New to BFT New to Kansas New to !FISHING!

[longsean]

My wife and I are new transplants to Topeka Kansas. We have not met any new friends who happen to fish. I was taken fishing a few times as a boy, and a couple of times since. I have always wanted to really get into fishing, but have mostly been around people with no interest for it. Now I have decided to finally indulge in this long time desire.

I would like to fish for crappie, blue gill, bass, and catfish. I do not know of all the game fish around here. I do not know anyone with a boat, so I will be just be doing bank or dock fishing.

I went to wal mart, then Dick’s Sporting Goods to look at fishing gear. [shocked] WOW! Where do I even start?
What are the different types of rods and reels out there? I know some are called bait casters, but which are these? What are the others? When is each type used?
I saw the different open and closed reels.
Which will I need?
What diameter, length, stiffness/flexibility rod(s) should I start out with?

I am 6ft my wife 5’3.
I know I don’t need to spend big $$$ on equipment that is way above my skill level. At the same time I don’t want to buy junk either.
Today I saw Zebco, Shimano, Shakespeare Ugly stick, Daiwa, Abu Garcia. What’s good, what’s not, whats excessive?

And then the tackle and accessories, cheap stuff, expensive stuff, gimmicks, hooks, line(line weight), LURES, bait, scales, pliers, mouth openers, sinkers, bobbers, fillet knives! Geeze! Rows and rows of things that either all looked the same, or COMPLETELY alien to me.

Neither store seemed to have any knowledgeable staff working when I was there. So I am asking everyone here what are the essentials I need to get set up in this hobby….or should I say life style?

Thanks in advance for helping a newbie step into the sport.

Sean
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