SportFishing and Charters Forum - Freshwater Rod Reel Shoot out

Hey guys
I have been mixing and matching all kinds of Rods and reels
over the years and sure enough my Buddy standing next to me can out cast me by 10 feet with the same bait ;?

Is there a "Guide or link" to a Rod and reel shootout / Comparison / What are you trying to accomplish ?
Then this is what you need type of thing out there anywhere?


Thanks
Tony

Casting distance is 90% technique and 10% equipment at best I would venture to guess your techique could use some work and if given the exact same tackle to use as those around you, your counter parts would still cast farther than you.

Work on your technique and then worry about the equipment

Hey good to know.
Were both using Bait casters and If I try to cast further I will Bird nest out,No big deal I am piloting and move myself where I need to be anyway.
This post is also for a novice friend of mine at work who is
going to Canada for the first time with his family (13 - 60) and needs 5 rods and reels.
I did a google search and STILL could not come up with
a Resource for Picking one rod and reel over another?
Could be your right....It doesnt matter!

Thanks
Tony

Like Dingbat, I think it's more skill and technique than equipment. (assuming that you both have decent quality gear to begin with) Practice, practice and then go practice some more............. It'll eventually come to you, slowly but it'll come.......

Ugly Sticks are $30 a pop, and your buddy can buy some pretty decent spinning reels for close to the same price. The learning curve may be a little steep with baitcasters if they aren't used to them. A M/H 6' rod is a good all round choice for freshwater game fish. I just bought a 6' Medium action Ugly Stick and its a little sloppy, definitely prefer the Medium/Heavy. Also, if he's going to have a crowded boat the Ugly Sticks are tough.

koolerb; Where do you buy ugly sticks for $30 a pop, and what spinning reels are decent for the same price?

I just bought a 6' M/H spinning rod at Cabela's, and a 6' M baitcasting rod at Bass Pro Shops; both Ugly Sticks, $30 each. Just bought my wife a Daiwa 2000 Regal XI spinning reel, 10 ball bearings, extra spool (aluminum not plastic), $40. I picked up a new Mitchell 300X for $30. I don't think the Ugly sticks will have the sensitivity of the more expensive rods out there, but they're a great rod for the money. Over vacation last year a local outfitter up near Alexandria bay NY, talked me into my first Ugly Stick. I had a Berkley Lightening Rod picked out that was more money. He looked at all the kids I had in tow and recommended the Ugly Stick for durability. There is a lot of realy nice, reasonably priced fishing gear out there.

Koolerb: Thanks for the info on the rods and reels. I am trying to find a rod and reel for my fishing partner for his birthday. I told his wife I would recommend something for her to buy him. That 2000 Regal XI reel looks pretty good. The rod I am still researching the rod, but I may end up with an ugly stick. This outfit would be for trout and redfish,

Might want to bump up to the 2500 for trout and Redfish, it's a little bigger. And depending on how serious he is about fishing, an Ugly stick may, or may not be the right choice. They're tough, but they're not super sensitive. If he's a little more sophisticated, the Berkley Lightening Rods are a nice step up from the Ugly sticks. They cost a little more, but their nice rods. I’ve got one that’s about 18 years old, and I think it’s still my favorite. Good luck!

I've tried newer reels and always end up back to my Mitchell Garcia 300s. Pick one up on EBay for $15, and a crappy one for parts and you are done buying buying freshwater fishing reels.

if you're gonna get an ugly stick, spend an extra 10 bucks and get the ugly stik lite. cork handles, beefier guides, and a better feel.

for reels (i use spinning reels), i'd say the best bang for your buck is a shimano sahara. smooth, durable, and priced right at $59.99. if that's too steep, step down to the shimano sedona for $49.99. great bargains....go for the sahara, you'll never regret it. many guys here (chesapeake bay region) prefer the sahara over the more popular and more expensive shimano stradic.

as far as casting, i'd have to disagree on the 90% technique/10% equipment statement. while technique is important, it's also important to have decent gear. equipment does matter.......i'd say it's more like 60/40 technique and equipment. your gear needs to be well suited for what you're trying to fish for. then again, my opinion might be more reflective of the fishing i do.....might be a little different for different types of fishing.

if you have junk, you're gonna have a hard time making good casts. those perfect casts always seem a little easier with a good rod/reel combo. just my opinion.

chris