Fishing pole recommendation?

[caseyc]

I want to learn fishing, in particular saltwater fishing off the piers. What's a good fishing pole combination equipment that's&nbsp;good for a beginner but something that I can grow into? I know little about fishing, never caught a fish in my life, but want to learn. My budget is between $150 to $200.&nbsp; I was looking at the Penn Pursuit Graphite pole with reel for around $80 at a Sports Authority store that looked pretty cool. I like the fact the pole can split in 2 pieces for easy storage.<br><br>Thanks, Casey

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;This is what I'd get.. and I just might. ..Willy.&nbsp; https://www.ronco.com/products/pocket-fisherman.html

 

[Guest]

I almost got one of those, but then I found a collapsible rod in the same store for $20, &amp; picked that up instead&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br><br>I haven't tried it yet though, but I had a collapsible rod when I was young that I loved.&nbsp; To the OP - I'd suggest finding something cheap &amp; trying it out to make sure that fishing is for you.&nbsp; Collapsible rods are actually really good &amp; they don't cost a lot (I was looking in stores &amp; there were a lot of choices for under $50)<br>Yard sales are a good place to look&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[caseyc]

Cool ideas! &nbsp;Soooooo, nobody has a "real" fishing pole suggestion?&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">

 

[psytechguy]

It doesn't take expensive gear to catch fish. I've used a piece of line and a hook with a wine bottle cork for a bobber before.

My sister absolutely terrorizes the trout population up in Colorado using a cheap-o rod and reel she got at a garage sale for $10. Her smoked trout is to die for!

"...many fish bite if ya got good bait!" - Taj Mahal

 

[Guest]

Collapsible rods are 'real' poles!&nbsp; or did you mean brand?&nbsp; I don't even know what mine is, &amp; I won't get to test it until the end of the month <img src="/images/boards/smilies/tongue.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[caseyc]

Upon closer look, that Pocket Fisherman thing is pretty cool ! &nbsp;

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;I had one when I was a kid and gave to my cousin in Hungary when we went to visit. It was actually a pretty skookum unit and plenty good enuf for fishing off a bank or dock. ..Willy.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

I dont know about salt water fishing, but i bought a ugly stick kit for around 20 bucks, it came with some tackle and the rod is nearly unbreakable.&nbsp; Everyone i know uses an ugly stick, so thats what i looked for.&nbsp; You might need a larger pole tho in the ocean, i just fish rivers and lakes.<br><br>Ive managed to catch some small bass...which im proud of <img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/rofl.gif" class="bbc_img">&nbsp; One had huge freaky red eyes...it was eyes like out of a cartoon.<br><br>I think VT is really into fishing.

 

[yesican]

I have several ugly stick rods.&nbsp; They use to be guaranteed and if anything broke, just send it into the company and they replace it with a new rod.&nbsp; Not sure if its still that way.&nbsp; <br><br>I fish for salmon in Alaska and use a rod (not necessarily an Ugly Stick) and a spinning reel, (NOT SPINCAST!).&nbsp; Best thing to do is go to a local mom and pop sports shop and ask questions.&nbsp;You'll get more informed workers there who are usually more than happy to assist someone in learning to fish.&nbsp;&nbsp;I've noticed the rods and reels are not much more expensive there and often less than at national sportsman's store chains.&nbsp; Fishing is great, catching is better!&nbsp;

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

I just hate losing my tackle...i fished one rocky spot near the dam and i lost 4 rigs to catch one fish :\&nbsp;

 

[VanTrekker]

Most of the fishing I do is trout fishing.&nbsp; There are plenty of factors as to what to buy (fly rod for artificial bait only) or a small spinning outfit for the tiny streams.&nbsp; For the last couple of years I've been using collapsible, cheap fishing rods and small, ultralight spinning reels.<br><br>Why?&nbsp; I don't fish with flies.&nbsp; Never have... don't care to.&nbsp; For the type of trout fishing I do, it's easier to carry a jar of salmon eggs and the collapsible pole on the back of the bicycle.<br><br>I also have a collapsible for medium duty fishing.<br><br>There is always someone out there who will say they wouldn't use this or that but do what works for you.&nbsp; I've seen 25 pound catfish caught on a Snoopy pole!<br><br>The trout fish below was caught on the $11 collapsible pole a few weeks ago.&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br><br>By the way, I do like the Ugly Stick poles... two thumbs up!<br><br><br><img class="bbc_img" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EuGcBY3i2.../7gkX75y9CJ0/s320/Brad+and+Super+Big+Mama.jpg" rel="lightbox"><br><br>Brad aka V.T.

 

[ontheroadagain]

I wish I could learn to fish without snagging the hook in all the underwater brush

 

[yesican]

If you haven't snagged something besides fish, you're not fishing!&nbsp; If its only fish you snag...you're catching!

 

[ZOFCHAK]

<br>&nbsp;&nbsp; <br>&nbsp;&nbsp; It really depends on where you are and what you plan on targeting, but if your plan is to fish off the piers a good all around combo is a medium sized spinning reel and 8-9ft rod.&nbsp; I would look for a baitfeeding spinning reel like the Shimano Baitrunner or the Okuma Avenger or Epixor in a 4500-6500 series.&nbsp;&nbsp; These reels have a double drag system so the drag can be set loose and allow the fish to take line, then when you start reeling the main drag kicks in to fight the fish.&nbsp; For the rod, Ugly Stiks are a good choice for the traveling fisherman as they are very durable and can be found at a low cost.&nbsp; Load it up with some 30lb Power Pro and you'll be able to tackle the majority of the fish that are in reach from the piers.

 

[offroad]

buy the FISHING FOR DUMMIES book. &nbsp;they are good valuable information and I read them often &nbsp;

 

[RJCooper]

Ugly stick with Penn reels for me.&nbsp; I have and buy surf tags so I camp on the beach quite a bit.&nbsp; I have 20 pound Power Pro and have caught 100-120 pound sharks from the beach at night, Black Drum to 80 pounds and many a striped bass to 30 pounds with these rigs.&nbsp; You will spend about 100-150 according to the reel you get.&nbsp; Quality only costs once.&nbsp;

 

[wagoneer]

Like anything else I find it not so much the equipment it's the user that in the end wins the game. Give a 1964 Martin to a so so player he will still be so so give a 20 dollar guitar to a player and step back. Prestige is not about brand names. Same with fishing &nbsp;I say conserve your money get by have fun learning. Strippers run at the Pacifica Pier. Go spend a few hours sitting with a friend on a nice day You will learn so much, Take care and good luck

 

[caseyc]

Should I buy something that's already entirely pre-packaged with the rod, reel, line?&nbsp; Or buy each separately?&nbsp; I'm thinking of buying a decent quality pre-packaged combination since I don't know how to put anything together for a fishing pole.<br><br>I also noticed that some combos have the pole with a reel, but no line included. So obviously that means I'd have to purchase the line separately, but then another problem would be how to install the line to the reel?<br><br>

 

[RJCooper]

What I would do is buy a package with the reel I want.&nbsp; Combo's most times have on good part, either the reel or the rod.&nbsp; Go for the reel you want.&nbsp; When the rod gives way, replace with a Ugly Stick.&nbsp; Let the place put the line on for you and watch.&nbsp; Adding line is easy with a pencil through the spool.&nbsp; But for a first time, watch a you tube or pay them to spool it for you.