fishing rod/reel purchase opinions please

[fishinggod]

So I run all baitcasting gear right now. I want to get a few spinning rigs. one for perch and one for stripers. I feel I don't need two completely different rigs to do this. my plan is to get a bit lighter rod for the perch rig in order to cast smaller baits. I want to keep each setup around 100 bucks if possible. from all the searches I have done on here, I have come up with what I think sounds good. just want to get everyones opinion before I pull the trigger. don't want to be disappointed after the fact. for reels I was going to get two Penn Fierce 3000 reels. I figure they should be fine for both the lighter rod and the heavier rod. then I was going to get two shakespeare ugly stik inshore select rods. one in the 7ft medium light and the other in the 7ft medium. my experience in spinning gear is 0 for the past 15 years of doing nothing but bassfishing tournaments on the west coast. so any info you all got that would be amazing!

[J.A. Veil]

A 3000 series reel sounds large for a perch rod. I use 6' ultralights with 1000 series reels for perch and pickerel.

[fishinggod]

ok. maybe I should actually go into bassproshops to handle different setups before purchasing online.

[Cowpokey]

3000 size reel with medium or medium heavy rod for striper/blues/etc...and 20# braid, that set up will handle everything from perch to CNR. Targeting perch; I would go with John's advice and get something in a 1000 size reel and a light action rod.

[sega]

What everyone else has said pretty much hits the nail on the head. 3000 is overkill for perch. Get an UL setup you'll have more fun.

I feel like more and more guys are putting down their baitcasters for nice spinning outfits nowadays

[EMSer]

I had been using my Penn 3000 Battle II combo for perch and wanted to go lighter. I bought another Battle II combo (2000), but wish I had gone even lighter.

[fishinggod]

Bruce, ill check them out as well when I head north this week and hit bps. I never looked at the combos. I like the price that's for sure.

[Mark]

Two springs ago I was among a bunch of fishermen lining the shores of the Susquehanna during the shad run. The current was running very fast and I felt a strong tug on my line.

I reeled in not a shad but a fishing rod!

It was a light spinning outfit with a Pflueger reel on a Shakespeare rod. It had been in the water for a while because the line was stripped from it and the reel had a nicks and scrapes on it. But otherwise it was in remarkably good condition.

I cleaned the combo and oiled the reel and it was (and remains) very smooth. I loaded it with 8 pound mono and I have caught a lot of perch with it.

I researched the components on-line and learned that the reel retailed for $29.95 and the rod for $19.95.

I have to admit I never would have bought it at that price thinking it wouldn't hold up. But it has. So for perch (and pickerel) I don't think you have to break the bank on tackle.

[Cowpokey]

What everyone else has said pretty much hits the nail on the head. 3000 is overkill for perch. Get an UL setup you'll have more fun.

I feel like more and more guys are putting down their baitcasters for nice spinning outfits nowadays

I'll keep using my baitcaster, but I doubt I'll ever buy another one.

[DonV]

I just got two of these from Walmart. Micro Graphite Spinning Rod 6'-6" light for $17
http://www.walmart.com/ip/17474395?reviews_limit=9&

Save some money on the perch setup and put the extra toward your striper setup.

Find it to be a perfect size and sensitivity for perching. Has a little more backbone than it would appear and think it would handle small stripers if need be. Paired with a $20 Okuma size 20 reel, makes a nice setup.

I agree with the other comments, the heavier rods I was using for double duty, perch or striper, just took a little to much fun away and made it hard to cast small lures when going for perch. This one has hit a nice sweet spot, it can handle a ounce or so of weight for bottom fishing yet has enough whip to toss 1/8 oz. lures a good way.

If you do decide on this one make sure to pick your size from the dropdown box. The listing is a little weird. It is titled Micro Graphite Spinning Rod, 4'6" yet you can pick your size. You should get a light weighted rod. The also sell this rod in a micro light series for about $20.

I also recommend Berkley Cherrwood rods as another low priced winner. Nice sensitivity and backbone for such a low rriced rod($20-$25). They have some nice sizes in the series for perch.

[fishinggod]

thanks everyone for the advice. I'm going to head over to the local tackle shop to feel a bunch out. then go home and try to find them even cheaper online as i'm pretty sure i will be able to as the local shop is a bit expensive on most things.

[jhoss]

I don't always buy shimano's.....but when I do I prefer the straidic. That having been said- I have various lower price point shimano reels that have all held up well. My favorite rod for perch is the Berkeley lightning 6,6 medium light which I got last year on close out for $32. Super sensitive rod, that can even handle a few bigger fish here and there.

[sega]

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Shakespear...Combo/23608430

^ $18 and I use this for shad, perch, bass, the whole nine yards. Here's a video of me getting American Shad with it