ok im just starting out fishing and need equipment. Im 16, 155 pounds, 6 foot tall. Ill be fishing in southeast Pennsylvania by Penn State University. What would be a good rod and reel, reel gear ratio, length of rod, weight of line, and tackle thats good for that area.

sorry for all the questions but i want to get it right the first time because i dont have that much money to waste. thanks.

eaglesfn68,

What's your budget??

It might also help to know what you will be fishing for.

Will you be fishing for bass? crappie? catfish? bluegill?

Will it be just for sport or to put some fish on the table?

Will it be bank fishing or from a boat?

rivers, lakes or ponds?

my budget will be proabaly around 100$ plus or minus a couple bucks or so. i be fishing mostly bass and some bluegill. It'll be just for sport, ill be catching and releasing everything. I'll be bank fishing rivers mostly but lakes and ponds sometimes.

also baticast or spinning

Hope this helps.

Go to BPS in Harrisburg, it is on 81 in resonable driving distance  and pick up a BPS Extreme Combo; they usually have em for 99 bucks

PS eagle welcome to the forum

As far as equipment $100 is a little tough for baitcasting but possibly could be done via the BPS combo route as Muddy suggested.

BPS is not top end stuff but might be one of the best bangs for the overall buck.

I personaly think I wold start with spinning gear.

I'd try either a Shimano Symetre for $79

or a Pfluegar President for $59 or a Shimano Sahara for about the same price.

For a rod, to keeep it in your price range I'd go with a Berkley Lightning rod in 6'6" or 7' M. Watch for better suggestions on rods from others.

 For a rod or both another option would be to watch the flea market on this forum.

Cart7 and Hawgin both sell regularly and I'd feel comfortable buying from either of those two. Look at the prev posts closely of who you intend to buy from before you buy from them.

I hope this helps more than hinders. Let us know what you decide and follow up on how it works out for you.

Oh Sorry I didn't think about spinning both reels mentioned above are excellent choices I'd also like to throw the Fenwick Eagle GT rod 6'6" Med action into the mix

Theres gonna be a lot of sugesstions, either way a road trip from State to Harrisburg will allow you to handle most of the suggestions as BPS is well stocked

Gander Mtn offers some "Guide Series" spinning reels at nice deals.  I believe they are Pflueger reels and I just picked one up Saturday.  It is a Guide Series Tournament spinning reel with 10 bearings (Pflueger President?) for $49+tax.  Shimano Convergence rods are much better then Berkley Lightning Rods, in my opinion, and around the same price of $39+ tax.  I don't know what the "warranty" is on Berkely rods but it might be better then Shimano's.  That may be something to look into.

You can find the Shimano Convergence rods at Cabela's or any Shimano Dealer can order it for you.  Very likely you'll find a Shimano dealer in your area if you look on their "dealer locator" on the Shimano website.

If you are not in a hurry and patient you'll find whatever you want on sale before too long.

The new Lightining Rod for 35 bucks is a great rod. I am talking about the newer model.  I got one from BPS about a month ago and it is pretty good.  A 6'6" would be a good size medium action. A good universal starting rod with a bunch of versatility.

Before you go to bass pro, check online at any sales they have and print the page for the items you're interested in. If it's not on sale in the store they'll mark it to the online price at customer service.

the pfleuger president is a good choice with the fenwick eagle gt series 6'6 M/F as muddy said. I just recently got both for a friend as a gift and debating keeping them.

I'd go with yo-zuri hybrid ultra soft 8lb line. if you've got the cash left over. I've been happy with cabelas pro line to. you get about 1200 yards for 8 bucks and if you don't like it they take back the whole spool, no questions asked.

what would you guys suggest is a good line poundage that can be used for almost everything.

ok guys i've decided to go with a medium action berkley lightning rod at 6 foot 6 inches and a Daiwa Regal Xi spinning reel-RG2500-Xi.

What are some good tackle choices?

ive bought a black/blue jig, a mustard/brown jig, a white spinner, a white buzz, and red/black spinner, and a black/chartuese crank. Are these any good and what else should i get.