Hello! I have recently taken up an interest in fishing and can't wait to get out on my local waters around DFW. There is just one small problem, I don't have a rod!
I want to get myself set up with an affordable kit, and could use some guidance on what to look out for. Now I am not exactly struggling for cash, but I also feel uncomfortable spending more than $60 on gear as I try to make the most of every dollar, but I would still like to have a setup that is capable of catching decent sized bass and maybe some pan fish if I feel like it.

Here is what I am thinking about getting so far
ozark trail (OT) wayfarer : a $10 medium light spinner combo
OT 5+1 spinning Reel: $15 reel, thinking to put it on a cheap medium heavy pole, this or the wayfarer
OT 3/0 worm/offset hooks: (someone please tell me the difference) that I want to pair with...
basic senko: to set up a Texas rig. Thinking either pumpkin or watermelon. The waters I am planning on hitting are reporting that they are lightly stained so this should be fine
basic jigs: for smaller fish variety
cheapest slip sinkers: bc I heard they where good
fishing license: yea, there might only be 2 months left before the season ends, but that is still 2 whole months, which I feel is worth the $30. I am open to the idea of paying extra to make it a 365 day

I would love to get some advice. Thank you so much for your time

Start with the license…getting caught without one will blow your budget all the hell.

Then buy whatever stuff ya want. If you wind up liking fishing, you can always buy better stuff.

I appreciate your frugal nature, but I also want you to enjoy fishing.
I would not get the OT rod or reel.
Good line is key.

Start learning the following knots and your knot will never fail.
Tie the same knot every time and you will get good at tying them.
*I am not a fan of the palomar as it has to be tied absolutely perfectly or it will cut into the line above the knot (especially with fluoro)
I will be suggesting knots that self correct as you wet them and cinch them down.

Line to line knot


Line to hook or lure knot (this knot can be used for every set up, just run the single tag end back down through the hook eye to weight if using a drop shot)

Start simple. Buy the following lines from Walmart for a spinning reel set up for bass.
10lb Berkley big game
20lb power pro braid

Tie the 10lb big game to your reel. Spool up 10 yards of it and cut.
Join the 10lb big game backing that you just spooled on to the 20 pound power pro braid with the modified Alberto line to line knot and fill the reel to just short of 1/8 inch full. Cut the braid. Join the braid to 6 feet of 10 pound big game with another modified Alberto.

The benefits of braid mainline on spinning reels are numerous and will increase your enjoyment of fishing.

Reel
Size 25 Pflueger President spinning reel

Just got back from asking a local church if their ponds are privately or city owned. It's private with no connecting public water, they allow public fishing (with catch and release of course), and it seems like it is a pretty popular spot.

I wouldn't need a license if I am fishing on private waters right? Would give me some time to decide if fishing is for me before I invest in a license.

Academy sports and outdoors online

I think $60 would be the minimum for a decent rod and reel combo. Spend a little more and you will be getting something that won't break on the first or second time out.

I suggest the Shimano Sienna spinning reel which costs about $30 at Walmart and Academy. There are rods of several brands that will match fairly well with the Sienna and be in the $35-45 range. I would suggest a 6.5 medium action and suggest you try Daiwa, Ugly Stik, Berkley (among others) and find the one you like the best.

I would also suggest monofilament line (Trilene or Stren) as it is easier and less expensive (in my opinion) to work with than braid or fluorocarbon.

Get some Senkos (or other brands) as well as several spinnerbaits, and a rattle bait and a Rapala floating minnow and you should be good to go and all for less than $100. This will be a good enough set up to build on if you find you like fishing and not too much of an expense if you decide fishing is not for you.

Good luck and good fishing!

You will need a license to fish public OR PRIVATE waters. There is one exception, you may fish within the boundaries of a state park without a license. Limit is two poles per person with going this route.

My spinning reels are the tippy top, top of the line. The yardstick I use to measure lower tier reels. I use UglyStik rods but have St Croix.

KastKing is really decent stuff. H2Ox, the Academy house brand. Also good stuff.


Pawnshop always has fishing poles. Some cheap and some stupid. Full tackle boxes. Flea Market and Craigslist.

Asking friends if they'll sell or will let you borrow one of their, "lending out" poles . The extra rig they have in case someone, with no equipment, wants to go. My lend out is a Bass Pro Shop spinning combo. Found the thing out at the lake. Retail is $100 and it's a POS but will do the job.

What part of Texas are you in?

I have lots of the things you are looking for with the exception of the spinning reels. All my extra rods are casting. You are welcome to come out and pick you out some of the following and I will help you. I will be available Tues. and Wednesday. Leaving town on Thursday for 10 days.
I have the following that I will give you:
- Lots of plastics,
- Small Spinnerbaits and jigs.
- Hooks and weights.
- Plano boxes to put them in.

how old are you,..

You do not need a license for private water