I am going to buy a new rig for a new kind of fishing and don't know what to get. I have not fished for years, gave away all my gear, and now want to try out several small ponds near me. I went online and things have changed so much with gear I got overwhelmed with all the choices and new terminology. I don't want to buy more than one rig, I want spinning and I want to use mono.

I will be fishing lures only and from the shore. Problem is there are largemouth and they are my preferred target, but mostly I suspect I will be catching sunfish. Two separate rigs are the answer, but I need to do it with one. If I get one light enough for the panfish it might not have enough backbone to set a hook on the bony mouth of a bass. One heavy enough to do that might not cast worth a darn with sunfish lures.

I am looking at about $300 for my budget for rod and reel, and I greatly prefer Shimano reels. Any suggestions?

I have a setup that I use for light to moderate fishing. It is a St Croix Premier 7’ medium light rod with a Shimano Stradic 2500 reel. If you get something similar I think you will be fine.

For a versatile outfit that can be used both for panfish and bass I would go the medium route: in Shimano, something like a Nasci or Miravel 2500 reel and a Sellus seven footer rod in medium action. Those a new products so you'll be set for a while ... until you get the urge again.

Medium action spinning rod and 2500/3000 Shimano. Spend as little or as much as you want. 6 lb Suffix ProMix and off you you go.

If you go medium don’t go St Croix. I bought the medium and anything lighter than 1/8 didn’t work so I got rid of it and went ml.

Thanks guys, that helps.

People catch nice bass often while crappie fishing with little jigs, if you're hook is sharp no need to worry about sticking them. And different rod maunfacturer's may have the same rating but will feel different so if trying an unfamiliar brand, you may want to hold it before purchasing. This guy caught a 5 lber a few days ago on a 1.5" charlie brewer slider red/chartreuse

Dont overlook the slip float rig, it can give you better casting distance, and keep baits in the strike zone longer

I ended up getting the Shimano Miravel 3000 reel, Star Starlite 7' medium light rod, and 6lb Trylene and it has been perfect. Great fun with bluegill and crappie and small bass. Haven't managed to hook up with any largemouth over a pound or so but it will be fine if I get lucky with a larger bass. I had forgotten how much fun it can be fishing small ponds, even for small fish with light gear.

Thanks for info.

r 2 lbs but it will be fine for larger bass if I get lucky.