Your about to get 100 different recommendations.Quote:
Originally Posted by Splaker
I started making the switch to BC about 8 years ago. Now have more BCers than spinning. I would suggest you think long and hard about how you plan to fish with your first BC. Different types of lures/fishing will favor different rod/reel pairings. And it's really hard to find 2 set ups, let alone one that can "do all".
Flipping: I have an 8 foot Shimano paired with a decent reel. This allows me to flip and get decent distance for docks/pads
Heavy plastics/jigs. I use a shorter 6.8 and am less concerned about the reel. It just needs to take up line. Basically use this for short flips and to punch through weed.
Frogs: I use a 7.2 with a good Curado. A good balance of power and distance and I higher gear ratio to burn the frog in.
Distance casting. For small mouth that can get shy, covering water with reactionary lures. Crank baits, Spinner baits, sometimes jerk baits and top water.
7.2 to 7.6. I have 3.
One dialed in for my chatterbaits and crank baits
One dialed in for 1/4 ounce spinner baits.
One sort of dialed in for top water and jerk baits
One of your learning curves is going to be casting and distance. Backlash, line digging in, casting into the wind, etc, etc. It can turn people off BCers initially.
Personally, I would nudge you towards a good frogging rod/reel. And I might try to coax into spending more for a better rod. Frogs aren't horribly air resistant and a heavier braid will be a little more forgiving initially. Medium power, maybe 7.2 or 7.4. Whatever name brand you choose.
