Second Baitcast Setup

[Templeton]

What do y'all think of my recent purchase?

Pinnacle Deadbolt Limited 7:0:1 gear ratio

Shakespeare Ugly Stik Lite Pro 7'0" Medium Action Graphite Rod

[Bluebasser86]

What are you using it for? 

[Templeton]

Frogs, jigs and rattle traps.

[Grantman83]

For frogs you are gonna want something heavier IMO.....

[ww2farmer]

Should have asked before you bought it. But now that you have it, you'll have to make it work, if your going to frog with it, use braid, keep your drag locked down tight, and your going to have to swing hard to compensate for the rod loading up to drive the hooks in. IMHO....M power/action rods in general (not just the ugly stick) are not optimal for most frogging and jig work.

[mjseverson24]

I agree that the rod is definitely under powered for frog fishing, but the rod would do just fine for any horizontal presentation, but where I think you might have the most problems is jig fishing with it. in my experience the ugly sticks are a very durable, but highly insensitive rod not a good choice at all for jigs and any other technique that needs a lot of feel. That being said you will still be able to catch fish using this for jigs and rigs but you will want braided line to increase your feel and in most cases everything will just kind of feel squishy so you will have to learn the difference between weed squish and fish squish... good luck with your new combo...

 

Mitch

[ww2farmer]

 in most cases everything will just kind of feel squishy so you will have to learn the difference between weed squish and fish squish...

And not a lot more money has to be spent to gain this feel over that of an Ugly Stick. I have no problems feeling the difference between fish or weeds on  $50/$80/$100 Abu Vengeance's/Vendetta's/Veritas's......

[Templeton]

Not really big on frogs in the first place. I've always had a problem feeling a bite on jigs, T-Rigs and etc., so I was looking for a taller rod for power fishing really. To really cast it out there.

[roadwarrior]

I've always had a problem feeling a bite on jigs, T-Rigs and etc.

 

The rod & reel you bought will be fine for "moving" lures. When you decide to focus

on soft plastics and jigs, you should consider looking for another combination. This

might help:

 

For enthusiasts, technique specific gear is fun

to collect. However, three rigs cover all the

basics:

#1 6 1/2' or 7' MH baitcaster for jigs, some

soft plastics and spinnerbaits

#2 6 1/2' or 7' MM baitcaster for treble hook

lures

#3 7' MF spinning rod for lighter lures and a

variety of techniques

 

 

[pbizzle]

If you can, I'd recommend returning it for a lightning rod or a lightning rod shock in a 7'MH fast action. If not it should be great for the lip less cranks.

[Templeton]

Roadwarrior, know of any combos that are decent for the feel for around 150 bucks?

[roadwarrior]

Rather than buying new,  I would suggest something "gently used" from our Flea Market.

You have to be patient, but GREAT deals pop up from time to time.

[new2BC4bass]

Rather than buying new,  I would suggest something "gently used" from our Flea Market.

You have to be patient, but GREAT deals pop up from time to time.

X2.  Especially over the next 4 months.  I got some really good deals last year on rods, and okay deals on reels.  One MH custom built rod was purcased for less than the price of the bare blank.  Keep reading, and learn what type of rods are used for various techniques.  Then watch the classifieds.

 

Good luck.  I assume you live in Alabama, so you can get out to fish.  Will be awhile for me.

[Templeton]

What would be a good reel for jigs? Brand name if you could as well as the rods you would recommend and or use. 

[rippin-lips]

Just remember that the rod and line are more important then the reel as far as 'feel' goes or sensitivity as we call it.

You should be able to get a decent rod for 80-100 and a decent reel for 60-90. Brands are your choice really.

[Templeton]

I just don't want to be a person that has a 100 different rods and feel like they are out a ton of money.  I do it for the fun and love of fishing and not for the hope of going pro someday.

[rippin-lips]

When it comes to my fishing stuff I don't think about the money. I enjoy fishing but it makes it more enjoyable to me to do it with quality gear. As far as combos go. I'm working on 10 and I use them all when I'm on my boat. I'll also sell a few and buy a few more over next season. When I'm fishing the bank I have 3 with me. How much you want to spend is up to you though and also how many you want to own.

[Templeton]

Very true. I bobber fish a lot cause sometimes I wanna sit back and relax and take in the scenery instead of constantly focusing on technique and throwing and retrieving. 

[Arv]

If you're looking for a VERY solid combo, check out the Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier/Carbonlite Combo. They are right around 160 if I recall correctly. You're looking at an outstanding reel that performs above its price range of $100 and a good rod that is another $100 or so.

[new2BC4bass]

When it comes to my fishing stuff I don't think about the money. I enjoy fishing but it makes it more enjoyable to me to do it with quality gear. As far as combos go. I'm working on 10 and I use them all when I'm on my boat. I'll also sell a few and buy a few more over next season. When I'm fishing the bank I have 3 with me. How much you want to spend is up to you though and also how many you want to own.

X2

In my case fishing is poor in my area.  If I were fishing with cheap gear, I would have quit.....again.  I can't afford top tier stuff, but I try to buy decent gear.  It keeps me going back.

 

Templeton, nothing wrong with sitting back and watching a bobber.  Something I seldom did as a youngster.  We were much more apt to be fishing nightwalkers, leeches or crayfish off the bottom....line watching.    Now my enjoyment is the casting since I switched from spinning reels to baitcast reels.