Fly Fishing Equipment
Author: admin
Fishing rod holiday present for my husband – help?
I would like to buy my husband a fishing rod, reel and basic tackle box – filled with some things he will need for fishing on a lake in Connecticut. He has been mostly fly fishing with a guide lately, but used to do some lake fishing years ago…..he no longer owns any type of equipment. What should I buy? Budget is relatively flexible for the rod/reel i.e. anywhere from $60 – $200.
I want to get him a Fishing Pole – that is not for fly fishing and I would prefer not to get a gift certificate….so, any suggestions would be most helpful. I assume he will fish for trout/bass.
Thanks Ole Fisherman, that is very helpful. He doesn’t want to fly fish on the lake, just fish “regularly” – don’t know what that would be called. Any way, can you suggest a rod/reel combination. I am not sure he would know how to assemble, or is it not complicated.
I could go to $300 if that makes a big difference.
In my opinion, you should concentrate on the rod and reel with your budgeted money and allow him to decide on a tackle box/bag and lures at a later date.
Why? Your budget is too low to get a quality Rod/reel outfit, tackle bag AND lures. With a $200 budget you can get him a really nice Spinning outfit.
Here are some suggestions:
Reels
1. Pflueger, President XT model 6730 XT- http://www.basspro.com/Pflueger-President-XT-Spinning-Reels/product/104124/-1549153
2. Pflueger, President model 6730- (If you decide to get a Tackle bag and lures, this would be an excellent quality compromise reel to purchase. Notice the reviews- 263 people give this a 4.6 out of 5. I own 4 of these and they are reasonably priced, “decent”, reels suited for a variety of Freshwater Fishing.)- http://www.basspro.com/Pflueger®-President®-Spinning-Reels/product/51666/-1012187
3. Shimano, Stradic FI model 2500- (These are expensive, but of excellent quality. A very “worthy” gift.)- http://www.basspro.com/Shimano-Stradic-FI-Spinning-Reels/product/96667/-1428865
4. Abu Garcia, Soron STX model STX20- (Priced between the Shimano and the Pflueger- these would be a good “compromise” reel to think about.)- http://www.basspro.com/Abu-Garcia-Soron-STX-Spinning-Reels/product/10202374/-1551048
Rods
1. Abu Garcia, Vendetta model 7′ Medium action- http://www.basspro.com/Abu-Garcia-Vendetta-Spinning-Rods/product/10203993/-1631177
2. Fenwick, HMX model 7′ Medium action- http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/Fishing-Rods/Spinning-Rods|/pc/104793480/c/104764680/sc/104836680/Fenwickreg-HMX8482-Spinning-Rods/704463.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Ffishing-fishing-rods-spinning-rods%2F_%2FN-1102841%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104836680
3. Cabelas, Mag-Touch model 7′ Medium Lite- http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/Fishing-Rods/Spinning-Rods|/pc/104793480/c/104764680/sc/104836680/Cabelas-MagTouch174-Spinning-Rods/703550.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Ffishing-fishing-rods-spinning-rods%2F_%2FN-1102841%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104836680
Go to Cabelas and Bass Pro Shops to read further reviews about reels and rods.
The reason I suggest a spinning outfit over a bait-casting outfit? If your husband is normally Fly fishing he would probably be most enthused about a lighter tackle Spinning outfit.
You will get a variety of suggestions for outfit’s, tackle-boxes/bags, lures- make sure to read reviews on anything you decide to purchase.
Hope this helps ya? Good luck!
UPDATE: Some inside info you should know about “combo” outfits:
Generally, buying a “combo” outfit is rarely a good idea. Combo outfits come 30 to a box- with very little packaging or care taken to keep them safe during the shipping process. Combo outfit’s are frequently “2nds” that the manufacturer has sold at a discount price and assembled to get rid of back-stocked surplus that is slightly defective or un-popular. They will match a good reel with a 2ND/slightly defective rod (or vice versa)…….That is how a retailer can SELL a combo so CHEAP……..
For this reason, It’s ALWAYS a better idea to buy your rod and reel separately. (I was a Fishing Dept manager at a Sports Auth. years ago and know this to be true- but, I guess, you don’t have to take my word on this subject- please investigate this on your own for further info.)
So I suggest buying separately and putting them together- it’s super easy to assemble.
If you want to go to $300 you could def get him a decent outfit AND a Tackle bag. Go here and check out these bags; get one with the best review- http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Navigation?hvarSearchString=tackle+bags&x=19&y=18&storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&CMID=TOP_SEARCH_GO
Lures? You could get him some basic tackle, but your “best bet” is to go to your local Bait & Tackle and ask opinions there. A local tackle shop will know the best lures for your local lakes, (period).
Hope this extra info helps ya?
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