[#004080]Heya,
I'm a complete newbie at fishing so I'm planning to start off with a fairly cheap rod. I currently have my eye on Shakespeare Ugly Stick Spinning Rod Combo Kit ( I heard spincasting rods are bad? ) and was wondering what ya'll think about it. I'm planning to go to a lake this weekend that are stocked with trout, bluegill, catfish, and largemouth bass - so do you think this rod would be all right? As for the bait, what should I get? If someone could help me with the above questions, I would appreciate it very much. Thanks! [/#004080]
[#004080]Edit: Another question, are spinning rods hard to cast?[/#004080]
[#004080]~ Roxy[/#004080]
Spinning reels are easier to master than a baitcaster. A good start up rod and reel for you to use. Get the best your pocket book can afford and it will be more enjoyable. My granddaughters 6&10 have no problem with that outfit.
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Hey Roxanne
Many hardcore anglers might decline on the Ugly Stik due to it's extreme sensitivity. But I had a good Shimano combo and fighting a big peacock bass the rod split in two. Could have been bad luck, but I now have my Shimano Sedona Spinning reel on a 6 foot Ugly Stik. This rod is strong, no fish under 30 pounds is going to break it. It gets some getting used to it's extreme sensitivity, but so far mine has been great. There are better rods out there, but for the price, it more than gets the job done.
Good luck
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I have an ugly stick too. It's weird that it's too sensative cause on another forum they say it isn't sensative enough and is only good for catfish. I've caught a lot of fish on it and never worried it would break. I like the spinning reels a lot better than a spincast as if there is a problem with the line it's a lot easier to fix.
Jason
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[#004080]I heard that [/#004080][#004080]
Shakespeare Ugly Stick Spinning Rod Combo Kit ( 5 foot long rod ) comes with 6lb test line, so is that fine to catch trout, bluegill, catfish, and possibly largemouth bass? or will the line break easily? Do you think I should get
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.d...id=2536582 instead? It's 7 foot long rod and comes with 12lb test line.
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Hey Roxanne
It depends a lot on the water you are fishing in. In dark murkey waters with sharp rocks and structure I like to use 12 pound test.
But where I normally fish, the water is extremely clear, to the point where big bass see my line very easily. In this situation I use 8 pound test. It is a minimum in my opinion for big bass, but I've landed a few good sized ones with this poundage as long as my drag is set well and I fight the fish well. I consider 6 pound test too light for medium to big bass, but it should do well for panfish or anything under 3 pounds. So if you normally go after smaller panfish, 6 pound line test should be fine. For bigger fish such as Largemouths over 4 pounds, 8 pound test is a minimum with 12 pounds being a good place to start.
It all depends on what fish you are targetting. Don't be afraid to experiment either, get the 6 pound combo and see how it goes. If you notice you are hooking bigger fish than expected and they are breaking you off, change your line to 8 LB tests. Most spinning reels can accommodate up to three different size lines. Changing the line is easy too. Do this until you find the best line for your particular fishing area.
Good luck.
Mig Rod
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[#004080]Thank you for answering my question everyone! [fishin][/#004080]
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[#008000]Hey Roxanne,[/#008000]
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[#008000]Welcome to BFT ![/#008000]
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[#008000]The choice of rod and reel will mostly depend on the kind of fish you want to fish for and the environment you fish in.[/#008000]
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[#008000]I have well over a hundred rods and reels in my arsenal - And of those, over a dozen Shakespear Ugly Sticks of different models. They are fine rods and the reels that are included in the combo package are adaquate for the beginner (I would however, recommend that you replace the line that comes with the combo at your earliest convenience - the line may suffice for a season, but it is not top quality line).[/#008000]
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[#008000]Now, to help you choose between the two options; For panfish, trout, small bass, and other smaller fish, the shorter combo with 6 pound line would work fine. For larger fish like big catfish and big bass, you might consider the 7 foot combo with 12 pound line as the better choice.[/#008000]
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[#008000]As far as baits (natural or artificial) go, you would have to be a little more specific in regards to what you want to fish for and where you intend to fish.[/#008000]
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[quote Fishhound][#008000]Hey Roxanne,[/#008000]
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[#008000]Welcome to BFT ![/#008000]
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[#008000]The choice of rod and reel will mostly depend on the kind of fish you want to fish for and the environment you fish in.[/#008000]
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[#008000]I have well over a hundred rods and reels in my arsenal - And of those, over a dozen Shakespear Ugly Sticks of different models. They are fine rods and the reels that are included in the combo package are adaquate for the beginner (I would however, recommend that you replace the line that comes with the combo at your earliest convenience - the line may suffice for a season, but it is not top quality line).[/#008000]
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[#008000]Now, to help you choose between the two options; For panfish, trout, small bass, and other smaller fish, the shorter combo with 6 pound line would work fine. For larger fish like big catfish and big bass, you might consider the 7 foot combo with 12 pound line as the better choice.[/#008000]
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[#008000]As far as baits (natural or artificial) go, you would have to be a little more specific in regards to what you want to fish for and where you intend to fish.[/#008000][/quote]
[#004080]Hi Fishound,
Well to be exact, I would like to fish either trout or bluegill, so what bait should I use? and what sized hook should I use?
Also, I'm considering into getting a 4 lb line... but what I'm wondering is... how hard is it to replace the line?[/#004080]
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fly fish!
but like it was said before, get what your chekc book can afford. where abouts are you fishing. scroll down to see the state boards and you will be offered more advice then you can shake a stick at
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ugly sticks are good i stil have my ugly stick spinning outfit. spincast rods always break even if its expensive. good choice try spinning for a while then try a baitcaster just find what you like
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One more vote. Stuff has to be pretty sturdy to hold up to my " normal care" lol, good ol' Shakespeare Ugly still hangin' in great, in fact, I found the combo in the middle of I-5 just south of Seattle around 1993 all kinds of beat up looking and it's been catching fish ever since [
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BFS [fishin]
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I'm sure I speak for all of us older, balding, not exactly rich guys. You have got to be the cutest young lady around, where are all the guys that should be swarming around you and helping you fish? You should be drawing a crowd! It is rare when any lady steps down into the fishing world let alone a little cutie like you. Ok, I'll stop...ya just make me wish I was a year or two younger. You already have some good advice so unless you would like to know something specific, I'll just say, Buy quality gear and good line, tie good knots and watch what the people who are catching fish are doing....and copy them.
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The Ugly Stik should be fine for what you are fishing for. They're super-durable and good for fishing with a float or even crankbaits or spinnerbaits. I wouldn't use them for any finesse work or bottom-bouncing worms and jigs, but you should be very happy with the Ugly Stik.
If you're fishing for trout and bluegill, 4 pound line is plenty. 6 wouldn't be bad either.
I'm glad to see female interest in fishing. My sister fishes, my wife fishes, and I'm hoping to get my daughter involved as well.
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Hi, Roxane,
While others have answered your equipment question, I'll take a stab at your other one.
Spinning is easy to learn. It is, in fact, the easiest of the conventional methods. Reason for this is that backlashing is almost impossible; distances of any kind can be easily achieved; and you have the most versitility in terms of bait sizes and styles.
The only downside is that you give up the pin-point accuracy of baitcasting. But that's rarely a problem.
To see why spinning is so simple grap a spool of thread. Grasp it with one finger on each side, in the holes. Now pull the thread. You have to overcome the inertial of the thread spool going out, and stop its momentum at the end of a cast.
Now turn the thread so you're holding it by one flange, and pull the thread off the other end. See how much easier that happens? And, because there is no momentum of a rotating spool to stop, you don't get backlashes.
Spinning is really the best way for a beginner to go.
Brook
http//www.the-outdoor-sports-advisor.com
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[fishin] HI ROXANNE AND WELCOME TO BFT!!
I USE SPINNING TACKLE ALL THE TIME. I HAVE THE SPINNING REELS WITH THE TRIGGER AND IT MAKES IT A LOT EASIER TO CAST. I USE SHIMANO REELS (4000 AND 2000). I HAVE A SPINNING COMBO THAT I BOUGHT @ BASS PRO SHOPS WITH A TRIGGER THAT HAS 6# TEST LINE. IT IS IN THE MR. CRAPPIE LINE. I USE THIS COMBO FOR CRAPPIE AND BREAM FISHING.
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[#008000]Roxanne,[/#008000]
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[#008000]The choice of baits for trout and bluegill are many and varied. Possibly the best all around natural bait for both species is the common worm or night crawler - available almost anywhere; from your garden to any fishing tackle store. You can also choose from the many many plastic baits that are available - grubs, worms, tubes in small to medium sizes.[/#008000]
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[#008000]Hook sizes for both fish will generally be of the small variety - sizes 6 to 16 would be good to start with. If you have a store in your locale, they could guide you with your selections and provide assistance with matching the hook with the bait you've chosen (they would also be able to recommend the most effective bait for the body of water you plan to fish at).[/#008000]
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[#008000]Although changing line is fairly easy to do, i would recommend that you visit a tackle shop (a store that specializes in fishing tackle) and have them change out your line the first time or two. They will do this for just the cost of the line (which should only be a couple of bucks). If you have a Cabellas or a Sportsman's Warehouse in your vicinity, they can and will do that for you. [/#008000]
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Roxy
I have been fishing a longtime and for the money that Ugly Stik is a great choice. I have been fishing them from Trout fishing right into saltwater fishing and they never let me down. They take them all big saltwater fish to bluegills. In my opinion they work very well. Here and in New Jersey worms take most of what you are fishing for. When you go to artificals try any Berkley softbait ex. the 4-6 inch worms and use the Gulp version. Find a good tackle store or talk to anyone thats fishing by you most people will help you out.
Hope this helps a bit
Good luck
Andy
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My buddy has 2 of those 5' ugly stick combos and they've held up well even with catfish. However, I would recommend spending an extra $10 and getting a 6'-6'6" medium action ugly stick. It will will work well for all average sized freshwater fish. I think the 5' combo goes for like $22 at Sports Authority and then 6' combo goes for $32.
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That would be a good rod for you to learn with and keep for as long as it works. Ugly Stiks are supposivley "unbreakable" which I've never seen one "break" but I have seen them shred like a piece of straw (that was a huge fish though). I would go with that one if you like it, don't forget to get pink [:p]
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