What in yall's opinion is a good rod/reel combo for a beginner like me? Looking for something in the $50 price range, I know that's not a big budget, but it's just for a start

if youre going baitcaster id go with the abu Garcia black max. About 40 bucks. easy to use and honestly good quality. Pair it up with a Berkley lightning and its a great beginners setup. Id go with 7ft or about medium heavy to heavy. For spinning combos, the Quantum Octane is a nice setup. Again same sizes

As a beginner, is it safe to assume your have no exp. with bait casting equipment?

If so, get your feet wet with spinning gear. I can highly recommend a Pflueger Trion in the TR30 size for $39.99 from Walmart, with a 7' M Berkley Lightning Rod shock spinning rod, also $39.99 from Walmart. A little more than $50, but at $50 for an entire combo, your going to be pretty limited to some less than stellar gear. Where as the Trion/Lightning Rod combo, while being inexpensive, is not cheap junk, and will serve you well as you find your way.

I love my black max to be honest with ya. Its a backup and its rigged with sufix 50lb braid.  Works like a charm.  Keep an eye on the fishing flea market in here. There is always some good deals. And lastly, use the search on this forum about the question you have. It has been covered a bunch on here.  Good luck!

4 minutes ago, ww2farmer said:

As a beginner, is it safe to assume your have no exp. with bait casting equipment?

If so, get your feet wet with spinning gear. I can highly recommend a Pflueger Trion in the TR30 size for $39.99 from Walmart, with a 7' M Berkley Lightning Rod shock spinning rod, also $39.99 from Walmart. A little more than $50, but at $50 for an entire combo, your going to be pretty limited to some less than stellar gear. Where as the Trion/Lightning Rod combo, while being inexpensive, is not cheap junk, and will serve you well as you find your way.

X2.  Easier to get a low cost spinning combo that will be pretty decent than it is a baitcast combo.  Also the spinning reel can be mastered in a few minutes.  Not so with a baitcast reel.  Will take some time to get accurate, but you will be fishing instead of removing backlashes.

3 hours ago, ww2farmer said:

As a beginner, is it safe to assume your have no exp. with bait casting equipment?

If so, get your feet wet with spinning gear. I can highly recommend a Pflueger Trion in the TR30 size for $39.99 from Walmart, with a 7' M Berkley Lightning Rod shock spinning rod, also $39.99 from Walmart. A little more than $50, but at $50 for an entire combo, your going to be pretty limited to some less than stellar gear. Where as the Trion/Lightning Rod combo, while being inexpensive, is not cheap junk, and will serve you well as you find your way.

 

yep, yep and more yep

I have some Okuma Avenger spinning reels that I have just dogged and they are still going strong.  I fish a lot of saltwater as well and am just awful about remembering to do more then a quick rinse at the dock.  I have hooked a cat big enough to tow my kayak a few hundred yards with an itty bitty Okuma 500 series reel and it still works fine.  I think they are usually around $30-40 per, but I have had no complaints with mine and have only bought nicer reels because I can, not because I really felt I needed too. 

Please don't go cheap on a BC reel. It'll just frustrate you. I would recommend saving up and getting a Lews Lazer Speed Spool combo or the American Hero combo from Lews for around $90. 

19 hours ago, Western-Mass-Bass said:

I love my black max to be honest with ya. Its a backup and its rigged with sufix 50lb braid.  Works like a charm.  Keep an eye on the fishing flea market in here. There is always some good deals. And lastly, use the search on this forum about the question you have. It has been covered a bunch on here.  Good luck!

@Western-Mass-Bass What is this fishing flea market?

4 minutes ago, Ridi620 said:

@Western-Mass-Bass What is this fishing flea market?

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/forum/18-fishing-flea-market/

@Bluebasser86 thanks a lot. That is awesome!