy baitcasting rod with a fast tip. this rod will allow you to cover the most applications. My next rcomendation would be a 7' med spinning rod with either a fast tip or ex fast tip. this will allow you to fish lighter lures and could possibly double as a drop shot rod depending on the action. Most bang for your buck. i would buy all shimano outfits. The crucials are a great line and you wont have to upgrade if you really get in to fishing. The new compre line is not as expensive and you wont need to upgrade either. Those group of rods will be very senesitive and are durable with a life time warranty.