back in the water

[Audhunt]

I am going fishing again for the first time in 10 years. What I need to know is what type of gear is the standard for example. Rod type Reel type and Line type what would be a great overall set-up. Anyones help would be greatly appreciated.

Audhunt

[Fishingdog]

That depends, where are you fishing, what kind of fish or you fishing for, live or artificial bait, guide or on your own??? These questions need to be answered before you can be helped. How much fishing will you be doing? Is this a one shot deal or are you taking up the sport?

Shimano makes good middle of the road open face reels.

G-Loomis and St Croix make the top of the line style rods.

[Box]

If you want to get good stuff but keep it from getting too spendy, here is my recommendation for an overall setup that will take care fo walleye, pike, panfish and bass:

Spinning reel with medium or medium light action, about 6 or 6.5 feet long is good all around choice. I prefer cork handles :)

Reel - Shimano Spirex Rear Drag spinning (open face) - about $59. It comes with two spools. I like rear drag, but many people like the drag on the front.

Line - Put 6 pound trilene XL line on (~$6) one and put 10 or 12 pound trilene line on the other (again about $6). The 6 pound will work for jigging or panfish, and the 12 pound will work for pike, bass or putting a snap on the end and clipping snells for lindy-rigs or spinners on. You can use the 6 pound line to tie your own snells, or buy the pre-rigged kind. You can also go Fireline, but monofilament is still a great choice and timeless.

Rod - lots of choices, but I'd say a medium or medium light action spinning rod. Berkely Lightning Rod (about $30) or better yet Berkely Lightning Rod "Classic" (IM7 graphite, at about $40-50) are good choices. Bass Pro Shops has a great rod in the Bionic Blade series for about $40. St. Croix and Loomis are great choices, but you pay for them. I have a couple, and am fairly happy with them. But I use my Lighning Rod Classics more :)

If you want to go baitcasting, that is an easy choice:
Reel - Abu Garcia C4 4600 at about $60-70. You can go cheaper, but the Abu is and has been the best. You can go much more expensive and not get much more than the Abu gives. Put 12 pound trilene on it, or put 30+ pound Fireline (my preference, but it cost a lot and you'll want to splice mono on the end of it - you can cast farther with fireline).

Casting rod - same as I mentioned above, but medium action and about 7 feet. Bionic blade makes a great 7.5 foot Flippin' Stick that will handle trolling, casting little worms, spinnerbaits, and even muskie lures.

For swivels, make sure you get ball bearing (more expensive but worth it), and for hooks, spend a little more and get Gamagutsu or other razor sharp hooks. They are great.

Good luck fishing! I hope you get back into it full force!! :)

Box

[Audhunt]

No one.....there has to be someone willing to help me out here.

[vetspet(ind)]

box said it all....i agree with his advice...like my lightnings...i use the abu garcia 6500 reels ..never tried the 4600....the 6500's can handle any salmon i get in lake michigan and good casting also....steve

[Gilligan]

As other post asked.. will you be fishing once a year or jumping in deep?

I like the Cabelas or Bass Pro reels, I'm sure they are made by some of your leading manufacturers without the hi priced name. You can buy them for less$ and still have the quality. Something new in the past 10 years are the no backlash reels..get one you will love it. I own the St. Croix lower end rods and have been pleased with them. They will run you around $70. I like the fast tip in medium action.

[GORD]

Chances are that you will be going with someone who fishes. if so... do and use the same type things that he does. he might even let you use some of his stuff. why spend big bucks until you know for sure that you will be fishing a lot.