Great Lakes Bass Fishing Forum

A buddy of mine wants to start fishing with me this summer and hasn't fished before.  He wants to buy some gear, but doesn't want to spend over $400 or so.

I'm thinking he needs a couple of spinning outfits - baitcasters can come later.

- 7 ft ML Fast rod for dropshot, wacky, light jigs
- 6'8" or 7 ft MH Fast rod for jerkbaits, tubes, spinnerbaits, wacky, texas rig

A basic set of DS tackle, tube jigs, tubes, a couple of jerks, some trig and wacky tackle, maybe some ned rig gear and a couple of spinnerbaits.

Should be able to keep this under $400.

I need some recommendations on rods as I haven't bought an inexpensive rod in a while.  What is a good rod in the $50-$75 range?  Ugly Sticks?  Berkely?

Anyone have some experienced gear they may want to sell?

Bring him to Bob O's Swap meet and he will be able to get all he wants. 

Drop Shot Is all he needs.   Everything else is just Fluff.

Hmmm last time we fished I don't think I saw you with a DS in your hand. :-)

Quote from: Hollada on February 10, 2018, 03:41:21 PM
Hmmm last time we fished I don't think I saw you with a DS in your hand. :-)

I don't think it was in the boat.   Got to make a couple trips there before Walleye Season.  That was fun.

I wouldn't recommend an Ugly Stick. Rods aren't meant to be bent in a circle... always thought they were heavier and less sensitive too.

Take him to the big box store and have him feel a bunch of rods to see what handle, weight and length he seems to prefer. He can compare 'higher' end rods to 'lower' end rods too. Maybe find out some 'lower' end ones that still feel good?

I'll add - throwing a spinnerbait of any size all day on a spinning rod is way more taxing than baitcasting. Any lure that pulls a fair amount - cranks bigger than tiny for example - wear on you way more with a spinning rod and reel. They add to the already present torque of the spinning reel. At the end of the day you will know the difference, especially in your forearm. I tried it early on and quickly found it sucked... Just something think about.

bring him on over to the swapmeet on the 10th, he will get more than he could ever get at any store front.

Quote from: bob o on February 21, 2018, 07:04:54 PM
bring him on over to the swapmeet on the 10th, he will get more than he could ever get at any store front.

your having a Swap Meet.

Quote from: bob o on February 21, 2018, 07:04:54 PM
bring him on over to the swapmeet on the 10th, he will get more than he could ever get at any store front.

Planning on it.