My husband is 27 years old, never fished before, but really wants to learn. What is a good starter/1st fishing pole for him to use? We live near a small lake and we have a pond on our property that has bass and sunfish in it. There are lake trout in the lake near us... Any suggestions on what he needs to start off?? Nothing TOO extreme, in case he hates it, but I don't want a real cheap one that is a pain and will make him hate it.
Dr Awkward
Favorite Answer
The reel is what you should be asking about. Lot of good ideas on rods here but...If he has NEVER fished before he doesn't need a bait-caster (spool type) reel OR a spinning (open faced/upside down) reel as they both have tendencies to backlash and bird-nest which will frustrate anyone. A couple of backlashes and his fishing is done.
Start him out on a spin-cast reel (closed face) Zebco #1 Classic is a good one to start with. It's all stainless steel gears and bearings, has leverage and bait alert and will NOT backlash. I stand by my recommendation.
He can go to a spinning reel later once he has mastered his casting skills. A spinning reel is a little harder to hit the mark at first. Then he'll probably want a baitcaster but he's not ready for that yet.
He can step it up as he learns and once he gets hooked himself...ha ha
http://www.buy.com/prod/zebco-one-classic-spincasting-reel/q/loc/17250/200086011.html
The #1 is no kids reel.
If you can't find the #1 this combo
http://www.zebco.com/products/omega_reels.html
is a damned nice rig for a beginner. The 6' rod blank thru cork handle all stainless will do well.
As far as rods go....The ugly stick is good, anything Berkley makes is usually good. Just whatever rod you get make sure it's got a blank through the handle construction, medium action and about 6' in length. Longer is cool but not in a tight spot. Nobody enjoys tree fishing.
May be able to get a combo..just depends on where ya go. The #1 is heavy enough to land a nice sized fish but not too big for perch fishing either. It'll cast a small bait into the wind without back-lashing. As a novice, that will come in handy. Nothing ruins a fishing trip worse than a huge bird-nest in your reel because of a gust of wind.
I've fished all my life, even commercially and tournaments. Whenever a beginner wanted to go bass fishing with me I'd find 'em a rig just like the one I described and put a rubber casting plug on it and set up a 5 gallon bucket about 50 feet away and tell 'em we'd go whenver they made it in the bucket.
It's good practice.
bassfish
It depends your price range. You can get a nice Mitchell for like 40 bucks at wlamart and a cheap rod, cause that doesn't matter to much as a beginner. By far the best option is a Shakespeare combo from Walmart, about 20-30 bucks. By him some fake worms and some spinner baits, and he'll find out the rest. Good luck And definetly don't get a baitcasting reel or a closed raced reel like a Zebco. Don't listen to those people that say they are easy. Your huband is 27, those reels are meant for 4 year olds. Good luck.
Dane Cruz
A 6'6" to 7' medium action Graphite Series rod from Bass Pro Shops is a nice starter rod. Right now they're on sale for $24.94! An Ugly Stik is a nice starter as well. You can get one at Walmart for 30 bucks. I would start out with a spinning rod. Both of those rods are inexpensive but not "cheap" rods. Hope you find one for him that he really likes. Make sure you get a quality reel and good line. They can have an equally negative effect on one's thinking when they're of poor quality.
James W
There's always a catch with combos. If the rod is nice, then the reel usually isn't. If the reel is nice, then the rod won't be as desirable. If rod and reel are both very nice, then the price won't be that nice. So, I will give you something that you'll have to put together yourself.
Wal-Mart "a-la-carte" special.
Rod:
1) 6'6" or 7' 2pc Shakespeare Micro Graphite, light action - $14.95 to $16.95
[Suitable for bait fishing. This rod is a little too soft for reliable hook setting on largemouth bass (unless you really know how to work with softer rods) but it will handle smallmouth bass nicely.]
2) 6'6" or 7' 2pc Quantum Torsion IM-6 Graphite, medium action - $18.95 to $20.95
[Beginner bass rod. Suitable for both lure and bait fishing.]
Both rods mentioned above will be much more sensitive and weight noticeably less than Ugly Stiks of similar size and strength. You just can't bang graphite rods against hard surfaces or they will break.
Reel: Shimano IX2000 spinning reel - $9.95 to $12.95
[This reel is comparable to many much more expensive reels.]
Line: Berkley Trilene XL or XL clear or green 330yd- around $6.00
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I would recommend a Zebco 33 real combo you can buy them at wal-mart they are perfect for beginner fishermen. I have been fishing for 15 years and all i have owned is a Zebco and the Zebco 33 was what i learned on.