Input On New Rod And Reel

[jwhiteney]

I'm going to be picking up a quality rod and reel. I have been doing a lot of reading on forums and think I know what i want I'm just not sure about line sizes and capatibility.

I fish ontario... Toronto and further north at the cottage. Shore and boat. Lots of bass, pike, walleye. I mostly use soft plastics, spinners and crankbaits.

For the rod I was going to grab a 6'6" st croix avid MH fast action.

For the reel I was going to grab the shimano stradic ci4 3000 or 4000 (leaning more towards the 3000)

Then I would put 20lb braid (powerpro) and a 12lb fluoro leader.

Is 20lb braid good enough for me to use? Will the avid and ci4 work okay together?

I appreciate your input

[Tywithay]

I think it sounds like a fine setup. I would suggest the 2500 instead of the 3000 though. Essentially the same reel, but you'll save yourself some braid.

[ww2farmer]

I would also suggest, for more versitility, going with a M power St Croix. I have had many St Croix's, and there spinning rods in MH are broom sticks.

[MichiganFishing1997]

I double the suggestion on the 2500 size reel, I dont think you'll need a ton of line capacity. If it makes you more comfortable jump up to #30 braid, with a 12-17 pound leader. Great choice on the rod, depending on how you fish you could bump up to 7' to cast a little further, but rod length is more personal preference than anything.

[jwhiteney]

I double the suggestion on the 2500 size reel, I dont think you'll need a ton of line capacity. If it makes you more comfortable jump up to #30 braid, with a 12-17 pound leader. Great choice on the rod, depending on how you fish you could bump up to 7' to cast a little further, but rod length is more personal preference than anything.

I was actually also looking at the 2500 but I thought the 3000 would be a clear winner due to the extra capacity, and bigger handle (for me). Especially since it is the same weight. Does the 3000 HAVE to be filled to the top? If that's the case maybe I should get the 2500.

As for the rod I was interested in a 7' MH, but I need a 2 piece for mobility and it only seems to come 6'6" MH. Would I be better off MH 6'6" or M 7'

My other rod is a lightning rod 6'6" M

[Tywithay]

I was actually also looking at the 2500 but I thought the 3000 would be a clear winner due to the extra capacity, and bigger handle (for me). Especially since it is the same weight. Does the 3000 HAVE to be filled to the top? If that's the case maybe I should get the 2500.

As for the rod I was interested in a 7' MH, but I need a 2 piece for mobility and it only seems to come 6'6" MH. Would I be better off MH 6'6" or M 7'

My other rod is a lightning rod 6'6" M

You don't "have" to fill any reel to the top. The closer the line is to the edge, the less issues you'll have with casting though. If the spool is half full, it comes off the spool at more angle; creates more friction on the spool lip and slows down the cast faster. The extra capacity doesn't mean much, unless you can cast well over 100 yards (which I highly doubt unless you're using a 10ft rod).

 

St Croix rods usually fish about a half power stronger than similarly rated competitors rods. I think the AVS70MF2 would be just fine. I have a 7' Medium Avid myself and it's got plenty of backbone, but still has a light enough tip to fling baits a long ways. I think you'd be ultimately be more pleased with the 7' M over the 6'6MH. As someone else mentioned, St Croix's MH spinning rods are pretty stout.

[kschultz76]

I would also suggest, for more versitility, going with a M power St Croix. I have had many St Croix's, and there spinning rods in MH are broom sticks.

X2

Not all M or MH ratings are the same among rod manufacturers. St Croix rods labeled a M act more like a MH or something between M and MH of other brands. Look more closely at the lure and line weight ratings of the rods to ensure you are comparing them correctly and getting a rod rated appropriately for your lure selection.

If I need anything heavier then a St Croix M spinning rod I'm using a baitcaster.

[MichiganFishing1997]

I was actually also looking at the 2500 but I thought the 3000 would be a clear winner due to the extra capacity, and bigger handle (for me). Especially since it is the same weight. Does the 3000 HAVE to be filled to the top? If that's the case maybe I should get the 2500.

As for the rod I was interested in a 7' MH, but I need a 2 piece for mobility and it only seems to come 6'6" MH. Would I be better off MH 6'6" or M 7'

My other rod is a lightning rod 6'6" M

Great questions,

You will get better casting distance and performance of you fill the spool up to about 1/8 of an inch from the brim. So that is up to you. When it comes to the rod, look at the lure ratings and what lures you plan on throwing. I own a St. Croix, and you will hear from many, like me, that they tend to be a tad over rated. So a medium may work for you in the St. Croix line. Make sure to double check if St. Croix offers the 7' 2 piece MH rod you want, they may not, or the retailed your looking at doesn't carry it.

Christian

[jwhiteney]

Well I am very glad I asked here before making any purchases.  I it looks like I should be really looking at the 7' M Avid (although I do have a couple final questions about it at the end of this post).  For the real I will look at the 2500 and the 3000.  I have heard some people prefer the 2500 handle and some prefer the 3000 handle.  Maybe I should base my decision of that?  I think I may lean toward the 3000's bigger handle as I have pretty big mitts.

 

Questions

1.  My current Berkley 6'6" M Lighing rod is rated for 8-14lbs line the 7' M Avid is rated for 6-12lbs line.  But based one what people have said in this thread, shouldnt it be the other way around

2. If the Avid is only rated for 6-12lbs... is it okay for me to use 20lbs braid?

[Tywithay]

Well I am very glad I asked here before making any purchases.  I it looks like I should be really looking at the 7' M Avid (although I do have a couple final questions about it at the end of this post).  For the real I will look at the 2500 and the 3000.  I have heard some people prefer the 2500 handle and some prefer the 3000 handle.  Maybe I should base my decision of that?  I think I may lean toward the 3000's bigger handle as I have pretty big mitts.

 

Questions

1.  My current Berkley 6'6" M Lighing rod is rated for 8-14lbs line the 7' M Avid is rated for 6-12lbs line.  But based one what people have said in this thread, shouldnt it be the other way around

2. If the Avid is only rated for 6-12lbs... is it okay for me to use 20lbs braid?

20lb braid will be just fine. I usually don't take too much notice of the line ratings, except maybe the lower end (wouldn't want to use 4lb line on a heavy rod, for instance). Not sure how manufacturers come up with some of those numbers. The better attribute to look at is the lure rating. You want to match the size of your lures to the lure rating.

 

You're probably right about the 2500 vs 3000. I'd put each on a rod and turn the handle a few times, feel which one feels better in hand to you. Either would have plenty of line capacity and the frame is identical, so comfort is #1.

[MichiganFishing1997]

Well I am very glad I asked here before making any purchases. I it looks like I should be really looking at the 7' M Avid (although I do have a couple final questions about it at the end of this post). For the real I will look at the 2500 and the 3000. I have heard some people prefer the 2500 handle and some prefer the 3000 handle. Maybe I should base my decision of that? I think I may lean toward the 3000's bigger handle as I have pretty big mitts.

Questions

1. My current Berkley 6'6" M Lighing rod is rated for 8-14lbs line the 7' M Avid is rated for 6-12lbs line. But based one what people have said in this thread, shouldnt it be the other way around

2. If the Avid is only rated for 6-12lbs... is it okay for me to use 20lbs braid?

That is a mono rating not a braid rating, #20 braid will be fine, no worries.