Help Me Upgrade My Setups

[KG_BASS]

I'm looking to complete my arsenal and was hoping you experts on here could help me out.  Below is the setups that I currently own:

 

 

Crankbait Setup:  Kistler Helium Crankbait Rod (7' Moderate Fast, Medium) paired with Shimano Chronarch CH200E5

 

Spinnerbaits:        BPS Extreme Woo Davies Spinnerbait Rod (6'6" Fast, Medium) paired with Shimano Curado Bantam 200

 

T-Rigged Baits:     BPS Extreme Wood Davies Worm Rod (6'6" Fast, Medium Heavy) paired with Shimano Scorpion MG 1000

 

Jig:                       GLoomis BCR854 Mossyback (7'1" Fast, Heavy) paired with Shimano Scorpion MG1000

 

Top Water:           BPS Extreme Wood Davies Spinnerbait Rod (6'6" Fast, Medium) paired with Shimano Curado Bantam 200

 

Carolina Rig:        

 

Chatterbait:         

 

 

Any issues with the above setups?

 

I want to upgrade from the BPS Extreme Rods to something a better.  Any suggestions?  I've only used previously Kistler and GLoomis.  They are both great in my opinion.  

 

After I upgrade, I was planning to use the BPS Worm Rod for Carolina Rigging and the BPS Spinnerbait rod for chatterbaits.  Will that work sufficiently?

 

So I'm basically looking to upgrade my rod for T-Rigged baits, Spinnerbaits and top water.  

 

Also, I believe I need to add some high speed reels to my arsenal.  Especially for carolina rigging and perhaps get higher speed reels for my jig setup and t-rigged?

 

Any help, suggestions, comments would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks!

 

 

 

[DTack]

You've made some smart choices on gear so far.  Do you have any type of price range for new rods and reels at this point?  Is there anything particular you like about current rods and reels that you own?  Are the 6'6" rods long enough for you still?  Only reason I ask that question is after using 7' plus rods 6'6" seemed so short to me. 

You have a lot of good choices available now at a lot of prices.  You have very solid reels and the rods look good as well.  The only ones I am ignorant to are the BPS Woo Daves rods, however if they are holding par with the other two models you have they sound good!

[KG_BASS]

I'll pay anywhere from $200-250 for a rod and the same for a reel.  As you can see I'm a Shimano guy so I would be looking to buy Shimano's only.  

 

The sensitivity of the GLoomis is fantastic as is the Kistler.  The BPS rods are older (probably 10 years old) and the sensitivity compared to the GLoomis and Kistler is not even close.  

 

The 6'6" rods are ok, but I do prefer a 7' rod now.  I'm only 5'8" tall so I don't want to go too far beyond the 7' range.

 

Any rods that you would suggest for T-Rigging, Spinner bait and topwater?

[lmbfisherman]

I'll pay anywhere from $200-250 for a rod and the same for a reel.  As you can see I'm a Shimano guy so I would be looking to buy Shimano's only.  

 

The sensitivity of the GLoomis is fantastic as is the Kistler.  The BPS rods are older (probably 10 years old) and the sensitivity compared to the GLoomis and Kistler is not even close.  

 

The 6'6" rods are ok, but I do prefer a 7' rod now.  I'm only 5'8" tall so I don't want to go too far beyond the 7' range.

 

Any rods that you would suggest for T-Rigging, Spinner bait and topwater?

I'd go Curado I for the reels, they get rave reviews.  Yes I'd go high speed on the jig and worms, in general I like to use high speed for plastics.

 

As for rods - A lot of good rods can be had at that price range.  I can only give you my experience...I've settled for Fenwick (Aetos/ET Smallmouth, Shimano (Cumara, Cumulus), G Loomis (GLX))  With your price range I'd take a look at the Cumara or Aetos for what you want.  If you want to save a little money the Aetos is almost comparable to a Cumara in sensitivity.  Of course everyone has different preferences and feel though.  I just like the way those three brands fish..specifically the tip. 

[CJV]

I would also go Curado I as the metanium is a little out of your range. As far as rods go you can't go wrong if it says loomis. I however would check out a company called iRod there air series is amazing

[DTack]

I'll pay anywhere from $200-250 for a rod and the same for a reel.  As you can see I'm a Shimano guy so I would be looking to buy Shimano's only.  

 

The sensitivity of the GLoomis is fantastic as is the Kistler.  The BPS rods are older (probably 10 years old) and the sensitivity compared to the GLoomis and Kistler is not even close.  

 

The 6'6" rods are ok, but I do prefer a 7' rod now.  I'm only 5'8" tall so I don't want to go too far beyond the 7' range.

 

Any rods that you would suggest for T-Rigging, Spinner bait and topwater?

As far as reels in that price range, with you being a Shimano fan (as am I) the Curado I seems like a great choice.  I have not personally used the reel yet, however I do trust the company and the new model recommended by many.  Another great choice if it is comfortable for you is the new Tatula reels.  They can be had at very good prices and I personally love the performance. 

My initial responses for your T-rig, spinnerbait and topwater rods may change depending what types of water you primarily fish, so if you'd like to share that my choices may change slightly.  

 

For spinnerbaits, my favorite rod is a Dobyns Champion 734c.  This is my go-to rod right now for Spooks or other walking baits, spinnerbaits and chatterbaits.  If you're fishing lighter cover or near open water, you can also use the rod for buzzbaits as well.  This rod is actually an outstanding "all-purpose" rod.  Depending what line you pair it with it can do multiple different tasks.  I am lucky enough to have multiple different

 

For topwater, since  that can mean a couple of different things I will try to cover a couple options:  If you fish around heavy cover and are looking for a rod for things like buzztoads, hollow frogs and buzzbaits (heavy cover) I would consider a couple of different rods.  My number one around heavy to even light cover is a Dobyns Champion 736c.  If I am throwing a frog or a buzzbait I will often have it tied on this rod.  In open water you don't "need" as heavy of a rod but if I am going to be throwing in a mix of open water and heavy to moderate cover (which 90 percent of my days look like on the water) I will have my baits rigged on a 736.  Some might feel this is not necessary in open water as in it may not be as easy to work the bait and I understand that concern.  Personally, I'm more concerned with what the rod is going to do once I get my bite and hook my fish.  I would rather learn to cast, pitch and retreive my bait correctly with a heavier rod and have confidence knowing that when a big fish bites, I am going to get my hook in her the way I need to, and also that my rod is going to do it's job in keeping the fish hooked.  I am more concerned with this over making it easier to walk my frog or cast my lighter frog, with a little practice I believe anyone will get used to a slightly heavier rod. 

If you are talking about lighter cover or open water "style" baits such as spooks, poppers and propbaits.  My all around rod for these is a Dobyns Champion 734c.  In my opinion this is the best rod I've ever used for spooks.  I run it with braid a 6-7 ft leader of 10-15 lb mono with a high speed reel. 

For the T-Rig, this can really depend upon the cover you're fishing it in.  Most of the times I have a bait t-rigged I'm pitching or flipping it.  Usually it is with a heavy weight of 3/4 to 1.5 oz.  If you're fishing light cover or basically open water with 1/8-1/4 oz being primary weight used, I would look into the Dobyns Champion 734c and go up from there...  as you get into say 1/4-1/2 oz as your primary weights, I would look at the 735c or 764c depending which length you like better.  If you're planning to go 3/4 oz or up I would look into the 765c flipping stick. 

If you have any type of more specific questions please feel free to ask.  Hope this helps and have fun with whatever you purchase!

[KG_BASS]

Thanks to all for the help that you have given me.  

 

I've decided to go with the Curado I for the reels.  Will probably get 3 to use for T-Rigging soft plastics, Carolina rigging and put one on my Jig rod.  I'll be getting the 7:1 gear ratios.

 

Still not decided on the rods just yet.  I'll probably check out the Dobyns though.  

 

Thanks for all the info.  So many options can make your head spin!!!  

[smalljaw67]

I don't see anything wrong but I do have one question, why is the best rod in the arsenal for cranking? If I were you I'd get the same rod in a jig and worm set up and get a BPS cranking stick or a different brand if you want a graphite cranking stick. The Mossyback you are paying for a name, grab the Helium or another jig rod, even a GL3, the Mosseyback is a decent rod but way over priced for the stick that it is, as I said, the GL3 is a much better rod but if you can go IMX or better but the Helium will do well for that also.