Best Rod/reel For This Application?

[J.Bass]

Going to make a spinning rod/reel set for Smallmouth I fish for in my area. The smallmouth range from few ounces to mainly just around 3 pounds. I mainly use small crankbaits such as the strike king bitsy. I also use in-line spinners from 1/8 oz to 1/4 oz. I also use small plastic worms about 3" to 4" long.

 

The spinning rod I want to have a lot of backbone but also be "light." Sensitivity can be average or above. I want rod to be 7ft (was thinking a light rod?). What would be a great rod for this around my price range of $100 to $150.

 

The reel is going to president pfluegar spinning reel. I just don't know which size I should go for this application of small spinnerbaits and in-line spinners. Which size should I get?

 

 

Thanks for your help appreciated.

 

[ww2farmer]

If your set on the President spinning reel, get the 6930 size, it's light, and has plenty of line capacity. I won't get brand specific for rods..........everyone has there favorites, but if it were me, I would be looking at a 6'8", 6'9", 6'10" range..............ML power, fast or extra fast action rod. Plenty of decent rods to choose from in your $150 or range. St Croix, Abu, Shimano, Fenwick,etc.....

[lmbfisherman]

My recommendation for a rod would be Fenwick Aetos M/F 7'0 the lure range is 1/16 to 3/4.  I own this model and it rocks, it is light/very sensitive and usually can find this on sale that it would be close to the Elite Tech price.  For the reel, what farmer said about the reel size, I'd agree.

[Snakehead Whisperer]

If your set on the President spinning reel, get the 6930 size, it's light, and has plenty of line capacity. I won't get brand specific for rods..........everyone has there favorites, but if it were me, I would be looking at a 6'8", 6'9", 6'10" range..............ML power, fast or extra fast action rod. Plenty of decent rods to choose from in your $150 or range. St Croix, Abu, Shimano, Fenwick,etc.....

x2. 

 

Get a ML-F rod in 6'9" or so, it'll also make a great dropshot rod.

[J Francho]

If your set on the President spinning reel, get the 6930 size, it's light, and has plenty of line capacity. I won't get brand specific for rods..........everyone has there favorites, but if it were me, I would be looking at a 6'8", 6'9", 6'10" range..............ML power, fast or extra fast action rod. Plenty of decent rods to choose from in your $150 or range. St Croix, Abu, Shimano, Fenwick,etc.....

 

Right on the money.

[tytay89]

if your fishing creeks fro smalls don't forget bout the trig & soft plastics,  there cheap and you can just breAK em off instead of spooking the few holes to get a lure back...  id get a nice 6-6 m ex-fast whatever brand fits your budget 

[roadwarrior]

Avid AVS66MLF/ Shimano Symetre 1000FL

 

 

 

 

[RoLo]

Avid AVS66MLF/ Shimano Symetre 1000FL

 

 

 

 

 

That oughta work

 

Roger

[J.Bass]

Avid AVS66MLF/ Shimano Symetre 1000FL

 

 

 

 

I like the avid rod. I'll have to keep in mind. Also like the symetre reel too.

 

x2. 

 

Get a ML-F rod in 6'9" or so, it'll also make a great dropshot rod.

Thats what I was thinking but wasn't sure. I used an UL pole to catch them but i want more backbone and power instead of a UL.

 

If your set on the President spinning reel, get the 6930 size, it's light, and has plenty of line capacity. I won't get brand specific for rods..........everyone has there favorites, but if it were me, I would be looking at a 6'8", 6'9", 6'10" range..............ML power, fast or extra fast action rod. Plenty of decent rods to choose from in your $150 or range. St Croix, Abu, Shimano, Fenwick,etc.....

Thanks for your help farmer. I'll be sure to get 6930 size. I own a president and I love it. I want another for smallmouth. I'll be getting a ML rod thanks farmer and snake. WIll try these out.

 

Thanks everyone else for your input much appreciated. Smallmouth here aren't as big as Lake Michigan smallmouth but they put up a good fight lol.

[JayKumar]

If you are only going to crank with that rod, a lighter action is better...but I always advocate using the heaviest action you can stand.  Imo smallies are not as likely to get missed with a crank as largies, but I guess it depends on your hookset. Would also advocate a casting rod for crankbaits, even light ones, because of spinning reels, but...! Also recommend the biggest reel you can stand that feels right on that rod -- for power, durability and longer casts. But most of all whatever feels right to you.

[Hogsticker]

If you can spend a little more take a look at the 6'9 med light Phenix Recon. Perfect blank taper for those small lighter cranks with a parabolic bend 100% graphite blank. It is about as much of a truly universal med light rod as they come, and a total blast to battle a 3 pound smallie on

[Flippin N Rippin]

I have a TFO 7'3" Medium , Fast tip, with a pfluger President for a reel. It is a great rod with back bone and yet sensitive enough to feel a fish breath on your bait. Rod and Reel runs about $200. Great combo that doesn't break the bank. 

[Snakehead Whisperer]

I have a TFO 7'3" Medium , Fast tip, with a pfluger President for a reel. It is a great rod with back bone and yet sensitive enough to feel a fish breath on your bait. Rod and Reel runs about $200. Great combo that doesn't break the bank. 

I have the 7'6" M. The rod feels and fishes like a MH. Great rods though.

[Tom 513]

I use a St.Croix 6'8" med extra fast MoJo bass rod with a Abu orka spinning reel, The St,Croix should run around $90, St.Croix has excellent customer service and I love the feel more so than the Triumph series poles,which I use also

[michael68w]

I use a couple spinning rods from 6'8-7 foot I length all fast or extra fast. My tubes I fish on my 7 foot medium fast st.croix premier or mojo(which ever one I feel like using for the day) both those have diawa lexa 2500s. I use my 6'8 st.croix legend tourney for the same exact things lol all of them have the same reel. It's basically what ever I feel like using for the day. The fenwick elite tech smallmouth rods are pretty nice for the price. I also use a st.croix avid 7ft med light fast tapper. All those rods perform really well I've even used the avid medium light for tube jigs without a hitch though I do recommend you use a medium but with st.croix their medium lights are pretty similar in power to a lot of other manufactures mediums. The bps carbon lite fits nicely into your price range and is a lot of rod for the dollar but I'll admit I don't think they are as nice as st.croix. At the top end of your price range I'd take a look at the shimano crucial rods as well that's a hard warranty to beat.

[BasshunterJGH]

Dobyns saavy micro guide 7 ft med light