Freshwater Fly Setup - How much?

[LiftAndShoot]

Hey guys -

Quick question for the freshwater fly anglers out there. If I was going to try to get a simple, idiot-proof freshwater fly fishing setup (even second hand is ok), how much should I expect to spend? Target species would be panfish and maybe, if I'm lucky and the moon and stars align, bass. I don't know that both of these are possible on the same rig, but I'd hope so. The only fly gear I have is my 8/9 saltwater rod. I'm wanting to get into tying flyes (already have my 'kit' and I'm building my station) so I don't want to invest a lot there. This is strictly rod/reel.

Thoughts?

Thanks,
-LaS

[outlook8]

http://www.tforods.com/fly-fishing/rods/nxt-series.html#.V8mEJjQ8KnM

4/5wt or 5/6wt is $220. I have the 4/5wt and it is great for trout and pan fish. Have also caught small bass on it with no problem.

[Hawkpuppy 1]

I actually just picked up a new 4wt setup from Cabelas two days ago shipped for $108. The rod was on clearance, reel was normal price and the line and backing were on clearance as well. Was really looking to get a 3wt setup, but couldn't pass up those prices...

[SwampRabbit]

I paid $150 for my first ready to fish combo, a 5wt. I have fished with that setup for 2 years and have put thousands of casts on it and at least a hundered hook-ups on gills, bull gills, and small-medium sized bass.

It was the White River, 4pc combo from Bass Pro. Cabelas also has a few in the $100 range that are pretty good. Their 3Forks + Prestige 3 reel combo looked pretty decent when I was down there last weekend. 2 years ago I bought my son a $60 cabelas rig on sale for $40 and while it wasn't bad, the reel can be finicky (an all you need it to do is hold line!) and you can tell the difference in castability between that and setup $50-100 more.

Personally, I'd say the sweet spot is around $100-$150 for a "decent" ready to fish combo. I wouldn't may much more than that unless you are getting a lifetime warranty on at least the rod.

Of course with anything, you can spend a lot more and get more quality, and plenty of folks will tell you not to settle for less (like I am suggesting not to settle for the $60 combo!) but I have fished a couple $400 rods, and while they are nice... for a simple day at the pond, I am still grabbing my $150 setup.

[SwampRabbit]

I actually just picked up a new 4wt setup from Cabelas two days ago shipped for $108. The rod was on clearance, reel was normal price and the line and backing were on clearance as well. Was really looking to get a 3wt setup, but couldn't pass up those prices...

I was searching for a 3wt setup myself, something with a shorter rod for those tighter spaces that my 9' 5wt just wouldn't let me cheat into.

Long story short, I was able to pickup a 7.5' 4wt White River rod (same as my 5wt) for free through some rewards points. I bought a $30 integrity reel (looked like it would hold line! ) and some inexpensive line/backing.

While it is not a 3wt, I am having a blast with that setup. It is amazing what chopping off 1.5' will do and it really hasn't impacted the castability it at all.

Just this last week, I hooked up with a rather large Talapia and for the first time fishing a pond, I had to let the fish run to the reel and palm it, etc. Best fight I have had since fly fishing.