My wife and I both got one of these in July, budget reasons. Since this forum is filled with every level of fisherman, I just wanted to know honest opinions of it.

http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/shakespe...8766?N=78002898

If that's what your budget could stand, then it's probably a good deal for you. A lot depends on how and how much you fish. If you are just a casual weekend fun fisherman, that little combo might last you a long time. If you really get serious about bass fishing and fish hard and fast, that little combo might not last very long. The old saying still stands true.....You get what you pay for. Good luck to you and your wife.

+1

Yeah, very occasionally fishing. Just wanted to make sure I didn't get a POS.

Go for it! Even the less expense tackle of today is a 100% improvement over what I started with. How many can remember the worm rods that were so stiff it fell like fishing with a broom stick. In-fact I caught many, many fish on a cane poll. it,s all good, just get out there.....

If you want to add more equipment you could pick up some Tournament Choice rods for 14 each and some Shimano IX spinning reels ($12) I've got some I've had for 10 years. Don't need to spend too much to catch fish!

Or you could get the right equipment the first time and ultimately spend less. There are lots of good deals on the classified section in this forum. Yes it may cost you slightly more upfront but you'll have less problems both in the short and long run. That's the route I'd recommend.

Being new to baitcasters, I have spent half of every cast getting the birdsnests cleared. Looking at trying a spinner next purchase.

It's in the settings. Tighten and/or loosen the silver knob until your lure free falls at a good rate but not too great. Then you know it's set properly.

And yes spinners are much easier to learn. Stick to a Shimano. Here in the states you can't go wrong with them. Anything equal to or above a Sedona will work. I used Sedonas many years ago. Never any issues.

Just got back from Academy with the Shimano 2000 and 4000

My wife and I are both getting back into fishing after each missing about a decade, forgot so much.

much better.

see, the setup you got first was labeled "UL" - ultralight.

hardest thing in the world is using light weights/lures on a baitcaster.
then if you load it with 1/2+ oz lure, the rod wont like it.

The rod says 8-15 pound line, we have 10 on there now. I made the switch to spinners after getting angry spending 1/2 of each cast unraveling a birds nest. Growing up we always used the closed faced spincast reels, never liked the mechanics of a spinner, but I have seen how much easier they are. I have never seen a spinner reel bird nest, but the other 2 types are constant maintenance, which sucks on a lure you have to reel in as soon as it hits water.

not the UL version then

It said Ultra Light, maybe their idea of UL and others vary a bit.