Actually, I did pick up a line, and a reel. I went in looking to get a complete outfit, and I left quite happy. I'm a little on the cheap side, so I look for deals. I picked up the Sage Rod, a new Okuma Large Arbor "SLV" 7/8, which may be inexpensive, but I really like the drag, and the finish of the reel, and the owner of my local shop asked me to try out a line for him. He said use it for a few days, and return it when I'm ready to buy my own line. It's a Jim Teeny "Nightline", it's not the newest thing, but I think I really like it. It's glows in the dark if you charge it by putting it under your headlight for a few minutes. The thing I really like about it though is that it has a nice clear intermediate sink tip on it, and it seems to cast very well. he told me if I liked it, that I could have it because it's been at the shop with no interested buyers for a while now. I'm anxious to hook into a few good fish on this thing now!!