My Co-Angler Rod/reel Arsenal

[LApanic]

Finally got me some new gear to pair up nicely for about every situation.  6-7 Combos, IMO, can cover most all situations for a 8 hr tourney.  We won't go into tackle now, lol   .

 

Let me know your thoughts and post your "arsenal" if your a co-angler, I'm interested in comparing my uses & setups

 

Worm/small Plastics/Topwater 

• Quantum TE100HPT - 7.0.1
• Abu Garcia Veritas - 6'9" MH

 

Lipless/square-bill/jerkbait

• Lew's Tournament MG - 6.3.1
• Shimano Clarus 7' Medium/Fast

 

Square Bill/Medium divers

• Quantum KT100SPT - 6.3.1
• W&M Rick Clunn S Glass - 7' MH

 

Deep diving crainkbaits 

• Quantum EX100PPT - 5.3.1
• Quantum Tour KVD Crankin Rod - 7'4" MH/moderate

 

Light Flipping/flukes/Topwater 

• Diawa Tatula 100HS - 7:3:1
• Quantum Smoke SKC706F - 7' MH/Fast

 

Heavy cover Flipping/pitching

• BPS Pro Qualifier 7.1.1
• Quantum Smoke SKC706F - 7' 4" Heavy/Fast

 

Dropshot/Shaky Head

• Quantum Kinetic PT200 spinning
• Hurricane Calico Jack - 7' MD light

 

[ColdSVT]

Does your boater know you plan to bring seven rods? Will there be enough room for them?

Seriously if you are a co-angler you gotta pack alittle lighter unless you are fishing buddy tournys.

I know if you were a randomly selected co angler on my boat id be fine with seven rods until i tripped, got tangled in or was constantly moving your gear. Then we would be havin problems

Talk to your boater before hand and find out his plans for attack...that way you can eliminate unnecessary gear.

[bassin is addicting]

some nice setups....

BUT

i would try to narrow it down to 5

i fish as a co-angler in my club..and that is plenty.

i use duo lock snaps on a couple setups so i can change quickly...as the boater speeds up or slows down..changes depths, distance from the bank, etc..

(now let the duo lock snap detractors chime in)

[Mr_Scrogg]

You can eliminate stuff by talking to your boater. Chances are he is experienced, and has fished the lake before. He can give you an idea of what to bring or not to bring.

[LApanic]

I guess I should have explained my tournament situation.  I fish a member's only club and at 31, Im the youngest by 13 or so years.  It is a draw club with about 10-15 boats (25-30 fisherman) per tournament.  Being that a lot (60%) of the members have been embers since the mid 70's (started by my father-in-law in 1973.)  With that being said, our club is about 2 things, in this order, comrodery then a paycheck.

 

When I say I have 7 setups, I might take 4 to one tournament/lake like Lake Seminole. A flipping stick, all-around 7' MH rod/reel, my t-rig worm rig and a shallow crank bait setup.  There's no need for a spinning reel or deep cranking 95% of the time on Seminole (fish 6-7 of 12 tournaments there a year).  At Eufaula, might take all 7 seven, just depends on the boater.  Again I've fished with everyone in the club at least 2x before and know what to bring and what not.

 

So....I definitely just don't bring the kitchen sink because I have it.  It varies so much tournament to tournament.  For instance, this weekend we have a 2 days tournament at Seminole that is a buddy tournament.  My father-in-law and I are fishing together for 3 days (pre-fishing Friday), so Ill bring every d**n thing I have and if I need it it will be in the boat and if not, will be a the lodge at the state park.

 

When we draw Tuesday night before the Saturday monthly tournament, we both gather info and chat to get fishing reports, etc, even down to cooler size and how big their extra locker is. Almost all the boaters in the club, keep a back deck locker completely empty for the co-anglers tackle, rain gear, snacks, etc.

 

As far as tackle, I can fit all my Plano boxes 1 gallon zip locks of organized plastics in a medium, yellow BPS boat bag.  And as said before, I will only take what I will use. BUT if fishing in Larry's 2014 Z22 Ranger I bring the whole bag.

 

It's not that I wanna show off or something like that.....As any tournament angler knows, the less you have to re-tie the better and I do have a little fear sometimes of leaving a plano at the house and needing it.  But by no means crowd the boat or have ever had someone say something to me.  Is so, who cares, Im the current president, lol..jk

[LApanic]

some nice setups....

BUT

i would try to narrow it down to 5

i fish as a co-angler in my club..and that is plenty.

i use duo lock snaps on a couple setups so i can change quickly...as the boater speeds up or slows down..changes depths, distance from the bank, etc..

(now let the duo lock snap detractors chime in)

What are your 5 setups and uses, just wondering.  And also, enlighten me on these "duo-lock snaps"...never heard of them.  I've thought about getting extra spools with difference lines (like my spinning reel) but haven't run across any yet.  If you can point me in the direction of extra spools I'd greatly appreciate it

[LApanic]

Does your boater know you plan to bring seven rods? Will there be enough room for them?

Seriously if you are a co-angler you gotta pack alittle lighter unless you are fishing buddy tournys.

I know if you were a randomly selected co angler on my boat id be fine with seven rods until i tripped, got tangled in or was constantly moving your gear. Then we would be havin problems

Talk to your boater before hand and find out his plans for attack...that way you can eliminate unnecessary gear.

I do every one of these, I'm no FLW co-angler, but been a member club co-angler for 6 years.

[F14A-B]

LApanic, you contact the manufactors of you're reels and you can then order you're spare spool

It's a shame, they always for at least 25 years included a spare spool... Mostly none do now!

[ColdSVT]

I do every one of these, I'm no FLW co-angler, but been a member club co-angler for 6

Nice!

[ec1]

Your setups seem well rounded. After a few years you should know what you need, and what you like to be able to fish for any conditions that are called for. 5-7 rods seems to be a pretty happy medium for myself.

 

2x t-rig - lighter / heavier

1x reaction - spinnerbait / swimjigs

1x frog/toad

1x senko

1x dropshot

1x topwater/crankbait

[LApanic]

Your setups seem well rounded. After a few years you should know what you need, and what you like to be able to fish for any conditions that are called for. 5-7 rods seems to be a pretty happy medium for myself.

2x t-rig - lighter / heavier

1x reaction - spinnerbait / swimjigs

1x frog/toad

1x senko

1x dropshot

1x topwater/crankbait

Thanks! That's my thoughts, thanks for the info. Heck put me on the Coosa chain in the summer/fall, all I need is a frogging/jig/a rig heavy setup , cranking setup and a spinning combo for finesseing spots and I'll be good!!lol

[5fishlimit]

As a co-angler I keep things at 6 rods. Even if I know I won't be using a certain setup I like the comfort of knowing that if I have a catastrophic failure with one setup I can grab a backup.

I keep everything neat and organized so my gear is never in my, or the boaters, way.

[bassin is addicting]

i think you've got the right idea by talking to your boater...and taking what seems best for that day.  that is what i do..and based on how he fishes and what lake, determines what i bring. i  narrow it down to 5, maybe 6 max. 

what i usually take...

1) Fenwick Aetos 7ft mh, Citica, 30lb braid.  i can use this for jigs, texas rigs, frogs, etc.

2) Pinnacle Perfecta 6' 8" m spinning rod, Pflueger Supreme, 8lb fluoro.  shakey head, shallow cranks, wacky, weightless senko, etc.

3) BPS crankin' stick, 7ft mh, BPS proqualifier, 12lb berkley big game, deeper cranks from 8ft to 20ft. maybe spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, etc.

4) Veritas, 7ft mh, Shimano Symetre, 30lb braid, jigs, texas rigs, frogs, etc., buzzbait.

5) Lamiglass 6'6" m spinning rod, Pflueger Supreme, 12lb Tufline Supercast, spinnerbaits, topwater, senkos, crankbaits,

 

there are prob much better setups for each application...and i'm sure i am "crossing the lines" on how i use some of these but i try to have what is versatile and use what i have to be able to switch and still be as effective as i can be. (obviously, i am not opposed to spinning setups... )

 

i also have these and will switch out depending on partner and/or lake

BPS extreme 7ft mh spinning rod, Pflueger President, 30lb braid..

Loomis GLX, 6'6" heavy, BPS PQ, 30lb braid

BPS bionic blade spinning rod, 7ft heavy (older rod)

Shimano Compre casting rod, 7ft m (a little to whippy for my taste)

i have those 2 rods as back ups to swap out as needed.

here is an example of a duo-lock i use on occasion..especially for crankbaits. 

http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-FastLock-Bass-Snap/product/7816/

hope this helps...

it is difficult for us non-baoters to know what to take and then narrow it down, on setups and tackle..

good luck..

[Mike L]

I bring the same combos every time regadless if I'm fishing with a local club, BFL, TBF, Bass Nation or the ABA

It doesnt matter which, I always bring the same combo's....

Casting

Phenix M1 mh/f...Spinner/chatterbait

Phenix X11 moderate composite..Crank, Top water

Fenwick Techna AV mh/f...Plastics

Falcon Heavy (carolina lizard dragger)...Frog/swimbait

Allstar ASR mh/f...Jigs

Spinning

Phenix M1 m/xf...Wacky, Shaky etc

Mike

Communication with your boater is key.

I'll adjust the amount and bait styles accordingly, but the equipment doesn't vary.

[Raul]

You only need 3.

[dam0007]

Most bass boats have the rod storage for co angler along the side of the passenger seat, use it and stay organized so you don't tick off the boater!

[iceintheveins]

Does your boater know you plan to bring seven rods? Will there be enough room for them?

Seriously if you are a co-angler you gotta pack alittle lighter unless you are fishing buddy tournys.

I know if you were a randomly selected co angler on my boat id be fine with seven rods until i tripped, got tangled in or was constantly moving your gear. Then we would be havin problems

Talk to your boater before hand and find out his plans for attack...that way you can eliminate unnecessary gear.

 

Yep! To cut down on room, carry an extra reel or two for different presentations. Will save a TON of room.