Spinning Rod/reel For Finesse Fishing

[livemusic]

I am thinking of using lighter plastic baits, like 3" flukes, etc. I bought a Pfleuger President 6940 for bass. It's the largest President. They make five models in President line.

 

6920

6925

6930

6935

6940

 

Which reel?

 

I catch quite a few crappie when fishing flukes. I like crappie and I always catch nice ones on 5" flukes. I am thinking I might catch more on 3" flukes. So, this would be a combo rig for fishing for bass/crappie. The 6920 is ultralight model. I fear that is too light? Obviously, I would catch some bass and maybe a lot! So, I am thinking of middle ground. I would like to be able to throw small small spinner baits and small plastics too. Maybe small divers. I guess I am looking for a lighter weight bass rig but it would double to catch crappie. I have found that ultralight rigs are much too light for my preference. Light weight is good but I prefer a little bit stiffer setup.

 

I don't have to buy Pfleuger, it's just that the President series gets as good a review as any product I have ever seen! I fished with my new 6940 yesterday and liked it but noted the bail was hard to flip after a cast. But I don't have experience with spinning gear, so, maybe I don't have it set up right. Anyway, I am not married to Pfleuger.

 

Then we come to rods. I don't think I want something real short. I am thinking 6.5' to 7' rod. What action? I don't think I would be throwing tiny baits but small baits, yes. Weightless 3" flukes, small spinner baits, beetle spins, roadrunners, small crank baits, etc. Thanks in advance for help.

 

P.S. Since I am new to this, no sense in spending a lot. Say, less than $125 for rod and reel. Unless somebody says oh my, you gotta have such and such!

[Missourifishin]

I like the Pfleuger Presidents a lot. I would probably go with the 6930, maybe even the 6925. The 40 size is just too bulky for finesse bass fishing to me.

[ChrisWi]

Depends on if you wanna use braid or fluro, if you wanna use fluoro get a 30 or 35, 25 for braid.

[Penguino]

6925 with braid. I have that size, and it works perfectly for fineese applications. Also probably should work fine for crappie.

[aprilbass101]

6930 or 6935 is your best bet overall....Not to big or to small....I've seen combos with President reels with President rods (IM8) Medium for $79.99....Pretty decent setup for the price point!

[FishTank]

To stay within your budget you will have to find these on sale.....

 

Pflueger President 25 size and a Fenwick HMX 7' ML Fast (1/8-5/8 oz.)  But based on your description above, you may be talking about multiple rods with the techniques you mentioned.  I would read the sticky at the top of this section on rod selection.  

[lectricbassman]

30 is the biggest id go. I tried the 40 and the 35 and both were too big in my opinion. I got stuck in the mentality that bigger is better for bass fishing. Turns out the 30 is plenty big for any bass ive ever come across

[mhilgtx]

If you like the President I would say to look at the Abu Orra S, it's only $10.00 more but the difference in the spool design alone is worth difference.  Both are made by Pure Fishing so might even share components.  All I can say is I can cast a weightless senko with fluorocarbon much farther with the Orra.

[kcdinkerz]

pflugers always confuses me with the reel size lables. I use the 2500 size I think that's a 6930 in pfluger size

[SirSnookalot]

This can be approached from a few directions, just about any smaller spinning reel can be used.  Just because there is more drag on a 40 reel, you're setting it to to the line, drag becomes moot, not talking performance. Larger reels have more line capacity, backing can always be used.

The important factor IMO comes to how a reel feels on a rod, that 40 reel may feel good on some rods like a 7'6 but probably not on a rod 6'6 or so, as does the power of the rod too.  There is no formula, it's all up to what you like and feel comfortable with.

The rod plays more of a significant role than the reel, for less than $100 you can buy a very good performing rod.

[Patrick Morrow]

You may want to look into Okuma Baitfeeder too. I know that the President Is pretty much "king" of cheaper reels, but this Okuma model is Amazon bestseller: and has good reviews. Extra baitrunner functions doesn´t hurt either.

[ChrisWi]

You may want to look into Okuma Baitfeeder too. I know that the President Is pretty much "king" of cheaper reels, but this Okuma model is Amazon bestseller: and has good reviews. Extra baitrunner functions doesn´t hurt either.

please dont. Never used an Okuma reel that hasn't fallen apart on me, the cheaper ones at least.

[SirSnookalot]

Not for or against Okuma, but based on Amazon reviews ?  A baitfeeder is an excellent option for certain types of fishing, don't see it for bass unless using live or cut bait, plus they generally weigh a little more.

[Bluebasser86]

For the techniques and baits you're describing, I'd go with the 25 size. I have a couple 25's and they work great for light line and small baits.

[LunkerFisher]

I use the 20 for crappie/perch and the 30 for bass/walleye.

[madweazl]

I have a 20, 25, and 30. The 25 and 30 are pretty close physically but I really like the 25. I need to get a rod better suited for bass (it's on a 6'6" Fenwick HMX light-moderate that I use for trout).