Help Me Build My Arsenal!

[Cal86]

Ok Guys, here it goes. Just looking for some guidance/recommendations. I am fishing in my first tournament season this year, and hope to build a "catch all" arsenal on a budget with 4 rod and reels, using two baitcasters and two spinning reels. We fish mostly small waters, so casting a mile isnt necessary. Here is what i have so far. 

 

Casting

1) Shimano Citica 200e on a 6'6 MH Berkley Lightning Rod Shock, using 30 lb suffix 832.

2). Bass Pro Qualifier 6:4:1, no rod as of yet.

 

Spinning

1) Pflueger Trion, 30 size, on a 6'6 medium action Lightning Rod, using 10lb mono. 

2)Plueger President 35 size, no rod as of yet. 

 

 

So... any recommendations on what to pair up the two loner reels with, in terms of rods and line?

 

I fish soft plastics,(worms, beavers, creatures on wacky,t-rig,jika rigs), -topwater, (frogs, spooks, sammies,torpedos) jigs( football,swim, 1/4-1/2 oz) -Cranks and Spinnerbaits occasionally. 

 

Just looking to be able to do this on a budget and with 4 combos, and I am willing to put the time in with each to feel confident with each setup. Any Help would be greatly appreciated! 

 

 

[NWI-Bassin']

What's your budget on each rod ?

[Blues19]

I would look at the Bass Pro Graphite Series rods. They are pretty nice for $40 each. For the 2nd baitcaster I would probably get a 6'6" Medium to throw some spiinerbaits and crankbaits.  You could also throw the plastics on there. I would probably go about 14 lb test line on that.  For your other spinning rod, I would go 6'6" MH rod. you could throw alot on there (Crankbaits, jigs, Carolina Rig) I would go with 12-14 lb test on there. Thats just me.

 

With the Trion and M Lightning rod you should look at getting some finesse worms and spot remover jigs. Throw the shakey head on that all day. You will catch you some fish. Good Luck, let us know how you are doing. I hope this helps

[Cal86]

My budget would be around 100 on the casting rod, and around 75 on the spinning rod. Thanks for the input so far, keep it coming. 

[Diggy]

My budget would be around 100 on the casting rod, and around 75 on the spinning rod. Thanks for the input so far, keep it coming. 

Maybe some carbonlites? Id put either the citica or pq on one (swapping the rods if need be). Put the president on a 6-6 to 7ft medium depending on balance. Id use the bps sale to your advantage which I assume you are going to do.

[The Rooster]

I'd get a medium heavy casting rod with a fast tip. Something that's sensitive for bottom contact lures like jigs and rigged plastics. From what I know of the Lightning Rod Shock it has a softer tip so it can get by with treble hook baits like crankbaits or jerk baits, but you need something with backbone for the large single hook baits like spinnerbaits and jigs. That's what I see missing from your lineup now. The Pro Qualifier reel would be good on it for all those lures it would be for, or the Citica, either one. I'd probably use the Citica since its so easy to cast, it would make it easier to pitch a jig. Put the PQ on the Shock. I'd use 14 pound line on the medium heavy rod. That's me.

[Cal86]

Great Information, appreciate it. So i've been looking at both the Abu Veritas and St. Croix Mojo Bass, 6'6 mh, i think they both have a fast tip. That should do the trick. Is there an easy way of explaining soft versus fast tips?

Both the Citica and PQ are in a medium retrieve, so that should complicate things less. maybe. 

[Blues19]

Great Information, appreciate it. So i've been looking at both the Abu Veritas and St. Croix Mojo Bass, 6'6 mh, i think they both have a fast tip. That should do the trick. Is there an easy way of explaining soft versus fast tips?

Both the Citica and PQ are in a medium retrieve, so that should complicate things less. maybe. 

if you look over at Academy website, they have both of those rods for $69.99

[livetofish28]

Look at the St Croix mojo bass there great at a 100 bucks

[Diggy]

Great Information, appreciate it. So i've been looking at both the Abu Veritas and St. Croix Mojo Bass, 6'6 mh, i think they both have a fast tip. That should do the trick. Is there an easy way of explaining soft versus fast tips?

Both the Citica and PQ are in a medium retrieve, so that should complicate things less. maybe. 

 

c/p

 

Action:

Blank action is identified by the portion of the blank that flexes.

X-Fast: Upper 20% flexes

Fast: Upper 30% flexes

Med-Fast: Upper 35% flexes

Mod-Fast: Upper 40% flexes

Moderate: Middle flex point

Slow: Flex progressive from tip to butt

 

 

For most bass fishing, Fast action is the general purpose, with some slower actions for treble hooked lures

 

 

 

You can throw large spinnerbaits on that Berkley also, its rated to 1 1/4oz since MH. Its pretty versatile. The tip is designed bit softer but it works well with both treble lures and the spinnerbaits. My friend uses his for frogs. I throw cranks/spinners and top water on a crankbait rod and it works well, the action is similar to the tip of the berkley rod you have. 

 

Id get a bottom contact rod as someone said for casting. Tons of choices in the hundred dollar range on sale now. Carbonlites as I recc'd work as well as veritas,mojo, etc. Between those 2 rods and reels you can cover many applications in casting and the same in spinning

[Cal86]

Appreciate all the help so far, thanks alot. 

[Cal86]

So today im going to Dicks Sporting Goods to take a lot at the Abu Garcia Veritas casting and St. Croix Mojo Bass spinning rods. From What i've heard, the Veritas action runs a little heavy. Here is what im thinking so far, chime in with any advice, one way or the other. 

 

Putting the Bass Pro Qualifier on a 6'6 MH Veritas, spooling up with YO-Zuri Hybrid 12 lb. 

 

Putting the 6935 President on a 6'6 MH Veritas or Mojo Bass Spooled with a 10 or 20 lb braid, and use the yozuri hybrid as a leader. 

 

What do ye think?

[Cal86]

Anybody have experience using 12lb Yozuri Hybrid on a baitcaster like the PQ?