Rod & Reel Combos

[krono]

I just bought a fish & ski and plan on doing a little crappie and bass fishing down here in the south. I have 3 other family members I need to buy combos for, so I am trying to keep the cost to a minimum. Been checking out the combos at the usual places and wanted to get your opinion on what to look for. IOW...is # of bearings really that important? Brass gears? Store brands any good? M or MH rod? Rod length? etc... What should I look for? What do you use?

Also...what type of reel? Seems most folks use baitcast around here. I have an old Abu Garcia that was ok...but I must admit, I spent a lot of time fixing birds nests. I long for the closed faced Zebcos of my youth that I was deadly accurate with. Do they make quality upper-end closed-faced reels that can take the rigors of a lunker bass? Will I be laughed off the lake w/one...heheh?

 

[krono]

Re: Rod & Reel Combos

178 views and no advice...somebody has to have an opinion. A little help...please?

 

[Jlawsen]

Re: Rod & Reel Combos

krono, go to Wally World and get whatever they have on sale that day. Combo setups are usually clearance items put together as a package deal from the manufacturer. Essentially it's what they couldn't sell last that they have to move to make room for next year. That makes them sound like crappy stuff but that's not always true.

Diawa pushed a combo kit a couple of years ago and it just happened that I had used the rod and the reel. I bought 25 of them for about $50.00 each and found out a week later that WW had them on sale for 25.00 each. That rod and reel were not discontinued and are still top sellers. Diawa just had way too much back stock.

As far as being laughed at... I've never had anyone bow to me and call me a god because I have the best gear money can buy. And.. I've never laughed at or critcized anyones gear. If anyone does that, you can consider the source uneducated, take it in stride and go fishin.

 

[gpfishingdude]

Re: Rod & Reel Combos

I like the open faced spinning reels spooled with 30# power pro line-myself. The open faced reels with the ball bearings practically reel themselves in, they work so smooth. I have a Garcia 6500 with the ball bearings and it reels in just fine. Casting it out just doesn't compare with the open faced reels though. I don't have the problem with the rats nests with the open faced reels. I look for how much line the open faced will hold and if given a chance I will get the bigger one. You might have fewer problems fishing with women and kids if they use the Zebco 33s.

 

[Charlie Two Tracks]

Re: Rod & Reel Combos

This is a little more difficult to answer than you think. If the people you are getting gear for have no experience at fishing, then you ought to get a couple of Zebco 33 reels and poles. They are easy to learn with. If they have some experience then a spinning combo would work well and be useful in the future. Bait casting reels take a little more practice. Medium action rods usually come with a combo and will work for most situations.

 

[djrascoe]

Re: Rod & Reel Combos

Like somebody mentioned above, this is actually a little more difficult to answer than you would think. First off, for crappie fishing you want alot lighter of a rod then you would use for bass fishing. I like to use an ultra light for crappie and bluegill fishing, and a med. or med heavy for bass. As far as reel selection, my advice would be to stay away from closed face reels for bass fishing. My self, I use nothing but baitcast, but they can be a bit of a pain if you are new to them. Walmart sells plenty of combos at affordable prices, so dont be afraid to get something like that. Also at the same time, dont snag up a zebco 202 combo at $12 because its cheap, those things will barely hold up to kids. I would say something like the shakespere ugly stik combo. They usually come with a nice open face reel, and you can get a light or medium action set up for around $30 - $50 bucks or so (regular price). Rod length is another thing that is up to you, and what you are more comfortable using.

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Rod & Reel Combos

...I long for the closed faced Zebcos of my youth that I was deadly accurate with. Do they make quality upper-end closed-faced reels that can take the rigors of a lunker bass? Will I be laughed off the lake w/one...heheh?

As odd as it sounds, there are several "pro-level" enclosed spool casting combos on the market. If you want that nostalgia of a Zebco the model 733 or the Omega Pro would probably serve you quite well. Keep in mind that spincasts are a compromise but I think for what you describe this could be a great starting-over point with out a big outlay.

Good Luck!