Thread: Trout/perch spin rig advice please.....

Some advice from the gurus here please! I’m looking at doing some spinning for local trout and probably perch here in central Taranaki. I’m totally bamboozled as to what to buy! Too many options; but trying to steer clear of H&F stores….

I’m 56 now and haven’t done any trout fishing since giving it up at about 15…. My “mentor” at the time called spinning “chuck and chance” and told me that at 13 I had to be a fly fisherman… So all I ever did was catch a shit ton of blackberry and willows in the narrow Patea River behind the farm… Disillusioned I chucked it in….

I’ve sorta narrowed it down to a 5-foot-ish rod. Can’t spend a lot, but don’t want to buy crap either. Just a good workman-like rod and reel. Ideas for fixed rod for around home or multi-piece/telescopic for backpacking and/or car travelling.

Also; I remember that Toby and Veltic lures were once the “go to” spinner for trout back in the day. Is that still the case? Or are there other better options now? Again; price is still a consideration.... I often used to use those red and white striped bass lures for perch. They were deadly. You didn't catch as many as a worm; but were always a good size....

I will be looking at fishing the local Patea River around Stratford; and maybe the upper reaches of Lake Rotorangi for perch and maybe trout from the bank; and also maybe directly below the dam. Of course maybe other places like Lake Ratapiko etc too.

I’m trying to do the self-sufficiency thing as well as fishing for enjoyment. So am looking at sticking as close to home as possible. I used to fish for perch at Ratapiko a lot and really rate it as an eating fish. I’m also considering a kayak for Lake Rotorangi for hunting and fishing trips.

Maybe even just simply doing a day trip sitting beside the bank; doing my writing and drowning a worm looking for suicidal perch just beside the road…..

I have done a search but nothing really came up and I thought a thread like this may help others too…. Any help would be gratefully received. Thanks!