05-08-2008, 03:55 PM
[cool][#0000ff]There are no definitive answers to any of your questions. Much depends on several factors: Your size and physical conditioning...the size and type of lures you will be throwing...and how far...the type of fish you expect to catch...whether spinning or baitcasting, etc.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]It ain't easy settling on a couple of rods. I know. I build all of my own and I probably have well over 50 rod/reel outfits that I still use. I have sold or given away countless others as I moved to different areas or changed fishing preferences.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Also, fishing from shore, boat, float tube or pontoon can make a slight difference in what you might want to choose. I fish mostly from a float tube and I take out five rods on every trip. Depending upon where I plan to go...and what I expect to catch...I might have everything from UL spinning to Med Heavy baitcast in my arsenal.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I prefer to fish with light tackle for medium size to large fish. I mostly use ML spinning and BC, spooled with 6 or 8 pound premium mono. My rods are mostly 6.5 and 7 foot, to give me more reach from a tube, but I also use shorter rods for making short accurate casts along a shoreline...or for vertical jigging.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I do not buy "premium" blanks. I DO use good quality graphite blanks, but I do not blow a mortgage payment on a single "name" blank. I have been fishing a long time and I am pretty sensitive to the differences in the ways rods fish. I cannot justify spending three or four times more than I should for a blank that will not catch any more fish for me.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Some anglers do not spend enough time on the water, using enough different types of rods, to appreciate the subtle differences in feel and action. Many more experienced anglers simply don't give a hoot and will fish with anything they pick up. Over time, you will become a better fisherman and enjoy your sport more if you DO buy quality...but it does not have to be the most expensive.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]It ain't easy settling on a couple of rods. I know. I build all of my own and I probably have well over 50 rod/reel outfits that I still use. I have sold or given away countless others as I moved to different areas or changed fishing preferences.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Also, fishing from shore, boat, float tube or pontoon can make a slight difference in what you might want to choose. I fish mostly from a float tube and I take out five rods on every trip. Depending upon where I plan to go...and what I expect to catch...I might have everything from UL spinning to Med Heavy baitcast in my arsenal.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I prefer to fish with light tackle for medium size to large fish. I mostly use ML spinning and BC, spooled with 6 or 8 pound premium mono. My rods are mostly 6.5 and 7 foot, to give me more reach from a tube, but I also use shorter rods for making short accurate casts along a shoreline...or for vertical jigging.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I do not buy "premium" blanks. I DO use good quality graphite blanks, but I do not blow a mortgage payment on a single "name" blank. I have been fishing a long time and I am pretty sensitive to the differences in the ways rods fish. I cannot justify spending three or four times more than I should for a blank that will not catch any more fish for me.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Some anglers do not spend enough time on the water, using enough different types of rods, to appreciate the subtle differences in feel and action. Many more experienced anglers simply don't give a hoot and will fish with anything they pick up. Over time, you will become a better fisherman and enjoy your sport more if you DO buy quality...but it does not have to be the most expensive.[/#0000ff]
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