I am an amateur angler and i have an allright fishing rod that can somewhat sustain what i want to catch-around 12-13 inch bass. I would like to take it to the next level and get a better reel and rod but i dont know what makes a reel good and what makes a rod good. Im looking for 12-15 inch bass weighng .8 pounds to 5 pounds. :-?

[movedhere] General Bass Fishing Forum [move by] Low_Budget_Hooker.

What's your budget?

For an all-purpose outfit, the Daiwa Light-and-Tough spinning rod has remarkable latitude

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Daiwa Light-and-Tough Spinning Rod (6' 3" - Medium) $130

6 to 14 lb line <> 1/8 to 3/4 oz lures - 1 piece

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Shimano Symetre Reel (front drag) $100

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20 lb Braided Line

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Roger

Like natural said, we need to know your budget. Prices very for rods that can handle 15" 5lbers

Seriously though, you should base your rod choice on the techniques you are going to use it for, not the size bass you are targeting. I've landed big bass on an ultralite with 6lb line and with heavy action flipping sticks with 50lb braid. If you have your drag set properly, most rods will be able to handle decent sized bass.

Let's assume that you can spend 200 dollars total.

For a reel, look at the Abu Garcia Revo S, the Abu Garcia Ambassador 5500C3 or 5600C4, the Shimano Citica 200E. These are all quality reels that can be had for under 100 dollars if you shop.

For a rod, the St Croix Triumph or Mojo Bass will go for under 100 dollars. So will the Shimano Compre line, the Falcon Original, some of the All Star rods, and several more. Cabelas is having a sale on XML Casting rods. The best deal in the world right now. Shop around on here for a few minutes and see what's out there:

http://www.***.com/descpageCASTFALCON-FOGC.html

To have an idea of what rod to use, med, med-heavy, fast ect... read this:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1141187546

I cough a 5lb Big Mouth Bass with a $20. Zebco 33 w/10lb line.

This might help, but for specific recommendations, we need a budget.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1141187546

8-)

15 inch 5 pound bass?  Where you fishin...in your imagination?  

All kidding aside, before you set your budget, I'd highly reccomend  

allocating much more money for the rod than the reel, especially if you want a spinning set up.

A reel is nothing more than a device for line management.

The rod casts the lure, feels the bite, and fights the fish. Pick the right rod for the lure/type of fishing your going to do (which by the way, you should tell us as well) and you could duct tape a Snoopy reel to it slam fish till the cows come home.

However if your talking casting reels, then you might want to shift a little bit more money back towards the reel, especially if your just learning on one. Backlashes suck.

Well, I feel differently. Although the rod might be more important

in terms of "catching" fish, better reels make the "fishing" more fun.

On average, my reels represent 67% - 75% of the total cost of my

rigs.

As an example, a nice spinning combination would be a Shimano

Symetre 2500FJ with whatever "house-brand" rod is matched up.

The big retailers have their combinations on sale all the time, so

just be patient and NEVER pay retail!

8-)

The roadwarrior said it best, better gear just makes the fishing more fun.  I can catch the same fish on an $80 BPS brand rod and reel or $800 steez.  (I have both) The only difference is the steez is more enjoyable to fish but doesnt really catch anymore fish, however, it does allow me to fish longer.