Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Rod, reel, & tackle....no got

So, here is where the fish neophyte is at. New pond stocked Spring '08 with 4"-6" YP, 2 - 3" RES, and a whole buncha FH. I'm workin' on the SMB fingerlings right now.
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As I recall, Dr. Perca recommended that I sample the progress this fall. Well, it's fall. Only one problem...I don't even have a pc of bamboo, string and a safety-pin.
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Here's the challenge. Budget = $100. Take me to Bass Pro Shop and show me how to spend it frugally and effectively to have a nice little pond fishing set-up. Remember; we're startin' from scratch.

With your budget you can get 5 of these. I want one for catching Gams.

ther's a twist on a pocket fisherman

brettski, as a starter pole my advice is to get a simple spinning rod and reel combo that will handle 4 to 8 lb test line, light to medium action, and maybe 6 to 6.5 ft long (ultra lights are cool but you can wear the fish out more and you probably want to release them quickly after evaluating them).

lots of beginners like spincasting reels (closed face) but personally never cared for those and started using a small open face spinning reel when i was about 8 yrs old.

in a year or so you can graduate to a fly rod, or baitcaster, or modify yer spinning tackle collection.

on tackle, you dont need much to start. long narrow gape baitholder hooks (maybe size 8 or 10), some various sized split shot, and various size bobbers (i personally like the clear casting bobbers that you fill w/ water). you can set the bobber position w/ split shot or use swivel barrels and tie on a leader.

i'm sure you'll get LOTS more opinions....good luck and have fun.

Brettski, get a $45 Abumatic SpinCast Reel here and a $30 Shakespeare 6-12# 6' long Ugly Stick Casting Rod here. Spend another $25 or so on accouterments like bobbers, hooks, snapswivels, weights, and a little line to snell the hooks. Dig some worms. Fish and enjoy.

When you graduate to spinning, casting, and/or flyfishing rigs, D-ski, relatives, and guests will keep using your first rod & reel for many years to come. If you let them have it.

Really, someone needs to visit Ole Brettska and make a trip to the fishing store to help him suit up. Then they need to show him the ropes.

He won't ever be coming back.

A couple cane poles with the hooks , line , bobbers and sinkers. A cricket cage. A zebco 33 casting combo and a few basic lures.

You're crackin' me up, Ewest. The last time I was fishing(very early teens), I was yankin' rock bass and perch out of the chain o' lakes (up nort) in Three Lakes and Eagle River Wis. The equipment was a Zebco 33 on a 5 ft stainless steel musky rod.

Nope Brett, Ewest is right. Don't complicate it.

BTW, there is no way I believe that you will stick to a $100 budget. You just ain't got it in you. Oh yeah, maybe at first. But, sooner or later you'll own one of everything the store sells.

Of course, I got no room to talk. Ten, yep 10, large tackle boxes full of necessities should I ever again go to the lake or the Gulf. A couple of drawers of fishin "stuff". Somewhere around 40+++ rods and reels. I found a 5 gallon plastic bucket the other day, opened the lid and found that it was 3/4 full of packages of plastic worms and grubs; all still in the packages. Wonder when and where I got those.

wanna move some inventory?

Folks, remember, these fish are only less than a year old. Start with an untralite spinning or spincast setup. Lots of fun. Or, as Ewest said, 10-13 ft. telescoping fiberglas 'brim' pole. You dont need to yank em in like harvesting tuna.

PS...I believe the "fisherman" with rod n' reel is holding it upside down.

Brett, if you make it to Texiz next summer, I can load your butt down.

Burger, it ain't upside down because the rod guides are on the bottom. It is a left handed rig. Looks kinda cheesy.

I'd say go with a Zebco Rhino spincast combo. It'll cost around $55 and handle all your pond fishing needs. I have around 25 baitcast, spinning, spincast, and fly setups as well as a few cane poles and when fishing my pond I find myself reaching for the ol' Rhino for the shear simplicity of it. Couple it with some #6 hooks, some split shot, a few bobbers, some 6lb Trilene XL and a couple dozen nightcrawlers and you'll be within your budget.

Tip: Since you're just starting out again, learn to reel with your left hand, that is if you are right handed. You will be more efficient at casting. It may feel a bit uncomfortable at first but you'll get used to it.

Brett, first of all DO NOT go to Bass Pro Shop or a Cabellas store for your first venture into fishing equipment – you will be overwhelmed.
Go to WallyWorld or a small sporting goods store and follow ewest’s advise.



Fishing equipment is very much like golf – you can’t play a round of golf with one club – but a beginner or a little kid can and have bunch of fun with a 2 iron.

As your interest grows, so will your tackle needs.

Good luck from a guy with a closet full of stuff that rivals BassPro or Cabellas...

Ryan made a good point. If you can learn to retrieve (crank) with your weak-side hand, you will be a little ahead in the fishing game. It eliminates the need to switch the rod from one side to another after casting. Plus you always have your strong side arm in play for settng the hook.

It is way too late for me to unlearn the muscle memory and do this, but my daughter, who is an unconverted lefty, uses the same right-hand retrieve rigs I do. Goody for her!

Years ago I watched Denny Bauer on TV lose a nice LMB while switching hands as he did not get a good hook set when the bass hit his lure, it cost him a fisrt place finish. I am right handed and use left handed reels and never have that problem.

If you are right handed, you must crank the reel with your left hand. There are NO exceptions unless you are a total freak.

Guv wrote: "...it was 3/4 full of packages of plastic worms and grubs; all still in the packages. Wonder when and where I got those."

Dave, you really have to quit drinking and then going to bait & tackle stores.

DD1, with all due respect I must award you today's Master of Understatement award.

The only reason I started winding left handed was because that's how my Grandpa did it. I didn't realize the benefits until a couple of years ago while watching a friend cast-switch hands-crank-switch hands-cast switch hands crank.

The only drawback to being a left hand winder is it can be a little tougher to find left-hand baitcasters in stock. Not a problem with spincasters or spinning reels as these are usually reversible.

My advice would be to start with a 9' Little Jewel bream pole, a spool of 8# spider wire, and assorted hooks and small bobbers. Reading glasses are a must in your tackle box.

For beginners, the Little Jewel can be used with a bobber (sinkers aren't normally needed). Once you master it, you can take the bobber off, and use it like a fly rod. There's nothing like it for sensitivity and sheer fun. Even a 6" BG is loads of fun to catch that way.

Once you master the Little Jewel, you can easily graduate to a fly or spinning rod. Until my fish get bigger, everything but my Little Jewel will stay in the closet.

You should learn to crank with either hand.
When flyfishing for blue water big game fish and fish on the flats, you need to be able to crank fast to pick up line - whichever your dominate hand.

I crank lefty with spin and fly taklce but can switch hands for right hand bait casting before the lure hits the water.

Right on.....

I don't think Brettski should get off so easy. The rest of us have spent $$$ on fishing gear and I don't like the idea of someone being sensible about it.

Thank God I have an excuse!


If you shopped in the reverse order, you'd have 3/4 a bucket of beer sitting around waiting for Sunil's next visit.

Burger, it ain't upside down because the rod guides are on the bottom. It is a left handed rig. Looks kinda cheesy.

Dave, ya mean I've been using my baitcasters upside down all this time? (grin)

I wont comment on gear as everyone seems to be doing pretty well there.I have to agree with GW though,Ive got way more than a 100 tied up in platic lures let alone evrything else.My advise would be buy lots of beer and invite any/all forum members to go shopping with you.Take a blank check with you.
P.S. Well all be gone before youre wife gets back!!!!