3 Rod/reel Combos...what's The Best Use For Each?

[Mr.Victor]

I'm a new member here. This is my intro post: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/103924-new-from-ma/

I've been doing a ton of online research and just reading, learning, and trying to apply my knowledge out on the water. All I've read and learned about rods and reels has my head spinning though. If I had endless money I would have 20 rod/reel combos for every type of fishing but I don't. So right now I have 3 rod/reel combos. The one I have had the longest is an Ugly Stik SPL1100 6'6" Medium rod with USP35 spinning reel (3 bearings, 5.2-1 gear ratio). A month ago I purchased an Abu Garcia combo, VNGC69-6 6'9" Medium Heavy rod with Black Max 2 casting reel. And just recently I bought a St. Croix TRC70MF 7' Medium/Fast rod and paired it with a Quantum Escalade HD casting reel. I tried to get what I thought would be a rounded out selection of gear for the limited funds I have. But after reading site after site on what rods to use for what application, there seems to be a few different schools of thought, and now I think I'm a bit overwhelmed and confused.

As far as types of fishing I like to do and lures I like to use, here is the list of stuff I'm trying to get accomplised with my 3 rods: Soft plastics (mostly senkos), crankbaits (shallow and deep), spinnerbaits, jigs, topwater stuff (I like jitterbugs and have been toying with floating frogs).

I will list below what I was thinking of doing. Is this good? How would you do it? Looking to get the most out of my limited gear.

Ugly Stik spinning setup: use this for throwing soft plastics and lures that are too light for my baitcasters (and baitcaster skill level). not sure about using mono/fluoro/braid here since I may be throwing plastics into some heavier cover. Was leaning toward 20-30 lb braid. Input?

Abu Garcia casting setup: deep water cranks and jigs? 15 lb fluoro?

St. Croix casting setup: spinnerbaits, shallow cranks, and all topwater stuff? Was thinking of backing spool with some 10lb mono and then putting some 50 lb power pro on to cover everthing from frogging to spinners and cranks.

I know it's not ideal but it's what I have to work with. I'm looking for advice on what line I should put on each setup and what lures I should fish on each setup. Thanks in advance for the replies.

-Victor

[Senkoman12]

there are better reels that the escalade. if it works for you thats great but there are much better choices out there at the same price point. the ugly stik might be too whippy for plastics though

[iabass8]

i was going to give you the same advice on what to throw on your limited arsenal. 12-15lb fluoro or copoly would suit you fine on the st. croix.

the abu set up i would put 30-50 lb braid on it and use it for jigs/plastics/spinner baits.

haven't used an ugly stick on ages so i don't know what to tell you there.

[Mr.Victor]

Thanks for the replies guys.

there are better reels that the escalade. if it works for you thats great but there are much better choices out there at the same price point. the ugly stik might be too whippy for plastics though

I use a lefty reel and didn't have many choices at Dick's...I was debating on the Abu Silver Max or the Escalade HD...went with the Escalade cause it had 9 bearings but it was $20 more than the Silver Max...is the Silver Max a better reel for the money?

i was going to give you the same advice on what to throw on your limited arsenal. 12-15lb fluoro or copoly would suit you fine on the st. croix.

the abu set up i would put 30-50 lb braid on it and use it for jigs/plastics/spinner baits.

haven't used an ugly stick on ages so i don't know what to tell you there.

So 12-15 fluoro on the St. Croix for crankbaits and braid on the Abu for jigs/plastics/spinnerbaits but is that setup better for the topwater stuff too?

[Jake P]

I would use your M power combo for lipless cranks and shallow diving cranks like squarebills. Throwing a deep diving crankbait on a M rod is more trouble than anything. I would also use this rod for your weightless plastics. I would put either 12 lbs flouro or 12 lbs Yo Zuri.

The MH will be great for Jigs/ T rigs and spinnerbaits. I saw you mentioned using the M power for spinnerbaits but i am confident you will be much more comfortable with the MH while throwing a SB. I would suggest 15 lbs flouro or 12 lbs yo zuri. 12 lbs might seem light for jigs and larger t rigs but if your not familiar with Yo zuri, it has a much higher break strength than its lbs test and most people on this board can vouch for its strength and abrasion resistance. Those 2 alone will cover just about everything you want to fish.

I didnt include the ugly stik because unless im fishing for striper or salt fishing i HATE them. They are like wet noodles and setting the hook was always a problem for me. If you can make it work than more power to you. I never could.

I think you did great with your selections and although they are not high priced shimanos like alot of people think you cant catch fish without, they will work great for you until your ready to upgrade. Good luck!

[Jake P]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I use a lefty reel and didn't have many choices at Dick's...I was debating on the Abu Silver Max or the Escalade HD...went with the Escalade cause it had 9 bearings but it was $20 more than the Silver Max...is the Silver Max a better reel for the money?

So 12-15 fluoro on the St. Croix for crankbaits and braid on the Abu for jigs/plastics/spinnerbaits but is that setup better for the topwater stuff too?

I have had my silver max for a while and it hasnt given me any problems at all. Has pulled in fish right next to my citica and Pro Qualifier. The Pro Max is another great reel for under 100$.

[Mr.Victor]

Packman, great info. One question though. Is the M power setup reasonable for frogging and topwater? If I put 50 lb braid on it instead of fluoro (which I have on it now) would I be able to get away with using it for lipless/shallow cranks and topwater lures/frogs? Am I asking too much of the setup?I know I'm trying to do a lot with very little but I don't have much choice at this point. Maybe in the future I will be able to pick up another rod and reel.

[Jake P]

The Medium power rod would be fine for topwaters with treble hooks or a buzzbait that is within the weight range of your rod. Im not an avid frog fisherman but i know that almost everyone throws a frog with braid and a stout rod to get a good hard hookset. The way the frog is designed to be weedless makes it sometimes hard to hook the fish. Braid doesnt stretch so it drives the hook home better. Also because most frogs are fished around heavy cover and braid can get into and out of the nasty stuff that your flouro or mono cant. So yes to topwaters with the M rod and in my opinion, no to frog fishing with anything other than a stout rod and braid.

Braid is very visible and does not sink which is why most people dont fish cranks with it. I know some who fish braid but tie on a flouro leader. I am not very knowledgeable when it comes to braid, hopefully someone else can fill you in on the positives and negatives.

In my opinion though topwaters, frogs and cranks are 3 totally different beasts that need there own presentations.

If it were me this is what i would do. Use the M for anything with a treble hook within the weight range listed on the rod. I would put on 10 or 12 lbs yo zuri. It is a mix of flouro and mono but wont sink. Flouro sinks so it will make it harder to keep your bait up while fishing topwater. Shallow-mid or lipless cranks do fine with a copoly like yo zuri because you dont have to work as hard to keep the crank down like you do when your fishing deep cranks. If that made sense....

If you are just really wanting to use braid then use it with the MH rod and fish your Jigs, T rigs and frogs that way. Again, this is all just what i would do. Im sure others would have their own ideas as well. Good luck with whatever you decide!!