Fishing Rod + Reel (Combo)

bargin424 on 12/01/2014 - 08:33
Last edited 12/01/2014 - 08:46

Can anyone recommend me a fishing rod that is suitable for fishing at little bay NSW?

I heard that a 7ft rod is good at a minimum. But what type of rod should I get? I want it for general fishing not something advance or anything with those 100ft rods I see people use..

I'm thinking brands along the line of Jarvis Walker and Shimano but I'm open to other brands if you recommend it. I had a look at it yesterday and the Jarvis Walker rods seems to be more better in quality than the Shimano (forgot the model number) but it was in the same price range.

Find Me A Bargain

Comments

  • boonanza on 12/01/2014 - 08:38

    What is your Budget?

    • bargin424 on 12/01/2014 - 08:44

      I'm looking for value for money. But I was thinking of the Combo Packs with Reel and the Rod.

      I think my ozBargin budget will be in the $70 max range but can flex if the reasons justify.

  • donga100 on 12/01/2014 - 08:59

    What sort of fish/size will you be catching? Will you be fishing from a boat, from a jetty, from the beach, etc.?

    • bargin424 on 12/01/2014 - 10:16

      Not sure which fish or size. I think i'll be going different locations but Little Bay first as I heard it's a good spot to fish.

      I would be fishing from the beach/rock as I don't have access to a boat.

      • donga100 on 12/01/2014 - 12:53

        Just did a quick search about the fishing in that area. I would suggest an Alvey combo like these 10 foot or 7 foot versions from BCF. I personally think the 10 foot option is better for where you are planning to fish.

        Please keep in mind that it is quite a dangerous area to fish and you shouldn't really be going there alone. This thread has some good information on species, tide times, tactics, etc.
        http://www.sydneyangler.com.au/forum/showthread.php?p=183753

        • bargin424 on 12/01/2014 - 13:03

          Is there a cheaper suggestion? In the $70 range. I like the idea of having 2 pce so it can fit in the car, and also the fact that 10feet is a good size.

          I never seen that reel before, its a interesting one. Do you know the reason why it is designed like that?

          There is no way I'll be going alone, or fishing on high tides! No where near experienced enough.

        • donga100 on 12/01/2014 - 13:11

          It's designed that way for simplicity and ease of use. It's very popular for rock and surf fishing because it can handle getting wet better than reels with more complex parts. Also much easier to deal with tangles. The downside is the drag is generally controlled by hand.

        • donga100 on 12/01/2014 - 13:29

          Can't seem to find much cheaper than those BCF deals. You might get lucky in the clearance section in store.

        • bargin424 on 12/01/2014 - 13:40

          What do you think of this one?

          http://www.bcf.com.au/online-store/products/Jarvis-Walker-Tr…

        • donga100 on 12/01/2014 - 14:00

          Hard to tell without seeing it in person but usually those combos have a poor quality reel that can't properly handle the weight of line that you are likely to need. The line that is spooled on them is usually too light and terrible quality. The rod is fine but the extra money you invest in a decent reel and line will save many lost fish and tangles.

        • bargin424 on 12/01/2014 - 14:47

          Is it suitable for the coast? Or is it only for rock fishing?

        • donga100 on 12/01/2014 - 14:54

          I don't think the Jarvis Walker is suitable for either unless it was really calm water and you are only fishing for small fish like whiting.

        • donga100 on 12/01/2014 - 14:55

          Imagine your disappointment when you finally hook a bigger fish and it snaps the line.

        • donga100 on 12/01/2014 - 18:01

          Pretty much the same reel as the BCF combo but the shorter rod is more suitable for estuary or calm water beaches.

        • donga100 on 12/01/2014 - 18:15

          If you prefer a spinning reel maybe go for this as it includes a decent spool of line and is just an overall better quality than those Jarvis Walkers. You could match it up with this or this from BCF to make a combo for around $89.

  • boonanza on 12/01/2014 - 09:41

    I'm not sure if you have a BCF close by but you could try them. They have quite a lot of combo's in the $40-$60 range and even cheaper if you join as a member which is free.

    • bargin424 on 12/01/2014 - 10:25

      I do have one near by, any recommendations?

  • Costanza on 12/01/2014 - 10:21

    I wouldn't touch a cheap Jarvis Walker reel. Check out some prices online then go to a local tackle store is my suggestion. Note cheap graphite rods can be easy to break.

    A starting point:-
    http://www.tackleworld.com.au/ (see catalogue)
    http://www.motackle.com.au/fishing/rod-and-reel-combos.html
    http://sneakyfisho.com.au/
    Anaconda's ET combo's (when on big special/clearance).

    • bargin424 on 12/01/2014 - 10:32

      Is fibreglass good? What is a good material to buy?

      • Costanza on 12/01/2014 - 10:42

        generally
        glass is strong reliable
        graphite is better for casting/sensitivity
        composite a mix of above

  • bargin424 on 12/01/2014 - 10:30

    What is the differences between:
    Spinning Combos
    Baitcaster Combos
    Overhead Combos
    Alvey Combos
    Surf Combos
    Fly Combos
    Kids Combos

  • Costanza on 12/01/2014 - 10:40

    I think you should look at Spinning or Surf combos. Go to a store and tell them exactly what sort of fishing you want to do.

  • savit on 13/01/2014 - 00:14
    -1

    Visit A FEW local kmarts and bigw. For $70 you can buy A FEW COMBOS for different purposes and different rod lengths /reel sizes ( eg 7' for lures/Soft plastic and bait fishing and 10-12' for beach/rock bait fishing) of quite reasonable quality. Also I would suggest to check the www.dinga.com.au - very reasonable prices and free shipping.

    Just read a few comments. What is the point to suggest Alvey to inexperienced or Graphite for rock-fishing? Local tackle stores do can give you advice however usually they are at least 50% expensive than anaconda or bcf which I do not consider as cheap. If you need advice - read some fishing forums or at least watch some youtube - lots of tips for free. Those who do not touch jarvis walker stuff probably never touched it at all.

    It is easier to catch a fish with thinner line than with thick line/braid. It is better to have a torn line, lost hook and a memories to remember than no bites and a wasted day.

    If you are hoping to catch whale-size fish from land then buy a harpoon and keep dreaming. Disappointment from loosing 'big' fish is usually much smaller than from loosing an expensive graphite rod on the rocks.

    If you want to keep the rods in the car , then measure what would be max rod piece length to fit and it would be easier to make a final decision.

    Rock-fishing is usually for experienced. You should consider 'investment' in safety equipment which depends on actual rock fishing place condition.

    • donga100 on 14/01/2014 - 10:11

      Alvey is the simplest type of reel to use and maintain. With regards to the line on those Jarvis Walker combos (which I also own) it is weak and very thick compared to a higher quality line of the same strength. It also retains the shape of the reel (ie. it's curly) which results in more tangles. The reason I bought mine was because it was a clearance at Kmart for $25 which was worth it for the rod alone.

      Check the clearance bin at BCF, they always have some decent spools of line for $5 - $15.

  • arcticfox007 on 13/01/2014 - 00:53

    Look at the Daiwa stuff for that price. They been around.

    I recently purchased a Daiwa reel. They start from about $30. Lot of the models were made in Vietnam. They do the job up to 3kg.

    Shimano items I looked at were made in Malaysia. Rays has some starting at $50

    Ugly brand rods are pretty tough.

    You can prob find a clearance rod for about $30 at local fishing store.

    Don't bother with cheap ebay ones, they won't hold. Kmart Penn ones are better.

  • onlyletters on 13/01/2014 - 11:51

    Go to Kmart and checkout the fishing combo reels they have, the $10 reels are garbage, but for what you want to do, you can get away with a $30 reel and use it for many years, make sure you wash the rig with WD40 it so it doesn't rust up.

  • VBO on 13/01/2014 - 15:04

    What kind of fishing will you be doing?

    • bargin424 on 14/01/2014 - 08:57

      I'm thinking of starting at Rose Bay (Off wharfs)

      Then maybe go to the beach at little bay when I get better

      • [Deactivated] on 14/01/2014 - 12:58

        I've just started fishing. From what I can work out, beach fishing is quite difficult. I have a book by some fishing personality that confirms that by cracking jokes about it… i.e. Beach fisherman have the hardest time with the worst results. Trying to find out what exactly what to do/have seems impossible. I bought everything I thought we needed using a book, some youtube videos, and online fishing forums. Then waves at the beach immediately washed the line back into shore. I'm talking about 5 seconds. Everything you learn seems to contradict everything you learned yesterday. It's a highly frustrating experience.

        • savit on 14/01/2014 - 21:35

          Find calmer waters - bay or estuary.
          Jump into local library and grab several books re fishing - it costs nothing and you get heaps of general advice and sometimes different views. Online forums are good usually if you after some specific questions (except fishing spots:) ), and youtube - for techniques. if you are trying to learn bait fishing then read some articles online about circle hooks and try to use them for some time.
          Do not take everything absolutely eg like common suggestion "use the smallest sinker as possible " .It means - .. as possible for the current condition". In you case I would suggest you to add a larger sinker to the line if you are trying to fish from the bottom or may be to change a place if you are using a float.
          Approach some fishermen that look experienced(these may not have fancy tackle or be equipped like transformers, however those - who are pulling regularly smth out the water (other than kelp:) ) on the beach/jetty/wharf and ask for some specific advice e.g. what bait/hook size they use , kind of species you can catch in that area or anything else specific that you are interested. Most are happy to help and share their knowledge, sometimes even to offer their own bait or hooks.
          It might be a small challenge to start, however it can be a lot of fun to continue.

        • kevsta on 20/01/2014 - 18:54

          Try and read the beach, by observing where the waves are not crashing as these are the deeper gutters where the water is going back out and fish will wait around that area for food to be washed out. Look for darker areas in the water as these are deeper areas. Fish at sunrise.

  • [Deactivated] on 14/01/2014 - 22:03

    The trouble is, you don't know what questions to ask. For example - you'll see a video that talks about a sinker for beach fishing. I don't know what's called, but it has four stainless steel wires that you fold back. When you cast, they dig into the sand and hold it there, I assume so the waves don't wash it back in. When you want to reel it in, you pull and it releases the wire arms. It sounded good, so I went to BCF today for a look. Yep, they had them - in several different sizes. Because I don't know what size to get, I left without buying one.

    • savit on 14/01/2014 - 23:01

      Get into library as I mentioned - most of common questions will be answered. Those sinkers that you mentioned are (relatively) expensive so most fishermen just use heavier and cheaper snapper sinkers instead. I would suggest you to avoid those 'hairy' sinkers at the moment however if you really want to try them - then visit local rays outdoors. I think they have (at least had) the cheapest on the market and on top of that you can get 10% back of the full price if you join their free membership program. If you decide to try snapper sinkers then jump into local small tackle store where you can usually buy different size sinkers by one so you do not have to pay for the whole packs. If you have any other questions- general or specific - just send me PM and I will try to answer if I can.

  • Tsuska on 19/01/2014 - 08:54

    Rods:
    Get a spinning
    Length -> longer usually means more casting distance, but dependning on where you fish may not be needed (such as on a boat fishing the estuaries)
    Build of the rod: such as light, medium, heavy etc. is kinda like how stiff the rod is and how much tension it can handle (i think)
    It will also have a recommended line strength: ie. 2-4lb, 3-6lb, 8-12lb etc. For you i'd probably recommend the 3-6lb but it really depends on what you are fishing and where and what you prefer. It's also important to know this because you may spool fishing line at higher breaking tensions than this which means you should employ the reel drag properly (or you'll end up with a broken rod)

    Reels: Spinning reel is good a good idea when getting a spinning rod =P. The size of the reel is usually an indication of what line to use: and it will say as well on the reel what the recommended is. Smaller = lighter, larger = heavier more or less.

    Rig: depends on what your fishing for…

    It's really general but that's because your question is not very specific but a moderately cheap spinning rod and reel is probably the best all rounder to go for first and try things out. I've caught plenty of nice fish starting out on a cheapo Javis Walker combo rod + reel. But i recommend maybe try out Penn: they are built to last…i mean those fellas are durable as heck:

    For example: link

    I've also used Shimano and quite like them too. Their durability from experience seems to be a little better than Jarvis Walker stuff (maintained the same way) and I've caught more fish with my Shimano gear.

    But there are probably people who can give you better ideas on what to get.

    Edit: Just saw what type of fishing you were doing

    Wharf: yea get something like a 7ft/8ft rod. But for beach you'll definitely want at least a 10ft rod. 10-12' is good for that. Dunno how much experience with fishing you have but like i said above for the wharf fishing, might be a good idea to get a softer rod: better to learn with/try different stuff out than a stiff rod IMHO.

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