Rod/Reel Set-Up

Another newbie here. Looking to purchase my first rod-reel set-up for kayak fishing. Thinking about a Penn Fathom 30 or Avet LX Reel. That would put me at the top end of what I want to spend. I would consider something for less $$$. As far as rods go, not so sure. Ugly Stick Tiger seems to come a lot as a starter. Any input would be appreciated.

Which Fathom? Lever drag or levelwind?  Levelwind aren't bad for beginner reel.  You don't have to worry about keeping line even on hot fish.  Can't go wrong with ugly stick either.  I use a squall20lw and ugly stick tiger for trolling basic setup but it's reliable as hell.

The fan favorite is the Shimano trevala in md/mh

Uglystick Tiger is a great choice, many of us use them.

Uglystick Tiger is a great choice, many of us use them.

Yes, Ugly Stik Tiger Lite 7ft MH or H, I like casting rods better.

Reel? Depending on your budget. I'll let others chime in. Get something light and easy to control one handed. I like low profile baitcasters for this purpose.

I'm really digging my Trevala ML Jigging Rod combined with a Kast King Royale Legend Bait Caster

tiger lite if on a budget, or trevala as others have said.

for reel, try a shimano TR100G.  they are composite reels but a very strong durable workhorse.  can be had for about $70

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This setup looks hard to beat for the price:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shimano-reg-TR-G-Cabelas-DepthMaster-reg-Trolling-Combos/739309.uts

Note the $10 discount code on the right side of the page for orders of $99 or more (this combo costs 99.98 :0)!

Just to confuse the decision making,..
I bought a Ugly Stik tiger rod 7' mh as a back up rod...yes it was econimical...but I'm  not fond of this rod..
It's kind of a broomstik....maybe I should give it another go since others seem to have better views of it..
But if I could do over....id spend a little more and get the Trevala jigging rod.
Way better satisfaction over cost savings

It is kinda like Vegas...spend all your money the first night, so all you can do is walk the strip and watch pirates fight. Get home, tell everyone about your fun, relaxing Vegas trip...


Or


Sit second row back in the strip club and have a blast watching the idiots in the front row throw away all their cash, but in the end, you get the lap dance at closing time!

Personally i have an avet and do not care for it all that much i prefer my trd lever drag over them and ugly sticks is never a bad choice they dont break

+whatever on the Ugly Stiks. I prefer the medium to the MH -- I have both in 7' casting models. As someone said, the MH feels like a broom stick. My only complaint with them is that the handle is too big. I had to upsize the PVC I use for rod holders on my crate when I switched to these rods.

Good luck on the choice.

Cheers,
Brad

I'll just toss in the "go cheap for your initial purchase"

saltwater can play hell with gear

Penn reel/ugly stik rod combo is how many got the bug.

I'm using top end gear now, but i would have ruined it back when i began

Beware: high sticking with travala rods. I've broke 3 of them already. Luckily they were under warranty back then. Shamano stopped the warranty program a couple years back.

As for avet. The reel is wide open when open so salt gets in there quick. I've had to service mine every year with big drag issues.

Now I'm ussing the shamano tr1000, its held up better. However had to replace small parts every one to two years. But rarely gets dirt and salt in the bearings. I love my tiger mh ugly stick,that thing is a tank.
But I'm not really concerned with sensitivity.

Just to confuse the decision making,..
I bought a Ugly Stik tiger rod 7' mh as a back up rod...yes it was econimical...but I'm  not fond of this rod..
It's kind of a broomstik....maybe I should give it another go since others seem to have better views of it..
But if I could do over....id spend a little more and get the Trevala jigging rod.
Way better satisfaction over cost savings

Sounds like a seasoned visitor of the "club"

It is kinda like Vegas...spend all your money the first night, so all you can do is walk the strip and watch pirates fight. Get home, tell everyone about your fun, relaxing Vegas trip...


Or


Sit second row back in the strip club and have a blast watching the idiots in the front row throw away all their cash, but in the end, you get the lap dance at closing time!