Are you a god in disguise?

No....I bought over 500 bucks of fishing equipment back in 2006, and Bass Pro Shops credited me back 14 bucks with a special "rewards card"....I've never used it...My brother and his wife were coming down to Surfside, Texas and wanted a beachfront hotel and one heck of a fishing trip....I provided it....I'm just nice like that. Life is short, man. Make the most of it, as the cliche goes! Do unto others as you want them to do unto you!

i cant take 14 dollars fro myou. Thats just wrong.

You truly have a huge heart for offering though

Thanks

Trex, we like to see people getting into the hobby/sport, and we want to make sure they have a good time at it. Regardless of what peta, and the green whackos say, sportsmen make the best conservationists. Also, I doubt anyone would make fun of the way you go fishing.

When I say serious bush, I mean banks that are brushy or have a lot of high grass. Places where you might have a hard time casting and you're tackle might take a beating. Not necessarily what's under the water; I get different line for that. A shorter, heavier rod can be easier to work with in heavy bush and close quarters.
As for getting a combo or getting the reel and rod seperate, depends on if you can get a little more cash. If you can't, combos usually do run cheaper, but if you can get a graphite combo, that would be best. Or a graphite rod and cheap reel. But I would get the best rod and reel I could get, combo or other wise, for the money I have. A graphite rod would improve your fishing greatly.

I'd try to get the kid set up, but I'm a long way from Houston (stationed in Germany at the moment). Hope somebody can assist the young man. He's definitely got the hunger!

What waters are you fishing OP?

Not even a recommendation, just showing you can catch bass with a Texas rig using even smaller tackle than what you have. (Though it is a great ultralight combo for the price)

The bush you describe certainly also describes the drainaage ditch i am fishing in. Theres alot of high grass and my tackle ctainly do take a beating.

Although my rod is short, i dont think it qualifies as a heavy rod. Its a medium light action.

Ill definately keep the recommendations you made abt the rodreels in mind though. They sound way better than the current i have.

For anyone that wants to know, this is the area im fishign in. A drainage ditch thats heavily weeded. You can see the weeds in the satellite image.
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/132/hwpics.png/

Trex,

I have a Ryobi SX2N Silver Cloud spinning reel that is the perfect size for fishing crank baits and larger size worms. The reel is in perfect condition, but I don't use it anymore because I use baitcasters exclusively. I would like to see the reel put to good use instead of just sitting around gathering dust. You would actually be doing me a favor if you will take it off my hands, because I could use the extra space on my reloading table. If you will PM me your mailing address, I will send you the reel free of charge. If you don't feel comfortable giving me your home address, then ask your parents if I could mail it to their work address.

Do any of you guys have a spare spinning rod you could mail Trex to go with this reel?

heck if you lived by me trex I would take you to my buddies pond ain't been in a while but we could catch 3 pound fish all day my biggest out there is 8.5 roughly I've caught some 7s and multiple 6s and I would let you use my high dollar stuff falcon caras and curados. By the time you left you may have a spro or two some hooks baits I would just keep on giving. I'm only 15 but I gots lots of nice expensive stuff and I would let you use it in a heart beat if you were goin fishing with me...... Pm me you address ill try and send you some weights and hooks and a few baits

I may have a rod Idk. Ill look but not sure if my dad will let me send it

I txpose all soft plastics now instead of tx rigging. Better hook up ratio. Look for some Owner "rigging" hooks. They are short but they are strong. They should work well for your grub.

Where do you live at in the houston area? I have a Pflueger echelon rod and reel combo that I won in a drawing about 4 years ago, I used it once. It has just been sitting in my garage collecting dust and your welcome to take it. Would like to see it being used then just sitting there.

I have four custom rods I built a few years back. They are by no means perfect as rodbuilding was not my gig. However they are perfectly fishable, I fished them for a couple years. They are all Allstar and Shikari blanks. If you (Trex) (or anyone) is willing to front the shipping, I would give them to you. They just sit and collect dust. They are great rods, split grips and quality components. I have been waiting for a young kid or someone to donate them, I think this fits the bill.

Let me know
Cliff