Good Starter Rods

[KenyanSandBoa]

I just got back from a week long vacation in Hartland, Maine with a new love for fishing. I've always been a fish lover (duh, hence the addiction with this site), but never really...fished.

We caught a ton of white perch, some yellow perch, a few bass, couple pikrel, and a beautiful norther pike. All of the rods I was using were from the owner of the lake house, so I don't really know a lot about them.

Anyway, I really want to get my own equipment and I was wondering if you guys could direct me to a site that will help me pick out some good starter gear.

Thanks...KSB.

 

[duke33]

Bass Pro Shop, Cabelas

 

[ceeej31]

there is a bass pro shop in foxboro, you will find everything you need there
any rod will work and spinning reels are good for begginers

 

[Miguel]

Amazing, Kenyansandboa!! I had a long weekend where I did exactly the same! Fishing for the first time with a rod ( i did spear fishing extensively years ago )

I caught a good sized carp, but all the large and small mouth bass got away.

And I managed to entangle the line rather constantly and sucessfully. But, as with you, would love to start this new hobby....

 

[KenyanSandBoa]

there is a bass pro shop in foxboro, you will find everything you need there
any rod will work and spinning reels are good for begginers

How are their prices? Is it better going online, or would I just be better off making a trip there?

Amazing, Kenyansandboa!! I had a long weekend where I did exactly the same! Fishing for the first time with a rod ( i did spear fishing extensively years ago )

I caught a good sized carp, but all the large and small mouth bass got away.

And I managed to entangle the line rather constantly and sucessfully. But, as with you, would love to start this new hobby....

It was pretty crazy...I think I had my lure in the water for about 5 seconds and a good sized large-mouth bass hit it...then as soon as I threw it back, my friends girlfriend caught a perch, and my girlfriend ended up catching a mussel .

After that, we didn't even get a nibble for rest of the day or the next day. On the third day, we caught 3 yellow perch, 4 white perch, and the northern pike...then we got caught in a lightning storm on the boat...it was nuts.

 

[ceeej31]

if i were you i would go to the store, they have a giant tank full of natives

 

[Danyal]

i'd head down to the local wallyworld or big 5 if you don't have something like a bass pro shop nearby(i've never seen one) you can usually find a good selection of rods there, they won't be great quality(although you can get ugly sticks) but they'll be cheap and usable. i'd go for a spinning rod, probably med-heavy or med action since you can have fun with smaller fish like sunfish and bass and when you want to tangle with some larger ones like small cats and still have a good chance of landing the fish.

 

[KenyanSandBoa]

if i were you i would go to the store, they have a giant tank full of natives

Really,that must be an impressive sight. My girlfriend was having a blast catching little red-breasted sunnies...man, they are beautiful fish. I was kicking around the idea of a native tank...

i'd head down to the local wallyworld or big 5 if you don't have something like a bass pro shop nearby(i've never seen one) you can usually find a good selection of rods there, they won't be great quality(although you can get ugly sticks) but they'll be cheap and usable. i'd go for a spinning rod, probably med-heavy or med action since you can have fun with smaller fish like sunfish and bass and when you want to tangle with some larger ones like small cats and still have a good chance of landing the fish.

Thanks Danyal...I was reading some reviews and the majority of them mentioned the same thing...the Shakespeare Ugly Stik is the best low-cost rod out there.

I'm sure I'll get a few rods, but I think that seems to be the best way for me to start right now.

Here's another question for you expert anglers...can I use the same rod for bass to catch pike if I use steel leaders?

 

[Danyal]

yep, you could get a separate rod that would be more heavy duty and suited for fishing for larger pike but you don't need one, my grandma landed her 27lb northern on a med-heavy action rod with 8lb line while fishing in a walleye tournament.

 

[Louie]

i'd head down to the local wallyworld or big 5 if you don't have something like a bass pro shop nearby(i've never seen one) you can usually find a good selection of rods there, they won't be great quality(although you can get ugly sticks) but they'll be cheap and usable. i'd go for a spinning rod, probably med-heavy or med action since you can have fun with smaller fish like sunfish and bass and when you want to tangle with some larger ones like small cats and still have a good chance of landing the fish.

I love the ugly stick have 3 of them and love them no complaints at all but their reels I will never buy again .
Just wanted to mention the reel part as they sell rod/reel combos