ApexAZ

Yeah, while I wasn't ever a great fly angler, I was able to cast fairly well. I can't imagine baitcaster is that much harder to learn. Just that the knots end up in the spool instead of the leader. I also plan to get a left hand retrieve, simply because that's what I'm used to with fly rods and spinners and I haven't formed any hand switching habits. But I do like spinners too! I want both types! I've already committed to the baitcaster for now, but I'll plan to buy a spinner soon too and probably create a new post looking for some confirmation on combination when I have done some research and closer to being ready to buy.

I will be shore casting at first, but plan to buy a kayak in Q1 or Q2 next year. Obviously can't cover the same ground as a boat, but I do hope to be out on the water in the yak most of the time. Currently leaning toward the NuCanoe Unlimited, but that's probably a topic for a different thread. I live in Gilbert, so I'll probably be doing Canyon, Saguaro and Roosevelt lakes most often. But, I do want to do some trips to Pleasant, as well. Some time in the future I'd love to do some trips to Havasu and Mohave lakes. And of course, plan to do quite a bit of fishing up in Rim country in the summer months, but I haven't really researched what species exist in those lakes other than trout. I figured I'd cross that bridge when I get to it. Either way, this region specific info is super helpful!

You guys are awesome, thank you. I'll look into a spinning rod, as well. Thanks for clarifying the mono line benefits. Your opinions have helped me better understand pros and cons. I didn't realize mono was stronger; I was just thinking of it's buoyancy. I also read in another thread some like mono because it floats better and works as an indicator. Maybe I'll start with the YoZuri hybrid. How about leaders? I see people talking about leaders on baitcasters and immediately found myself wondering how the knot gets through the smaller eyelets. I assume this won't be as much of an issue with a spinner, but maybe? I guess I'll try both rod / reel types and a few different line setups. You guys have helped me narrow it down a lot, for which I am grateful! Thanks again!

I figured I'd get a variety of answers Thanks all for contributing thus far. Why would a spinner be better than a MH caster with a MLG spool? Even with advances in baitcasters, are spinners still better at lighter bait? One of the reasons the MLG was attractive to me was their claim it can cast light bait, as well as more heavy bait. I'm genuinely curious! I plan to get a spinner too, but then that opens a whole other can of worms (har har), because the intent was more oriented toward trout, but maybe I could use it for both? Why monofilament over flurocarbon? I remember from my fly fishing nymphing days we preferred flurocarbon because it sunk better. Is this not true for worms? Regarding the worm colors; this was a general question I was asking myself watching various videos. Does the color vary by region, or are those pretty universal and work everywhere? I don't even plan to buy any jigs initially, but I do hope I can fish them on the same rod eventually. Hoping to find a balance of finding 3 rods that can do most techniques, rather than having 15+ separate ones. Also, YouTube has been great, but I've found it to be very fragmented. Can anyone recommend some good books or DVD's that offer comprehensive instruction from beginner to advanced? Something that can teach all the bait types and the techniques used and when to use them, what type of line to use in various conditions, how to find fish, etc? I really appreciate everyone's advice!

Hi all, I have done some novice fly fishing for trout in the past, but want to do some lake and salt river bass fishing in Arizona and I don't necessarily want to do it on a fly rod. So I have several questions. I've been devouring YouTube content, but still a little lost when it comes to the huge array of tackle options out there, or even where to begin. Some advice I gleaned from YouTube is to start with worms followed by jigs. Would you experts agree? If so, the next question becomes tackle to do that. I want to keep the rod and reel around $600. Advice seems to really vary on whether to do a MH or H rod, so I was thinking a Shimano Expride B 7'2" MHF paired with a Shimano Bantam MGL as a good mid-price setup. Would this combination be good for worms and jigs, or should I go with the heavy? I figure the MHF rod can cast a range of 3/8 to 1oz bait. Would this be a good place to start with mid-range gear? What gear ratio should I go for knowing I'm a complete newbie starting with worms followed by jigs? I was thinking fast 8, but tackle warehouse recommended a 6. Thoughts on speed? Thanks all! Sorry if these are knucklehead questions. There's just such a dizzying array of options.