Choosing your First Rod and Reel

Choosing a fishing rod and reel to start with can sometimes be difficult. There are many options consisting of spinning reels, baitcasting reels, and spin cast reels. The choices are not limited to just reels either as rods come in light, medium- light, medium, medium-heavy, heavy, and even extra-heavy. Now luckily each of these “weight” rods have a specific purpose generally.

​The most common rod and reel combo that can handle just about anything is a medium weight rod with a moderate action paired with a 2000/3000 series spinning reel. Typically, a medium weight rod can handle 3/16 oz – ½ oz lures (depending on the brand) with ease and allows you to start catching bass, walleye, and even northern pike. Look for something that isn’t overly heavy yet still has enough backbone to control the fish you are targeting. When comparing the actions of a rod pay attention to where the rod begins to bend when a weight is applied to the tip of the rod. A moderate action rod will begin to bend about halfway up the rod when a weight is applied to the tip.

Next up would be a moderate-fast action tip. A moderate-fast action rod will start to bend about 2/3 of the way up towards the tip.  I prefer a moderate-fast action rod for a good all-around rod and can use a chatterbait, crankbait, or a spinnerbait on the rod with no issues.

A level up from the moderate-fast would be the fast and extra fast action rods. These rods typically have specific purposes when fishing and normally on come in a medium heavy, heavy, or extra heavy rod. These rods bend in the last third of the rod to within 6-9 in from the tip of the rod. The positive side to this is these rods are normally very sensitive rods that are used for fishing jigs, soft plastics, swimbaits, or topwater lures.

The primary reason you would want to start with a 2000/3000 series reel is to maximize the maximum casting distance. These series of rods also have more than enough drag to handle most fish when paired with a medium weight rod. Another benefit with this size reel is the amount of line that the reel can store. Anywhere from 120 yards/165 yards of mono/braided line is normal and more than enough to begin with.

The more line you have on the reel the less resistance the line will experience when casting and line is coming off. The less resistance that is encountered the longer the casts and therefore the more chance there are of catching fish.  

It might sound like a lot of information and it can be overwhelming at first. The truth is, the more you fish, the more you will find what and why you like certain rods and reels more. Don't break the bank to get started!

If you have questions or have a comment to help a new fisherman out, drop them below!

Until then, let's fish!🎣