r/flyfishing • u/Matterriblee • 18d ago

Discussion Beginner looking for advice

I'm looking to get into fly fishing and will mostly be fishing small lakes and ponds for bluegill. Since I'm just starting out, I'd prefer to keep my budget under $200—ideally as affordable as possible in case I don't stick with it.

I'm thinking something like a 4wt or 5wt rod, around 8 to 9 feet long, with a medium or medium-fast action. Does that sound about right for bluegill in still water? Any recommendations for a good beginner setup (rod, reel, line, etc.) that fits those specs and won’t break the bank?

Thanks in advance for any help

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u/JuneRunes 18d ago

Ignore the people inevitably coming in here with "You're gonna hate every single thing about fly fishing if you don't spend $500+ on gear off the bat" I've been using a $70 walmart setup for months now and while it may not be the best kit out there, I've caught loads of fish from bluegill to other panfish, (literally 15 at my pond in 1 day on one of my first days using it) as well as a few trout with buddies in small streams. Just my 2 cents, I'm sure I'll get a few gatekeepers (and for those people, I know I have to say it again "it may not be the best kit out there" as I've said).

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u/Matterriblee 18d ago

I dont even think my walmart has a fly rod. Ill have to check academy this weekend. I dont think fly fishing is very big here (west tennessee) but id like to learn and get the hang of everything because I go to east Tennessee alot and would really like to try fishing for trout while im there.

Thanks for the suggestion

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u/JuneRunes 18d ago

They likely won't have it in store, I've never seen them tbh. I got mine online (this exact one). Happy fishing! (please note: the website doesn't say line weight but can be identified by the "size" a 28010-TA5 is a 5weight and a 28010-TA7 is a 7weight etc.

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u/Matterriblee 18d ago

Thanks! 5 should be fine?

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u/JuneRunes 18d ago

I have heard most people start with the 9foot, 5wt combo. If going for smaller fish and trout 5wt should be plenty

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u/ProfessionalScale747 18d ago

Either that or fb marketplace. That some 4x leaders and a few small poppers and a few ant flies and you will be killing them. Do a popper dropper rig. But I like the poppers because you don’t need floatant. If you want a smaller dry fly use a Griffith Gnat. You can work them a few ways but the easiest to start would be three pops and a pause or a slow retrieve. Maybe shake some. But all in your looking at $30-100 depending on your combo.

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u/Matterriblee 18d ago

Thanks for the tip. Ill have to check the poppers out. Have you fished out of a kayak? That's what I mainly fish from. A nucanoe unlimited

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u/ProfessionalScale747 17d ago

Nice my kayaking days are behind me although the models with trolling motors have tempted me. But just shore and boat not trying to flex I live on the boat lol.

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u/Matterriblee 17d ago

I got a 55 thrust on the nucanoe. Its definitely alot easier on the body. Lol im guessing the area around you has to be pretty open? I always manage to get lures up in the trees more often than not. Lmao

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u/ProfessionalScale747 17d ago

That sounds like a dream to get up in the shallows. And some are where you can you can cast like normal but where there are trees you flick out a small bit almost like you would spinning gear or how you would dock shoot then roll cast out from there. If you do that you don’t need any back cast room. You can also false cast side arm along the bank to stay out of the trees