So... I'm starting to realize that my trips for trout fishing aren't realistically going to happen often since its 4-6 hours to the mountains... so onto bass... Anyone have suggestions on a beginner setup that won't make me poor? I know @Mudman and @Flex and many others have posted their rigs before... spinning reel? Baitcaster? Rods? Line? It's all new to me (bass fishing specifically...)
Times 10,000 on the ugly stick. Shakespeare open faced reels are cheap and will last a season or two. I have not had any issues with them.
How much are you looking to spend? A spinning reel and medium action rod will be very versatile. I'm a big fan of Shimano and Gloomis but it gets pricey going that direction.
I actually ended up getting a baitcasting outfit. Abu Garcia rod 7', Medium Heavy, and an Abu Garcia Pro Max baitcaster reel with 14lb mono. I know that the reel isn't the best, but it's just something for me to learn on. I've got a Shimano Sojourn 7' medium action rod with a Daiwa Regal 3000 XIA and I think 8lb flouro spooled on, it's what I usually lake fish with when i'm not fly fishing. Sounds like maybe I didn't *need* to get a new set up at all...
Where I grew up the biggest bass I caught was an 18 inch, 4 lb smallmouth and I only ever caught one of them. The rest were all under 15 inches
Well, the largemouth bass were usually right around 7 inches. Carp, suckers, northern pike and the occasional walleye with a few perch and other panfish thrown in for variety.
Sounds like you are set. 14lb test might be a bit heavy, depending upon where you are fishing. Those are nice photos of your rod/reel setup. Are you fishing top water? Crankbait? Soft baits? Lake, river, pond, or?
That's a really good question.... lakes/ reservoirs is what I'm going to target sincce those are what's close to me. I think i'd like top water more just because you can see it, but I guess it will just depend Found out that my son's scout den leader used to bass fish professionally so i'm going to pick his brain!