Hello all,
First post on here, joined because i have some questions. I have been fishing all my life, with cheap rods that always break/get tangled and never really knowing what specifics i should buy and what not because of finacial issues. i would just let my dad buy a good cheap one and as long as i was catching fish it was great but now that i am really into it, and barely landed my biggest fish ever I want to step up my game. I fish a lot during the summer/first semester at SUNY Oswego. Lots of pike, bass, walleye, trout, and some musky. I thinking about buying the shimano stradic fj 4000, with st croix premier spin rod 7' M-H and berkley fireline SMK 14 pound...i have pliers, knife, lures, and sometimes use bait...need to buy some new steel leaders, and thinking about getting a case for the rod/reel if im gonna be spending some money i want to protect my investment...what cleaning products do you recommend and does this seem like a good set up? i fish a lot in the great lakes, st lawerence river, hudson river
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Stepping up your game is a good thing, and part of that, is research. The first thing I would do in regards to moving up, is studying the fish you want to target. I've always said that the difference in a great angler, and just another fisherman, is a great angler can target a specific species of fish and be successful when the average "Joe" can't put it together.
Anyone can catch fish when they are biting, the truly skilled anglers are the ones that catch fish when the conditions are less favorable. So, STUDY YOUR FISH!
As far as a case for your rod and reel, it's not that serious. I have thousands of dollars of fishing equipment, and the trick is just how you store it. I took some rope I purchased from Lowe's, and screwed it to the ceiling in my garage with drywall screws and washers, creating loops that you could slide the rods in. Cheap rod storage, and it keeps them off the floor and out of harms way. Think out side the box. Most damage to rods happens at the place of storage, at least, that's always been the case for me. Rod cases are more for the angler that needs to ship a rod, or take it with them on a plane.
The rod and reel you picked is fine, but I don't like your line choice. I think you'll find Power Pro or Suffix braid to be more user friendly, and as strong or stronger. I use those two types of braid exclusively, and I've used them all.
lastly, a very light coat of the manufacturers recommended lube is fine for the reel. Just use a light coat. Sort of like cleaning and lubing a firearm. You oil it down, and wipe off the access. Today's sealed reels don't take much. Unless you are savvy, when it's time to have the internal components oiled, take it somewhere that knows what they are doing. I do my reels myself, and I put a thin coat of Vaseline on the internal gears. Great lube, and repels water.
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Thanks a lot ill definitely look into to the different lines. And I really love catching northern pike/muskie so I am for sure looking to do that mostly. Thanks again for all the info
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believe it or not, they now sell cleaning kits for reels at your full fitted outdoor stores and sites.
they run any where from $15 to $30, minus any tools needed such as screw drivers, pliers, wrenches and 5 pound sledge hammers and a box to hold it all in..
I picked one up my a kit earlier this year, I picked up the 3 piece set. "cleaning solvent and 2 different lubing compounds" might I say it was well worth the $'s spent.
sure beats using gun cleaning solvent and Vaseline.
This will for sure put you at the head of the pack, knowing your equipment is at it optimal operating capacity.
with out a doubt taking care of your equipment prior to every season is a must, unless you just like throwing your money around town, in which case there is lots of room in my pocket.
Keep up the good work. [cool]
[quote cprende2]Hello all,
First post on here, joined because i have some questions. I have been fishing all my life, with cheap rods that always break/get tangled and never really knowing what specifics i should buy and what not because of finacial issues. i would just let my dad buy a good cheap one and as long as i was catching fish it was great but now that i am really into it, and barely landed my biggest fish ever I want to step up my game. I fish a lot during the summer/first semester at SUNY Oswego. Lots of pike, bass, walleye, trout, and some musky. I thinking about buying the shimano stradic fj 4000, with st croix premier spin rod 7' M-H and berkley fireline SMK 14 pound...i have pliers, knife, lures, and sometimes use bait...need to buy some new steel leaders, and thinking about getting a case for the rod/reel if im gonna be spending some money i want to protect my investment...what cleaning products do you recommend and does this seem like a good set up? i fish a lot in the great lakes, st lawerence river, hudson river[/quote]
Hi. just some advice for ya about your gear. Even if you buy the cheaper stuff (doesn't mean it isn't good) if you take care of it and keep it clean, greased and wash your reels with fresh water after every use they will last longer. Now days even the very low priced gear is better than the stuff we had when I was a kid back in the 60's.
So if you buy a combo now days for only 50$ or less it's better than the top of the line we bought back then.
Just take good care of it.
and LINE. You got good advice in the post above. Line is really everything today. You don't have to spend a fortune now days to have good gear. BUT spend your money on quality LINE. That's good advice.
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