Good Rod and Reel Combination? Please help.

I was wondering which rod and reel combination would be better I will be fishing for trout on average of 10 to 15 inches. Mostly using powerbait and small lures from the bank of lakes and rivers. Thanks. I am not sure which setup is best. I have decided on the brands just not the specifics.

The first of the two is closest to my ultralight setup. I use a 5' graphite ultralight rod and the Sedona 1000 with 4 pound test. I like this combination quite a bit. I use it for both trout and panfish and it makes for a pretty good fight. The extra foot will give you more distance on your casts plus a bit more for the fish to play against. That takes tension of the line, something you will appriciate when you are surprised by a 3+ pounder. I don't care much for heavier action rods for trout the size you mention, the medium will be okay if you find a source of bigger fish but I'd step up to the larger sedona on it.

Good luck,

Hi Ezaction,

I fish for just about every fresh water species and over the years have collected just about every setup there is. I don't know why you selected the combos listed below but it sounds like they are a package deal. You say you are going to be fishing lakes and rivers. Well, you mentioned the average size trout, what are you going to do if you hook a big trout? I would go with the medium action 6'6 but with a bigger reel. A reel that will hold a couple hundred yards of eight pound test but loaded up with 4 or 6 pound test. By doing so, if you hook something big you won't get spooled and if you get hung up or a few bird's nests you won't run out of line. I don't go ultra-lite unless I am pan fishing or on a very small trout stream. If I am on a river or lake with potential for big fish then I fish a setup with a little more rod and bigger reel but usually light line. I have caught 30 pound salmon on eight pound test. You just need alot of line to play them out.