Got1Fishing

Thanks for advice guys! Not exactly what I wanted to hear, but greatly appreciated. There's always more money to be spent haha. Perhaps I'll buy a 5wt St. Avid Series and then a high quality weight forward line. I read the weight forward line is better for beginners, rather than a double tapered line? Could someone give me a brand and model of line that I could purchase? I will also be using a decent reel, since it mostly only holds the line. I'm very excited about my upcoming purchase and will post pictures once I get my setup. Now I know there will probably be some debate, but could you guys just chose a decent reel for my first setup? I don't understand all the size differences (mid arbor, full arbor, and so on...) when shopping. My budget is from $300-400. I'm going to go with a St. Croix 9' fast action 4 piece rod. $220 -- I wish they offered it in a moderate action) Line: unknown yet Reel: unknown yet I will get an 8wt setup when I'm ready to bass fish! Thanks for all the advice so far gentlemen. This is what we caught on my first trout fishing trip: 19" rainbow trout! Caught it on a 3" Gulp Alive minnow

Well I agree that most of us want the best product out there, and if it isn't being produced in the US, then it's our own fault. If companies like Shimano and Abu Garcia are the top makers of some of the finest reels, then I understand why we buy products made overseas. I just wanted to start a thread where we listed good made American fishing products. It seems as though fly fishing has more options, and bass fishing has less; sucks.

I didn't know that! I know that St. Croix's line from the Premier and up is all made in the USA.

Hey fellas, Now I realize this isn't exactly a fly fishing forum, but you guys have given me great advice in the past, and I figured... what the heck. I'm sure some of you guys fly fish as well, and could point me in the right direction. I went trout fishing for the first time this past weekend, and man am I hooked... I love the thrill of walking through the water and catching them. I used an UL spinning reel with weight worms, crickets, and Gulp Alive Minnows. So needless to say I want to purchase my first fly rod. I have done some reading, and it appears that with a 5wt you can trout and bass fish, which sounds perfect. I've narrowed it down to an Orvis Clearwater or St. Croix Imperial. Anyone have any knowledge between these two rods? I read Orvis' warranty is awesome; 25 years, repair or replace, no questions asked. St. Croix on the other hand; lifetime warranty, but you have to pay to replace or upgrade if you choose to. Any advice on a great starter rod and reel for trout and bass fishing would be awesome guys. Thanks, Sam

So I feel like I hear a lot of people asking what to pair with this or that, but most of the time we don't give much advice on things made in the USA. What brands, rods, reels, from different companies would you guys suggest? I feel like it is our duty to help out our own country before others, but do we make the same quality products as companies like Shimano or Abu Garcia?

Good point... I didn't even think of the extra hassle they might have encountered with corroded parts. Thanks for bringing that up. The reel feels brand new... maybe a little too new... lol

I didn't mine paying anything around $50, but if it was around $80-100 I would have been more worried. I know the reel took some damage... I didn't throughly clean it for 2 years, but then again i never fished that much with it. The initial servicing is $20, and the rest was in parts, although they gave me several parts for free.

x2

Hey fellas, Just wanted to give you guys some insight on this company and ask a couple of questions. I went on Abu Garcia's website and found their warranty address and sent this in, asking them to re-oil/grease, and replace any parts that needed it. Is Pure Fishing a company that Abu Garcia just uses? Anyhow they replaced several different things, some stuff I knew I needed replaced. They went super heavy on the grease though. Check the pictures below... I have never seen this much grease on one of the spool bearings. I usually strip the oil as soon as I get a new reel, and lightly oil it myself. I know they are a little generous from the factory. Any how this is a 2011 Abu Garcia Revo SX, and I was just getting intro baitcasters then. I had no clue how to service them, let alone actually fish with it. I took it saltwater fishing 2 times and flushed it with warm water. Used it less than 100 fishing trips since I bought it, but it seems to have taken a pretty hard hit from not servicing it regularly. You can see below the parts list that were replaced and the old parts they took out a gave me. Total was $45.35 shipped back. Is that expensive for what they replaced and serviced; I have never sent in a BC to get serviced... I'm just wondering for future reference... should they keep my business or do you guys recommend I take my business somewhere else? P.S. not sure if you can see those bearings, but they are rusted...

I would go with any St. Croix rod to be honest. Ultimately it's going to come down to preference... Everyone has their own. The *** is a sick rod for the $100 range, but they don't have technique specific yet. I would get an Avid Series from St. Croix, it's just shy of $200. If you want to go a little lower, you could do the Premier or Mojo Bass.

I just bought the Premier yesterday and love it! You can never go wrong with St. Croix, plus the Premier comes with a 5 year warranty.

Get a St. Croix Premier Crankbait Rod 7' MHM for $120. It's lighter than the Mojo Bass and should work perfectly!

I walked into BPS just today and couldn't decide between the two... An hour later I walked out Witt he same rod as the gentle above. I held the Mojo Bass and it just felt way heavier than the Premier, the rod felt very tip heavy ( probably because its a split grip). I plan on using mine for deep cranking!

Just fished my St. Crowd Legend Tournament Bass Small Cranker today... WOW. I have never fallen in love with a rod until today. Well worth the purchase. I think I will be sticking with St. Croix from now on. Thanks for all the help guys.

Honestly, that's what I also thought LOL. I tried it several times retrying the knot and it still broke every time and I tried pulling when it was snagged. Maybe I tie it wrong enery time.... Maybe not. I'll ask someone to check over my knot tying next time. Does this not happen to anyone else?

I tried a 15 lb flours leader with an Albright knot to my 50lb 832 and the line snapped right at the knot wen it got stuck on some weeds. I will never tie on another leader while using expensive lures... Lesson learned.

Shimano Sahara 2500FE, it's $80 and performs extremely well. I don't see the need in spending that much on a spinning reel... On a BC that's a whole different story.

Suffix 832.

Don't get discouraged! First 3 times I went fishing with a BC I spent the day learning to cast and kept getting backlashes and just a few good casts... Maybe it's just me... But after that... Changed my life. Now I can't imagine fishing with just spinning reels. A BC goes so much further and I almost never get anymore backlashes. Keep it up!

Hey folks! Just saw that Gander Mountain is doing a $50 and $30 rebate on St. Croix rods from 5/23/13 to 6/1/13. No limits on the quantity on rods... $50 for each rod over $170 and $30 for under that. I think it's time to finally order my St. Croix Legend Tournament Bass!

I'm getting the St. Croix Legend Turnament Small Cranker here soon just for cranking. I'll come back and let you know once I fish it.

Suffix 832! 50lbs for jigs, 30lbs for cranks.

Thanks guys, you've been very helpful! I'm going to go with a St. Croix Legend Tournament Bass-Small Cranker!

I just looked at these! Looks like an awesome rod! I think this might be the winner. A 7' small cranker might do the trick!

Good point