LAO162

Yes, I am thinking about casting distance vs control. And its funny, the 1 foot difference seens so large, yet 6 inches seems so small :-? So, the 6'6" has been my compromize. Plus, it's $10 cheaper less expensive for the Premier Hot n Tot - it's interesting you said the shorter rods were more sensitive. It makes sense in the that vibrations have less distance to go. I'd been thinking that longer might be more sensitive due to some kind of leverage factor. Wish I'd paid more attention in Physics I love the multiple rod idea, it's but hard to justify for only a a couple hours of fishing per week. However, I've met the bait monkey ;D My budget has gone from about $60 to double that (or more)

This year, most of my fishing will be done from an open area, or maybe a canoe. The town pond where I will spend most of my "casual" time has no brush or trees around it. I guess a coupe a details I'm trying to determine is the any "realistic" benefits gained by going to 7 feet from 6 1/2 feet for the Premier. Besides the extra 6 inches I'd get another guide. Casting Distance Sensitivity Ability to throw small baits Ability to handle lighter line (probably 6#) Casting Technique Other Fishing Techniques that I have not practiced yet Fun factor with smaller fish Originally I was thinking 7', but if there is no "meaningful" difference, I'm now leaning towards 6'6" as a compromise. Thanks to everyone who shares their experience here at BassResource

Wow, your class sounds great. I'd sign up in an instance if you were in Western MA Leon

For a general purpose rod, how much difference does 6 inches make in the length of a Fishing rod? In my particular case, I'm thinking about a St. Croix Premier Medium action (2 pc). Most of my time will be spent casting from shore on open water. I was thinking about 7 feet to get a bit more casting distance, but the guys at the shop made 7 feet sound unwieldy. Thanks! Leon

Thanks LBH, obviously you liked the reel. I was thinking I might go with the Tierra Rod / Reel combo instead of a St Croix Premier / Daiwa Exceler (or Symetre) combo. Just trying to maximize my budget :)

Does anyone have experience with the Tierra Spinning Rods? They appear to have attractive features for a $60 rod. And yes, they spelled it DIAWA on the Daiwa website Teamed with an Exceler reel it looks appealing as a $120 option. Cheers!

Thanks Bass Mekanik. I've also been considering the Compre. You $0.02 is helping to validate the premier choice.

Thanks RW, more great information for us newbies. The insight into manufacturers specification was especially helpful.

Thanks for the confirmation Bugman

Th anks fourbizzle. I'm a fan of Shimano rods. I'd probably have to look at the Compre, though, in order to stay in my budget that includes a reel.

I'm loooking for a general purpose medium action spinning outfit. My budget is $150. Since I will be fishing on open water and would like casting distance, I'm thinking up to 7'0". I'd also like to have fun with panfish. A couple outfits that look attractive to me are: - Daiwa Exceler / St Croix Premier (locally) - Cabelast Tournament ZX / Fish Eagle XML I would prefer to buy locally since that is where I can do "hands on" and get advice about local fishing. Any thoughts you have would be appreciation. Thanks!

I'm not sure I like muddy's suggestion. Comments on option #1 from GMAN would lead to dangerous territory I'll have to consider Ronnie's idea some more. LCM, I'm envious of the boat storage solution. Thanks!

My 8yo daughter has recently expressed an interest in fishing. However, she won't listen to me since she can cast and therefore knows everything about fishing... 8-) Any suggestions for a fishing DVD that a child with the attention span of a minnow will watch? P.S. - I am motivated to keep her fishing. The more time I take her fishing, the more time I get to fish! : Of course, there's also the whole father / daughter bonding thing ;D ;D

Way back when I was fishing regularly I was single I and would just stick the rods in the back of the SUV and let them hang over the rear seat. However, now that I have a family I'm concerned about having the rods stick out inbetween my 18 mo and 9 year old daughters when we drive about an hour and 20 minutes to the in-laws cabin. They're pretty active.... That's why I've been considering 2 piece rods that would fit completely in the back. However, lately I've been thinking about the roof and like the idea of the rod carrier so I could get a one piece. Since I've been collecting tools recently, but haven't built anything I might try to build my own per Alpster's suggestions. Then again, it might be 2011 before I actually build something

Thanks Alpster, I was thinking rooftop was the way to go. And, if I'm making my own carrier I might have an excuse to buy more tools

How do you get your 1 piece rod to the fishing hole? Now that I'm thinking of going with the family, I realize that a rod would have to set inbetween the kids in the backseat. I'm envious of those of you who can walk or stow it in the back of your pickup. I'm expecially envious of the folks who can leave their rods on the boat. Cheers!

Wow, great service!

Thanks for the info on the Extreme. BTW, I have a Fenwick Eagle from around 1994. It is a 5' UL. It was a lot of fun with trout, but definately not for anything larger. Cheers!

As a teen in the 80's Fenwick was the brand that we all dreamed about getting. muddy_mann, I think I've seen that you are also a fan of the BPS Extreme. Where would guys place the Extreme relative to the Fenwick line-up. Thanks!

Thanks for the continued input. I'm already working on my next set of questions. I ask questions for a living, so I will have a hard time stopping ;D I should also disclose that I grew up fishing with fiberglass rods and 4000 size spinning reels from the 1960's. My next jump was to cheap, early 1980's technology. Thus, I don't always understand why factors like saving an oz. here or there is such a big deal. At the age of 8 I would fish one of those old clunky setups all day without feel tired. That said, I was in heaven in 1994 when I bought my ultra light & light setups in 1994 (Stradic 1000/Fenwick Eagle and Symetre 1000/Shimano Sensalite). They were really nice on the little trout brook, but pretty useless on the bass pond because the rods didn't have enough backbone. Hence, as I make next plunge into fishing gear I'd like to make sure I'm optimizing "function over form." Cheers!

Those both look pretty attractive. I'm a little uncertain about Pflueger as a brand, though. The President demo they had at my local Dick's had the smoothness of a meat grinder. I'm sure it had received lots of abuse, but it was the only one I've ever put my hands on... I could probably swing either of those (depending upon the results of the 2007 family budget). BTW, Why does is there so much emphasis upon the reel versus the rod when putting together a package? It seems to me that the rod would have more impact upon catching fish than the reel. Thanks!

One last question (not) If I can't stretch my budget far enough (which is likely) to go Symetre + Premier, which route would you go? St. Croix Premium / Shimano Sahara: $150 St. Croix Triumph / Shimano Symetre: $140 Thanks!!

Thanks Hot n Tot. At this point I'm not sure my budget would allow both the Symetre & a Premier (but I hope it will). If I have to cut costs would you move down to the Sahara (or comparable) or look at less expensive rod? Since I will not be doing a lot of "serious" fishing, I'm not as worried about the longevity of the reel. And, if I do wear the reel out, I'll have an excuse to upgrade ;D

Thanks riskkid. I actually handled a Premier yesterday(briefly). It was definately nicer than the less expensive rods in the display. I'm not worried about fishing around trees etc, but I have been wondering if 6' vs 7' makes a difference in a canoe. Also, I've been thinking 2 piece because it will be easier to transport. Gotta vent. Went to Sportman Show yesterday. Found a tackle dealer who was fairly close to home. When it got slow by his booth, I started talking to him about a setup. In the middle of our conversation he got a call. He took it and then left his booth without even acknowledging me... Since I'm getting such good advice here, I'll have to make sure I click the links from BassResource before I order online. Thanks again.

Thanks for the Welcome Skillet. I foresee a lot of panfish this summer... I do like the Symetre 2500. I'm not sure that my budget will allow for one. I actually have Symetre & Stradic 1000's from around 1994. I loved the way they casted. I might be able to swing something in the Sahara/Sedona, Daiwa Exceler or Cabela's new Tourney range. Since I won't be fishing a lot, I figure I should put more emphasis on the rod, and upgrade the reel in the future. What do you think. Also, any reason for me to go down to 6 feet or to medium light? Thanks!