All Purpose Spinning Setup

[KenLattimore]

I got into bass fishing last summer and used a 6'6" Berkely Shock spinning rod with a Shakespeare reel spooled with Suifx Elite 8lbs. The rod was donated to me by my sister-in-law and I purchased the reel. I know my setup isnt exactly topshelf, but I wanted to make sure I enjoyed bass fishing before stepping my equipment game up. Well, the rest is history. I love bass fishing and try to get out every chance I get! I'm not exactly a novice fisherman since my dad started taking me out on saltwater since I was 10, but totally new to freshwater.

I primarily throw plastics- Senkos (weightless), Fat Ikas, Rage Craws (weightless and Rage Rig), Baby Brush Hogs, Trick worms, Finesse worms, etc. I have thrown jigs up to a 1/2 ounce and used spinnerbaits this spring for the first time (landed my PB of 5 lbs on a spinner!). I plan on throwing jigs a little more often this summer though. And before I forget a little topwater is thrown in there too, mainly Pop-Rs.

I'm looking for an all-purpose spinning set-up. I'll probably go to a baitcasting set-up next year but, I'm most comfortable with spinning setup and pretty accurate with my casts. I'm looking at going with a St. Croix Premier 6'6' MH fast tip with a Shimano Saros, and will more than likely spool it with Yo-Zuri Hybrid 8lbs given all the positive reviews the line has received on this site. I'm looking at a 6'6' rod because I fish some areas with a lot of overhanging trees and more importantly it feels better to me (maybe beacuse I'm only 5'6").

I plan on going to Bass Pro this week, and realize after handling the rod (and others) that I could very well change my mind depending on how it feels. I wanted to get other opinions on different options I could consider before going there. So many different options it makes my head spin, but at least wanted to have other options in mind before going in there.

I've learned tons by reading the articles and forums on this site. I appreciate all of your opinions in advance, thanks!

[buzzfrog]

hey not sure your budjet, but i love the veritas 7' MH for like 100 for the rod, or the vendetta in same action.. for reel love the president by pfleuger or the okuma trios

[0119]

Your Premier/Saro's will fit your needs for years to come and is a good idea. St Croix MH is closer to Hvy in my opinion. Check them out at the rod rack when you buy it. Not the best idea with 8lb mono. I'd go with the med.

[Hot n Tot]

Check out the medium power St. Croix Avid, I think you will be impressed. If money is not an issue, look at the Croix Legend Elite or the 3-power Loomis rods: SJR783 in either IMX or GLX.

[KenLattimore]

Your Premier/Saro's will fit your needs for years to come and is a good idea. St Croix MH is closer to Hvy in my opinion. Check them out at the rod rack when you buy it. Not the best idea with 8lb mono. I'd go with the med.

I've read the St. Croix are rated high. I may consider chucking a couple of frogs this year so I'll be checking it out. Why down on the 8lbs Yo-Zuri Hybrid?

[Stasher1]

Your Premier/Saro's will fit your needs for years to come and is a good idea. St Croix MH is closer to Hvy in my opinion. Check them out at the rod rack when you buy it. Not the best idea with 8lb mono. I'd go with the med.

I had typed out a similar response recommending the OP check out the M Premier, but then I re-read his initial post. If he's planning on tossing 1/2 oz jigs with it, or any spinnerbait larger than 3/8 oz, he should stick with the MH, imho.

I'd pass on the 8lb Hybrid though, in favor of some 20-30 lb braid.

[KenLattimore]

Check out the medium power St. Croix Avid, I think you will be impressed. If money is not an issue, look at the Croix Legend Elite or the 3-power Loomis rods: SJR783 in either IMX or GLX.

Thanks Hot. Unfortunately money is somewhat of an issue meaning my wife would kill me if I spent that much on a rod and reel! I've budgeted around $300 or so for a setup.

[tomustang]

The Premier 6'6" M/F is plenty. The MH is much heavier than you need for what you want to throw

[KSRonH]

Of course everyone will have an opinion on what rod to recommend but I would suggest you check out the Fenwick Smallmouth series rods. I have several Gloomis and St Croix rods and just purchased the Fenwick Elite Tech 6'9'' m xf rod rated 1/8 to 3/4 and these rods hold their own with rods priced a lot higher. The rods retail for $129 but they can be found online for I think around $83. There's also a 6'3'' rod if you want something a little shorter. IMO the 6'9'' med rod would make you a great ''all around'' spinning rod. http://www.fenwickfishing.com/prod.php?k=472633&sk=472011&p=PURESMC610M-F%20(1238603)

[SirSnookalot]

I don't recommend specific brands, my pleasure may not be yours and I don't need that on my conscious. If I were buying 1 spinning set up for freshwater (none of mine cost $300), my rod would be a med that fishes heavy or a mh that fishes light, in other words I want something kind of in the middle. My reel would be a lightweight 35 or 4000, for line capacity and more horsepower if needed for other species, agree with Stasher on the braid. For me, being primarily a saltwater fisherman, that kind of an outfit feels like a toothpick to me, pretty lite. I have that set up in my garage right now, I can fish it all day long and never get tired.

[KenLattimore]

Thanks everyone for your input! Given the St. Croix rods seem to be rated a little higher than what they're listed at I may very well go with a MF coupled with a Saros 2500 or 3000. I'm headed out to BPS tomorrow after work and see how it goes. I'll be sure to post what i wind up buying.

[riskkid 2]

Your choice sounds like it will work very well for you. Just a suggestion that when you get to BPS play with some of the other brands in your price range. You may surprise yourself with something you think feels much better. I was in the market earlier this year for a med 6' 6" spinning rod, picked up one of the BPS carbon lites and really liked it. Had not previously considered it. Surpised myself and am very happy with the rod. Moral to the story....feel all the options at the store and have fun deciding.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

I have 6'6" MH F Premier spinning it is a good rod. I have a 7'6" M F spinning but the Elite so not sure how equal of a comparison there is between lines but the M F has a very good backbone. Its actually more enjoyable fishing the MF. I have a MH F Shimano Clarus(last year model) and the power seems to match the Premier but the Premier more sensitive.

I think the MH F will be fine from senko to 1/2 jig moderate to more heavy cover. If where you fish mostly is more open less structure the MF might suit better.

[KenLattimore]

Hmmm...considering that I do throw into some heavy cover at times, lots of laydowns, stick ups and very weedy in some areas I'll still be looking at the Premier MHF. We'll see how it works out once I being to handle the rods. As it was ponited out once I handle the rods I may change my mind all together. The only things I think is a definite at this point is the Shimano Saros.

[KenLattimore]

So after alot of back and forth I went with the Premier 7' MHF and a Shimano 2500. I handled the 6'6" MF but was feeling it wasn't going to be enough for the cover and jigs if I wanted to throw them. Unfortunately they didn't have a 6'6" MHF but that was okay. One of guys who worked there was great with givin me different options and things to consider (thanks John!)

I also handled the Veritas, Carbonlite and Carrot stick along with several others but I just loved the feel of the St. Croix! I almost bought the Symetre instead of the Saros but said the hell with it and decided to treat myself. Handled the Avids, whoa maybe next year!

Thanks everyone for your help!

[Capt.Bob]

So after alot of back and forth I went with the Premier 7' MHF and a Shimano 2500. I handled the 6'6" MF but was feeling it wasn't going to be enough for the cover and jigs if I wanted to throw them. Unfortunately they didn't have a 6'6" MHF but that was okay. One of guys who worked there was great with givin me different options and things to consider (thanks John!)

I also handled the Veritas, Carbonlite and Carrot stick along with several others but I just loved the feel of the St. Croix! I almost bought the Symetre instead of the Saros but said the hell with it and decided to treat myself. Handled the Avids, whoa maybe next year!

Thanks everyone for your help!

The Saros is a Stradic FI in sheeps clothing, I have both and if blind folded wouldn't be able to tell the diference. You made a good choice for your reel. As for the rod, the Premier is a good entry level, but when you have the money I would upgrade to the Avid, better feel but the big upgrade is in the LIFETIME WARRANTY, I have several and a few Legends, and I feel the Avids, altho not as sensative are close and think they are the best buy at there price of any Premium rod on the market today!!! Oh yea and if you don't want to keep the Premier for a backup, you should do well and recoop most of your cost if you want to sell it, this wouldn't have been possible with the B.P. rods or most others!! GOOD CHOICES! altho I like my Avid 7' MF

[Stasher1]

The Saros is a Stradic FI in sheeps clothing, I have both and if blind folded wouldn't be able to tell the diference. You made a good choice for your reel. As for the rod, the Premier is a good entry level, but when you have the money I would upgrade to the Avid, better feel but the big upgrade is in the LIFETIME WARRANTY, I have several and a few Legends, and I feel the Avids, altho not as sensative are close and think they are the best buy at there price of any Premium rod on the market today!!! Oh yea and if you don't want to keep the Premier for a backup, you should do well and recoop most of your cost if you want to sell it, this wouldn't have been possible with the B.P. rods or most others!! GOOD CHOICES! altho I like my Avid 7' MF

That may be true for your area, but in this area anything in that price range with a split-grip will sell long before a comparably-priced model with a full cork grip.

[Capt.Bob]

That may be true for your area, but in this area anything in that price range with a split-grip will sell long before a comparably-priced model with a full cork grip.

Like saying a Mojo Bass will sell better and recoupe it's cost better than an Avid after 2 to 10 years, I doubt it! but be assured any St. Croix will sell quicker than a no namer B.P. G.M. or whatever, the point is the no namer will not sell and recoupe 80 to 90% of it's original cost, so far my Croix's willll!! If you want to judge better by selling fast, the ugly stick will beat most rod's, for $25.00 to 30 bucks, but I'll take a used $150.00+ Avid all day long over one!!! I'm an old man, seen products come and go, and I wouldn't have a split grip, is it a fad? will it last? I don't know but probably, Mainly because I think quality cork is getting scarce, my son has one, tried it, so been there done that, not for me, he's young in his early 30's, hasn't spent decades holding a full grip, all day many times. I will be limited to what I can buy if it does last. I am sure I would get used to it if I had to, fortunatly I own enough Avids, Legend Elites, and Loomis IMX's that won't be happening.

[Stasher1]

Having sold three Avids, two Mojos, and a Premier over the past couple years, I can say that all six of them depreciated at approximately the same rate. Used Avids sell for roughly $100-$120 (roughly 55-65%) and used Mojos/Premiers generally bring about $60 (again, roughly 60%). If you're paying $150 for used Avids, you're getting ripped off.

The Avid is a decent rod, but compared to the new crop of $100-$120 rods, it doesn't have the same "bang for the buck" that it used to.