Newbie help

[Justleo]

OK so I had a friend take me fishing a few years ago and now my work schedule is much better to allow me time to fish stripers...Now my question is I've collected a few Penn conventional reels mainly because I love the challenge of trying to cast and fish with them. I plan on fishing live herring but the rod choice for my reel ( 209, 140 , 200 , 500 ) is the tough choice . I have an area to practice casting but need help with the pole and I don't really want to break the bank buying it .
Thanks

[Glusk7]

So your casting from shore? I would be looking for a 9ft plus rod. If you have a good area to cast and trees nor overhead cover are not an issue to interfear, go with 11, 12.. I've seen guys use a 15 ft rod before. I personally use 10 ft and 11 ft but Im always playing with trees.

[Glusk7]

http://www.redsgear.com/okuma-longit...kBCRoCgWLw_wcB

[Glusk7]

Oops that's a spinning reel rod. I think your best bet is trying to find an ugly stick rod

[Justleo]

Ok so I went with a 9ft okuma rod.....I got a real quick lesson on bird nests and burnt thumbs ....I spooled up my Penn 200 with 20lb test and all I had at my disposal was a 2oz weight and I can pretty consistently cast 50+ yds with no bird's-nest lol....Some more practice then off to the river I hope

[gunner1]

Originally Posted by Justleo

Ok so I went with a 9ft okuma rod.....I got a real quick lesson on bird nests and burnt thumbs ....I spooled up my Penn 200 with 20lb test and all I had at my disposal was a 2oz weight and I can pretty consistently cast 50+ yds with no bird's-nest lol....Some more practice then off to the river I hope

I learned recently that a good way to set up your conventional reel is to put your weight on the end of the line, raise the tip of the rod in the air, and then let the weight fall to the ground. Keep your thumb over the spool without touching it just in case you need it. When the weight hits the ground the spool should stop spinning. If it doesn't stop immediately then adjust the spool tension knob until you get the fastest fall WITHOUT the spool spinning after ground contact. Watch this video at approximately the sixteen minute mark.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zLTPDH0Xts