general gear question

[flinger]

So I have never done much recreational fishing and my wife has wanted to for a while so my question is ,Is there a single pole /reel combo that i can buy that would be equally compatible for fishing the sound as well as some lake type fishing.I am not looking to spend a bunch of money or buying 2 or 3 set ups each for an occasional hobby would much rather have 1 pole each that will work in most salt/fresh water novice fishing
The guy at outdoor sports insisted i needed 3 different setups at over 100 bucks each i kinda laughed and walked away
Just looking for reasonable suggestions
          Thanks
                    Neal

[wraithen]

For that kind of combo it sounds like a salmon type of combo may be in order. You'll be out over 100 per setup if you want something to last more than a year or two though. If you really shop around after the seasons end you'll probably be able to duck under that 100 mark though. The issue is you'll want something tougher for the bigger sound fish you may catch. Bigger means more money usually.

[75johndeere]

im not sure if a quality salt/fresh combo can be had for 100 bucks but for mabey 200ish i have a light weight lamiglas northwest edition with a abu garcia bait caster on it and it does great landed 30 pound kings on it in the ocean. fished rockfish along the rocks in neah bay i have caught trout and fished for salmon on the rivers. it might not be the best all around rod/reel but its slayed alot of fish 

[fishinmike]

Hit garage sales for trout gear. I probably saw 20 different good trout rods and reels yesterday at sales for 5-15 bucks. As far as saltwater it depends on the type of fishing you will be doing. I may have some extra stuff, pm me if you need any help.

[wraithen]

Don't forget the licenses. That combo without endorsements makes me wonder if I'll fish enough every year. 

[hoytem]

im not sure if a quality salt/fresh combo can be had for 100 bucks but for mabey 200ish i have a light weight lamiglas northwest edition with a abu garcia bait caster on it and it does great landed 30 pound kings on it in the ocean. fished rockfish along the rocks in neah bay i have caught trout and fished for salmon on the rivers. it might not be the best all around rod/reel but its slayed alot of fish 

i have the same pole with abu garcia spinning reel.
 I think something like this is the best combo for sound/lakes/rivers.

[bloodhound]

i have to agree1 i would go with a nice medium action 9'6'' salmon/steelhead river rod. thats about as close as you are gonna get. you dont have to get a bait cast model you can get spinning model also if your more comfortable with spinning.

[Moose22]

im not sure if a quality salt/fresh combo can be had for 100 bucks but for mabey 200ish i have a light weight lamiglas northwest edition with a abu garcia bait caster on it and it does great landed 30 pound kings on it in the ocean. fished rockfish along the rocks in neah bay i have caught trout and fished for salmon on the rivers. it might not be the best all around rod/reel but its slayed alot of fish 

I have the same set-up. It works on 30 pounders in the river also. I agree with the garage sale for the lighter gear. Smaller fish are more forgiving with cheaper gear. I think you should have a lighter rod for the lakes and a heavier rod for the salt/river (for salmon/metalheads)

[Alchase]

i have to agree1 i would go with a nice medium action 9'6'' salmon/steelhead river rod. thats about as close as you are gonna get. you dont have to get a bait cast model you can get spinning model also if your more comfortable with spinning.

Totally agree, I spent most of my youth fishing a medium action 7 1/2 ft cheap eagle claw with a Mitchel 300 for everything from pan fish to stealhead and salmon in the rivers. For trolling on the salt, look for a older Penn 309 level wind in the garage sales and a trolling rod.

Out of all the cheap rods I fished I only broke one with a fish on, and that was a huge king on the Carbon that hit as I had the line wrapped around the top eyelet, lol. Sounded like a rifle shot going off. All the other rods we broken by car doors and tripping, lol

You do not "have to" spend $100.00s to go fishing, though by the time you are done, you probably will have, lol

[Dhoey07]

This guy right here would fit the bill perfectly

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/Rod-Reel-Combos/Spinning-Combos%7C/pc/104793480/c/104762880/sc/105791580/Cabelas-Pro-Guide174-SalmonSteelhead-Spinning-Combo/1198477.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Ffishing-rod-reel-combos-spinning-combos%2Fcabelas%2F_%2FN-1102843%2B1000002949%2FNe-1000002949%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_105791580%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104793480%253Bcat104762880%26WTz_st%3DGuidedNav%26WTz_stype%3DGNU&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104793480%3Bcat104762880%3Bcat105791580

I got one for my b-day last year and it's worked great

[cohoho]

As stated above, there are a lot of options out there for a decent rod and reel set up.  But between Salmon and bottom fish to light trout stuff, one rod can't do it for sure.  A decent option for the price would an Ugly Stick lite in Med weight.  Ok rods for all around stuff.. 

[Skillet]

Is there a single pole /reel combo that i can buy that would be equally compatible for fishing the sound as well as some lake type fishing.

Nope.  That would be like saying "is there one gun I can buy that would be equally compatible for coyotes and elk".  Sure, you can get a gun that will do both adequately, but not well.

From the sound of your post, you're looking at puget sound fishing first and lakes second.  If so, these guys have some good recommendations for the sound.  BUT, if you're looking at lake fishing as a real objective, you're not going to enjoy the 9-6" baitcaster.  I'd say look at a 6-6 or 7-0 med action spin caster rated for 12-20#.  Get a decent spinning reel and you're in business.  It's light for the big salmon, sure, but will be much more enjoyable to cast all day at your local trout/bass lakes.  Will catch any pink salmon that swims and most coho.
My  , anyway.