What Set Up Should I Get Next?

[pbizzle]

I'm not a power fisherman (crankbaits and reaction strikes) but I really do well fishing my finnesse tactics. Currently I have a 7'mh ethos/mettle for jigs and worms, a 6'6m/mettle for topwaters and spinnerbaits (rod fishes a little heavier than a medium but not really as heavy as a medium heavy), and a 6'6 medium pflueger combo for skipping/drop shotting/and weightless. What would you buy next? 

[Arv]

Either another worm/jig set up, or a cranking set up.

[pbizzle]

Either another worm/jig set up, or a cranking set up.

I was thinking about either a cranking set up or a 7'h for frogs and pitching into pads or mats.

[Diablos]

Some sort of set-up for fishing lipless cranks.

[pbizzle]

Okay I've got a couple couple ideas.

   ·All Star Team Rod Crankbait and Abu Garcia C3 4600 - Medium/Deep Divers and 1/2oz lipless

   ·Ethos 7'H and Mettle + 50lb Power Pro - Frogs and Pitching into some mats and pads

   ·Ethos 7'MH and Mettle + 50lb Power Pro - Worms, Jigs, Frogs, Pitching into heavy cover

[pbizzle]

Reason for the frog rod is because we've been fishing Nickajack Lake and also Baylor Lake which is on the same river. Look at Baylor.

https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en-US&q=Baylor+Lake&ie=UTF-8&ei=vesjUoPfI6assQSU4IGgAQ&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAA

That was taken before the weeds were really bad. Currently there's a lot more pads and almost have of its mats 

[mc6524]

I'd suggest a Moderate action rod which you can use to fish both crankbaits and jerkbaits.  I'd suggest a 6'6' Medium moderate action.

[pbizzle]

I've been fishing jerks on my 6'6m fast. I don't get to fish jerkbait s very often because the water never gets really cold here. Never been big on cranks because I've had a hard time keeping fish on, but I just now realized that it's because of my tackle.

[rockchalk06]

Jigs Jigs Jigs!

 

I have two. A flipping jig set up and a swim jig set up. I  have one tied on at all times.

[Jrob78]

If you don't fish crankbaits much, get the heavy rod.  Try to find a heavy powered rod in the 7'2"-7'6" range with a 7:1 reel.  You can use it for jigs, c-rigs, pitching to heavy cover, frogs and small swimbaits.  

[pbizzle]

I think I'll get the jig rod now, and get the crankbait rig around Christmas.

[skeletor6]

I feel like that Fenwick elite tech mh-mf would be able to do a lot of the techniques mentioned by other members. In that $100 price range too.

[Cgrinder]

I feel like that Fenwick elite tech mh-mf would be able to do a lot of the techniques mentioned by other members. In that $100 price range too.

 

x2, not a fan of the reel seats, but lightweight and very sensitive.

[rockchalk06]

I think I'll get the jig rod now, and get the crankbait rig around Christmas.

What's your budget on rod and reel for the jig set up?

[pbizzle]

What's your budget on rod and reel for the jig set up?

I'd probably just buy another Ethos for the mettle I bought on Saturday and put my old blue max reel on the 6'6m. I'm really happy with the ethos/mettle combo I have all ready. I won't be able to spend much until I'm able to get a job (which I really don't want). The most I could ever see spending on a combo would be maybe $200 on a very high end with out any left over for any other tackle. I would like to keep it around $150 though because a rod is not any good without a lure at the end.

[rockchalk06]

I'd probably just buy another Ethos for the mettle I bought on Saturday and put my old blue max reel on the 6'6m. I'm really happy with the ethos/mettle combo I have all ready. I won't be able to spend much until I'm able to get a job (which I really don't want). The most I could ever see spending on a combo would be maybe $200 on a very high end with out any left over for any other tackle. I would like to keep it around $150 though because a rod is not any good without a lure at the end.

Gotcha,

 

In that case (sorry didn't see your age), if your happy with the Ethos/Mettle combo, I'd go with another one. Eventually down the road, you will want a rod with great sensitivity for bottom contact jigs, but you've got a few years to worry about that.

[SirSnookalot]

I wouldn't buy anything if I didn't have a job, you can do do pretty much everything with what you have.  If I bought anything it would be a fly rod and learn something totally different.

[Cgrinder]

You know, if your budget is that tight, you might be better off with spinning gear. More bang for your buck, so to speak.

[Arv]

I'd probably just buy another Ethos for the mettle I bought on Saturday and put my old blue max reel on the 6'6m. I'm really happy with the ethos/mettle combo I have all ready. I won't be able to spend much until I'm able to get a job (which I really don't want). The most I could ever see spending on a combo would be maybe $200 on a very high end with out any left over for any other tackle. I would like to keep it around $150 though because a rod is not any good without a lure at the end.

Here's another option around your range. http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Pro-Qualifier-Reel/CarbonLite-Trigger-Rod-Baitcast-Combos/product/12041705055310/

[pbizzle]

You know, if your budget is that tight, you might be better off with spinning gear. More bang for your buck, so to speak.

I can get more, but don't want to. I was planning on spending about $200 on my crankbait rig. It's kind of like snook said, except for that I've tried fly fishing. I have been considering another spinning rod, but the one I have now is still pretty good.

 

Gotcha,

 

In that case (sorry didn't see your age), if your happy with the Ethos/Mettle combo, I'd go with another one. Eventually down the road, you will want a rod with great sensitivity for bottom contact jigs, but you've got a few years to worry about that.

I've been looking at other rods in the price range, and the only other I've found that I like would be a vendetta. I like the Powell diesel but not having a warranty worries me, and especially when both abu and H2O have great customer service with pretty good warranties. I think that if I ran some braid on the ethos it would increase the sensitivity enough that I could use it with success.

[pbizzle]

Here's another option around your range. http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Pro-Qualifier-Reel/CarbonLite-Trigger-Rod-Baitcast-Combos/product/12041705055310/

I've been considering the pro qualifier.

[pbizzle]

So would y'all go with a 7'MH or a 7'H? Braid, mono, or fluoro? I currently have 12lb CXX on both reels.

[rockchalk06]

So would y'all go with a 7'MH or a 7'H? Braid, mono, or fluoro? I currently have 12lb CXX on both reels.

How heavy of jigs are you running?

I use 1/2oz and like a heavy action with fast tip.

I prefer braid for jigs, but I'm experimenting with some Seaguar Tatsu Fluoro in 20# on my jig rod right now.

[Jrob78]

Go with the heavy power, fast action and braid.  Since you don't have a ton of rods, you need variety.  Cover all your bases.   You can always tie a leader if you don't want to fish straight braid.  

[pbizzle]

How heavy of jigs are you running?

I use 1/2oz and like a heavy action with fast tip.

I prefer braid for jigs, but I'm experimenting with some Seaguar Tatsu Fluoro in 20# on my jig rod right now.

1/2 is about the max weight I'll throw. I mostly throw 1/4 and followed by 3/8. But with the skirt and trailer your 1/4 ounce jig probably weighs 1/2 ounce give or take a little.

 

 

Go with the heavy power, fast action and braid.  Since you don't have a ton of rods, you need variety.  Cover all your bases.   You can always tie a leader if you don't want to fish straight braid.  

Ok. I'll just try to wait for the next rod riot if it's pretty soon.