I have a feeling this is just the beginning.  My first bass outfit.  I think I got a pretty good deal (from respected sellers) on ebay after the microsoft 10% cashback.

G LOOMIS BCR803 GLX FISHING ROD $270

2009 Shimano Citica 200E Casting Reel $90

I may want to upgrade reels later, but I'll see how this works.  What 14 lb test should I use with this outfit?

David

Not bad for your first setup. Both of those choices are really good. I am no Shimano fan by any means, but the citica is a good reel. You should be happy with them.

Go 50# braid. I switched this year to all braid and absolutly love it. Casts really nice, not much if any line twist and nice thing about it. If you get caught up in anything yank on it like an animal and 9 out of 10 times you will get your lure back.

Sweet setup, hope it catches you some fish!

That's a very nice first set-up. I would go with Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon or Sunline FC Sniper for the line.

You dun goooood!

I suggest #12 Yo-Zuri Hybrid (.010" diameter, 19.5 lb test).

8-)

I haven't really considered braided line.  I might try fluorocarbon though.  

These forums are really great.  It just took a little reading to figure out what people liked here.  I'm very impressed with this forum.

David

go PowerPro braid, you'll never look back.

wow,

for a first setup, that mighty sweet my friend........

your next one will be somthin' serious for sure ;D

i prefer braid,

but to each his own.

I just read some about braid, and it seems like some people recommend special rods with different profiles for braid.  Is that ridiculous?

David

Hmmm... I think there might be something wrong with that setup.  Send it to me and I will gladly try it out for you to make sure it's a good combo.  

Joking aside, that really sounds like a sweet setup. Congrats. If this is your first rig, it is going to probably be very hard for you to fish with lesser rods.  

Athens, AL - Darn you have some fine water near you to fish! My wife is from Athens, AL and I am looking froward to the next visit to her relatives. Yo-Zuri Hybrid  is a very good line for that setup.  The reel is a good one to start, you will probably upgrade it soon. That GLX rod is awesome, it will surely spoil you forever, hope you have a good job cause you will be buying more GLX's soon.

Good Luck and enjoy the fishing with that Rod! 8-)

sounds like a great setup, good luck with it.   ;D

Hmmm... I think there might be something wrong with that setup. Send it to me and I will gladly try it out for you to make sure it's a good combo.

Joking aside, that really sounds like a sweet setup. Congrats. If this is your first rig, it is going to probably be very hard for you to fish with lesser rods.

your a good man looking out to help others lol.

    Your first setup is better than my last setup will ever be!

     

    BTW, for the line I would go with Berkley Trilene XL in 12 to 14 lbs. test.

Mono - Stren Original

Fluoro - BPS XPS or 100% Trilene

Braid - The new Fire Line Braid

Mono - Stren Original

Fluoro - BPS XPS or 100% Trilene

Braid - The new Fire Line Braid

this guy speaks the truth 8-)

Go 50# braid. I switched this year to all braid and absolutly love it. Casts really nice, not much if any line twist and nice thing about it. If you get caught up in anything yank on it like an animal and 9 out of 10 times you will get your lure back.

Or break your rod.  Or cut your hand.

For your first set up, I would not use braid, Spool that badboy up with good old fashioned Stren Mono! Braid is great for jigging, but has a tendency to bury itself in the real after catching a decent fish and screwing you on your next cast. The mono will give you time to get used to the real and be VERY forgiving. Flouro will snap right at the real after a few overruns. When you are ready I prefer P-Line flouro 12-15lb. I also opt for PowerPro Spectre 40# in the braid department.

Just to give you an idea. The 6 1/2 bass in my Avi was brought in on 6lb Yo-Zuri hybrid.

x2 on the Mono - I prefer 15lb Trilene Big Game.  It is cheap and hasn't let me down in 10 years.  Once you get the hang of mono then you can switch to more specialized lines that tend to be more finicky on a baitcaster.  

nice set up.i love my citica.i have 12# big game on mine and i don't have any problems.try to stay outa heavy cover though

Braid is great for jigging, but has a tendency to bury itself in the real after catching a decent fish and screwing you on your next cast.

6 of my 8 reels are spooled with braid or a fusion and not one of them has this problem.  Just my experience, but if it were so prevalent one would think it would manifest itself on at least one of my reels.

Congrats! You done real good!

You will LOVE that rod....amazing.

Gotta say, I am "hooked" on the Yo Zuri Hybrid as well. roadwarrior recommended that line, 6 and 12, for me earlier this year and I am have been SO impressed. It's the best all around line I think.

Very nice setup choice

I started out with mono and stayed with it for many years.  It was good line, held up strong, did on occasion break but thankfully never with a good fish on.  Wind was a bit of an issue since it tends to float so it gets blown around and keeps my lure from sinking like I want.

Then this year I began using fluorocarbon after many years of nothing but mono.  Sensitivity increased for sure, I stay much more in contact with what the lure is doing at the moment.  Also I don't have as many problems in the wind as I used to since the line naturally sinks.

That said, next time I spool up (this coming winter when I replace all my lines) I plan to get some Yo-zuri Hybrid.  I've read so many wonderful things on this line, how it's tougher than fluorocarbon and resists fraying more.  I've just got to try it.  I've not had any problems with fluorocarbon but my brother in law who got me into using it says that if it frays or gets a nick in the line then it will snap and cause you to lose a good fish or a costly bait.  Don't want to take that chance.  

I can't really recommend a line 100%.  I'll just tell you my experiences and let you take them for what you get out of them.