Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Need fishing outfit recommendations

I’m planning to buy a fishing outfit for my girlfriend for Christmas – possibly spending somewhere in the $250 to $300 range. She is somewhat petite with small hands and a wrist injury from skiing so I want to keep it fairly light. Most of the fish she’d catch would be bluegill and largemouth bass up to 6 pounds max.

She prefers spinning reels with the trigger that automatically opens the bail. What is the best spinning reel with a trigger?

The rod needs to be a multi-piece model (two or more pieces) that takes down so can store / transport easily in a car. One that would take down to less than two feet would probably be best. I know longer rods can cast lighter lures (bluegill jigs) further and help cushion larger fish’s runs. Light weight is a definite asset as mentioned above. She’d be casting instead of trolling or jigging. What rod would you recommend?

She’ll mainly be fishing for bluegill, redear, and largemouth bass. She probably doesn’t need a lot of lures as will be with me most of the time; but should have a good variety. What specific lures would you recommend?

We may be walking around the ponds / lakes as we fish. She probably wouldn’t switch lures often at all. The type of tackle box I’m envisioning would have a strap that goes around the neck and shoulder, contoured to body somewhat, and not be burdensome or awkward to carry. The not burdensome or awkward is a big factor. I’m basically seeking something that goes almost unnoticed until you decide to switch lures. What lure containment system would you recommend?

She’s also asked me about how to cook different fish. We may do some camping and traveling too. What fish recipe / cooking books would you recommend?

Also, any good fishing tackle / forum websites where I might find information?

Thanks!

Jeff

Jeff, I prefer a 6' St. Croix Light Action Rod that breaks down into two pieces only.

As far as spinning reels, I think Quantum is one of the only ones that still make trigger-release bales. I like the trigger release functions, and while it's a sin, I also like rear drag.

For holding my assortment of tackle, I prefer to store everything in a short Cabela's fishing vest. I have a few small plastic boxes for some lures that I store in the big back pocket. I keep a seperate Filson vest for all of my fly fishing stuff.

Jeff, she'll never know the difference so get two for the price of one.

In other words, buy a small inexpensive spinning reel and rod. You can get a darn nice outfit for $100, maybe half of that. Then spend your real money on a nice baitcasting outfit for her. You could get a sweet set up for $200(pro quality-a pro could do well with it)........ pretty easy. The spinning reel would be for panfish but handle most anything, and the baitcaster is the preferred bass reel and would work great on catfish and or HSB. Think of it like this, spinning reels are finese, and baitcast reels are brute force used for cranking leverage big fish. They make handling big fish and big lures easier, for the most part.

Shimano makes the good stuff when it comes to reels. Diawa is not bad either. Abu makes great baitcasters, but they are a bit bulky in most models, and likely wouldn't suit her.

There are many great rodmakers. Falcoln, St. Croix, Loomis, All Star, Kistler(very light), to name a few.

Good luck.

Sunil, I also like the rear drag and trigger. Shimano has models with both, but no trigger on the larger reels.
Beetle spins and Mr. Twisters will catch most anything in a pond, and are easy to cast. you can get an ultralite and medium action spinning combos for $100 for both. Shimano medium action and small Shakespeare synergy ultralite are good choices. My granddaughter has good luck with a shakespeare Cirrus UL combo from walwart. The rod is somewhat stiffer than most UL rods.

i was just doing this the other night for my wife......here's a link to the combo i bought her:

cabelas_shimano trigger spin set up

for walking shoreline and fishing i like just a simple cheap fanny pack with one or two small plano boxes full of jigs, small lures etc., needle nose pliers....most important thing is good waterproof boots for yer gal.....my wife likes the LLBean duckboots....merry christmas

I traveled from Illinois to Oklahoma over the weekend to check out some cattle. Bass Pro Shops in Springfield MO was right on the path so had to stop in. I didn’t have much time to spend so probably did more by impulse than should have… Oh well. This is what I got.

Got a light action for my girlfriend and a medium light for me.
http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=52902&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults

Got this 3 wt and matching reel for me.
http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.T...arTarget=browse

She wanted me to get a combo for her friends so I got a couple these (her friends travel) at $10 each more than what they are on the website.
http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=74068&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults

Went with travel rods as her friends also travel quite a bit and need something that breaks down small. Went with a little cheaper outfits as unsure how much her friends will use them. I really, really wished I had gotten these for her friends instead as they are 4 piece (breakdown shorter) and appear to be better rods for same price as I paid. (
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templa...+rods&noImage=0

I’m not sure how these compare to the Brownings I got for her and I.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templa...+rods&noImage=0

Went with Shimano Spirex 1000 (for her) and Solstace 1000 (for her friends) reels. I have one that she likes and it has been a very good reel for me. I too like the rear drag model that I have, but went with front drag models thinking more compact and possibly lighter (didn't check specs - was in a hurry).
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templa...reels&noImage=0

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templa...reels&noImage=0

I got small tackle packs for both her and her friends. I have a lot of lures so just going to sort through some of those to fill them.

I was amazed at how dry it was in OK. There were numerous ponds that either were dry or almost dry. The Cimarron river ? looked like you could walk across with knee boots near the ranch we visited. It looked like you could even walk across some big river east of Tulsa. That part of OK (Kingfisher - north of OK city) is pretty darn dry.

Rangersedge, you done good. I especially like the Brownings that break down with the travel tube. Good price.

Just an update since we're like a family on here...

My girlfriend and I got engaged last Saturday night. Girls who like to fish are just too good to let slip by.

amen brother

edited post........i forgot to mention funny little story about the cabelas rig i ordered (referenced above).....they sent me the reel, but sent the wrong rod.....they sent me a $150 St. Croix fly rod, i ordered a $39 ultralight as part of the combo. so being the honest fellow that i am i shipped back the fly rod, asked for the correct rod, and asked they credit me the shipping charges i incurred ($35 !!). to cabela's credit and great customer service, they sent me the correct rod and another spirex reel.....which is a really nice reel valued at ~$69. most of my stuff is old and well used, so to have a couple of those nice reels now is awesome, and they'll continue to get my business.

Congradulations Rangersedge and you are so right about the girls who fish.
D.I.E.D. I ordered a rod tube, while in the US, it arrived the day I was leaving, broken, the broken part was inside so I am sure it happened prior to shipping. I packed my rods, taped the case and left for Thailand. Upon arrival I emailed them and they sent me a new case, no questions. I think I may have some insight into why you PB is late, I ordered a rod from Cabelas that broken down was 4.5' and shipping to here was $35.

:D .....aint that amazing...its kinda like i can fly direct from Sac CA to Baltimore MD on SW for $299, but it costs me $400 to go direct from Sac CA to Denver CO on United.

Congratulations, Ranger - right you are.

My wife always outfished me until I got my own pond ; fishing is one more sport with a home court advantage.