I see discussions in fishing are lacking. So I want to put out some things, being a amauter sportsman. I bought a Ardent reel for my brother-in-law cause I’m an idiot. However, I got crazy responses from other guys including the salesman, about how great the reels are and worth the money. Does anyone in the forum have an opinion on that or use one? Next I do alot of saltwater fishing due to the fact I live in Jacksonville at it is everywhere. I’m slacking on a my freshwater ie bass. I need some advice on what is some good beginneer tackle I should buy and size rod I should use? Ok people lets crank this up. The fish are getting ready and so am I.
In Solidarity
I think there are some folks who should be able to way in on some of this including Redbug, BASSLEGION and our resident “celebrity fisherman”, Dan McNally. Let’s share a little of that knowledge folks.
Actually, we have a meeting on this today at 2:00 to recap SHOT and all of the good partners we met who are making U.S. goods and who want to help support our organization.
Look for an article soon and thanks for the interest.
I have a few ardent reels and like them a lot the fact that they are made here in the USA means that my purchase helps keep someone employed. Your brother should be very happy with his new reel.
As far as new tackle I would suggest looking into the sponsor deals here with the USA sportsmans site The American Rod Smiths make a great rod and offer all of us USA members a 35%discount. You didn’t say if you prefer spinning or bait casting gear. either way a nice 66” to 7’med heavy rod with a fast tip would be a versatile rod to get started with.
Pair that with some 10/12lb line your good to go with many styles of fishing.
I hope the gets you started feel free to ask any other questions, I’m no expert but am willing to help if i can
Redbug thanks for the advice. I’m a huge believer in buying American Made and know that I help fellow Americans. In regards to reels, I use mostly spinning reels, it is what most my buddies use. I’m going to look into that deal from American Rod Smiths. Thanks for the help. If you have any other advice to hesitate to put it out. Mike, you doin good things you and your team. This forum keeps my interest high.
While we are talking about fishing and American Made, keep in mind that we have a relationship with Vicious Fishing that will get you a 25% discount off of their products too. They make some darn good line that I know a lot of people are catching on to and I know that is all Made In The U.S. Met with them recently and we might be running some fun promotions with them later this spring to give away some product to you guys. Check ‘em out in our Deals and Discounts section.
Mtstew,
Redbug hit the nail on the head with the fishing rod length, weight, and line size for your area on fresh water fishing for pretty much anything that you will catch. I imagine a lot of your shoreline saltwater tackle matches these “dimensions”. If you go for redfish in saltwater, large mouth bass are almost identical, including lures! Northern Kansas (my uncle’s farm) is the southern most fishing I’ve done. However, I study everything that swims in our wonderful United States of America.
As for “Made in the USA”, I am still bass/panfish/walleye fishing with my 1988 medium action 6’ Berkley Lightning Rod (spinning, is there anything else?). I don’t know if it was made in Spirit Lake, IA (Berkley’s home) but it doesn’t say it is made anywhere else, and it still kicks a$$ for jigging! It is now matched with a Mitchell (I think some were made in France) reel my dad bought in the 60’s. Yes, the previous one was a shimanno I bought when I purchased the fishing pole (it still works). Twenty-two years of fish fights has to say something! Yeah, I’m only 37.
Mike,
how about St.Croix rods any deals offered on them
Those folks are proud of their work (and they should be!). I think I have one that was one of my Dad’s favorite fly rods. Will let ya know what it is Ed.
I actually met with the folks of St. Croix and they seem interested in trying to do something with us. They did move a portion of their manufacturing offshore (I believe Mexico) but they were honest with me about this and I know they felt strongly about their U.S. capabilities.
American Rodsmiths is another brand that we have worked with. Look for some fun giveaways in the future from them…they really like what you folks are about.
Mike,
dont mean to be a fishing snob but all i do is fly fish ive checked out American Rodsmiths and the dont make any fly rods..im aware that St.Croix makes some of there rods overseas… i have a few of ther rods and always check that their made in the USA
Doesn’t sound like anyone is being a snob. Threw a fly rod for bluegills in a small local pond when I was a kid (I know - that isn’t the real thing) and would like to get back to it one day myself for trout. I have heard of a couple U.S. made fly rod companies so maybe we can look for some folks in this category besides St. Croix. I do hear good things about them and wouldn’t mind buying a few for me and the boys.
