mathnerdm

Is it worth getting the shock (if it is more obviously) if I just plan on using fluorocarbon line? I'd assume the other benefits about setting hooks would still apply with non braided line? Does that sound right?

Good to hear! Then I think that's actually what I'll go with as opposed to a combo. Also, do you happen to know the difference between the regular lightning rods and the shock versions? I know the shocks are a little more, any idea why?

I actually was thinking I'll probably go with a lightning rod shock and the mettle, glad to hear you recommend it! I'll defiantly go check out your post.

Well I heard that the Berkley Lightning Rod Shock is a good rod and reasonably priced, do you agree? And what do you or anybody else who can offer ANY opinions think is a good reel for preferably under $50 and as far under that as possible.

Just a quick question about what yall who've owned/handled one think about the pinnacle platinum plus rod and reel combo. They have one at walmart for $60 so I'm thinking about picking one up. What do you think?

Also, I know it's a little more, but how about the Abu Garcia silver or black max combos? How do those compare to the 3 I listed?

Ok so I'm looking at some multi-purpose budget baitcasting combos and I've narrowed it down to 3 rods that I could get right now if you say they'd be good. All in the $50 price range. I posted another thread earlier, but now that I've found some, I wanted to start a new one. I know you get what you pay for with these cheaper combos, but it's all I can do at the moment. The 3 I'm looking at now are--- BPS Megacast - http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-MegaCast-Baitcast-Combos/product/1209250541494/ Pinnacle Inertia (Special edition I think?) - http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_424003_-1__?N=78002898&Ntt=pinnacle+inertia&Ntk=All Pinnacle Inertia XT - http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_761755_-1__?N=78002898&Ntt=pinnacle+inertia&Ntk=All All Medium Heavy action and 6'6". What I'm asking for is which do you think would be the most reliable, least likely to fall apart in my hands, and just best quality for what you're paying. If you have ANY experience with these rods/brands please let me know what you think and which would be the best. Thanks!

My apologies, it was late and I just wanted to post that before I went to bed lol... Yes, I'm using a cheapo Spin-cast medium action ugly stik but plan on getting a new rod in the next few days. I'm actually just posting another thread about a few rods I'm looking at so if you wanna check that out, please do!

So let me start by saying, I'm brand new to bass fishing (and yall have been awesome on this forum)... Keeping that in mind, here's my question. So I went to a lake I've never been to around here tonight. I went with a couple spinnerbait I wanted to try, some senkos (t-rigged), and my buddy with nightcrawlers. We got little to no bites. We moved a few times to different parts of the lake with no success, with everyone around us sharing the same luck. Even with my buddy dangling nightcrawlers off a hook got no nibbles. There was some activity, while most seemed further out, we were stuck on the bank with no boat. Is it possible this lake doesn't do well at night? We just weren't out far enough? Or maybe I just have a lot too learn... oh wait, I knew that already lol. So what's that sound like to you guys'? Also, I'd like to find a good lake/river around here for bass fishing, but have no idea how to start. Is there an easier way than just trying every lake/river till I find a good one? When asking, "Where do you fish?", the response usually goes something like, "Not anywhere around here.". I've looked at fishing reports for lakes in the area, as an example ---http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/fish/recreational/lakes/canyon/--- and if it says like in this one that largemouths are good, does that really mean much from your experience? Just any tips you could also give on where to find a good lake or river would be awesome! Thanks and have a nice day!

That's good to know! And when you're reeling in your lure, does your rod flex like I was describing mine? Or is that a sign of too light of an action rod?

So I'm a newbie, and went out with 3/8 ounce spinnerbait for my first time tonight (I lost one first cast when I tried to set the hook...) And before I go on, lemme say, fishing with spinnerbait compared to plastic worms is ridiculous, feels like I got a fish on it the whole time! The one big thing I noticed was, if I start to reel it in quickly or pull my rod back (kinda like simulating setting a hook) the rod has a decent amount of bend. 1)Does that mean my rod is to light and I need a heavier action rod? Or is this normal with spinnerbait? 2)Another question, since I didn't manage to catch anything with the spinnerbait, how do you detect hits with a lure like that? Do you just feel it? Because when I'd drag it on the bottom, I couldn't really distinguish if it was just getting snagged on a rock, or actually being bit. Maybe if I actually got more than one definitive bite I'd understand, is it just something you'd know when it happens? 3) One more thing somewhat related to my second question. Is it a good idea to watch for hits by watching the tip of the rod when the sun goes down? That's about all I could see was the tip of the rod against the moonlit water, so that's what I just watched for sudden movement. Good idea? Or would I not detect it that way? Sorry if this is poorly written, but needed to type it up quick. Thanks and PLEASE any of your guys' advice would be awesome!

Good to hear! Going out tomorrow so just wanted to make sure I'm not missing something. Thanks for the replies!

Sorry if this is in the wrong forum, wasn't really sure where to put it. Just a quick question, what's your guys' experience with bass fishing in the evening? I'll be bank fishing at a lake if that matters. Any tips you have for fishing at night? Do spinnerbaits and plastics still work well? Thanks!

Yup, that'd be it! With what you said in mind, I'll probably just go with working around that, just go with the tried and true method.

Can you check out this thread I just started about another rod/reel I just found on sale at my academy. Has good reviews and seems to be EXACTLY what I'm looking for. I know I seem to be pushing for cheaper, and I know I lose a lot with that, but for now it's what I have to do. And I figure it's better to get out on the lake with something cheaper than to not be able to at all, right? http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/123156-any-experience-with-this-rodreel/

Hey so I had another thread on what budget (and I mean budget lol) rod and reels yall recommend, the rod that seems like everyone could agree on was the Berkley Lightning Rod Shock. But before I go out and purchase that + the reel, this rod/reel is currently on sale and in that thread I had heard good stuff about Abu Garcia, so what do you think of this combo for a cheap set. http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_161411_-1__?N=78002898&Ntt=abu+garcia&Ntk=All Is a rod like this capable of using light spinnerbaits along with plastics like worms? Or are there really no rods that can do both? What I'd like is just a multi-purpose beginner rod. So what do you guys think?

So the berkley lightning rod shock seems to be the general consensus here. And how does this reel sound to go along with it? This is the reel I'm looking at http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_785505_-1__?N=273169066+10001&Ntt=reel&Ntk=All And this is the Berkley rod http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_613244_-1__?N=101394130&Ntt=berkley+lightning+rod+shock&Ntk=All Or this 7' http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_758703_-1__?N=101394130&Ntt=lightning+rod+7'&Ntk=All What would be more versatile, 6'6 or 7'? And would this Berkley rod/reel work well for heavier lures like spinnerbait as well as plastic worms? And would this rod reel combo compare to the berkley? http://walmart.com/m/phoenix;jsessionid=A5AD723CA0397C14276508F747259992#ip/Shakespeare-Ugly-Lite-Pro-Spinning-Combo/10298919?type=search I've heard some good stuff about Ugly stiks in terms of budget rods, so what do yall think would be best for what I'm looking for of what I listed, or of other similar priced items. I know it's tough to give me suggestions in this price range, and I'm sure one day I'll upgrade to a nicer setup, but for now something in the price range of what I have here is preferred. Thanks again!

Hey, I'm brand new to bass fishing (more or less fishing in general) and just picked up some tackle to try Texas rigging and spinnerbait. What I'm looking for is a good rod that could be used for fishing worms to spinnerbait, I know that's not ideal but I'm obviously not going to be tournament fishing or anything like that, just having fun at the lake. Is there any rod and reel yall could recommend for under $50 preferably? I also know just like anything in life, you get what you pay for, and <50 probably isn't much in the rod and reel world I'd imagine. But keep in mind, I'm just trying to have fun with it. If you could also link me to the rod on academy or walmart if that's not too much work, that'd be awesome! And if you can't find/recommend anything (or just don't want to, I understand) could you tell me what to look for in a rod and reel that could be used for worm fishing OR light spinnerbaits? I'd think a medium-heavy rod would make sense? If this is just a ridiculous question (a good all around rod AND reel for under $50) please do let me know. Thanks and appreciate any and all advice you can give!

So you're thinking it could be like an alternative to texposing? I read that thread, but still confused on what actually to do with it (or just work around it)

The worm has like a rectangular cut out on one side, what exactly is that for?

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Yum-5-Plastic-Senco-Style-Dinger-Watermelon-Pearl-Laminate/17620027 So for a 5" worm, you think 2/0 will be fine? The worms are just a little more than half as wide as the point of the hook to the furthest side, so I think that's what it should be (correct me if I'm wrong) And the way you broke the rigs down, deep, sure makes it a little less intimidating lol!

I'm always going to be bank fishing and this trip at a lake. Here's the tackle I picked up to try a texas rig (the spinnerbait is just something I also wanted to try) http://s1302.photobucket.com/user/micah796123/media/20130806_183842_zps98f17b21.jpg.html?filters[user]=136939379&filters[recent]=1&sort=1&o=0 The bullet weights are 3/16 ounce and I also plan to get some 3/0 gamakatsu ewg hooks before I go in case the 2/0 are too small. How's this look? Anything I'm missing for just a basic Texas rig? I know my noobieness is making yall just cringe as you read, but hey, I need the help.

Going out Friday evening so I'll let you know how it goes! Caught some bass in the past but it was more luck since I had little to no clue what I was fishing for. I'm also going to try spinnerbait, that and Texas rigging will be my project for the day. Let's hope it goes well! Were you using a weighted Texas rig?

Just wanted to say thanks again for all the help! Brand new to this forum and I've already gotten my money's worth (lol)! You guys rock.

So with a Texas rig, you want to put the weight right directly above the hook?