Rod & Reel Combo - Thumbs Up; or, Thumbs Down

Lots of money invested putting together a rig to hit the water; now, need a rod and reel (or two).  I know rod and reel selection is a science like everything else - for now, I can only swing an entry-level combo.  I'll invest in better rods and reels at a later date.  That said, would this be a good entry level rod and reel combo for bass and trout fishing?  Should I get light or medium weight?  What rod length?  If it would be more adventageous to have one "of these" and "one of these" then I'm open to that also.

Thanks in advance!

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Pflueger174-President-Spinning-Reel-Combo/739562.uts?destination=%2Fbrowse.cmd%3FcategoryId%3D104762880&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104793480%3Bcat104762880

Go with what you already have, if you have one(or 2, or 3  . i'm a cheap a$$ and burned EVERY reel i had in my collection from the shore days before i spent more $$$. I did however braid them up, it's almost a must on the yak, andIneverWENTback!

I'm not much of an authority on anything, but I recently bought one of the President 6735 reels which is the one they put on the 66 med combo and it's an excellent reel for the price (IMO). 

I'm with Adam in that for now a use what ya got approach will do, cause it'll get you fishing sooner rather than later,

I have only been fishing for two years, so I sort a similar situation. When I moved to California I just decided I wanted to learn how to fish. With no family or friends to go to for advice I went to local tackle stores and asked tons of questions. One of the best pieces of advice I got was to buy a $25 rod and reel combo from Wal-Mart (in a close size to what I was fishing). By buying a cheep one I could figure out what I liked or disliked about it size, weight, action. Then upgrade when I could not stand fishing with such a piece of crap. I still do it. My fly stuff is cheep, trout is just a little nicer, and my striper/salmon/bass gear is just about top of the line $350-600 each rod/reel.

My advice rock with what you have, or pick up the cheapest thing that will get the job done, and upgrade when you can't stand what you have. That way you will know exactly what you want.

Ryan

start cheap, the gear will work fine. I would spend$ on good line you'll notice the diff.

Thanks guys good informaiton to consider.  I'm in the same boat as Ryan - pretty much decided I want to learn fishing beyond what I've done in the past.  Bass and trout is my goal - and I definatley want to work my way up to it.  That said, I gotta buy me somehting - I like the go cheap figure it out and grow as you go.

So the looming questions I have; would you recommned light weight or middle weight rod?  What length rod would you buy?  Get me past that hurdle and I'm on my way!

I would pick two different rods for tout and bass, the way I fish. Go for a medium light (or just medium) 7ft rod fast action spinning. It will be harder to do super light stuff and trolling for trout, and your bass presentations will not be clean. But it will be great for kastmasters, spoons, jigs, crankbaits pretty much any hard bait or lure, and plastics with a little bit of weight.

sounds good - thanks for your help.

If I were fishing for Bass and trout mostly I would get a Medium heavy bass rod 7 ft with a bait casting reel and a 6.6 or 7ft med light spinning rod. I choose that bass combo cause I do a lot of bass fishing and I believe that would be the best all around rod. You can put 8 or 10 lb line on it for smaller more finesse fishing or load it up with 15 to 20 for more heavy cover and larger lures. and for a trout rod I said Medium light. Reasons it will troll well and have good action with small flasher and a lure or be good with ( I hate to say it ) Power bait :smt011Sorry if I offend anyone I am a lure guy. Also you could you it for drop shoting for bass.

I would also recommend this:

Fill your spool with braided line (I use sufix) and then tie on whatever mono you want to use on top of it (top shot). Here's an article on it.

http://www.bhptackle.com/pages.php?pageid=11

As an example, I have a rod and reel set-up that I use for my "all purpose" tackle. It's an 8 foot lamiglass rod with a shimano reel that's loaded with 20# sufix braided line. And if I feel like fishing for perch, I'll add 20 feet 6 to 8# mono (mono length is whatever you desire) to it and if I want to fish for stripers, I'll change the top shot mono to 12# mono. If I fish for lite tackle rock fish, I'll switch the top shot to 20# mono. So basically, you no longer have to worry about getting an extra spool. Simply replace your top shot to the fish specie that you are after.

That combo you had suggested is not a bad enty-level Kenny. I would go with it
just simply because that setup may last you a while versus some super cheap
combo that may only allow you to fish a few times then it falls apart on you. Good
luck.

Jedmo

More input - awesome!  Thanks!

I have a light ($30) rod reel combo now.  I think I'll get the medium 7' that I posted a link too and go from there.