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What's the best fishing rod for a novice?

We live in North America. My son and I like to go fishing - we're not fanatics, but we like to go for a couple of hours a week. We don't do fly fishing - we do river fishing, and fishing off the edge of the lake. I realise rods can be quite specialised, but to start with we need something fairly basic and reliable that is right for the kind of fishing we want to do. What would you recommend?

Public Comments

  1. try a piece of bamboo and some string
  2. a net!
  3. Just go to a fishing store and ask for a combo set (rod and reel) for under ... [a certain amount]
  4. a good cane pole
  5. I have a Shakespeare Cirrus, it is about $23 and is my rod of choice. Great for novices and pros alike. Great durability (I use it everyday), great action, never knots up on you, and it very smooth.
  6. Go get a combo set up from your local sport store. Ugly Stick makes some decent, affordable rods. Shimano is also a great brand that has some combo set ups. I dont think any of the actual tackle shops in my area sell combos, you would have to buy the rod and the reel separately. Most of what they have are better quality, for various reasons, but also more $$. If its just you and your son going out to spend some time on the lake, and you are just soaking bait for trout, I would get a two piece set up (easier to transport). Look for a medium or medium light shaft with a fast tip (trout have really soft mouths so you dont want a super stiff set up or it will just rip the hook out the mouth on a hook set). Then once you get more hooked on it, you can start venturing to the tackle store, and purchasing more situation specific set ups. Just be sure to bring lots of cash, I feel like a kid in a candy store every time I go.
  7. Ugly Stik combo from Walmart.Will cost you $30 and is perfect for the casual fisherman.I've used mine to reel in channel cats in the 5-6lb range with no problems whatsoever.Drag works very smooth and you can catch panfish just as easily.
  8. There are a lot of combo rod and reel sets out there for everything you can possibly fish for. Prices vary according to the size of the fish and size of the tackle required to catch them. For fishing as you have described it, I would start you and your son out with closed face reels rather than a bit more complicated open faced versions. By all means, I would NOT start a novice out with level wind bait-casters which can be a study in frustration with backlash tangles, etc. In the closed face variety, you will find selections from Garcia-Mitchell, Daiwa, South Bend, and more. From my experience fishing with all types of combinations for more than 50 years now, I can HIGHLY recommend that you begin with Zebco 33 reels on a medium action rod. Here again, Zebco makes an ideal matched combo that the majority of the dealers sell, and the prices are more than reasonable. I have found the quality to be unsurpassed, and the capability of the rod/reel set to be up to almost anything I care to catch in freshwater. I have taken some pretty big fish (salmon, muskellunge, & carp up to 25#) over the years with my own "33" and my oldest son still prefers it to all the other tackle types we have (more than 18 "working" rods and reels for all kinds of fresh and saltwater fishing.) There are some less expensive models of the Zebco closed face, or push-button reel such as the 202 or 404, but I do not recommend them as they are not as durable and well made as the more professional "33" version. Have your dealer demonstrate the simplicity and the ease of handling the "33" for you, and I think you will be as hooked on fishing as the fish you'll be going after. Good luck and have fun.
  9. In your situation, I would suggest a spinning rod & reel Combo. Consider these tips: Look for a spinning reel with a good drag, and one that comes with instant anti reverse, and a minimum of 3 bearings. These are key features & novice or pro anglers. Also, if possible, buy a one piece rod - medium action. This will suffice for most of your situations. You should be able to find a decent rod & reel combo, as noted above for around $50, which will last you many years & serve you well. As a novice, you would most likely like the Thundermist Fishing Tips web site I have noted below, as it contains plenty of information & tips that will help you. Good luck & good fishin'!
  10. dan's answer is good. l also recommend a zebco 33 reel/rod combo that would come pre-packaged with line and all you need to add is water. and a few hooks/tackle.
  11. I would start with something relatively inexpensive. If you and your son really get into it, you can move up to something better. If you end up not fishing much, you're not out much. There are many good suggestions from other people on this question.
  12. Thumbs up to Dan & Bassplayer. Great answers guys. The Zebco 33 Spincaster reel is a good entry-level reel for a novice fisherman, (period). However, I would suggest you NOT get the Zebco combo, (unless it comes with a Rhino rod). The Zebco 33 combo has a poor rod , (in my opinion). It has a very low action rod that does not help a young angler "strike" a fish hard enough to set a hook. You can spend a few dollars more and get a rod designed with a better "action" that can take the abuse of a novice angler. The ultimate combo would be an Ugly Stik Lite 6' bait-casting rod ($39) and a Zebco original 33 spincast reel, ($19). Or if you want "the best" a Daiwa Goldcast 3 GC80 Spincast reel ($52.99) with an Ugly Stik Lite ($39). If your Son decides he LOVES fishing, upgrade him to a Spinning reel within a year. Spinning reels allow for better drag systems, longer casts, better gear ratio's and are generally more durable. Hope this helps? Good luck fishing. Go to http://www.cabelas.com and read reviews for all suggested reels & rods.
  13. I agree with Fisher_King, Dan B. and Bassplayer. The Zebco 33 is the most reliable spincasting reel on the market. From Bluegill to Carp, they handle a lot of "wear and tear". I agree with Fisher_King the Zebco 33 rod isn't as good as the Rhino one. I own the Rhino and the Zebco 33 rod myself. The Rhino one is a very good rod for such a price. $29.99 was the price i gave for the Rhino/Zebco 33 combo. The Zebco 202 is a horrible rod in my mind. I own one of them too. I own every reel that isn't any good! It only costs $7 but, i don't recommend it. Spincasting is the way to go for beginners and you can upgrade to a spinning reel after he has mastered the way of fishing and casting. Heck, my dad's Zebco 33/Rhino combo was bought in the 1970's and it's still as good as the new one i have. I also recommend the Ugly Stik or Ugly Stik lite if you only need a rod. They are only $39.99 at Bass Pro, Cabelas, K-Mart and Wal-Mart. I also recommend you buying a couple lures, and some extra terminal tackle if you want. If you chase panfish get some beetle spins, rooster tails, and curly tailed grubs. They all work good and are easy to use. Sinkers, Bobbers, etc. always have back ups if you lose one. Hope i helped!
  14. Shakespeare Ugly Stik Lite 6ft (SP1160-2M) @ $39.99 from Cabelas should do the trick nicely.... can withstand alot of punishment + you get a free gear bag with it. http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20166-cat20374&id=0023483112342a&navCount=1&podId=0023483&parentId=cat20374&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IK&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&hasJS=true http://www.shakespeare-fishing.com/index_rods.html Or generally anything similar made by Shakespeare / Abu-Garcia / Berkley / Shimano, etc
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