Beginners Kit

[bpm2000]

try that with a spinning rod and your finger will be raw where the line rubs over it on every cast. It actually starts to hurt eventually, especially if you're throwing heavy lures like crankbaits. Also pitching with a spinning rod accurately and quietly is next to impossible.

while i do agree that you should get a baitcaster, the info above is just wrong wrong wrong.

Are you going to explain to the topic starter why i am wrong and why you still think he or she should get a baitcaster, or did you just post to tell me i'm wrong? that's not really helping anyone at all.

if you really need an explination - whats not helping anyone at all is you making blanket statements about spinning equipment. I fished spinning reels exclusively for many years fishing with them morning til night and I did not have raw finger issues. Not saying that this experience is impossible, but I, and many others, certainly did not. Also, I am not claiming to be good at it, but I have known/seen more than enough people that could drop a jig into a dixie cup without a splash on spinning gear to let the other statement stand.

You should get a baitcaster (and I should've added this part) AND a spinning setup since both are going to be able to do things better than the other. But you certainly CAN do most things with one setup with the right equipment and experience. People are able to skip docks with baitcasters, even though spinning gear is much easier to do this with. And just as you may think pitching/flipping is imposslbe with a spinning rig, it is possible and actually much easier done than skipping a dock on a baitcaster imo.

and getting a baitcasting rig so you can look cool? even as a joke... okay guy.

there ya go.

[danielt]

He already knows how you use spinning reels. The guy is new to bass fishing but not fishing all together. Based on that alone I also say get into baitcasters now.

[YellowBear]

I would agree to stick with what you know for now. If you are using a spinning outfit for your fishing now, then stick with it.
If you want to give a baitcaster a try, pick one up in the fall and learn how it works in the back yard.
You will get bird nest's in it at first and its better to deal with them in the yard than it is while your fishing. IMHO!

[HillbillyGeek]

My first really gnarly birdsnest required a knife and a new spool of line...

[michaelunbewust]

NOW, BACK TO BAIT. GRINGO, I FOUND A BEGINNER'S KIT ON GARY YAMMAMOTOS FOR AROUND $20. I BOUGHT A COUPLE OF THEM. THEY HAD SENKO'S AND GRUBS. A COUPLE DIFFERENT KINDS OF HOOKS AND JIG HEADS, TOO. IT ALSO HAD SOME OF THOSE RIGGING INFO PASTED ON THE PLASTIC BOXES. MY NEXT "CHEAP" BUY IS THE CRANKBAITS ON BPS. THE KITS ARE IN THE $20-25 RANGE. NOW ALL I NEED IS SOMEONE TO TELL ME WHERE I CAN FIND A GOOD JIG-N-PIG/CRAW KIT. IM FINDING THESE KITS ARE A LIL CHEAPER FOR ME RIGHT NOW, UNTIL, I LEARN SOME MORE SPECIFIC PATTERNS AND METHODS. THEN I CAN BUY IT ALL INDIVIDUALLY.

[panfisher]

try that with a spinning rod and your finger will be raw where the line rubs over it on every cast. It actually starts to hurt eventually, especially if you're throwing heavy lures like crankbaits. Also pitching with a spinning rod accurately and quietly is next to impossible.

while i do agree that you should get a baitcaster, the info above is just wrong wrong wrong.

i've never had a problem with bloody fingers using a spinning outfit casting all day and or using heavy lures but as for someone who may be just targeting bass there is alot of casting so i can see where eventually your fingers may fall off, and you are wrong as far as being accurate, with any out fit you if you fished it enough you will know what it will do for you, as with all reels usually the more money the better the performance, for some one that is wanting to learn about a baitcaster a combo would be the best way to buy.

[tnj8222]

i like to have both spinning and baitcasters. i use spinning for skipping, and finesse rigs. baitcasters for pretty much everything else. I agree with what BPM said. my finger has never gotten raw from spinning gear, although i could see how it would if you were not casting properly. on a side note i wish i would have gotten into baitcasters alot sooner than i did.

btw Roger (exbassguide) only uses spinning gear. i have never seen him have a problem getting under a dock or pitching to any target. as a matter of fact he is one of the best pitchers i have ever seen.

[bpm2000]

i like to have both spinning and baitcasters. i use spinning for skipping, and finesse rigs. baitcasters for pretty much everything else. I agree with what BPM said. my finger has never gotten raw from spinning gear, although i could see how it would if you were not casting properly. on a side note i wish i would have gotten into baitcasters alot sooner than i did.

btw Roger (exbassguide) only uses spinning gear. i have never seen him have a problem getting under a dock or pitching to any target. as a matter of fact he is one of the best pitchers i have ever seen.

yup, he's quite adept at it:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=iyG15eud6PU

[ChrisB]

To become a good bass angler, in my opinion you are going to have to get used to baitcast reels. I started out late, but am pretty good with it now. A good starting reel would be a Shimano Citica. You can get them for $99 and shimano is offering a $30 mail in rebate. They might even screw up on your rebate and give you $50 back like they did mine ;). If you want used, look for a "green curado" they are a few years old and not made anymore, but damn they are nice. Next rods, you are going to want a good rod. You don't need a GLX g-loomis ($300+) but don't get an ugly stick either.
For starters, don't take the baitcast fishing first thing. Give it a month in the back yard practicing. Tear them up with the spinning setup while you get better with the baitcast. Set your backlash control tight so you don't screw up right off the bat. Your lure won't fly very far, but you'll get used to fingering the spool- sounds fun huh.
Lures, I wouldn't buy a bunch of lure kits. Reason being you get too many weird colors you will never end up using. I'll add to my post when I think of more info, and I have more time.

[kevinb]

I would agree to stick with what you know for now. If you are using a spinning outfit for your fishing now, then stick with it.
If you want to give a baitcaster a try, pick one up in the fall and learn how it works in the back yard.
You will get bird nest's in it at first and its better to deal with them in the yard than it is while your fishing. IMHO!

Nailed the hammer on the head.

I personally use both. This works for me,baitcaster for bass and muskie. Spinning for trout and walleye. I probably don't have to do it this way but its now just a habbit. Like I said,this works for me. It might not for you.
I like YellowBear's idea,it would probably be an easier adjustment for you.However,this is only my opinion and I am not a professional angler.

Good luck

[HillbillyGeek]

You don't need a GLX g-loomis ($300+) but don't get an ugly stick either.

I hate to admit it, but I've got an ugly stick spinning rod that's still one of my favorites even though many of my rods cost more than $100. I like fishing weightless senkos with 20lb braid + a 14lb flourocarbon leader. The ugly stick has just enough tip to get great distance on casts, and plenty of backbone to really stick 'em on the hook set. Last year I was bass fishing at Lake Sawyer and gave a couple of large perch a "gamakatsu lobotomy" -- the hook was sticking out through their skulls right between the eyes!

[ChrisB]

I guess I should have said a snoopy pole. I use a ugly stick for Ultralight trout fishing and it does great. My fault.

[platinumroof]

If you are going to fish a variety of baits you need to have both a spinning rod and a baitcaster. Spinning rods are better for light line/ light lures. Baitcasters are better for heavy line/ and heavier lures. If you got a 6.5 to 7 ft. medium action rod in each and put 8lb. test on the spinning reel and 17lb. test on the baitcaster you will be able to fish a huge variety of baits, techniques, and cover/ structure. This is greatly simplified but I think it's a good place to start.
Don't be intimidated by baitcasters. Tie your bait on (1/2 oz. jig is a good start), crank down the external tension knob, hold the rod horizontal and disengage the spool. The bait should hang there and not even move. Now slowly loosen the tension knob until the bait slowly falls. When the bait hits the floor the spool should stop spinning. This should help you keep backlashes to a minimum. Now you are ready to go out in the yard and practice (I used to stand on my fireplace hearth and pitch down the hallway.) You should learn to pitch, roll cast, and the standard 2 o'clock over the shoulder cast. When you get more comfortable thumbing the spool you can loosen the knob up a little and cast a little further.
Good luck
Eric

[A9]

Check my post in the product review section. You could easily get a rod/reel setup and have them be made by quality brands, and have a lot of money to spend on tackle and even save some money.

Joes has some good books for bass fishing. I dunno where else to get any, so that's all I can suggest there.
For rod/reel. Shimano would by my choice of reel. Shimano rods are nice, but a little pricier. I just picked up a North x Northwest rod from Joes for like $60, and it's a good rod. 6'6" If you went the similar route, you could use this for bass and it's also light enough to do all of your trout/panfishing.

Tackle suggestions: Great ideas from everyone so far.
For bass, I use a lot of spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, Rapala shad Raps, Lipless Cranks, senkos, lizards and 5 inch curly tail worms....

[cavdad45]

Gringo, as far as rods go, pick up a baitcaster and practice (the season is still in its infancy and you can get pretty proficient rather quick), but don't leave the spinning rods at home.

Concentrate on one or two proven waters near your home and learn those bass first. It's a confidence thing. If you want to try new waters, go with someone who is proficient and experienced. Atleast for the first couple seasons.

Read. It's not too late to read up on bass and bass strategies. Go to the library for starters. Check out other threads for book recommendations as well as those threads from last summer on getting started. Get Bassmaster Magazine and FLW Outdoors, as well as checking out their websites.

Start with easy lures. Spinnerbaits, Rat-L-Traps, topwater frogs, etc. Fish with BBD and EBM for dropshotting worms.

[Gringo Pescador]

All of the input is great! I have been taking notes, researching online and now I am itching to get out there and put it all to work!

Here is a rundown of where I am at.

Bait..
Last year between the WL.Com BBQ contests, and the multispecies contest I ended up with a bunch of different plastics, so I am covered there. I also picked up a couple spinnerbaits, jigs, 3/0 offset hooks and 1/8oz bullet weights. In order to keep it simple I will probably stick with that for starters.

Rod/Reel
After all of your input and research I've done on my own I came home last night with my new baitcasting setup. Picked it up at Outdoor Emporium. What I went with was the Shimano Curado 200DPV ($199 w/$50 rebate), and a Lamiglass Competitor, 1 power, 6'6" which was on sale for $75. Plus I was able to get 5% off for being a member, touch before I bought, and no shipping charges.
I strung it up with 10# Pline because I already had a spool at home.

Until I am confident in my casting abilities, I will be using my Pflueger 6735 which I is already strung up with 6# fireline.

To all who PM'ed me - Thank you! I've got your info and will be hitting you up for pointers and such as well as to try and meet up so I can learn from you on the water.

Thank you eveyone! =d> =d> =d> =d> =d> =d> =d>

[kzoo]

Wow! Sounds like a sweet rig! Good luck with it, give me a PM if you ever fish green lake.

[VooDuuChild]

Personally, I'd just skip the baitcaster and get a spinner with a trigger. Works just fine and there's no worries of a big mess of line because you set your level wind wrong. I've always used a spinner for everything I fish (except jiggin down DEEP in saltwater and trollin salt) and it's just fine. If you're set on getting a new reel just for bass fishing, save some dough, get a Shakespeare and if you're set on gettin a new pole too, get a Whuppin Stick. You can't beat the price on either and the warrantee on the Whuppin stick is hard to beat, especially for the price as they're pretty cheap themselves. And as for myself, I now only buy Whuppin Sticks, not only for the value, but they are just damn good poles!!! Then, you can spend ALL that money you saved on bass gear!!!!!! That's what I do and I don't regret it one bit my friend. Then, once you honed your skills using the equipment you currently have, if you still feel the need, get yourself a quality ball bearing level wind and see if it's for you. Myself, I just use spinnin gear as I can hit any target I want just fine and never have to worry about setting the reel right so it doesn't birds nest on me.

EDIT: guess I should have read EVERY post before replying, nice new rig, good luck learning the in's and out's of it!!!!!

[Nik]

I guess I should have worded my post a little differently. Those are my opinions, that's all. I don't think there's a right or wrong or any need for people to get all worked up. My finger has been a little sore after a long day of casting with a spinning reel, and I personally think its much easier to pitch with a baitcaster. Not saying it's impossible to do with a spinning reel, just a lot harder than with a baitcaster. I have and use spinning setups all the time, as does everyone else who is serious about bass fishing. They definitely have their place and you can do some things with spinning reels that are very hard to do with a baitcaster, and i don't know anyone who doesn't have at least one spinning setup on their bass boat at all times. If you're just getting into bass fishing though, some of the easiest lures to use are the cast and retrieve lures like crankbaits, jerkbaits, and spinnerbaits. if you're going to be casting all day, it just makes sense to use a baitcaster, because that's exactly what they're made for. Also the looking cool part was a joke; I was kind of hoping I wouldn't have to explain that.

Oh well, sounds like you managed so sift through all the info and got yourself a sweet setup; I think you'll really enjoy it. I think you'll also find that getting good with your Curado doesn't take months of practice or anything; a couple good days on the water and you'll be down to just a few minor backlashes per day i bet (you also get pretty good at getting them untangled eventually). Good luck!

[islandbass]

[quote="Gringo Pescador"]All of the input is great! I have been taking notes, researching online and now I am itching to get out there and put it all to work!

Here is a rundown of where I am at.

Bait..
Last year between the WL.Com BBQ contests, and the multispecies contest I ended up with a bunch of different plastics, so I am covered there. I also picked up a couple spinnerbaits, jigs, 3/0 offset hooks and 1/8oz bullet weights. In order to keep it simple I will probably stick with that for starters.

Rod/Reel
After all of your input and research I've done on my own I came home last night with my new baitcasting setup. Picked it up at Outdoor Emporium. What I went with was the Shimano Curado 200DPV ($199 w/$50 rebate), and a Lamiglass Competitor, 1 power, 6'6" which was on sale for $75. Plus I was able to get 5% off for being a member, touch before I bought, and no shipping charges.
I strung it up with 10# Pline because I already had a spool at home.

Until I am confident in my casting abilities, I will be using my Pflueger 6735 which I is already strung up with 6# fireline.

To all who PM'ed me - Thank you! I've got your info and will be hitting you up for pointers and such as well as to try and meet up so I can learn from you on the water.

Thank you eveyone! =d&gt]

Not a bad first rig. Sorry I didn't get to chime in earlier. I would have recommended the CC664, your rod's beefier, 4 powered brother. I have the CC664 and can tell you it is a true all around rod. Nothing wrong with your choice. I wouldn't mind having the CC661 myself.

I can teach you how to use a bc reel in less than 10 minutes. It really isn't that difficult. Check this site out for some good learning. You'll feel like you've graduated from baitaster 101 after reading it.

http://pages.infinit.net/fishing/page7.html

Congrats and good luck. I can guarantee that you will learn much faster with less heartache than you would have you decided to skimp in the reel department. Most people will find the setting of 3 brakes off and 3 brakes on a good place to start. The brakes are turned on by pulling up on them until you hear it click.

Here is a pic of an older curado but the setting of the brakes will be the same. Note how the brakes alternate from off to on and vice versa.