[Pinck]

Hey guys,

Looks like this summer I'm going to have a lot of opportunities for fishing as my wife has taken up a summer position cooking at a camp, which means my home office will be moving to a cottage on a lake that is apparently pretty loaded with bass and pike. I played with a rod a bit when I was a kid over 20 years ago, but nothing since. Being the smart guy that I am, I decided to look for an active local online fishing community (hey guys!) and start reading any resources I can get my hands on.

I've been out twice this season with a borrowed entry level combo to "test the waters" and learn a bit first hand with the maintenance guy who lives at the camp. At this point, before going up there full time, I want to put a few bucks into my own gear. I figure I'll be hitting the water either from canoe or shore (it's a very steep drop off in front of the cottage) about 3 times a week, so I want something that isn't going to fall apart or frustrate me.

I'm looking roughly around the $100 range for a pole and reel, and will probably be buying from LeBaron since they are close and seem to have good prices. I also live a few blocks from a Canadian Tire, but will probably only be picking up smaller items there due to price and selection.

So based on my research, I'm thinking the following, but wanted to check with my active local online fishing community (hey, again) to make sure I'm somewhat on the right track:

Reel: Plueger President with Med-Light action http://www.lebaron.c...ueger_reels.pdf
Pole: Ugly Stik 6'6" Med action http://www.lebaron.c...re_uglystik.pdf

I know a lot of choosing the right gear is based on experience and preference, neither of which I have. That said, does it look like I'm at least heading the right direction?

Thanks guys!

John

[efka]

great setup.

i would go with medium "ugly stik lite" though.
and for reel i would go with supreme, little lighter and the ratio is higher. but if you don't it is still a good reel.

good luck fishing

[NADO]

its good as long as you are not going to want something of higher quality later, in which case i wouldnt waste your money on the lesser combo. For somewhere around 250ish you could get a shimano compre and a shimano symetre (the spinning combo I have) and I dont think you would really feel the need to upgrade. The rod also comes with a lifetime warranty, im sure other members could have a ton of other suggestions in that price range.

[Pinck]

Thanks efka and NADO, I appreciate the replies.

I was actually thinking of going with the Ugly Stik lite, just typoed my post. The spec differences between the two certainly make up for the $13 difference, and the reviews that I've read support that. Plus, the cork grip looks nicer (spoken like a true n00b).

As for investing in a combo that I'm not going to have to upgrade later, here's my thought process. When looking at many attempts of "which is better" posts and articles, it seems that specs often come down to personal preference. Since my preference is as non-existent as my experience I figure that an upgrade will be in my future regardless, which is why I'm looking at a $100 mid-entry setup. I figure after a few seasons I'll get a feel for what I like and don't like in my setup and maybe get a chance to try a few other people's rigs, then invest a little deeper. That said, I fully reserve the right to kick myself later if I end up going for the compre/symetre combo. It certainly looks like a nice combo, and Shimano's reputation makes them a very attractive manufacturer to place my money.

Thanks for the recommendation on upgrading to the Supreme. I'm going to be flip-flopping over that for the next few days before I go out and buy I'm sure. The 50% price jump from the President made me overlook it, but now the weight specs keep staring at me. I'm sure a 30% lighter reel would help the combo be a lot more sensitive. Hmmm...

Thanks guys,

John

[SeanCrabb]

Nado makes a good point about spending a little more now. I have 3 Ugly Sticks and love them. With that said I am looking for a new rod myself right now. Go to Le Barons and talk to them. Tell them were you are going and you are really just starting out and give them your price range. They will set you up with what you need. Between everyone here and your local shop you will not be upset. Good luck and post some pictures.
Sean

[efka]

Plueger supreme is $97, you looked at supreme xt.
same here, even though i have better rods, i still use ugly stik lite 7' very often

[RedSkullz]

Ugly sticks are solid rods...sure they arent the most sensitive, but highly doubt that combo will let you down. I personally dont buy $200+ combos, mostly because i feel that the money is better spent on lures. (and alot gets spent there....)

[Blair]

.

[RedSkullz]

Blair- excellent, excellent post!!

[Pinck]

Thanks Blair, I certainly appreciate the insight from someone on the opposite end of the experience spectrum from myself.

As a musician, I definitely appreciate your points that quality gear doesn't mean quality results. The music world is full of people trying to buy themselves a magic guitar that will automatically get them gigs.

You've got me dead on with not being picky about species. I'm interested in bass and pike right now because that is what's going to be closest to me. After this summer, who knows what opportunities there will be for me to get out to a lake or river. May wait a few years for the kids to be of a good age so I'm not stranding my dear wife with the 4 little ones.

I figure this summer will be a summer of learning, and so I guess my advice is more based around what kind of gear will be good to learn on. I don't want to get frustrated, or have something fall apart because I don't know how to use it properly, etc. The durability reputation of the ugly stik is what sent me in that direction.

Anyhow, I appreciate everyone's advice!

Thanks guys,

John

[NADO]

Yes the rod doesnt have to be the best rod, but its always nice to be able to feel the blade of the aglia spin so you know you are retrieving it fast enough.

What is definately important is having a reel with a good reliable drag. Your drag is the first thing that will go on a lower end reel, im not sure about the Plueger President but Plueger is a good brand im sure it wont let you down for at least a couple years.

[chosen 1]

I think that you should spend what you can afford as for upgrading in the future it will more then likely you will want a second rod after you learn alittle more so don't worry about kicking yourself in the ass just get something to learn on.

[RedSkullz]

chosen 1, on 30 May 2011 - 04:39 AM, said:

I think that you should spend what you can afford as for upgrading in the future it will more then likely you will want a second rod after you learn alittle more so don't worry about kicking yourself in the ass just get something to learn on.

Yep...eventually you are going to want a lighter rod for bass and a heavier rod for pike especially if you get into big ones. I think your initial choice will do very well for both bass and smaller pike, but if you get into 10+ pounders your going to want a heavier action rod. I am one of the ones that doesnt believe you need a $200 rod/reel to catch numerous and big fish. I caught a 25-30 pound carp and 2 twenty pound cats on my medium heavy action berkley rhino($30) and a quantum snapshot ($40). Ive been using that rod for 2 years now and the reel for 5. I try to grease the gears/oil the bearings every year to keep the reel running smooth. If you see abu garcia specialist rod combos on sale at canadian tire for $29.99(every year they off the sale at least twice) buy it...truely a superb medium light combo that is an excellent rod for bass, trout, walleye, and even finess fish like perch and crappie. I caught a 30" rainbow in small water on that rod with 6 pound test this spring.

[getin]

RedSkullz, on 30 May 2011 - 10:10 AM, said:

............... If you see abu garcia specialist rod combos on sale at canadian tire for $29.99(every year they off the sale at least twice) buy it...truely a superb medium light combo that is an excellent rod for bass, trout, walleye, and even finess fish like perch and crappie. I caught a 30" rainbow in small water on that rod with 6 pound test this spring.

Thy were on sale about 2 months back and again 2 weeks ago. I bought two and caugt ~ 40 perch on one of them, in a recent outing. However, the paint on the reel broke off in several small patches as the rod hit slightly something. hope its stainless underneath otherwise it will rust

[NADO]

getin, on 30 May 2011 - 10:34 AM, said:

Thy were on sale about 2 months back and again 2 weeks ago. I bought two and caugt ~ 40 perch on one of them, in a recent outing. However, the paint on the reel broke off in several small patches as the rod hit slightly something. hope its stainless underneath otherwise it will rust

I got that setup too and the drag went on the reel after 2 weeks of bass fishing, got it replaced under the 30 day warranty and it broke again after a month. My experience tells me they cant stand up to frequent fishing.

[RedSkullz]

NADO, on 30 May 2011 - 08:08 PM, said:

I got that setup too and the drag went on the reel after 2 weeks of bass fishing, got it replaced under the 30 day warranty and it broke again after a month. My experience tells me they cant stand up to frequent fishing.

Thats crazy!! I have 4 combos and use them all the time from huge rainbows in the spring to big bass all summer and have never had any issue with drag. One combo i have been running hard to 4 years now and no issues. The only thing i have seen is the wearing of the paint on the bottom, which hasnt affected performance. I also use the reels on ice rods for about 15 outings on the average each winter.

[Pinck]

Well I pulled the trigger on the reel today when I saw the Canadian Tire 2 blocks from my house had the Pfleuger President on sale for $59.99. I also impulse bought myself some Sufix 832 that was on sale for $15.

I think I'm still leaning towards the Ugly Stik. Any opinions on 6'6" or 7'? Light/Med Light/Med?

Thanks again everyone!

[Blair]

[

[FrankTheRabbit]

Wow that's a great deal for the Suffix 832. I bought a Shimano Convergence fast action, med power, 7ft spinning rod for 40 bucks at Gagnons. Regular price is 70 bucks. Have yet to try it out, but for 40 bucks, can't go wrong.

I'm definitely heading to CT for that 832. I paid 25 bucks at Gagnon.

[Pinck]

So I'm having a boring Friday at work, so thought I'd follow up on this nearly 1 year old post. I wanted to give my thoughts on this Ugly Stik Lite + Pflueger President combo in case anyone else is looking to get this set up.

I had a fantastic opportunity to work out of a children's camp in Gracefield Quebec for the 2011 summer. As a result, I fished almost every day, and very often more than once in a day. I would get up early and fish from shore for an hour before "going to work" ("home" office that I moved up to the camp). I would often fish again right after I finished work for the day off of the docks, then occasionally go out in a boat after supper.

Since this was my only combo for the summer, it got a LOT of testing. So here are my thoughts:

- As expected, the Ugly Stik Lite is tough as nails. I got snagged very often on sunken logs around the lake. I was not at all gentle about dislodging my jigs from logs, and the rod took all the abuse I threw at it.
- The sensitivity of the Ugly Stik Lite could be better, but seems to be much improved from the regular Ugly Stik (which I had an opportunity to try a few times). When I caught a 3lb bass on the regular Ugly Stik, I was confused about what was happening. It felt more like I was dragging weeds, but they had a little too much life in them Overall, the experience seemed to be "muted" compared to what I was used to on the Lite version. That being said, I had the opportunity to use a Quantum Code (IM8 rod, heck of a deal at $40 on sale at LeBaron), and it was SOOO much more sensitive. When I set the hook I was able to feel the hook puncture, which I hadn't ever felt before.
- The Pflueger President held up like a champ. It is still a beautiful looking reel after all that use, and still as smooth as ever. The one problem that I still need to look into is the bail doesn't flip over as easily as it did at the start. I'll be doing a tear down of the reel soon and see if I can't get it back to 100%. Weight wise, I agree, it is a little on the heavy side. But for $60, I'd rather the trade off be in weight than in any of the areas where it excels.
- Suffix 832 - I mentioned elsewhere that I was having issues with frequent breaks, but I believe that it was just aging at an accelerated rate due to sometimes getting wet then dry up to 3 times a day. I played around with powerpro and nanofil, and will be going back to 832 since I preferred it out of the 3.

Anyhow, again, thanks to everyone for helping me get started!!!

Cheers,

John