Rod Snapping Fish

[HighHook94]

For a beginner, an ugly stick combo is the perfect setup. You can beat the hell out of them and it will last 10+ years easily. I have ones 20+ years old that are still going strong. Don't buy a St. Croix as a beginner. Yes they are absolutely beautiful rods, but they are too expensive for a beginner fisherman. And for freshwater bass fishing, you don't need anything fancy. I buy all of my fancy gear for saltwater fishing. Freshwater I find the cheapest setup at Dick's Sporting Goods and stick with that. Saltwater is completely different though. And no you don't need a net from shore. When you get a fish close to the edge of the water, just drag it up onto land if it's an average/below average size. The bigger ones you have to keep in the water, grab their lip, and pull them out of the water. Then unhook them, take a quick picture, and release them.