Greenhorn looking for rod and reel advice

[billybuck]

I have been fishing with an Ugly Stik and a Zebco reel with no drag. A friend recently gave me a boat so I'd like to put it to good use by fishing for the dangerous and elusive Walleye.

What advice can you all give me for selecting rods and reels for pulling cranks, casting, pulling Lindy's, using bottom bouncers, etc, etc, etc?

Please keep in mind that I'm just wanting to start with the basics and I have a very limited budget.

Anything you can tell me would be most appreciated.

Thanks.

[walleyewacker]

Sounds like ya got a great friend, does he have anymore boats
to hand out?:)

First of all, even if you're on a tight budget(like me,too)
if you buy junk, you'll just have to keep replacing it so
spend a little extra for a good brand. For reels I've got
a couple shimano sedona's(approx.45$ea) and a symetre(80$) and
have been extremely happy with them. As far as I'm concerned
Shimano has some of the top reels made and can be reasonably
priced. As for rods, Berkley lightning rods are nice and
affordable. I use these combos for jigging, bottom bouncers
and even plugs when I need to. I use rods in the 6'-7'range
and medium-medium/lite.

This is only my opinion but maybe will give you a couple options
I'm sure you'll get some great info back from guys/gals with
a lot more experience. Good luck on your choices and have fun!!

[REW]

If I was just starting out, and wanted to get a bit ahead, I would buy two rods.
I would buy a 6' medium light rod for jigging, and a 7' medium light rod for lindy rigging.

You can go to Cabellas / Bass Pro, wall mart or Gander Mountain, and pick up some of their imported rods for $30-$50 rods each, and catch lots of fish with them.

One of the mistakes that too many beginners make, is to buy rods, with too heavy action. i.e. buying rods with a medium or medium heavy action. If you are going to be mainly fishing for walleyes in somewhat smaller lakes, it really makes no sense to get any heavier action rods. Then these same rods can be used for pan fishing - with either the same line, or perhaps 4 or 2 lb line.

As you progress, and are willing to spend more money for a more expensive rods, these first rods, will make nice back up rods, or will make nice crank bait, or slip bobber rods.

Take care
REW

[Mattman]

When it comes to reels I prefer Shimano. I've tried Abus and Pinnacles and Quantams. I like the Shimano reels. The Symetre may be a bit more than you are looking to spend, but it is a really nice reel and it will last a lot more years than the Sedona or Sahara. My Sedona is about to be put out to pasture and my Symetre (both bought the same year) is still going really strong. It's built much better. My Sahara isn't far behind.

Before I started building my own rods, I was a Berkley guy. Had (still do) 9 of them. I really like the Series One rods. Very nice blanks, and the only Berkley's I still use. I stripped them and rebuilt them to my specs because they are a nice blank. I also like Gary Roach's signature rods. And the AIR rods.

As for which rods, in this order, I'd get a 6' - 6'6" jigging rod. Something rated for 6 to 10 pound line and 1/8 (maybe even down to 1/16) to 3/8 ounce jigs. You can also troll smaller Rapala's with this. #5 Shad Rap's kick butt for me. Then I'd get a 6'6" - 7'6" rod for rigging. Very similar line lure ratings. Then a 6' - 6'6" rated for 8 - 14 pound line and 5/16 - 3/4 ounce lures for throwing/trolling bigger Rapala's and using heavy jigs. Then a 6'6" - 7'6" bobber rod. 4 -10 line and 1/32 - 1/4 ounce lures. I've got a Gary Roach Crappie rod this is a great bobber rod.



Better to have and not need than to need and not have!

Matt Davis

[billybuck]

Thanks so much for the info. I was really surprised to get such good feedback so quickly.

I can't wait to get to Scheels and Cabelas and then hit the mighty Missouri.

Thanks again.

[Capt. Paul]

All good tips so far. Buy the best you can afford first, saves you money in the long run. Check vendors in your area for 2002 Shimano Stradics, they are a tremendous reel that was updated this year, and many places are closing out last years for great prices. Just got one at the Michigan Bass Pro shops, regular 120$, out the door for 70.00$ a 6 foot rod is all you need for jigging, fast or medium fast works well. Lightning rods are ok to start. Good luck