Fishing Gear.

[andyjaggy]

I spent my childhood and teenage years fishing, but it's now been over 10 years since I have cast a line, and with the amount of backpacking I am planning on doing this year I am wanting to get back into it. However at this point I know next to nothing, and am looking for some gear recommendations. I would like to throw together a quick and cheap fishing kit for backpacking, preferable keeping it under 100 bucks. Suggestions?

 

[steve]

I'll be watching this thread, especially if there is a compact/lightweight option out there for this price.

 

[Nick]

Where are you planning on backpacking & fishing?

 

[Nick]

Assuming Uintas & Winds. You can get into a great setup for next to nothing. This is a great backpacking spin rod:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...=B003D64A9A&linkCode=as2&tag=backcountrypo-20

That rod is also sold at Sportsman's Warehouse. And then just pick up some lures. Get some Jake's Spin a Lures (gold with red dots) and then maybe some bubbles and flies like a renegade. If you want some other spinners, get some #2 Gold Gold Foxes and maybe some Kastmasters. You'll be out maybe $40-$50 and you'll knock 'em dead.

 

[andyjaggy]

Yep Uintas mostly. I'll take a look at that link.

 

[Bob Wire]

In the long run I think you will have a lot more fun fly fishing as it inherently involves you much more in the aquatic environment.
here is a great deal on a good quality beginning package :

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Home...80&WTz_l=DirectLoad;cat104721480;cat535873680

I have fly fished in the Winds and Uintas and found that it is much more versatile than a spin outfit and much less prone to malfunction. make sure however you get a 4 piece rod in about a 5 weight for all around use

last week on the Missouri

 

[Nick]

I also really enjoy fly fishing, but if you want quick, easy fishing on a budget, I wouldn't recommend it. For ultralight fly fishing, I really dig my Tenkara setup.

 

[andyjaggy]

I am sure fly fishing would be really fun, but like Nick said I am looking for something easy and cheap at this point. With 2 kids under 3 at home I have to choose pretty carefully where to put my money and time these days. I am sure at a different point in my life I will pick up fly fishing.

 

[Scott Chandler]

Depending on how much gear you want to carry with you, either fishing method can really be the same weight in my experience. Spin fishing can be cheaper though because flies are ridiculously expensive.

Also if you plan on fishing lakes a spin rod will give you much better reach. On some lakes it does not matter but I've generally found that better luck is had the further out your lure goes and the fly rod will snag something behind you unless it is wide open. Waders/float tubes are the usual way of alleviating this issue but backpacking that gear in is less than optimal. Wading into a cold lake can be invigorating though!

All that said I personally fly fish. I find the action of it more rewarding. When backpacking I'll just bring my rod/reel, fly box and extra tippet. Not bad at all weight wise.

 

[Parma]

the fly/bobber work great for lakes in the Uintas. just give yourself about 6' or so between the fly and bobber.

 

[DAA]

Fly fishing is great, on it's unique merits. But most Uintas lakes, a spin outfit is the way to go if you just want to catch fish. I have a really nice backpacking spin outfit, but, it's not cheap. It's a St. Croix pack rod with a Shimano Stradic Ci4. It's pretty light weight and fun to catch small trout on. I've actually measured it and I can toss a Jake's an honest 110' with that outfit. Which at times, makes all the difference in the world on some of those lakes.

- DAA

 

[steve]

what do you guys think of something like this? Obviously it'll be limited in casting distance, but you can't complain about the size or weight.

http://www.gofastandlight.com/Ultra...e-BaitCast-Reel-COMBO/productinfo/F-P-STDKIT/

 

[Scott Chandler]

I have a friend that backpacks with an Ugly Stik. Super light with pretty good action. The few times I've spun in the backcountry has been on it and it was nice. I believe they are pretty cheap too.

 

[steve]

Any tankara users? I suck at fly fishing, and I'd most likely go hungry with a tankara, but i like the simplicity factor.

 

[Nick]

I have a Tenkara and like it quite a bit. Great backpacking rig but it certainly has it's limitations. I'm running out to a meeting, but here's some info to chew on:

http://backcountrypost.com/forum/threads/tenkara-fishing.936/

 

[Yellowstone 1]

I have that little Shakespeare rod and it works great. Fly fishing or spin fishing. With the fly you just use a bubble. I have caught tons of fish on it.
And yes I know the fish in the photo is dinky.

 

[DAA]

what do you guys think of something like this? Obviously it'll be limited in casting distance, but you can't complain about the size or weight.

http://www.gofastandlight.com/Ultra...e-BaitCast-Reel-COMBO/productinfo/F-P-STDKIT/

Have not used it. Researched it heavliy when I was deciding what to go with for a backpacking spin outfit. Came to the conclusion that it was a pretty worthless POS, when all was said and done. So crossed it off my list.

Like I said though, never actually used it. And... I have a long history of fishing gear snobbery. Going way, way back. My St. Croix pack rod is the only "store bought" rod I own. The other couple dozen are all customs - made by me - generally speaking, there's nothing on the shelf at Sportsmans Whorehouse good enough to satisfy me.

- DAA

 

[Nanda]

I've a tenkara rod and like it a lot. I started with spin fishing last summer, got bored quickly and moved to tenkara as I was intimated by fly casting an what not. Ultimately bought a fly setup, or 2.

Tenkara Pros:
- great for backpacking, light and simple setup
- great on small streams and rivers(think streams in Uintas) and in some ways better than western rod
- essentially fly fishing(flies) so easy on fish(if you don't plan to keep them)
- cheaper than a western fly fishing setup

Cons:
- limited reach obviously
- bit expensive a spin setup.

I use my western fly rod a lot more these days, but then I am on provo river and such. I would take my tenkara rod when backpacking. Tenkara is simple, and still versatile enough to do different flies, nymphs and what not.

So ultimately my advice is if you are looking at lakes and reservoirs go with a lightweight spin setup. If you want to explore the rivers and streams, go with tenkara. I must warn you though, it can be highly addictive, fly fishing that is.

 

[Bob]

cabellas collapsible rod. Shinamo AXUL spinning reel, 4 lb test line. Only lure you will ever need is a Jakes Money Clip. gold with red dots. You will catch way m0re fish with a spinning setup and you can fish a fly behind a bubble if needed.

 

[andyjaggy]

Ah yes, I looked up that lure. It's funny how things come back to you, I believe that was one I used regularly back when I fished often.