CTFishTalk.com: New to fishing, advice on buying a rod? - Connecticut Bait, Tackle, Rods and Reels etc… ( CT Bait, Tackle, Rods and Reels etc… ) - A Community Built for Connecticut Fisherman.

Red Shark · Joined: 17 May 2012 Posts: 22 Location: East Hartford

Hello, I'm fairly new to fishing so I was wondering what sorts of rods would be good for me? My budget is about $30-$40. I want to be able to catch larger fish.

I went fishing yesterday on the CT River with some friends, and caught about 2 trout (I think) but quite painfully as the line kept getting tangled at the reel whenever I tossed it out into the water.

Any suggestions on something that won't tangle up on me would be good.

Thanks!

Mattyk182 · Joined: 05 May 2012 Posts: 94 Location: Hamden

$40 will get you an Ugly Stik combo rod which is terrific for the price. You can find one at your local Walmart with the rod and reel ready to go.
_________________
Going for that trophy fish!

anointed130 · Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 3:42 pm Post subject:

Ditto, Usually a lot of people are sailing items on here as well. If you keep your eye open you can get a good deal.
_________________
"Come after Me, and i will make you to become fishers of men"

Can i be a fisher of fish too?

~Tony~

SAP284 · Joined: 07 Jun 2011 Posts: 655 Location: Central, CT

The other thing to consider is what type of line you are using. If its getting tangled, it might not always be the pole/reel.

Are you using mono, braided, fluro?

If you are using a mono on a spinning reel, its quite possibly that's why it keeps getting tangled because they tend to have memory on them (some).

Depending on what you are fishing for will also depend on the setup you are looking to get. If you think you are going to stick with Bass, Panfish you can go with a medium setup....trout would be more of a light setup. Anything else I would go with a heavy setup.

Right now I am running 3 rods.

Spinning Shimano Reel - MH rod, 30lb Braided Line, with 20lb Flurocarbon
Spinning Shimano Reel - H rod, 50lb Braided Line, with 30lb Flurocarbon
Abu Garcia Baitcaster - MH rod, 40lb Braided Line, with 20 lb Flurocarbon

It might sound more complicated than you think, but it's really not. Just be careful because if you are going into the river you don't want to end up breaking your line and losing a nice catch because you were prepared for something else. That's definitely happened to me.

For "larger" fish like you stated, I would try to find a decent combo that's a heavy combo, with at least 30-40lb test line. Dick's usually has some decent deals with mail in rebates. If you get some braided line (I use Suffix 832) you might not find tangles and birds nests in your reel. You can cast a mile with it too. Just be sure you get some flurocarbon to tie at the end of it.

Good luck,
_________________
Steve

Red Shark · Joined: 17 May 2012 Posts: 22 Location: East Hartford

I found one at Dick's, it was about $40, it's the Shakespeare Ugly Stik Classic Spinning Combo.

What could I probably catch with that?

SAP284 · Joined: 07 Jun 2011 Posts: 655 Location: Central, CT

Was it this?

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11206575

That's a MH setup. If you are going for bass and panfish you should be fine in my opinion. It looks like it's got 14lb test mono line on there. You could do a handful of fishing. If you feel that you are going to be in an area where there are some lunkers or "larger fish" adjust your drag on the reel.
_________________
Steve

Red Shark · Joined: 17 May 2012 Posts: 22 Location: East Hartford

Yes, it was that rod.

PECo · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 5203 Location: Avon, CT

That was a great choice. An Ugly Stik rod will last you forever. Most guys I know keep at least one around, even when they go on to buy more expensive rods.
_________________
Don't forget to wear sunscreen and don't litter!

Mattyk182 · Joined: 05 May 2012 Posts: 94 Location: Hamden

fishfinder · Joined: 19 Jun 2011 Posts: 1672 Location: Naugatuck, Ct.

I like the Ugly sticks also but must say when you get into the bigger poles for surf they arent that great. Thats when it start to become much more important to buy a good rod. I snapped a 9' Ugly stick the other day on a snag in the river so dont believe all the unbreakable hype! I wasnt even horsing it much when it happened. I have 3 more so not worried and my next rod will be a ST Croix, Tica, or Lami Glass.
_________________
There's a fine line between fishing....

and standing on the shore like an idiot!

Red Shark · Joined: 17 May 2012 Posts: 22 Location: East Hartford

I couldn't find that one exactly when I went to Dick's today. But I found another one for about $35 which was somewhat similar. It's a 2 piece medium rod, 6' with 8 lb clear Stren line and has a clear tip design.

The guy working there told me that it is very good.

PECo · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 5203 Location: Avon, CT

I'm not fond of two piece rods. I have more than one, but the sections sometimes twist or, even worse, the top sections sometimes fly off when I cast. Shocked

If you've ever used a two piece rod, don't even try to pretend that it hasn't happened to you, too! Laughing

_________________
Don't forget to wear sunscreen and don't litter!

Red Shark · Joined: 17 May 2012 Posts: 22 Location: East Hartford