Rod Selection: The Basics

[PPace07]

So i'm looking to set up 3 rods that I can use for everything, 2 casting , one for jigs, flipping, spinner baits, basically anything that sinks with fluorocarbon line, one with mono filament for top water or floating techniques, and a spinning setup for finesse with fluorocarbon. Does this sound OK, if not, what would you suggest and also I need help with sizes for rods reels and lines. Thanks

[brad_7]

I am trying to decide on a fishing rod to use for jerk baits, rattle traps, plastic worms, spoons and jigs. Generally I use somewhere 10-12 lb fluorocarbon.  I am looking at a ST. CROIX model is the PC70MHF which is a moderate rode with a fast action but wanted to get some advice before I bought it and make sure there isn't anythinig better out there.

[Stuckinthetrees]

I am not a big rod junkie, i dont have 56 rods and 30 in the boat at all time.  i rarely own more than 10 at one time. but if i had to stick with only 3 it would be  7'0" MH-F casting  7'0" MH  crankin stick  7'0" MF spinning.  They would all have shimano reels

[3rdDon]

Thanks for taking the time to post this, roadwarrior!

Gonna go buy me a spinning rig with a little more confidence than I had before reading this thread

 

[Novafan438]

On Christmas I got a new Daiwa Tatula Type-R 100xs with an 8:1:1 gear ratio. I am looking for a new rod and line to accompany the reel. I would like to be able to use this setup in just about any situation with multiple things. Lastly, I am trying to keep price in mind. 

[ms.cavitycolors]

Does one really need a baitcaster? I'm sort of afraid to drop money on one as a beginner because I've heard it's tricky in dealing with backlash. I prefer spinners or spincasts, but would I be able to do a topwater lure, spinnerbaits or drop shots with one? 

[HeavyTwenty]

14 minutes ago, ms.cavitycolors said:

Does one really need a baitcaster? I'm sort of afraid to drop money on one as a beginner because I've heard it's tricky in dealing with backlash. I prefer spinners or spincasts, but would I be able to do a topwater lure, spinnerbaits or drop shots with one? 

 

edit: Yes, you can use spinners for topwater, spinnerbaits, and drop shots. 

 

Baitcasters are definitely not necessary. I often bank fish with 2 spinning reels whenever I go to tough ponds because finesse works better in my area. But when I'm on my kayak, I use my 2 baitcasters about 85% of the time.

Edited April 14, 2017 by HeavyTwenty
misread question

[FrankN209]

On 4/14/2017 at 9:09 AM, ms.cavitycolors said:

Does one really need a baitcaster? I'm sort of afraid to drop money on one as a beginner because I've heard it's tricky in dealing with backlash. I prefer spinners or spincasts, but would I be able to do a topwater lure, spinnerbaits or drop shots with one? 

No, not necessary at all. I fished many years without a baitcaster. And yes like previous post, it's easy to use topwater like spooks and such with a spinning reel. 

[Jartbek]

On 4/14/2017 at 11:09 AM, ms.cavitycolors said:

Does one really need a baitcaster? I'm sort of afraid to drop money on one as a beginner because I've heard it's tricky in dealing with backlash. I prefer spinners or spincasts, but would I be able to do a topwater lure, spinnerbaits or drop shots with one? 

I understand the fear I did also I started fishing with a bait caster this last month I would start with a basic 6:4:1 Gear Ratio I use a ABU Garcia Silver Max $60 pair that with 10lb Mono for practice and use a 7ft medium/heavy fast action tip rod. great beginners setup covers a lot of different lures. Hope this helps and good luck.

[LxVE Bassin]

I usually carry 3 set ups and I mainly fish from the bank. All casting setups.

 

1. 6'9" Medium x-fast for weightless plastics

 

2. 6'6" Medium Heavy m-fast for chatterbaits

 

3. 7'0" medium Heavy fast for bottom t-rigs and other bottom applications

 

I rarely bring out my other 2 set ups especially my crank set up because the constant snags became too much of nuisance.

[Bulletman20XD]

On 2/22/2014 at 2:35 PM, roadwarrior said:

The simple answer is #12 Yo-Zuri Hybrid on baitcasters, #6 Y-Z Hybrid on spinning tackle.

 

Other suggestions for baitcasters include Kanzan #50 direct or with #20 Tatsu leader.

#20 Tatsu or AbrazX for fluorocarbon only.

 

Although I generally recommend #6 Hybrid, I use mostly #4 on spinning gear. However,

not everyone would be comfortable with that choice. I also use Tatsu #6. Lots of guys

like braid, too. I have experimented, but it's not for me.

 

These line suggestions only work for specific techniques and on specific bodies of water. Bring that thread down here to south Texas and you'll spend all your time retying and replacing lost lures!!

[roadwarrior]

My brother and I fished Toledo Bend for a week this spring. I did not lose any lures and neither

of us had a break-off.

 

[Gus Heinze]

Hello my name is Gus and I have a rod & reel addiction.....

 

There that should cover the "addiction part" of the intro, my wife thinks I'm losing my mind I do all this reading online and walk around the house mumbling, "medium heavy, extra fast....medium moderate....6'6"....7'0".....what ratio? 6.4:1? 7.1:1?..????"

 

She looks at me and thinks I've lost my mind!

 

SO, that is my question, how do you pair a reel to a rod when it comes to gearing? I see in the original post different lengths and actions are used for different types of lures and possibly techniques. What I don't understand, and am I'm starting to get the feeling there is no 100% sure fire way to do it, but is there a somewhat standard rule of thumb?

 

For example, I have a few rods and reels (keep in mind I'm a beginner and trying to learn as I go)

 

Lew's Super Duty Speed Spool 6.4:1 paired on a 7'0" Berkley Lighting Rod IM6 medium/medium.

I've pretty much been using this for soft plastics, Texas Rig weightless.

 

 

I have 2 other reels, one BPS Pro Qualifier also a 6.4:1 (on a 6'6" BPS rod), don't care of it as much and a tatula CT 100HS which is 7.3:1 (on a 7'1" Daiwa rod). The Lews feels the best in my hand that is why I'm looking for a 2nd Lew's.

I'm kinda wanting to get a Lew's Super Duty Speed Spool SD1XH 8.0:1 but have no clue what rod I should look to pair it with, I'm assuming I'd be using the 8.0:1 for swim baits and frogs (correct?) so would I want another 7' rod and if so what action?

 

If not a 7' is there anything else y'all recommend action? And if it's not too much trouble explaining why you make those choices? Have I lost my mind and should I just stick with the one I like?

 

I understand the gear ratio part of it but I don't really understand medium/medium vs medium-heavy fast vs medium fast...etc..etc..?

 

I did pick up a spinning reel for live bait when I go fishing with my kids, I didn't go nuts but I like it, it's a Okuma Ceymar C-30, has 5.0:1 it's paired on an Ugly Stick Elite Spinning rod 6'6" medium 2pc.

 

Thank you for any help or tips, back to driving my wife nuts with my 7.1:1 medium heavy fast mumbling.

 

Edit: not sure if this will help or not but I am a Pond fisherman, currently no boat so my fishing is from the bank, not sure that matters on length but some videos I'd seen had mentioned around 7' being ideal, but I did notice some rods are longer like 7'10" not sure if those would be hard to use around the banks or not.

 

 

Edit #2, I may have stumbled upon some help, for the other newbies like me out there:

http://*/fishing/articles/beginning-bass-fishing/matching-your-rods-reels-and-line/

[Tara-senko]

On 8/30/2017 at 10:58 PM, Gus Heinze said:

Hello my name is Gus and I have a rod & reel addiction.....

 

There that should cover the "addiction part" of the intro, my wife thinks I'm losing my mind I do all this reading online and walk around the house mumbling, "medium heavy, extra fast....medium moderate....6'6"....7'0".....what ratio? 6.4:1? 7.1:1?..????"

 

She looks at me and thinks I've lost my mind!

 

SO, that is my question, how do you pair a reel to a rod when it comes to gearing? I see in the original post different lengths and actions are used for different types of lures and possibly techniques. What I don't understand, and am I'm starting to get the feeling there is no 100% sure fire way to do it, but is there a somewhat standard rule of thumb?

 

For example, I have a few rods and reels (keep in mind I'm a beginner and trying to learn as I go)

 

Lew's Super Duty Speed Spool 6.4:1 paired on a 7'0" Berkley Lighting Rod IM6 medium/medium.

I've pretty much been using this for soft plastics, Texas Rig weightless.

 

 

I have 2 other reels, one BPS Pro Qualifier also a 6.4:1 (on a 6'6" BPS rod), don't care of it as much and a tatula CT 100HS which is 7.3:1 (on a 7'1" Daiwa rod). The Lews feels the best in my hand that is why I'm looking for a 2nd Lew's.

I'm kinda wanting to get a Lew's Super Duty Speed Spool SD1XH 8.0:1 but have no clue what rod I should look to pair it with, I'm assuming I'd be using the 8.0:1 for swim baits and frogs (correct?) so would I want another 7' rod and if so what action?

 

If not a 7' is there anything else y'all recommend action? And if it's not too much trouble explaining why you make those choices? Have I lost my mind and should I just stick with the one I like?

 

I understand the gear ratio part of it but I don't really understand medium/medium vs medium-heavy fast vs medium fast...etc..etc..?

 

I did pick up a spinning reel for live bait when I go fishing with my kids, I didn't go nuts but I like it, it's a Okuma Ceymar C-30, has 5.0:1 it's paired on an Ugly Stick Elite Spinning rod 6'6" medium 2pc.

 

Thank you for any help or tips, back to driving my wife nuts with my 7.1:1 medium heavy fast mumbling.

 

Edit: not sure if this will help or not but I am a Pond fisherman, currently no boat so my fishing is from the bank, not sure that matters on length but some videos I'd seen had mentioned around 7' being ideal, but I did notice some rods are longer like 7'10" not sure if those would be hard to use around the banks or not.

 

 

Edit #2, I may have stumbled upon some help, for the other newbies like me out there:

http://*/fishing/articles/beginning-bass-fishing/matching-your-rods-reels-and-line/

Yeah I'm a couple years into really loving fishing and all the different ideas and had your same questions and I'm not any genius or expert and may be proven wrong by someone who's been around the block a few times.

 

But I do strictly bank fish and will offer my opinion. 

 

"I'm kinda wanting to get a Lew's Super Duty Speed Spool SD1XH 8.0:1 but have no clue what rod I should look to pair it with, I'm assuming I'd be using the 8.0:1 for swim baits and frogs (correct?) so would I want another 7' rod and if so what action?"

 

I'd want a softer tip so i can work and present those baits correctly. I hate working moving Swimbsits and topwater with a super stiff rod. 

 

1) In general I'd explain my rod as a 6'6 MH fast. Medium heavy has to do with the back bone or strength of rod and fast would mean your rod tip isn't stiff. I'm not good enough or wealthy enough to buy combos for every single style. But 7.1 ratio is plenty for most everything. 

 

2) Bank fishing usually can mean ur in close quarters with trees, bushs, etc... so if u have a 7'6 rod ur going to be limited in spots you can pitch and flip. I use a lews speed spool also that's 7.1 paired with a Versitas 2.0 6'6 MH fast tip. I've caught multiple fish over 4 or 5 pounds thru vegetation easily. Im very comfortable with any bait except really cranking but don't do much of it.  I began with a 7'6 rod and couldnt do anything productive from the bank except cast to the middle. I'd own a longer rod if I fished in a boat and didn't worry about branches and snags and if my cast might nip this limb....etc

 

3- If your frog fishing, jiggin, etc... the 8.1 could help depending on your reaction to a strike...I'd recommend a softer tip unless ur pulling hogs out of a bunch of hydrilla or something all day

 

 

 

[I/MBasser]

On 2/4/2014 at 1:37 PM, roadwarrior said:

For enthusiasts, technique specific gear is fun
to collect. However, three rigs cover all the
basics:

#1 6 1/2' or 7' MHF 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

 

In scenario 2, what gear ratio would you use?  Everything I’ve read says 5:1 for crankbaits but this category includes other treble hook lures like poppers and jerkbaits.   Would you use a 6.3:1 or greater and just slow your retrieve for crankbaits?

On 2/24/2014 at 8:44 AM, Felix77 said:

The RW trio is spot on! ... Here is my "base" set

 

#1 6 1/2' MH baitcaster for jigs, spinnerbaits, walk to the dog baits, flippin and pitchin moderate cover etc.

#2 7' MM baitcaster for treble hook lures (square bills, jerkbaits, lipless CB's, poppers)

#3 6'9" MF spinning rod (weightless senko, drop shot, mojo rig, lighter lures like the KVD 1.0 Squares)

What gear ratio do you use for #1?

 

Do you use crankbaits with #2 and just slow your retrieve?

[hawgenvy]

I personally prefer a fast reel (between 7:1 and 9:1) for everything besides big cranks.  For those I like a 5.6:1 or so, which gives better leverage for pulling high resistance bait.

[TylerT123]

I have no idea what rod to get. I just got a Curado 200 K and I want a versatile rod. I want to fish spinnerbaits, plastics, topwaters, shallow cranks, chatterbaits, jigs, and swimbaits. My price range is less than $150. Any ideas?

[roadwarrior]

 

[daxford]

On 5/26/2014 at 10:27 PM, BasshunterJGH said:

I like 4 combos: one 7 ft med light spinning for finesse worms and jerk baits, one 7 ft med hvy fast action casting for jig and worm, one 7 ft med mod action for crankbaits, and one 7 ft 3 in or 6 in hvy or mag hvy for flipping, pitching, frogging and small swim baits

Which of this rigs would you use for top water? I see you have the last one for frogging. Also what does mag hvy mean? Cheers ?

 

 

[Will1248]

This is the budget anglers 3 rod system for cheap effective and long lasting gear.

If you want all purpose rigs the 6'6" M action F tip with a 6.2:1 reel with 8lb Trilene XL(best casting distance for the price) is for everything which you have, so two things a stout 7' Medium Heavy action Fast tip rod with a 7.1:1-6.2:1 reel ratio baitcaster with 12lb Berkeley Big Game mono(or flouro but this is cheap it works fantastic and lasts longer). This rod covers jigs, worms, spinnerbaits, smaller swimbaits, bigger jerkbaits and more, but can be used for frogs, flipping and pitching light cover if you want to swing that way(joke intended) until you want to upgrade to a 7'6" Heavy action Xtra fast tip for the 2oz artillery weights for really punching through thick grass. And after that personally I would recommend a 7' Medium Heavy action Moderate tip for crankbaits and a few odd baits. With a 5.4:1 gear baitcaster spooled with 10-12lb FLOUROCARBON(absolute must for deep crankbaits). 

 

S 6'6" M action F tip with a 6.2:1 6-10lb(8 is best from much experience)

C 7' Medium Heavy action Fast tip 7.1:1-6.2:1 10-12lb

C 7' Medium Heavy action Moderate 5.4:1  10-12lb

 

Now the crankbait rod can be a Medium action but if you plan to throw any crankbait deeper than 12ft or a squarebill over an ounce then stay with the MH  or else you will have a  workout and possibly break a rod or reel(strips the drag). So initially a Med. Mod isnt advised. Moveover, look for a very "noodley" rod with a very moderate tip but with a decent backbone so you can fish smaller cranks and not have them pop out and fly toward your face. All this being said I reccomend 

 

Lews Laser MG Speed Spool baitcasters

 

they run about $80 but are hands down the best bang for your buck reel in the medium price range of $50-100 and they last forever. 

 

For the rods I reccomend 

 

Lews David Fritts Perfect Crankbait rod

 

also $80 (they actually have a new combo out called the Crankback for $100 with the right reel instead of a $160 set up) They are very limber, light and set hooks very well again a great bang for your buck.

 

Lastly an Abu Garcia Vendetta 7' MH Ftip rod is very stiff, has a solid backbone and if you catch it right you can get them for $30 but normally about $70. 

 

All of these rods will fish pretty much anything you want besides alabama rigs. The spinning and the worm rod are really all you need but if you like crankbaits at all and will fish for hours at a time, if you have the money just get a crankbait rod they help so much and make it more fun instead of a chore. 

 

This is all suggestions and just an opinion. Hope that I helped.

 

-Will

[Brett Stair]

Oh great.... now I’m wondering if my newbie setup is all messed up. (found the site a few weeks too late evidently). Here’s what I have and now I’m wondering if I need to switch applications or rods and reels... or what my next set up should be.

 

1st rod I got is Berkeley Cherrywood HD 7’ MHF with an Abu Garcia ProMax 7.1:1 that I put 12 lb Trilene XT on for my flipping, pitching, and skipping rod (when what I am capable of doing is worthy of being called any of the three). 

 

2nd rod ended up becoming a 7’1” Cabelas Tournament ZX MHF with an Abu Garcia 3rd gen Revo SX 6.4 with 12# Trilene Big game for my spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and crankbaits. (Long story short ... the Revo was discontinued and in the bargain cave for $70 and I couldn’t say eno... was planning on a lews speed spool 5.4:1 with a 7’2” mhef when I went in.)

 

Should i I switch applications or swap reels on the rods? What should my next setup be?

 

and I’m still trying to figure out the baitcasters which is why they both have mono on them at the moment.

 

 

[Acton]

New to the baitcasting world, and it was suggested to me to get these four rod/reel combos to start out with.  I'm going with $200 rod/reel combos, going to invest in one combo at a time with each paycheck.  What do you guys think?

 

1.     7’6” - 8’ Heavy Fast + 7.1 casting reel with 65lb braid

- flipping n pitching/ frog/punching/jigs - all the nasty stuff

- Shimano Exage Casting Rod 7'6" Heavy Fast Action $99.99

- Shimano Casitas 150 Casting Reel 7.2:1 $99.99

 

2. 7’-7’4” Med Heavy + 7:1 casting reel with 17-20lb FC

a.     football jigs/t-rigs/c-rigs/jigs/worming/spinnerbaits/ chatterbaits - open water/ dock fishing/ laydowns

- Dobyns Fury 733C 7 ft. 3 in. Medium Heavy Fast Action $109.99

or

- Shimano Exage Casting Rod 7'2" Med Heavy Fast Action $99.99

- Shimano Casitas 150 Casting Reel 7.2:1 $99.99

 

3. 7’-7’6” Med Heavy Mod + 5:1 casting reel with 10-12 lb FC

- cranking medium divers to deep divers

- Shimano Exage Casting Rod 7'6" Heavy Moderate Action $99.99

- Abu Garcia Ora 2 Winch 5:4:1 $99.95

 

4. 7’ Medium Fast + 6:1 casting reel with 12lb FC

- Squarebills/shallow divers/jerkbaits

- Shimano Exage Casting Rod 7'2" Medium Fast Action $99.99

- Shimano CAS151 Casting Reel 6.3:1 $99.99

 

Thinking of getting the flipping/pitching combo first so I can practice casting in my backyard.  In my area (Upstate NY), I'll probably be using the jerkbait rod and the spinnerbait rods the most, but I'll definitely be putting the other two to good use.  Lots of areas to punch around here, some of my local lakes guys only do well punching, same with the Hudson River I think.  Hopefully, it'll open up a lot more fishing for me! 

[DogBone_384]

On 1/15/2018 at 6:09 PM, TylerT123 said:

I have no idea what rod to get. I just got a Curado 200 K and I want a versatile rod. I want to fish spinnerbaits, plastics, topwaters, shallow cranks, chatterbaits, jigs, and swimbaits. My price range is less than $150. Any ideas?

A 7’ M/F or MH/F that feels good in your hands is a good start.  $150’s gonna get you a very nice rod.

 

I own a long list of brands but in your price range, Abu Garcia Veritas and Fenwick Elite Tech top the list. The Veritas fish a little heavier than their rating and the Fenwicks have great, sensitive, tips.

 

Go to your local shops and handle as many brands as possible.  The subjective feel is 90% of your fishing experience.

 

Best of luck.

[TylerT123]

1 hour ago, DogBone_384 said:

A 7’ M/F or MH/F that feels good in your hands is a good start.  $150’s gonna get you a very nice rod.

 

I own a long list of brands but in your price range, Abu Garcia Veritas and Fenwick Elite Tech top the list. The Veritas fish a little heavier than their rating and the Fenwicks have great, sensitive, tips.

 

Go to your local shops and handle as many brands as possible.  The subjective feel is 90% of your fishing experience.

 

Best of luck.

I’m thinking a Dobyns Fury.

[Eric S]

What applications can you cover with a 6ft casting rod?

Also, considering a 7ft MH Fast action casting rod. What applications can you cover with it?

I have seen 1,2,and 3 piece rods, do you lose any backbone with the multiple piece rods?

And now for a reel to cover multiple applications, I was thinking 6.1:1.

Tight budget here so I am pretty much looking for 1 setup that I can do the most with Thanks