Bassin' on a budget

By Staff
Kevin Stone
Franklin County Times
While looking through some of the latest fishing catalogs I've received, there is one detail that stands out – the prices of name-brand equipment has gone out of sight.
Reels that three years ago sold for $120 are now selling for $300 because of their new and improved design. The used older versions, which are good enough for me, are still selling online for their new price.
I was thinking back on how simple my equipment used to be. We would go fishing with a single spinning rod or fly rod. Our tackle would be carried in a fanny pack and consisted of one pack of four-inch lizards, a pack of slider worms, hooks, weights, a rooster tail and needle nose pliers.
If we chose to take the fly rods, we would take extra leader line and a spare popper, and that's all. After we became a little better at fishing, we upgraded our tackle pack to include a spinner bait, six-inch lizards, power worms and a snagless sally.
Fishing can be as expensive or as economical as you want it to be. You don't have to take 15 rods and a boatload of tackle to be successful. For those looking to get started or simplify their selection, I would recommend three rods and reels.
The first would be a spinning rod and reel of six-and-a-half to seven feet in length capable of holding a good supply of 10-pound test line. The second and third would be bait casting combinations. I would choose two rods between six-and-a-half and seven feet long, one medium action and one medium heavy or heavy action. The two reels should be one of a gear ratio of five and the other should be a gear ratio of six. These combinations will allow you to correctly fish nearly any type of bait.
The tackle selection will depend on the time of year, but since it's spring you can refer to last week's article for my recommendations. In most cases the more simple you keep your selection, the better off you are.
If you want to fish a tournament this weekend, don't forget about the benefit tournament for the American Cancer Society that will be held Saturday on Upper Bear Lake at Twin Forks boat ramp. Parents, if you need any last minute ideas for the Easter bunny, fishing gear looks great in an Easter basket.
Kevin Stone is branch manager and loan officer at Valley State Bank and can be reached at (256) 332-3600.