Duplicating Your Favorite Equipment

[Shewillbemine]

I've been able to use 3 baitcasting combos this past year and all 3 use different reels and rods.

 

I think it's natural that one of them stands out to me as a favorite, whether it just feels good to use or has caught me the most fish (both are true in this case). FWIW my favorite is a Pflueger Supreme LBL (discontinued) and a Shimano Compre rod. 

 

So when you guys find that "favorite" rod and reel, do you typically go out and purchase more of the same? Do you consider purchasing the same reel and perhaps switching out the rod lengths/sensitivities based on how it will be used? Or do you buy different combos to fit the exact needs on the water?

 

 

[flippin and pitchin]

You make a good point. I think having a consistent familiar feel with your equipment helps. It probably applies more to reels than rods. Many anglers will have five or more different lengths and or actions of rods on the deck and they all have the same reel although the retrieve ratios might differ. I like my reels to be the same if possible. It helps with the flow. Having "similar " rods is also nice. Some guys may enjoy variety and that's good too. Wanting all your reels the same has a disadvantage though. It empties your wallet if you change manufactures.

[War Eagle 44]

I myself am also a fan of using matching equipment. The set of core rods and reels that I fish the most by far are all the same brand and model reel with the same brand technique specific rods. Sure I have other reels and rods that I sometimes fish along side these five setups but for the vast majority of my fishing I really enjoy the continuity of my Citica E and Powell Max combos.

 

[LgMouthGambler]

I used similar equipment. All my reels are Shimano E series now. From the Citica to the Chronarch.

[loodkop]

I enjoy playing around with rods to try and find the perfect combo for my favorite techniques. This means that I fit my Shimano's on various rods from different manufacturers that work for me. I have tried using only Shimano Crucial rods but find that I would rather use certain rods for function rather than looks or brand name.

[roadwarrior]

I'm a collector and like everything technique specific. You can do just about all of your

fishing with one rig, three really covers the field. So, that is where to start. Over time

you may decide to be more specific and buy equipment that is designed for a particular

situation.

 

An example is a set-up for deep diving crankbaits only. If you already have a jig rod,

you don't really "need" a rig for this application, but if you fish deep cranks a lot, you

will appreciate technique specific.

[KYntucky Warmouth]

I have a good assortment of different rods and reels.  I can see where people would be more comfortable with using similar equipment but for me, I like using different setups.  I have never had any trouble switching from one setup to another.  I know how all my stuff fishes so swtiching from a Shimano with the VBS to a Daiwa with Magforce-Z or Magforce-V becomes a non issue.  Just know your equipment and how to fish it.  If you want matching setups go for, I like variety, I could never settle on one brand.

[thehooligan]

I also like to collect and have it all technique specific. In the past few years ive got down to a hand full of rod makers that i like and will stick too. With reels im pretty much shimano/daiwa only.

 

But i dont like duplicates, and as silly as it is, i really like matching my rods and reels by color and with what looks good.

[flyfisher]

I am pretty brand loyal but not necessarily not open to change.  I have been on the st croix bandwagon since my fly fishing days and have stuck with their lineup.  Started out with the premier and have now mostly rage rods.  To me it is about feeling comfortable and in a kayak i also prefer to have more technique specific set ups so i don't have to retie as often.

 

I haven't duplicated any exact setups with the exception of having 2 7'mf spinning setups because i do use those for different techniques.

 

As far as reels go those i do get the same pretty much when i can with different gear ratios for baitcasters but pretty much the exact same for my spinning rigs.

[Teal]

Tackle junkie here too. I like having similar equipment, but if another brand has the length, power, or combination of everything I want, then I will get it. Flipping and pitching was right though, I am more like that with rods than reels.

[ww2farmer]

Out of my 12 combos, the only ones I have duplicates of are 7' MH/fast casting, I do so many different things with those rods it saves me a lot of time and agrivation of constantly having to re-tie when I want to switch. I have 3 of those now, they are all St Croix's, but not all the same line. One Avid, one Legend Tournament, and one Rage. I only have one each of the rest of my rods, and each one does at least one specific thing for me, with occasional use for something else. This upcoming season will be the first since I switched to St Croix rods/shimano reels, that all my rods will be St Croix's and all my reels will be Shimano. But that's just more of a "me" thing, it matters not to the fish.

[jbsoonerfan]

I have a Titleist 913 driver, Titleist 3 wood, Titleist 712 irons and hit Titleist Pro V1's. I know this isn't about golf, but for some reason I want all my stuff to "match" so to speak.

 

That brings me to fishing. I use all Shimano gear. 3 Curados, a Chronarch 50E and a Core 100Mg. All on Shimano rods - 6'8" M Crucial, 7'2" MH x-fast Crucial, 7' MH Crucial Crankbait, 7'2" H Compre and a 6'10" MH Clarus spinnerbait rod.

 

I suppose I am just weird like that, but it could also be my OCD

[Mikey]

I'm very picky on retrv. of my reels used the old speed-spools for yrs. and held back buying a new reel until I saw the Daiwa Crazy-Cranker at 4:9 gotta be the closest yet to the 4:3 on speed-spool so got two. 

[War Eagle 44]

KYntucky Warmouth brought up an interesting point in my opinion on switching between reels with different braking systems with out any problems. I found this to be a major problem in my fishing, in previous years I to had about an equal number of Shimano and Daiwa reels and they were all mounted on a "hodge podge" of different brand of rods. This is when I first started out and was trying to find what tackle suited me best, and in so having all these different set ups and switching between them on the fly over the course of a days fishing I would frequently backlash my Shimano's after fishing with a Daiwa for a while. I didn't have this problem going the other way for some reason, I thought that the Daiwa breaking system was easier to get "dialed in" for a beginner. Now this part is personal preference so not everyone will agree here but to me I found my Shimano's to be "more free" during casting and pitching allowing me to use less force on my casts. I later figured out that this is what was causing my backlash problems, using the casting force I'd gotten used to with my Daiwa's on my Shimano's.

 

After some years of fishing this way I decided to try and correct my problem by only taking one brand of reels on a given day. I would think about what techniques I thought would be the best for that day and then mount the reels on the rods best suited for the techniques I'd choosen. This worked out much better for me as I could get used to one kind of breaking system and avoid those backlashes. This is what lead me to chose one over the other, using them on alternating trips on the same rods with the same lines. I found that I simply enjoyed my fishing time more using Shimano reels. Not saying one negative thing here about Daiwa, they make excellent tackle. 

 

I've not left the Shimano camp since so I've never tried any of the new Daiwa offerings, or Garcia Revo's or any of Quantums newer reels. Needless to say this also goes for the well reviewed and super popular new Lews reels. I know some people get "Shimano overload" on some forums so I try never to be pushy or aggressive with my opinion of the brand but they're all I fish so if someone asks for a recommendation I have to tell them what I know about. This was a very interesting point he made so I was just curious to your fella's opinions on switching between reels with different braking systems.   

[Raul]

I've been able to use 3 baitcasting combos this past year and all 3 use different reels and rods.

 

I think it's natural that one of them stands out to me as a favorite, whether it just feels good to use or has caught me the most fish (both are true in this case). FWIW my favorite is a Pflueger Supreme LBL (discontinued) and a Shimano Compre rod. 

 

So when you guys find that "favorite" rod and reel, do you typically go out and purchase more of the same? Do you consider purchasing the same reel and perhaps switching out the rod lengths/sensitivities based on how it will be used? Or do you buy different combos to fit the exact needs on the water?

 

There´s no fun in having "everything all the same" ( boring ), diversity is the spice of life.

[rippin-lips]

All my casting reels are by the same company but on different rods. My spinning reels match and so do the rods.

[EvanT123]

To quote Raul

There´s no fun in having "everything all the same" ( boring ), diversity is the spice of life.

In my short time feeding the bait monkey I've noticed mixing brands can yield some interesting results like putting a shimano reel on a daiwa rod can feel awesome. So mixing it up you maybe surprised at the results.

[islandbass]

I don't go for the "all in the same line" philosophy. Heck, rods aren't like golf clubs, lol. I will mix it up based on the needs and not company. As a result, I do not have nor do I subscribe to remaining exclusive to any one manufacturer of rod or reel. In addition, I do not suffer from having to "readjust" or become acclimated to a different set up when I change from one set up to another. Whew!

[papajoe222]

Rick Clunn is a big proponent of using the same equipment. His deck is adorned with identical combos rigged with a range of baits. His thinking is that when he sets one rig down and picks up another, he doesn't need to make any physical or mental adjustments to the equipment.  It's sound thinking and it works for him.

I think more along the lines of one model of rod and reel in three or four different actions and gear ratios.  My favorites are the Browning BoronMatrix rods paired to Daiwa reels.  I have four such combos and would be hard pressed to pick a favorite among them.  For me, it's a comfort that's based on familiarity. 

[Gone_Phishin]

You bet! I loved the brown St. Croix Legend Elite LEC68MXF, I purchased a second.  I finesse fish a lot, so they both get used often.  I did the same thing with the LEC70MHF.  One is my go-to stick for 1/2oz spinnerbaits, the other sees time with plastics and jigs.

 

I first purchased a Conquest 101 to throw cranks, and fell in love.  I quickly bought several more of the domestic version, the Calcutta TE 101GT.  The same thing happened with the Chronarch Mg and the Pixy.  As I said I fish a ton of finesse stuff, so these reels are part of my regular rotation.

 

When it comes to manufacturers, I am all over the map.  I regularly use rods from Croix, Loomis, Dobyns, Daiwa, Shimano, etc.  Most of my reels are Shimanos and Daiwas.  As Raul said, variety is a good chunk of the fun when it comes to fishing.

[SirSnookalot]

I'm not much for technique specific (except for butterfly jigging), but fishing many different types of conditions as I do I have rod preferences.  In windy conditions I like 7' rods, med or mh lure wt 1 oz max if I'm fishing at waters level.  Fishing in wind from an elevated position like a jettie it's a 7' rod max lure wt of 2-3 oz, I need the lure to work not flop on top of the water and heavier lure is my ticket.  In calmer conditions it's 7'6 or 8' with the same lure wts as previously described.  I also have different set ups for different species.  All told about 15 inshore outfits, all spinning and could easily whittle that arsenal down, but I like stuff.  I have another 5 offshore set ups, separate ones for private and public boats.  5 freshwater set ups, 1 gets used about 90% of the time and 1 set up strictly for snakeheads.  The irony is that I don't use a lot of different lures and use many of the same ones are used on each set up.  I got way too much stuff, but getting ready to buy an outfit I fell in love with.........lol.