2023 Fishing Thread

[DelaWhere_Arrow]

Ugly stick Gx2 combo. I have a few and for the price are pretty hard to beat. That 5' light action to me is pretty sensitive. 4 or 6 lb line is plenty. The 4 will probably Handel everything just fine. Don't over fill the spool. Not sure about winter colder water. But when it's warmer the easiest thing I have found and simple. Tie your hook on, leave a good length of line hanging out. Tie a loop in it and put a small weight on it. Or put the weight on and tie it in. Either way. Weight hangs down how ever far past the hook. Add worm, minnow, bait. What ever. Toss out, slow real back in. Simple, and quick to tie on. Bobbers are great for kids. But I usually spend more time taking out tangles. That is pretty quick to replace. Small jigs with Berkeley Power bait is another go to for me.
Few easy ideas. Some days things work better than others.
View attachment 97364

Sweet, thanks for the input.
I have seen this setup everywhere, so I can get one right in town.
Would this be comfortable to use on an open-top kayak?

 

[MattMan81]

Sweet, thanks for the input.
I have seen this setup everywhere, so I can get one right in town.
Would this be comfortable to use on an open-top kayak?

If I am taking my kayak out. I usually grab that pole. The 5' is easy to move around and light weight. It's not super expensive, so if you drop it in. Your not out a bunch. I was out kayaking with my daughter few years ago, and she came up and knocked it out of the rod holder in he back. I liked it so much I replaced it with another.

 

[Horn]

If I am taking my kayak out. I usually grab that pole. The 5' is easy to move around and light weight. It's not super expensive, so if you drop it in. Your not out a bunch. I was out kayaking with my daughter few years ago, and she came up and knocked it out of the rod holder in he back. I liked it so much I replaced it with another.

Sold me. I'll be picking one up too. Thanks @MattMan81

 

[DelaWhere_Arrow]

Sold me. I'll be picking one up too. Thanks @MattMan81

If I am taking my kayak out. I usually grab that pole. The 5' is easy to move around and light weight. It's not super expensive, so if you drop it in. Your not out a bunch. I was out kayaking with my daughter few years ago, and she came up and knocked it out of the rod holder in he back. I liked it so much I replaced it with another.

100%. That was easy.

 

[Nutterbuster]

Okay, let’s say I have some gift certs and have been looking to get my first fishing pole. I know nothing about fishing but I enjoy doing it and I have a 3/4-acre pond on the property with a gang of stocked bass, crappie, etc.
Budget-friendly, easy to use rod and reel…what am I looking at?

If you're pond fishing, I'd advocate for an ultralight combo. I've got a 6'9" Panfish Elite from Basspro that's awesome for pond fishing. I've landed some 3lb bass with it, which is about as much as I've ever seen in a pond that wasn't private. Really enjoyable to catch panfish and smaller bass on. I keep mine lined with 4lb test and back the drag off so that even small bass will peel it.

I'm not a big GX2 fan, but I have 2. They're fine. But the reels are complete and absolute garbage. If/when you've got the funds, replace it with something like a Fuego. I've been really please with three of them so far. They're all smooth little reels with good drag systems. Saltwater rated too, which is always a nice plus.

 

[thedutchtouch]

Seconding the gx2 as a great cheap combo. I've found them on sale for 50 bucks, and I think the rod is worth it so a season or two out of the reel is a bonus. I have a 7' ultralight I use in my kayak or from shore pretty regularly. I like to play the food chain game where I dig up a worm and then use that worm to catch a bluegill with the ultralight rod, and then throw it out on a heavier rod on a circle hook and wait for a big catfish to gobble it. Gets pretty fun. Hoping to do the same with a spot and a rockfish (striped bass) soon too.

 

[DelaWhere_Arrow]

If you're pond fishing, I'd advocate for an ultralight combo. I've got a 6'9" Panfish Elite from Basspro that's awesome for pond fishing. I've landed some 3lb bass with it, which is about as much as I've ever seen in a pond that wasn't private. Really enjoyable to catch panfish and smaller bass on. I keep mine lined with 4lb test and back the drag off so that even small bass will peel it.

I'm not a big GX2 fan, but I have 2. They're fine. But the reels are complete and absolute garbage. If/when you've got the funds, replace it with something like a Fuego. I've been really please with three of them so far. They're all smooth little reels with good drag systems. Saltwater rated too, which is always a nice plus.

Wow thanks for the feedback Nutter!
Variables heard and considered. I like the idea of a Frankenstein setup, did so with bow, saddle, everything. maybe a US rod with a nicer reel to get myself going. And though I’m in OH now, I’d like to fish at home in DE salt water also.

 

[DelaWhere_Arrow]

Seconding the gx2 as a great cheap combo. I've found them on sale for 50 bucks, and I think the rod is worth it so a season or two out of the reel is a bonus. I have a 7' ultralight I use in my kayak or from shore pretty regularly. I like to play the food chain game where I dig up a worm and then use that worm to catch a bluegill with the ultralight rod, and then throw it out on a heavier rod on a circle hook and wait for a big catfish to gobble it. Gets pretty fun. Hoping to do the same with a spot and a rockfish (striped bass) soon too.

Yes! Genius, Dutch. I was already thinking “if I grab some worms from the garden, catch a small…” etc etc. I have a homie who can’t wait to get a rod in my grip so this is right up his alley.

 

[7mmremmag]

Alternative suggestion for a little more expensive but nice UL setup. (my kayak/small boat/toss in car and go panfish rod)

5'6" 13 Fishing Defy Silver with a Daiwa Revros LT 1000. I use 4 pound P Line Floroclear on it. I find myself grabbing this setup all the time for trout and panfish. Have even played with some bass on it as well.

 

[Jay_Disarray]

Brother has an antique rod and reel like what was discussed early in this thread. No drag or gears, just a crank and a thumb

 

[Jammintree]

Who’s gonna land the last fish of the year?

Unless we get some deep cold and ice soon, there’s not much fishing to be safely had round my parts.

 

[cincyprostheticguy]

I didnt know there was a fishing thread...i used to have a box of zebco 33s and 303s ill gladly give away (for paid postage) i like to bass fish but I enjoy catfish more.. i got a pontoon last year and did pretty decent on the ohio river

 

[DelaWhere_Arrow]

So I was window shopping with my “fishing buddy”, aka my buddy who wants to teach me to fish lol, and I haven’t pulled the trigger yet but I’ve got a medium power, fast action, 6’ GX2 spinning rod and an Abu Garcia Elite Max-30-c reel in my cart. His thoughts were “it’ll get you started right and then last you forever”. What do y’all think of this potential setup?

 

[TNSTAAFL]

So I was window shopping with my “fishing buddy”, aka my buddy who wants to teach me to fish lol, and I haven’t pulled the trigger yet but I’ve got a medium power, fast action, 6’ GX2 spinning rod and an Abu Garcia Elite Max-30-c reel in my cart. His thoughts were “it’ll get you started right and then last you forever”. What do y’all think of this potential setup?

Don't over think it here. Just get something and get fishing. I've been at it awhile and I'm up to a $60k boat with a full rod locker and I'm only barely getting into the idea of what rod, reel, & line styles are good for specific scenarios. Caught a lot of fish and made a lot of memories just using whatever was on hand. Sounds like you got a solid middle of the road setup picked out. Hard to go wrong with flexibility.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

 

[Jammintree]

Don't over think it here. Just get something and get fishing. I've been at it awhile and I'm up to a $60k boat with a full rod locker and I'm only barely getting into the idea of what rod, reel, & line styles are good for specific scenarios. Caught a lot of fish and made a lot of memories just using whatever was on hand. Sounds like you got a solid middle of the road setup picked out. Hard to go wrong with flexibility.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

I agree with this sentiment. The gear gets you out there, but it’s secondary to knowing when, where and how to fish.

 

[DelaWhere_Arrow]

Don't over think it here. Just get something and get fishing. I've been at it awhile and I'm up to a $60k boat with a full rod locker and I'm only barely getting into the idea of what rod, reel, & line styles are good for specific scenarios. Caught a lot of fish and made a lot of memories just using whatever was on hand. Sounds like you got a solid middle of the road setup picked out. Hard to go wrong with flexibility.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

I agree with this sentiment. The gear gets you out there, but it’s secondary to knowing when, where and how to fish.

Noted and appreciated.
That all said and considered, it DOES take a little planning and prep. I wouldn’t just grab a bow off the shelf and go hunt with it before discussing/seeing a technician or expert first (although some cats do), so I feel the same with fishing. And I don’t wanna go out there with the bottom of the barrel gear expecting to love my experience. Smooth gear helps account for smooth interest IMO so a little feedback is always welcome when I have zero clue what I’m looking at to begin with. If I have some decent gear that gives me confidence, I will have a free and open mind to learning about actual “fishING” aka where, when, how. Then buying/sorting over gear will become easier too.

 

[BuffaloBill]

Noted and appreciated.
That all said and considered, it DOES take a little planning and prep. I wouldn’t just grab a bow off the shelf and go hunt with it before discussing/seeing a technician or expert first (although some cats do), so I feel the same with fishing. And I don’t wanna go out there with the bottom of the barrel gear expecting to love my experience. Smooth gear helps account for smooth interest IMO so a little feedback is always welcome when I have zero clue what I’m looking at to begin with. If I have some decent gear that gives me confidence, I will have a free and open mind to learning about actual “fishING” aka where, when, how. Then buying/sorting over gear will become easier too.

The thing is mostly likely you will want multiple setups eventually so you’re not tying and retying all day. I have multiple spinning rod setups and baitcaster setups. A basic Ugly Stik combo will get you started and not break the bank. Keep it in your arsenal when you upgrade. Abu Garcia makes decent stuff in every price range. Daiwa makes good stuff for the money if you to expand the budget.

 

[thedutchtouch]

Noted and appreciated.
That all said and considered, it DOES take a little planning and prep. I wouldn’t just grab a bow off the shelf and go hunt with it before discussing/seeing a technician or expert first (although some cats do), so I feel the same with fishing. And I don’t wanna go out there with the bottom of the barrel gear expecting to love my experience. Smooth gear helps account for smooth interest IMO so a little feedback is always welcome when I have zero clue what I’m looking at to begin with. If I have some decent gear that gives me confidence, I will have a free and open mind to learning about actual “fishING” aka where, when, how. Then buying/sorting over gear will become easier too.

Check out the pfleuger president (edit: or daiwa regal like suggested above) reels. Good intersection of cost and quality, and on sale for basically the same price point at the moment at Bass pro.

The medium gx2 is a fine starter rod, I have one, it's a bit dull/stiff feeling for smaller fish, but it will still work, and if they get a lot bigger it can handle pretty much any fish you throw at it. Sorry if I missed it and you said this already, are you going to be mainly bass fishing? Then go for it. If you're going to pan fish I'd get a light or ultralight rod, both because it's more fun, and because it'll be easier to cast the smaller lures. Don't worry about fighting "too big" of a fish on a light action rod, for the gx2 it's super unlikely you'd break the rod itself, it'll just bend over more (and be more fun). Fighting a bigger fish is more about the drag on the reel being matched to the weight of the line, and knowing when to crank the fish in and when to let it run (experience).

 

[Horn]

I was wondering what you're after too @DelaWhere_Arrow . Seems we're on parallel paths.

y'all would this guy that grew up on a lake in an area with a ton of lakes would know something about fishing, but you'd be wrong

 

[Horn]

I'm looking at an UL set up , no plans to catch big fish. How are y'all picking the length out? Like like the last few posts recommend between 5'6" and 7'