Newbie needs advice on buying rod/reel

Hello everyone!

I have recently taken up fishing and am ready to buy myself a rod, been using my friends crappy telescopic rod up to now. I plan on fishing mainly from piers/rocks, a small boat and maybe some lake fishing in the future. I would like a rod that will cover all these options for me. Some people say you can't really do this but others tell me you can. From the research I've done so far I think I should be going for a 9 or 10 foot spinning rod and reel combo. I'm undecided whether to go for a 9 foot or 10 foot rod. The 9 foot would be better suited to the boat and lake fishing but maybe to short to fish from the shore? I would prefer a two piece rod as they seem to be more practical and sturdy. I really like the look of the shimano technium, would this be a suitable choice for a beginner? I would be prepared to spend maybe 150eur on a rod and reel. I've had a good look on-line but it seems anything you save on the product, you pay for in shipping, plus I wanna get it asap. I am going to head into southside-anglers on cork at tomorrow as they appear to be one of the better shops in Dublin.

If anybody could give me some advise and some tips on what I should go for, I would appreciate it!

Many thanks

Jimmy

Have a look at the grauvell sport carbon spinning rod, it comes in 9, 10 and 11 foot and will cast up to 80 grams.Have one myself and its a cracker.Its not too dear either about 65 euro.

Thanks buddy, that sounds good to me! Is that just for the rod or both rod and reel?

Thats for the rod only, but its a good bit of kit and worth the money, i got mine in viking tackle in bray, they do mail order if you dont live nearby.

If your not wanting to spend to much check out the shakespeare salt range of rods they had been getting good reviews and the price is reasonable also. Have you thought about maybe picking up a 9/10 ft spinning road for spinning or the peir and maybe a seperate rod for beach casting..

yeah I think I might not spend as much on the spinning rod because there I'd a fair chance I will want a beach caster at some stage! I don't have any other equipment either so have to take that into account. I will see what they have in this shop anyway!

Thanks guys

Jimmy

have a look at www.directfishingtackle.com good gear and very reasonable

i got the shakespeare ugly stik lite 10ft and a shimano exage 4000 rb reel for about E130. the rod is so light and slim it looks like a cheapy toy but its strong as hell. ive lifted good sized doggies up and over pier walls with it.
i caught my first mack on it yesterday and with the drag set right, it was mighty craic.

if your willing to spend a little bit extra you might get a slightly better reel but im happy enough with mine.
the rod comes in 8, 9, and 10 foot. they do a normal version and the lite one. i think the normal one is slightly cheaper.
shakespeare reckon its the strongest rod around for its size, could be bull but heres a funny vid/add for the rod.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=hT1l7J9X5XA

thanks for the reply red! Thats another option, I am not going to skimp on the reel, I believe the shimano exage is a good reel though. Hopefully will get sorted today at south-side anglers, headin in after work!

its a grand reel, does me fine but havent used it a whole lot, yet. ive used the combo a few times from piers with a ledger just for a bit of craic but only twice for spinning.
you said you'd spend 150 so an extra 20 might get you a slightly better reel but ive no complaints with the exage.

yeah I would go to 150eur id say, I also need to get line, a tackle box and weights, spinners etc, and a fish knife, and god knows what else I will end up buyin'.

I was thinking of gettin braid line, what do you think?