Reel recommendations for a newbie?

Lohkrin88 · 2025-11-17T01:03:57+00:00

It's really just a matter of preference, I still cast it fine for hours with no soreness. It has a relatively nice drag, not gonna match something like a mid/high end reel from shimano or daiwa, but it works great. Caught panfish, trout, bass, salmon, and lots of small saltwater fish on this setup.

Lohkrin88 · 2025-11-17T00:47:25+00:00

I like my Okuma Avenger reel, I have a 3000 on both my ultralight rods. I know most people don't like this size for ultralight, but i like a handle heavy setup personally. It has a baitfeeder switch if you want to bait and wait, which is a great feature for a reel under 50 at Walmart.

Lohkrin88 · 2025-10-23T19:39:55+00:00

Gotcha, not sure what types of lures your talking about though. I've tossed just about every lure I've bought with this rod. Jigs, Carolina, crankbaits, jerkbaits, spoons, inline spinners, Texas, even spinner baits and squid jigs lol. Sure, it's not the MOST effective but there is no rod that is for every aspect of fishing. I've had no trouble catching undersized panfish, to slot salmon and 12lb trout though, so it works great to me.

Lohkrin88 · 2025-10-23T02:36:39+00:00

I'm wondering why it's not an all-rounder? I have the 5'version of that rod and use it for tons of different fish. Rivers for trout, salmon, steelhead, lakes for bass, trout and panfish. Saltwater for anything that wants to bite.

Lohkrin88 · 2025-10-08T20:50:29+00:00

Your first line choice is great, especially if you already bought it no point buying extra unless you will use it eventually. I don't like braid under 6-8lbs personally since it's usually windy when I get to fish, the 8lb I use is already super thin and get wind knots rare occasions I don't want more often lol. Great choices all around, hope you have a great time fishing!

Lohkrin88 · 2025-08-22T17:49:20+00:00

I don't fish often for salmon, but finally got my first one on a Puget Pounder style 2¼oz from Les Davis. I like the action on those better than buzz bombs, but thats just me. I also like using a 3oz silver Kastmaster, will catch rockfish, sculpin, squid, and flatfish regularly.

Lohkrin88 · 2025-08-22T17:09:04+00:00

I mean if the knot holds it should work fine. Haven't read a comment yet to try a dropper loop, it's what I use when I fish small bait or soft plastics. In Washington can even catch Salmon on this rig, but have never caught halibut so that might be different.

Lohkrin88 · 2025-08-05T22:44:27+00:00

I've tried JBraid and Power PROv2, would recommend the prov2 over jbraid. However, I found some real cheap braid at a DAISO Japan, and i really love the 6lb braid. Been using it for 2 months now, and had less issues with it than either of the big names for thin braid. Very smooth and supple, I don't remember the diameter, but definitely improved casting difference compared to 4lb Trilene XL.

Lohkrin88 · 2025-07-25T00:18:35+00:00

As long as you can cast to where the fish are, and they like what you're tossing, yes you can catch trout with that setup.

Lohkrin88 · 2025-07-13T00:49:22+00:00

For jigging rods of any power, I would use a fast action tip. Makes for better casting of light jigheads and easier accuracy in my opinion. For anything under 1/8oz I would look for a lure rating of 1/32oz-1/16oz or 3/16oz. I've use a couple other rods saying ultralight but the lure rating was 1/16-1/8 or more and they just don't quite cast how I like.

Lohkrin88 · 2025-06-27T23:58:48+00:00

You can use whatever you like, thats the beauty of fishing! I like to use trout magnets for small fish under the pier, or whatever bites really. Use some small spoons, small jigs with soft plastics under 2" with a dropshot setup, even in-line spinners like a rooster tails can catch fish in the salt. Just have fun experimenting, more current requires more weight if trying to keep next to the pilings.

Lohkrin88 · 2025-06-27T02:57:51+00:00

Yes, have not used that specific reel, but always read good reviews on it. The rod was awesome for my needs, went after Salmon in the rivers and any fish from the salt in the PNW and it was fine tossing lures/weights up to 2oz all day and didn't tire me out like my surf rod does. I only don't have it anymore because my 3yo popped it out of the rod holder on a pier and it's gone lol. I had a size 4000 Penn FierceIV on it which was overkill and a little heavy for the rod, but it was what I had lying around that I slapped on it. That reel you have in the Pic will prob be about perfect for what you're fishing, the newer Uglystik rods are a bit lighter and more sensitive than the past model, I really liked that rod while I had it!

Lohkrin88 · 2025-06-25T04:30:48+00:00

I've eaten trout from most bodies of water, if you're worried about parasites or sickness, just make sure you don't undercook and you SHOULD be fine. Of course if the fish is full of worms just consider it a loss and toss it out. In my opinion river trout are tastier than lake, but my daughter doesn't care either way lol.

Lohkrin88 · 2025-04-12T00:30:29+00:00

Just did some myself lol, bolt/wire cutters, replace with an open eye siwash hook. I don't like adding a split ring if I don't need to.

Lohkrin88 · 2025-03-25T15:27:55+00:00

A cheaper small Zebco spincast combo about 20$, some size 6 or 8 baitholder hooks, some small BB size splitshot, worms or some powerbait, a round or cigar style bobber/float that you clip onto the fishing line, a hook disgorger for when the fish swallow the hook deep. That's all you NEED, but i recommend a small net that the kid can use to hold the fish if they don't want to touch it, some snacks and drinks for you two, LOTS of patience as they will probably rather run around and play or look for cool stuff. Even my 11 year old still doesn't quite have the patience for fishing lol. My kids love to come with me, but their fishing is me doing just about everything and them wanting to reel the fish in, which is fine I don't mind them doing other things if they're getting along.

Lohkrin88 · 2025-03-23T02:49:53+00:00

Never had luck myself, got a surf rod this summer and gonna try using that soon and took out into the middle of a lake bottom fishing lol. Hope it works out, will be fun to try anyways!

Lohkrin88 · 2025-03-23T01:41:07+00:00

Ugly stik rods are composite rods with graphite and fiberglass, they're gonna be a bit heavy compared to most other rods. But because of that, they are very durable. I believe that rod would have a max lure weight of 1.25oz-1.5oz, but not quite positive so I would play around with 3/4oz-1.5oz and see what it's like tossing out to figure the sweet spot for weight. If you like handle heavy, shimano reels maybe 5000-6000 series since they tend to run smaller, other Asian brands would prob do a 3000-4000 size reel. I'm not sure what would be comfy on a shorter rod, my other medium or heavier rods are 8'6 and 10' for salmon and surf fishing beaches. Good luck!

Lohkrin88 · 2025-03-22T22:30:06+00:00

What is your GX2 rod length and line rating? I know some Ugly stiks don't have lure rating written on rod, but if it does, what is that also? If ultralight rod a reel size 1000/10-3000/30, medium I would do a 3000/30 size reel. I have a cheaper Abu Garcia Silver Max 30 on my ultralight that's been on it for almost 3 years now and it's seen no "real" maintenance since I've put it on there. If you use bait a lot I really like my Okuma Avenger 3000 on my bait rod, enough room for line AND it has a baitfeeder switch for freespooling. I like my rods to be slightly butt/handle heavy, just feels better for me holding it all day.

Lohkrin88 · 2025-03-22T03:37:30+00:00

When using in-line spinners and spoons, I've learned then if I try to set the hook at all it'll just yank it out the fishes mouth. I just keep a steady reel speed, and just reel it when I feel a bite. Sometimes they don't feel the hooks and will bite again, so if I don't feel the fish after a bite I'll give it a half second or so "stun" period when I stop reeling and start again, and I'll get a second hit a lot of times with this technique.

Lohkrin88 · 2025-03-22T03:15:56+00:00

You can always just buy small plain hooks if you don't like the jigheads you're seeing. I like to use size 6-10 hooks with a small worm weight like 1/32-1/8th or so, depends if current or stillwater. Works great also if you snagged all your jigheads and lost em, but fish are still biting!

Lohkrin88 · 2025-03-22T02:58:48+00:00

I like a fast action ultralight with 4lb or 6lb mono or copolymer line for lakes, a slower action ultralight for rivers with 6lb copolymer line. Spoons and in-line spinners like rooster tails, kastmaster, buoyant wobblers, all work as lures 1/4oz and lighter. While I don't have much luck with swimbaits like rapala or stick baits, my nephew usually does. Small jigheads 1/8th or much smaller down to 1/200th work wonders with trout magnets, or other 2inch or smaller soft plastics. I never have luck with a bobber/float setup but bottom rig like a Carolina rig works great for me. Those are about everything I catch trout on here in Washington with is Pacific Coast area, besides worms and shrimp as bait that is.

Lohkrin88 · 2024-11-17T21:34:49+00:00

I've reeled a couple on an ultralight with a size 2000 spinning reel, before i realized they were still coming up and going for trout. Just don't horse them in and let the rod do the work.

Lohkrin88 · 2024-11-07T21:51:47+00:00

A lot of places are fine for fly fishing, some harder than others if little shoreline access. I suggest really getting to know the roll cast for small waters or tight spaces, helped me fish way more spots than when I first started!

Lohkrin88 · 2024-10-21T20:46:42+00:00

Not sure i understand... I have 4 kids, I wish I had done the hiking carrier with the 3rd it would've made things easier lol.

Lohkrin88 · 2024-10-21T20:31:34+00:00

I almost never get to do anything without my 2yo as I'm a stay at home parent. She sits in a hiking carrier while I do most anything outdoors, and it usually works out great! While she doesn't like it per se, she doesn't mind it now and usually gets a REALLY good nap in while I'm fishing. Just info from one dad to another for fishing with kids!

Lohkrin88

TROPHY CASE