Alright well I'm just starting to get into fishing and I wanted to know if they're are specific tackle I should be looking for. I most likely will be bass fishing but I also want to catfish. I have a few ponds around me that are stocked by the owners and then I also live right next to the tuscarawas river. Although I'm looking to be universal so I can go anywhere with around the same tackle. I have a gander mounting near me and I can also buy off of bass pro shop. But I'm in search of everything. The budget let's say is around 150-300 the lower the better. Also any videos or links to guides are very helpful.


E: I can go up to Lake Erie or also some nearby lakes. If u want my zip code to see what's close to help with the purchases it's 44662

This post was edited by YourHopeAnDream on May 20 2014 10:55am

catfish and bass are not in the same weight category

I'd go with a md-hvy rod
'4000 spinning reel
20-30 pounds braid
I'd buy 10 and 20 pounds fluorocarbon leader
and buy the lures you need for your area

I'm assuming you'll use a spinning reel because you are starting, otherwise I'd go with a baitcast because the overall weight will be greatly reduced even with cheaper stuff

Yes I know catfish and bass arnt the same but I'd be willing to use a cheaper walmart pole/reel for catfish till I can afford a different setup for catfish. So the main focus would be on bass. And how would I figure out what lures would be best for my area
E: also can u give me links bc I'm not to sure I'm finding the right ones. And what is your guys opinion in buying used? Don't forget that the whole budget is for all the needed fishing gear. The cheaper the better but I don't wanna cheap out too much that it's not worth it lol. Sorry for the complications

This post was edited by YourHopeAnDream on May 20 2014 09:14pm

Still iso more opinions and guides/ other forums

this is probably the best rod u can get for Under 100$
http://www.sail.ca/en/catalogue/fishing/rods/7780/vendetta/
review;
http://www.tackletour.com/reviewabuvendettavtc696.html

and you will not go wrong with a shimano reel..I would only go with a shimano unless you plan to spend 150++ on the reel

a good and cheap one would be the shimano sahara 4000 fd
you could allway upgrade to the symetre

a shimano sahara reel and an abu garcia vendetta rod would compete with my 300-450$ rods

This post was edited by max09 on May 21 2014 09:12pm

Alrighty thanks. And it's ok to use a bait caster rod with a spinning reel? I mean in not saying your wrong it just seems weird lol. The video I saw from Shakespeare said that bait casters support is made to flex towards the trigger and if I was to put a spinner reel on it the tigger would either be in the way or the pole woul bend the wrong way. Idk this is what I've heard from that video. Thanks for the input.


How do I figure out what lures would be best for my area? Is it more of a trial and error and see what I like that gets me the best and most fish?

There is a spinning model for the vendetta, dont worry

u could do that but i would go to your local retail store and someone should be able to help you with what should work, size/colors/action/etc

Most of these guys have 10-40 years of experience in fishing so I think it is ur best option

The best braid line under 20$ would be the sufix 832 imo

And if u plan on using this only for bass or smaller fish, you could downsize your reel to a 3000 or 2500

Ok so then what's the point of me getting the braided line? Is that for catfish?

20 pound braid line is as thick as 6 pounds mono so you can have more line, i find it way easier to cast too

And u can also fish smaller fish even tho you have a big line because the diameter is thin

if you buy the medium hvy vendetta and the sahara 4000 with ....lets say 20-25 pound braid line, you could use this set up for both fish

Then all you need to do is to buy 10 pounds fluorocarbon for bass and 20 pounds fluorocarbon for catfish

This post was edited by max09 on May 22 2014 11:59am

Ok I'm still not getting the point of the braided line and then more line ontop of that. Am is upload to switch out between the braided line when I wanna fish for bigger fish like catfish. Or am I suppose to use only a little bit of braided at the beginning of the reel? I'm sorry but like I said just starting back up and the last time I fished was when I was a kid so I isn't really know to much seeing as it was only bobber fishing with walmart poles