Would like suggestions for beginner bass rods, reels and tackle.Hubby and I will be lake fishing in Central Arkansas from a double Kayak that we are equipping with a fishfinder/gps. Already confused just reading some of the posts about equipment as we are new to this (workaholics attemping life style changes) We want to start with two rods/reels apiece. Mostly interested in Largemouth and Stripers. Decently priced, durable, smooth functioning equipment suggestions please. 

What is your budget?

if you haven't really fished that much before, i would suggest a spinning rod for your first season.

 

if each of you got 2 rods to cover the basics, i would recommend

 

1. 7' spinning rod, Medium action paired with 15lb braid or 8lb fluorocarbon. a 2500 size reel,

2. a 7' spinning rod Medium-Heavy action paired with 20lb braid or 12lb fluorocarbon line, 2500 size reel

 

some good rods around $100 are- *** *** black, abu garcia veritas, st.croix mojo bass, shimano compre. you will be happy with any of those series of rods.

 

some good reels are- abu garcia orra sx, pflueger president, shimano sahara or symetre.

 

line-  i would go with seaguar, sunline, yo-zuri, power-pro or suffix

First of all "Welcome" to the forum.  You are going to get many answers suggesting many different brands which is not going to help you with your decision.  There are many, many good options....even in the same price range.  You may or may not like a 7' or longer rod fishing out of a kayak.  Some don't.  Never fished from a kayak, so I have no opinion on suitable rod lengths.

 

Price is always desirable to know.  You will then get options within your price range although at least one person will suggest items costing much more.  Sorry.  Name of the game. 

 

Right now the *** Omens are a hot ticket in the $100-$110 price range.  No experience with them, but sure want to.     I have a couple Falcon Originals (same price range) that I like a lot.  Stop at a local Walmart and look at the Falcon Bucoo and Daiwa Jupiter rods.  I and a few others feel that the Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth rods are a great buy even at full price (about $130).  I hate to start listing rods brands cuz there are so many good ones.  If you want to spend more, look at St. Croix Avids and up, Gloomis IMX and up, Dobyns Champion and up, Phenix Recon and up, Shimano Cumara and up, Powell Max and up etc., etc.

 

Spinning reels are easier to learn.  My daughter leaves her's at home and fishes with a Chronarch 101A and a 6' MH pink rod built by DVT.  A Fast action rod is going to be the most versatile (for me anyway).  If going to throw a lot of crankbaits, then a Moderate or Moderate Fast would be better.  I fish crankbaits on both Moderate and Fast rods.

 

A Pflueger President would be an excellent low cost spinning reel to start with.  Want to spend more, then look at a Shimano Stradic FJ or Pflueger Patriarch.  If you want a baitcast reel, then the new Diawa Lexa is getting good reviews as is Lews.  Vast majority of my reels are magnetic brake only, but I usually suggest a beginner start with a centrifugal or dual braking system.  The Curado is a great place to start

 

However, there is absolutely nothing wrong with using a Zillion for a first reel.  :teeth3:

 

Cover and weight of lures should determine the power of the rods you buy.  A 6'6" to 7' Medium or Medium Heavy is a good starting rod.  If going with one spinning rod and one baitcast rod, then make the spinning rod a Medium and the baitcast rod a MH.

I see other people have talked about rods and reels, so I will touch on lures. If you go to bass pro or another tackle story-which you will have to- you will see more lures than you can believe. And I say, honestly, for now don't bother with them. To start out with, but some 4/0 EWG hooks and various size bullet weights. Next, start out with two packs of senkos. Buy the 5 inch ones in green and another in black (fish weightless). Next, buy some ribbon tail worms, same colors as before. These two lures are great starting points and are very versatile. Lastly, buy one spinnerbait. Buy one with a white skirt, tandem blades that are indiana and willow, gold and silver. This is a very easy and versatile lure to fish. That is all you need to start out with. Watch a few videos on here to learn how to fish them, and also read these: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/60793-best-of-bassresourcecom/ as well as http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/13845-guaranteed-to-catch-bass/page-14?hl=%2Bguaranteed+%2Bto+%2Bcatch+%2Bfish#entry1193546  get out on the water! Have fun and good luck!

I see other people have talked about rods and reels, so I will touch on lures. If you go to bass pro or another tackle story-which you will have to- you will see more lures than you can believe. And I say, honestly, for now don't bother with them. To start out with, but some 4/0 EWG hooks and various size bullet weights. Next, start out with two packs of senkos. Buy the 5 inch ones in green and another in black (fish weightless). Next, buy some ribbon tail worms, same colors as before. These two lures are great starting points and are very versatile. Lastly, buy one spinnerbait. Buy one with a white skirt, tandem blades that are indiana and willow, gold and silver. This is a very easy and versatile lure to fish. That is all you need to start out with. Watch a few videos on here to learn how to fish them, and also read these: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/60793-best-of-bassresourcecom/ as well as http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/13845-guaranteed-to-catch-bass/page-14?hl=%2Bguaranteed+%2Bto+%2Bcatch+%2Bfish#entry1193546  get out on the water! Have fun and good luck!

 

I agree.  Didn't have time to get into lure selection.  When I visit Florida, we throw 10" weightless worms back into the lily pads and weeds at least 95% of the time.  My brother-in-law likes a #11 Rapala.  I made a believer out of him last year using a yellow/green skirted spinnerbait with a gold blade and silver blade by landing 4 in a row with not many more casts than that.

 

Locally the spinnerbait is my favorite lure.

Hmm...

 

Tell me how much you want to spend and I will give you some VERY specific suggestions

on rods, reels and baits. I am in Memphis and fish lakes throughout the Mid South. That

means mostly the Tennessee, Mississippi and White River systems.