G-Loomis so what?

Woah there...  I think, you might have misunderstood if thats your choices. Do you even know what to do with that rod?  I hear your not wanting to soak bait, so i'm guessing you want to toss crank baits, spinners, spoons or troll?  If you spend that much on a combo for just that, when you could have bought say 3 differnent medium priced outfits that you can use for probably all your freshwater fishing?  And you could handle trout, bass, stripers, catfish, stripers, etc with three differn't rods.

Thanks for the caution flag Al, but I have read all these pages of advice carefully and done lots of research elsewhere, and not sure what I misunderstand.  given your experience level, I'm hoping to learn.  I have a fair idea of the advantages of the gear above, but if you mean will I use it to its 100% maximum possible efficiency, then no I will not, for now, simply because I lack the experience.  If you are suggesting it "is too much rod for a newb" then you are probably right today, but I sure expect to grow into it, and I don't think it will take too long before I would realize the benefits.  I am looking at it the same way I do my car - I buy the best car I can, the most luxury and utility - why?  Because in sales, I spend a ridiculous amount of time in my car, as well as with clients, so it more than pays to have made that investment.  When I am in my yak or on the shore or wherever, my time is incredibly valuable, and limited, I want to maximize my fishing experience, and if that experience can be improved by a rod and reel that is a little too much for my experience level, but will last me well into a higher experience tier, then I feel it would also be a good investment.

All that being said, I thank you for your experienced input, and am going to think it through more, because your experience/points are valid and I appreciate it.  If you have any setup recommendations that might be a better fit for me, for the 3 styles you mentioned, that would be fantastic.

Also, compared to golf, or computer hobbies etc, a $400 investment in a rod I will spend countless hours of precious valuable time using and enjoying is not a big deal from my point of view.   

Yeah, not trying to harp on your decision or steer you away from quality products.  You buy that rod, and reel and you will have a fantastic combo for fishing for trout im sure.  But what i'm trying to say is that for that price, you could have three combos, and be able to target sooooooo many more fish than trout.  Nothing wrong with starting with one though.  But here is the rod i've used to catch probably a hundred trout by now.  Used in streams, from shore, and of course by kayak, for bait fishing, trolling (yes!) and tossing small spinners/spoons:  http://goo.gl/kjgaK in this size, and reel spooled with 4lb mono: SPL 1101    5'6"    1/8 to 5/8    4 to 10    2    Light    SP 56

Regular Price:
    $34.99

The other two 


http://goo.gl/hM0Yn A perfect medium combo: This solid, sensitive Shimano spinning combo is perfect for medium-to-light crankbaiting. Also good for trolling crank baits, tossing heavier spoons, minnows, trolling small dodger's, etc.  Think mostly trout, bass, etc, med. sized fish.
$149.98

Then a Med Heavy combo for the bigger game fish: http://goo.gl/e1mmm in the second to last or last config:  38-952-458-09    SE4000FD LEFT/RIGHT-HAND    5.7:1 10 LB/200 YDS TYS70MHS-2
HANDLE C    6-17 LB  1/4-5/8 OZ    7' MH   2-PIECE    
Good for big bass, stripers, catfish, carp, what ever big fish your looking to catch.
$99.98

Awesome Al, thanks so much for detailing those options - will be looking in more detail a bit later tonight.  Again , much appreciate all the input from everyone, and your points.

Any other suggestions very welcome.

Success as a fisherman is enhanced when you detect more bites, faster.  Because fish have no hands, when they investigate your bait or lure they often choose a sample "taste."   Sometimes they just nudge with their nose or "wash" water at a lure or bait to see how it reacts when that "wave" of water strikes it.  This is true for both moving and stationary baits and lures.
 
When fish "taste" a stationary bait or lure, they often move your bait or lure, sometimes carrying it toward you or at such an angle that your lure or bait feels as if it has lost weight - the nothing bite.  The better your rod is in telegraphing sensation to you, and the more tuned you become to these sensations, the more likely you will notice that slight change.  Set!

If you are moving your bait or lure by trolling or retreiving it, or if it is being moved by current, then it will have a characteristic "feel" in terms of vibration, resistance, and weight.  Sometimes fish immediately take off and often hook themselves.  Rod type and fisherman experience are largely irrelevant in detecting this bite.  Set! 

Sometimes fish happen to swim with a moving bait or lure in their "hands" [mouth or lips] with only a slight variation from the fisherman's perceived baseline vibration, resistance, and weight.  The better your rod is in telegraphing sensation to you, and the more tuned you become to these sensations, the more likely you will notice the slight change.  Set!

As you gain experience and your detection-reaction-habits become better ingrained, you will often set the hook and find a fish on the line for reasons that are difficult to express after the fact.  Without the most sensitive rod you can afford, you give away the opportunity to get trained.

Love the reel choice the rod seems a little 1 dimensional to me don't buy it from Cabala's before holding it at a shop with a reel on it. You might want to check out a  Shamino Cumara  CUS-72M little more versatile.
 

I say go for it bro. It is obvious that you have the money. This way you don't end
up like me having over 70 rods and reels from upgrading all the time. Also buying
two of everything does not help. I hear you about golf. A very expensive
hobby. When I got hooked into the game, I kept buying high end equipments like
Titleist, Callaway, Taylor Made, and Mizuno. A driver alone cost over $400 dollars
and a putter over $250. What about the rest of the sets? I guess when
it comes to a hobby, you can't really put any price into it.

Jedmo

I am considering this rod:

G-Loomis Trout Series

and this reel combo:

Stradic CI4 Reel

I'm with Jedmo, if you can afford it, buy it and enjoy it. As far as catching fish with it, don't worry about it. "It's  not the fish but the fishing that really counts" 

Jed's probably right.  Forget what I said and at least head down to some place like fishermans warehouse and have them help you select a rod and reel and see how it feels to you.  They have been more than patient with me in the past, showing all ranges of options.  Just tell them what you want to fish for, i'm sure they will have many suggestions for you.

Thanks guys - really nice community here.  My biggest drive, again, is to "feel" what's going on under water, this I think will make me a better angler for any environment and any game fish.  Before I replied earlier tonight, I was in fact, down at my local tackle shop and put a stradic on the G-Loomis trout series rod.  I have to say, the tip action and feel of the rod and reel combo was a beautiful balance.  I would love a "one rod to rule them all" kind of concept, I innately love the idea of ultimate utilitarianism, but I realize in fishing, the precision tool is often unique.  I get that some surf applications are best suited to less expensive gear, and that some fresh water applications don't improve your performance with expensive gear, but at the end of the day, I want to feel that single egg or lure "feel" the contour and know a bite from a weed.  Unless I am mistaken, that can be better achieved with a more sensitive and responsive setup.  You don't need a higher end setup to catch fish, but I do believe you will catch more, and more importantly, learn more, by being able to feel the true "lay of the underwater land."  Just my "newb" thoughts on an old art.

Yeah, it all seems to make sense until you watch your wife's 70+ year old father rip his $50 Big 5 driver 250+ down the middle every f'n time!

Get some good stuff and get it wet!

And good fishin luck never hurts either...

Hope to fish with you soon!

Actually, Al has a point. Maybe not so much in terms of absolute cost, but you might want to think about what you're doing more strategically, for lack of a better word.

I only fish for trout because bass aren't biting then <g>. Even so, I have three rods with me. Two for trolling and one for casting.

It's kind of the same thing for black bass, except the rods are set up for different kinds of lures ... usually three.  I've seen people here have as many as 7 rods with them ... waaayyyyy beyond my skill level, but they know what they want to accomplish and what it takes.

So you probably aren't talking about buying one combo, more likely something like 4+ to target both trout and bass. If you think you might want to fish Kokanee add one or two more.

It doesn't sound like you're too budget constrained, but it might wear on your enthusiasm if you weren't planning on spending ~$3,000 on *just* rods and reels as you get into the season.  If you know that going in it's no big deal.

Another caution. I started with spinning gear and after about three trips tossed it all  and switched to casting.

Ben

More good thoughts, thanks for the input.  Actually, I love casting rods, I just enjoy how they work.  That being said, I would like a nice ultra light spinning setup, a medium spin setup, and a nice bigger fish cast setup.  I want to hit some bass and catfish as trout winds down, and so I certainly plan to have multiple rods setup for specific tasks.  In the short term, I thought the spin setup might be most use, since it might be fun for trout and crappie and small fish year round.  I do want to tackle some catfish this summer, and as my yak skills improve, some bass.  I have been so tired of bass fishing from shore, it will be nice to get into some fishing from the yak. 

I have not reached a 100% decision yet, but I could certainly buy 1 nice setup, work with it, and in the short term, work with some med cost setups for the other applications.  Lots to think about and really, I deeply appreciate all the input.  In many ways, I am glad it is not easy, if it were, everyone would catch trophies all day, and it would be boring.  In everything I do I am to excel, and if I can find tools to assist in that learning, so much the better.  I love being out fishing, fish on or not, but I will always admit to the joy of my competitive side that slightly feels disappointed in a day where I did not learn, or did not win.     

Thanks guys - really nice community here.  My biggest drive, again, is to "feel" what's going on under water, this I think will make me a better angler for any environment and any game fish.  Before I replied earlier tonight, I was in fact, down at my local tackle shop and put a stradic on the G-Loomis trout series rod.  I have to say, the tip action and feel of the rod and reel combo was a beautiful balance.  I would love a "one rod to rule them all" kind of concept, I innately love the idea of ultimate utilitarianism, but I realize in fishing, the precision tool is often unique.  I get that some surf applications are best suited to less expensive gear, and that some fresh water applications don't improve your performance with expensive gear, but at the end of the day, I want to feel that single egg or lure "feel" the contour and know a bite from a weed.  Unless I am mistaken, that can be better achieved with a more sensitive and responsive setup.  You don't need a higher end setup to catch fish, but I do believe you will catch more, and more importantly, learn more, by being able to feel the true "lay of the underwater land."  Just my "newb" thoughts on an old art.

Hey, like the way you think. Yes, quality gear definitely enhances the experience, and possibly can help you put more fish on the deck as you progress.
Many beginners fall into the "one setup to rule them all", but I am sad to say that it does not truly exist. Thats pretty much what alot of the guys here are saying; by putting all your eggs into one basket, you are possibly limiting yourself in what you can do - although thats a perfectly good excuse to buy more gear 
I would definitely say that many surf applications are demanding on both equiptment and person, make no mistake. High end gear also has its place there. Don't be dissin my 1322 
Your setup sounds good for trout, and since you already played around with it a little and like the feel, roll with whatever you want - this is gonna be your baby. Having a range of setups to handle a range of species and situations also has its merits too, and more easily achieved with midrange gear. Really, all up to you - think about what you want to do, where you're going to be in a couple years, what you think you might get into. UL spinners are great for your stated purpose of throwing spinners/spoons/super small baits to trout, but not ideal for anything else besides maybe FW panfish.

I think you've got some great advice in this thread. I'll say that if you can afford a Loomis/Stradic combo then there's pretty much nothing on the market that is outside of your consideration. That combo should last you forever and will work great for trout, or even for finesse tactics on bass outside of heavy cover. You're going to love it. 

As you get more experience you'll start carrying as many as 3 or 4 rods on the water, each rigged for a different technique. My approach to this is to buy the best I can afford for each setup so that I don't have to upgrade/replace gear very often. Depending on my situation in life at the time, sometimes the best I could afford was an Ugly Stik Walmart combo, but as I've gotten older I've been able to buy nicer gear. Still, I have ended up with upwards of 5 fly rods, 6 fly reels, 22 different fresh/saltwater rods, and 15 fresh/salwater reels. But I'm a self-described gear whore.  Gear collecting can be addictive, especially if you like to fish for anything that swims and decide you need an outfit to cover almost every type of fishing there is!

Good luck and have fun!