Basic equipment question.

MississippiBoy · 05-17-07, 06:11 PM

Hi everybody...first time poster, but I have been lurking for a while, learning much from the old hands...zooker, reb, etc...

My question is, in general, what length/weight/action rod is best for all-around bass fishing? I'll be throwing everything, pretty much-plastics, spinners, topwater, cranks- and in all kinds of situations-lily pads, tree stumps, deep open water-but I don't have the $$$ for a specific rod and reel for each type of lure or water situation. That also means that I don't have the $$$ for a $700 rod, so keep it cheap, please. I use an old Abu Garcia baitcasting reel, not sure what specific model.

Thanks, guys (gals?). Any advice or helpful links would be greatly appreciated.

Rebbasser · 05-17-07, 06:31 PM

Welcome to the forum!

Glad you joined. IMO a 6-6 medium heavy rod is the best all around for bass fishing. That will allow you to fish just about every application. There are some good rods out there that aren't real expensive. The one that comes to mind is a Berkley Lightning Rod. I've used them in the past and have never been disappointed.

zooker · 05-17-07, 06:44 PM

yep berkley are decent rods for the price..think they are $29.99 or so at walmart..

zooker

pbruessow@msn.com · 05-18-07, 12:18 AM

I bought a couple lightning rods last year but they are not the same rod as in the late 80's, early 90's and I wish I didn't waste my money. They are too flimsy. You won't have to spend $700, but get an All Star or even Bass Pro Shops Bionic Blade (I've got 2 left that are over ten years old) for under $100. They are much more sensitive to strikes and have a nice backbone when you set the hook.

I do have one old Lightning rod left 22 years old and still strong 7-6 flippin stick. Still catching big uns on it too!

For reels, been through many of them. The best for the money right now are the Ambassadeurs. I like the C series with magnetic backlash control. Pretty smooth and very rugged! Hope this helps!

islandbass · 05-18-07, 01:46 AM

Even berkely's cherrywood series is alright just to get started. I bought one on a whim as it was on sale for only $15.00 and for such a low end rod, I was amazed and quite surprised at how sensitive the rod was for this price point. They seem lighter than the MH Lightning rod which I also have and bought for $9.99 on close out at Walmart.

I would agree with Reb's rec on the power for a good all around rod for bass fishing.

Welcome!!

leroy · 05-18-07, 09:17 AM

You have an Academy Sports about 1 Mile from you. Academy usually has some Tournament Choice Rods for 39.99 that are made by Allstar for Academy. They are exactly the same as the IM6 Rods Allstar sells for 10$ more. But the guys above are right for almost every application a 6 and 1/2 foot Medium Heavy (Usually called a WR1) is the best for everything. Then there are plenty of reels at every price range, Abu Garcias are great, they have a few Pinnacles for good prices and I have bought a few and had no problems.

mont_lunker_hunter · 05-18-07, 09:53 AM

I agree with the 6'6" rod, but honestly i've come to prefer a 7 footer. With a longer rod, you can tend to hop worms too far, work top waters too fast, ect. but that can be solved by the fisherman...the extra 6" though comes in handy when fishing wood, lilly pads, or deep water (lot of line out means more stretch) as MS boy said he would be doing. I guess what i'm sayin is that you can learn to use a 7' rod, but you can't add 6" to a 6'6".

MississippiBoy · 05-18-07, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leroy

You have an Academy Sports about 1 Mile from you. Academy usually has some Tournament Choice Rods for 39.99 that are made by Allstar for Academy. They are exactly the same as the IM6 Rods Allstar sells for 10$ more. But the guys above are right for almost every application a 6 and 1/2 foot Medium Heavy (Usually called a WR1) is the best for everything. Then there are plenty of reels at every price range, Abu Garcias are great, they have a few Pinnacles for good prices and I have bought a few and had no problems.

How do you know where I live!?!?!? I guess big brother is watching, huh?
Thanks for the advice, guys. I might be headed out this weekend to let the bass get a chance to laugh at me again. Anybody know where I can get some TNT?

Rebbasser · 05-18-07, 12:51 PM

Quote:

How do you know where I live!?!?!?

Your profile

BASSITUP · 05-18-07, 02:08 PM

Inner Cast Man!!!!! J/k

leroy · 05-18-07, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MississippiBoy

How do you know where I live!?!?!? I guess big brother is watching, huh?
Thanks for the advice, guys. I might be headed out this weekend to let the bass get a chance to laugh at me again. Anybody know where I can get some TNT?

It says by your name what city you live in...I figured out the Zip Code and searched the Academy website. Sorry if I freaked you out. but dude your mom is hawt!!! (j/k I dont really watch you drive out of the driveway while Im nude in the bushes of that tan house with the black shutters across the street...)

MississippiBoy · 05-18-07, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leroy

It says by your name what city you live in...I figured out the Zip Code and searched the Academy website. Sorry if I freaked you out. but dude your mom is hawt!!! (j/k I dont really watch you drive out of the driveway while Im nude in the bushes of that tan house with the black shutters across the street...)

Ok, just for the sake of my dignity, I was joking when I asked how you knew where I lived.

I will now take my dignity home and put my hands on my deer rifle... Leroy, the last thing you will see through your binoculars is a bright red flash. Enjoy the view.

OUTLAW · 05-22-07, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BASSITUP

Inner Cast Man!!!!! J/k

OH NO, Not again,Where is my medication

zooker · 05-22-07, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MississippiBoy

Ok, just for the sake of my dignity, I was joking when I asked how you knew where I lived.

Quote:

Originally Posted by leroy

It says by your name what city you live in...I figured out the Zip Code and searched the Academy website. Sorry if I freaked you out. but dude your mom is hawt!!! (j/k I dont really watch you drive out of the driveway while Im nude in the bushes of that tan house with the black shutters across the street...)

you two hick rednecks just aint right..

leroy i will take up on the addy of that hawt red headed chick you've been seein...

zooker

MississippiBoy · 05-22-07, 06:28 PM

Great, thanks for all the advice, everybody. This'll give me a good idea what to look for when I decide to upgrade. That's not to say I'll do any better than I've been doing, but then, I haven't been fishing this reservoir for very long, I just need to figure out where they are...

*repeats to self over and over and over.........feels a little better...*

05-17-07, 06:11 PM	#1
MississippiBoy BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ridgeland MS Posts: 3,923	Basic equipment question. Hi everybody...first time poster, but I have been lurking for a while, learning much from the old hands...zooker, reb, etc... My question is, in general, what length/weight/action rod is best for all-around bass fishing? I'll be throwing everything, pretty much-plastics, spinners, topwater, cranks- and in all kinds of situations-lily pads, tree stumps, deep open water-but I don't have the $$$ for a specific rod and reel for each type of lure or water situation. That also means that I don't have the $$$ for a $700 rod, so keep it cheap, please. I use an old Abu Garcia baitcasting reel, not sure what specific model. Thanks, guys (gals?). Any advice or helpful links would be greatly appreciated.

05-17-07, 06:31 PM	#2
Rebbasser BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 10,141	Welcome to the forum! Glad you joined. IMO a 6-6 medium heavy rod is the best all around for bass fishing. That will allow you to fish just about every application. There are some good rods out there that aren't real expensive. The one that comes to mind is a Berkley Lightning Rod. I've used them in the past and have never been disappointed. __________________ It's happened to the best of them: John 21:3

05-17-07, 06:44 PM	#3
zooker BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: denton nc Posts: 13,441	yep berkley are decent rods for the price..think they are $29.99 or so at walmart.. zooker __________________ the godfather.. aml in remission since 7-20-09

05-18-07, 12:18 AM	#4
pbruessow@msn.com BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sarasota Florida Posts: 64	I bought a couple lightning rods last year but they are not the same rod as in the late 80's, early 90's and I wish I didn't waste my money. They are too flimsy. You won't have to spend $700, but get an All Star or even Bass Pro Shops Bionic Blade (I've got 2 left that are over ten years old) for under $100. They are much more sensitive to strikes and have a nice backbone when you set the hook. I do have one old Lightning rod left 22 years old and still strong 7-6 flippin stick. Still catching big uns on it too! For reels, been through many of them. The best for the money right now are the Ambassadeurs. I like the C series with magnetic backlash control. Pretty smooth and very rugged! Hope this helps! __________________ *The Largemouth Herald*

05-18-07, 01:46 AM	#5
islandbass BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: WA State Posts: 1,783	Even berkely's cherrywood series is alright just to get started. I bought one on a whim as it was on sale for only $15.00 and for such a low end rod, I was amazed and quite surprised at how sensitive the rod was for this price point. They seem lighter than the MH Lightning rod which I also have and bought for $9.99 on close out at Walmart. I would agree with Reb's rec on the power for a good all around rod for bass fishing. Welcome!! __________________ ARX "If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing poles." Doug Larson (Shimano 2005 Reel Catalog)

05-18-07, 09:17 AM	#6
leroy BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 212	You have an Academy Sports about 1 Mile from you. Academy usually has some Tournament Choice Rods for 39.99 that are made by Allstar for Academy. They are exactly the same as the IM6 Rods Allstar sells for 10$ more. But the guys above are right for almost every application a 6 and 1/2 foot Medium Heavy (Usually called a WR1) is the best for everything. Then there are plenty of reels at every price range, Abu Garcias are great, they have a few Pinnacles for good prices and I have bought a few and had no problems.

05-18-07, 09:53 AM	#7
mont_lunker_hunter BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Monticello, Arkansas Posts: 371	I agree with the 6'6" rod, but honestly i've come to prefer a 7 footer. With a longer rod, you can tend to hop worms too far, work top waters too fast, ect. but that can be solved by the fisherman...the extra 6" though comes in handy when fishing wood, lilly pads, or deep water (lot of line out means more stretch) as MS boy said he would be doing. I guess what i'm sayin is that you can learn to use a 7' rod, but you can't add 6" to a 6'6".

05-18-07, 02:08 PM	#10
BASSITUP BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: FT WORTH Posts: 29	Inner Cast Man!!!!! J/k __________________ IM HOOKED ON FISHING.

05-22-07, 06:28 PM	#15
MississippiBoy BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ridgeland MS Posts: 3,923	Great, thanks for all the advice, everybody. This'll give me a good idea what to look for when I decide to upgrade. That's not to say I'll do any better than I've been doing, but then, I haven't been fishing this reservoir for very long, I just need to figure out where they are... *repeats to self over and over and over.........feels a little better...*

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