Smallie Setup/all Around River Setup

[bass1980]

Went last week and smashed those Smallies. Landed about 15 smallies from shore. Now that I'm getting more and more into fishing next on my list is an all around setup for the river. I'm thinkin medium action or ML. Maybe 7' for casting distance from shore. Thinking spinning reel too since I usually throw light stuff like just one or two split shots, hook, minnow.

I want an all around setup since I don't want to carry more than one rod wading in the river. I'm also targeting Walleyes and white bass since they share the same water.

Any suggestions on the setup? I'm looking at a Shimano Symetry 2500, using 6-8 pound lines, but I am not sure on the rod. I want an under $200 setup.

[roadwarrior]

This is a great review.

http://www.bassresou...rma-review.html

Another suggestion is to match the Symetre with an Avid AVS68MXF.

[bass1980]

Yeah but man the Symetre/Avid is somewhat out of my price range. Maybe a Sahara/Avid....hummmmmm.

[Crestliner2008]

Not sure what your price range would be, but a 7' medium, or med-lite action rod, is what you'd be looking for. Match the rod you choose with a decent quality 1000 to 2000 series reel and you're good to go.

[bass1980]

$200 is budget and I don't mind buying used. I'm just hoping that a good setup for smallies would work well for walleyes and white bass. But yeah seems like I'm hearing medium light is my best bet.

[alexczarn]

There are a lot of Australian-market-specific rods that would fit that bill. Problem is, they're not available for you guys in the USA...

[bronzebackhuntr]

Unlike a lot of people, I fish the river with the exact same equipment that I fish the lake with and catch more than my fair share. Get a lot of fish on everything from a spinning rod tx rig or shakey head a finesse worm on 6lb line all the way to throwing big swimbaits on a 8' heavy action rod with 65lb braid and everything in between. I love river fishing, it's why I work at the place I work because I can be on the holston river in Kingsport TN in 2 miles and go on my lunchbreak.

[robdob]

my all time favorite river rod is my 7ft medium denali rosewood. if price is an issue the denali jadewood is a very good rod also. in fact for the money i don't think there is a rod in the world that comes close to the denali jadewood for under 100 dollars. the only people who will disagree are people who' haven't used it and i promise you that.

[Hanover_Yakker]

Another rod to consider is a Shimano Clarus Worm n Jig rod. It is a 7'2" rod on an IM9 blank with a split grip and is a Medium power Extra Fast action rod. I have mine with a Stradic 3000FJ, but a Symmetre would be a nice choice as well. The rod sells at Bass Pro for $79.99 right off the rack.

[Curved]

Kind of an old thread, but my smallie setup is a $37 quantum 5'6" light combo. Probably my favorite rod/reel, though I don't have any "top notch" brands/models. Well, other than that monster penn 10' surf rod/reel which is worth more than all my other rods/reels combined. The other stuff tied onto that quantum combo -- line, hook, weight, lure -- on any given day is more valuable than the rod/reel.

Besides the rod/reel, I think the one piece of tackle that is now invaluable for shore fishing is nanofil line. I've got 12 lb on that quantum rig. The 12 lb is the same diameter as 6 lb mono so it works well on a light setup, and the extra cast distance -- something like 50%-100% longer range -- has put a lot of extra fish in my basket. It does need a leader though. I just put 3 lb nanofil on my ultralight this week, and I'll be damned if that stuff can't cast 20 yards with a bb splitshot. I've never even been able to cast a bb 5 feet before.

[Bass Junkie]

7' ML spinning rod and a 2000 series reel loaded with 6lb. mono.

[RandySBreth]

7' Medium or Medium/light is about right - but I'd get a bigger 3000 size reel. You'll have less line issues and the larger spool (all other being equal) will allow longer casts.

[Bass Junkie]

7' Medium or Medium/light is about right - but I'd get a bigger 3000 size reel. You'll have less line issues and the larger spool (all other being equal) will allow longer casts.

I had this mindset for a long time, but a 3000 size reel adds quite a lot of excess wait for minimal return in performance. Today's large arbor spinning reels deliver the best of both worlds.

[bass1980]

Thanks for the input. Casting distance is something I really like to increase on what I got. Where I fish for smallies they only bite minnows. So a split shot, hook, and minnow is the setup. Can't sling it with all you got because the minnow will fly off the hook. Sweet spot sometime is just a bit out of reach.

[Hanover_Yakker]

A forgotten rod that some folks on here know about that should also be considered is the St. Croix EyeCon (marketed as a Walleye rod) in the 6'3" legth and paired with a Sienna 2500 can be had for about $165 total outlay brand new. I have had 3 Siennas in my arsenal now for over 7 years and have never had an issue, and I fish in both fresh and salt water. Bass Pro sells the Siennas in pre-packs for $22.99. A local tackle shop had the EyeCon on clearance for $99 a few weeks back near me.

[Bass Junkie]

Thanks for the input. Casting distance is something I really like to increase on what I got. Where I fish for smallies they only bite minnows. So a split shot, hook, and minnow is the setup. Can't sling it with all you got because the minnow will fly off the hook. Sweet spot sometime is just a bit out of reach.

 

 

 

 

Try using a softer, lighter test line, or a quality braided line. A softer action rod will load more completely, and help on your "lob" casts. Also, newer line casts noticeably better than line that has had a chance to acquire memory. 

[Hi Salenity]

6'10'' ml Rage rod and Sienna 1000. This should easily get you in under $200

 

I don't like all of the Rage rods but this is a nice one.

[nwmike]

powell max 703 spinning rod with a president reel would be a sweet combo.I have the powell 703 and its an awesome rod.another great reel that is less expensive than the president is the trion

[bass1980]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. After everyday researching the best I can I have decided to go this route.

*** *** Black 7'1 med light

Shimano Symetry 2500

I have read nothing but great things about the *** Black. Even guys using high end rods like Daiwa and Gloomis loves the rod. My only question would be med light or medium? Smallies put up a heck of a fight and in MN you'll always get bonus Northens. Can someone explain why you prefer med light over medium? I have never had a medium light rod ever.

[Flywatersmallie]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. After everyday researching the best I can I have decided to go this route.

*** *** Black 7'1 med light

Shimano Symetry 2500

I have read nothing but great things about the *** Black. Even guys using high end rods like Daiwa and Gloomis loves the rod. My only question would be med light or medium? Smallies put up a heck of a fight and in MN you'll always get bonus Northens. Can someone explain why you prefer med light over medium? I have never had a medium light rod ever.

Smallies often (not always) prefer slightly smaller baits, especially river smallies and especially up here in the northwoods. I am just on the other side of the river in WI. You will be glad you went medium light for that reason. You can throw smaller, lighter lures a longer distance. I'm primarily a river smallmouth fisherman and have been doing it for close to 30 years. I have a handful of medium spinning rods and a ton of medium light. Also a few light power rods. You will be amazed at how well that power goes hand in hand with typical smallie fodder. Grubs, light tubes, inline spinners, small topwaters, little cranks and so on. I think you made the right choice!

[bass1980]

Yeah I think I forgot that a med light will help with casting distance light tackle and split shot, hook, and minnow is a light as it gets. Thanks I will get med light. Now the hardest part is I have to wait until Spring to actually get to do a review lol.

[paul mueller]

Dobyns rods make great rods, i love them for smallies. i would recommend a Savvy 702 SF. You will not be disappointed