Looking for a rod/reel that does it all...

Was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for a rod that I could use to catch salmon, steelhead, and bass.  Basically I plan on fishing the Willamette, Columbia, and lots of local lakes, and maybe some bays.  I don't have any interest at this point in going out in the open ocean though.  I don't need anything fancy, I am a novice fisherman, so a basic setup that will allow me to catch the most types of fish is what I'm looking for.  Also any suggestions reels.... Thanks!

That's a tough one.  Do you have a preference between spinning reel and convential/bait casting reels?

My suggestion would be two rods.

A heavy action casting rod with a line rating in the 30 lb range, 8 ft long or so, with a casting reel that can hold a couple hundred yards of line. Typically around here this would be considered a salmon rod combo.  It'll be a bit stiff for steelhead and bass, but should handle salmon and sturgeon well enough.  You could also use it out on the ocean for rockfish / lingcod if you eventually decide to try that. 

I'd also get a medium action spinning rod that can handle 8-12 lb line, again 8 ft or so long with a good spinning reel.  Your going to be looking for a basic steelhead combo and besides steelhead you'll be able to fish for bass, trout and panfish with it.

From there you might want to diversify with a few more rods...

A light to ultralight spinning rod for trout and panfish.
A heavy conventional combo for larger ocean bottom fish and larger sturgeon.
A shorter baitcasting rod for bass and walleye.

Eventually you'll have several rods for each species of fish depending on the fishing technique (casting, trolling, live bait, etc.), season, and how your feel that day.  Oh and then there's the whole world of flyfishing.

Brian

Thanks Brian... Ya, I realize that eventually I'll end up with a bunch of rods.  I have borrowed my dad's fly pole a bit (not on yak) , and that was a blast.  Can you use the same fly rod for all those fish you mentioned?  I guess I should rephrase my question on which pole i should get first! haha I'm itching to get out and catch something, i've only used a bait pole a couple times out in the open ocean in AK with my uncle.  Honestly i don't have a preference as far as casting or not, just whatever is going to have me see more action, so maybe fly???

If you can cast bait casters, they are generally superior for large fish like salmon (better and more durable drags).  On the other hand, a bait casting (or spinning) rig large enough to handle a 30 pound chinook is going to be massive overkill for a largemouth bass.

I agree with Bsteves recommendation on picking up two rods.  Good news is you don't have to break the bank to do it.

This week GI Joes has a pretty nice Diawa Millionaire bait caster on sale for $40 bucks.  I picked one up as a backup reel after reading some very good reviews of it online... for an extra $20-30 you can get a Garcia Ambassadeur, which is the workhorse of most NW salmon fishermen (get the 6500 model, or the wide spool in the Millionaire, so you can hold enough line to play a big salmon or small sturgeon).  The Garcia is pricier, but if you plan to do a lot of fishing with it (wearing out drag washers and such) it has better availability of parts. I'd then look to spend another $40-$50 bucks on a decent rod (Shakespeare Ugly Stick, Okuma Celilo, Berkely Buzz Ramsey edition are all good cheap choices), and $20 bucks or so on a good #20 or #30 pound test braided line.  I tend to avoid the pre-packaged rod and reel combos for salmon, as the rod generally sucks.

For the spinning rig for bass, there are a lot more cheap options out there.  I have really been impressed with the quality of the Okuma spinning reels, and would tend to go that route myself.  I'd consider the pre-packaged rod/reel combos for bass, but would try and be finicky.  I grew up fishing for bass with plastic worms, and rod sensitivity was a huge factor in success (being able to "feel" the take through vibration's down the rod).  When I'm shopping in the store I like to pick up a prospective rod and hold it as if I were fishing, and tap the tip against the floor or something hard.  If I can feel the taps through the rod handle, then it is probably a decent quality set up.

Thanks Three Weight, $40 is definetly within my price range on the rod =)  I do have a nice okuma reel that I bought for my trout pole a while back, I'll have to take a look and see the model # and the details, perhaps I can rig it up for bass.  Why size of hook would you use for those plastic worms for bass?  I'm itching to go out on the Tualatin tonight (cook park is 7 minutes from my house). And there is a Joes on the way home woohoo!

Can you use the same fly rod for all those fish you mentioned?

Fly fishing gear is pretty specialized.  A 5 weight is perfect for trout fishing, a 6 weight works but is a little heavy for trout.  On the other hand, a 5 weight is a little light for bass, and a 6 weight is ideal.  For steelhead, an 8 wieght rod is ideal, but it is too light for chinook salmon (they can and will break it when they make a sudden run).  A 10 or 11 weight is ideal for chinook, but weighs a ton and is too big for steelhead.

Were I just getting started, I'd pick up either a Redington starter rod combo, or a $89 Temple Fork Rod, A Pflueger Medalist reel, and Cortland 333 line (should be able to put it all together for $150).

To make matters worse, quality fly gear is $$.  Expect to pay at least $150-200 bucks for a basic, decent quality 6 weight starter set.  I've blown more $$ on fly fishing gear than any other hobby I've ever pursued.

I am by no means an expert of fly rods.  The nice thing is that the system is a bit simpler to navigate.  The rods generally come with a number or weight.  For example, ThreeWeight's namesake is a fairly light rod used for small trout.  Get up to a 10 weight and you're ready to take on a chinook salmon.   I'm sure theirs a chart out there somewhere with all the recommended rod weights for different fish.

Fly fishing on a kayak can be fun, but it's a bit tricky in that you're primarily either in a sitting position while casting (you will cast shorter) or you are standing on your kayak (you might fall in).

Brian

For smallmouth and largemouth bass on the Tualitin, I'd pick up some 1/0 or 2/0 Gamakatsu worm hooks (be careful, those things are sharp!) and a selection of bullet weights, then a pack of 4" or 6" motor oil colored curly tail worms, and some black curly tail worms. 

Rig them up with the weight sliding on your line, and the worm hooked weedless style.  Look for structure along the river bank (fallen log, rocks, weeds, boat dock, etc... and cast as close as you can to it.  Reel the worm back in slowly, maintaining constant tension on the line (with a good rod, you should be able to feel the tap when the weight taps a rock or log).

Your trout reel should be ok... I generally fly fish for bass when I fish for them, but a spinning set up with 6# or 8# test works great to.  If you only need a spinning rod, check out some of the cheaper models and do the tap test.  You can find a good enough quality rod for less than $40 if you look.  Fisherman's Marine up in Delta Park has some great clearance rods for $10-25 bucks.

On fly gear, to make up for casting from a sitting position, go with a longer rod.  A 9'6" or even 10' rod works great from a kayak (helps you keep your backcast up off the water).

Great advice, thanks guys! 

I'm leaning more towards the bait casting reel.  I already have a decent spinning, want something a bit different/more beefy