Gonna Get The Good Stuff ;)

[BocaGrande]

So I've been bass fishing for a while now, and I do not get to venture off and go do some serious fishing on big lakes and what not. I usually bank fish or hit a small local lake in my kayak. I've also only caught bass on T rigged soft plastics mainly. Never on cranks, jigs, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits etc. So here's my thoughts...

I'm Thinkin I should sell ALL my gear except my soft plastics and hooks etc. And get 1 REALLY GOOD outfit just for that.. like a nice okuma helios or daiwa tatula set up.. I like abu maybe a revo and a villain rod or veracity.. idk but the options are endless!!

And I would keep 2 spinning outfits as well. 1 for bass 1 for panfish.

If I haven't had any hook ups with 90% of my gear.. what's the point in having it? I think I'll just stick to what works best.

[DirtyDeuceGoose]

In theory if all you do is fish soft plastics then by all means go for it. I would caution against it because you will kick yourself when somebody is killing them on a deep running crank bait and you can't get bit on your plastics! All in all the decision is up to you and if you feel like this is the best move for you then it is what it is. I tried doing this once, limiting myself to 3-5 rigs. Currently sitting around 20...

[BocaGrande]

I've tried all the baits. The waters I fish have so much hydrilla and grass that the treble baits don't do much good. They just get caught up in the weeds and I reel out huge clumps at a time

[bassbassontherange]

I can't imagine getting rid of tackle when you don't have an option if the situation changes. 

 

What if your buddy asks you to fish his pond? What if you're on vacation and you're fishing deep water where a crank bait would kill it?

 

I'd save my money. You don't want to limit yourself. I guess what I mean is I wouldn't want to limit MYSELF. Trig's are among the most versatile setups, but I can guarantee there will be a time when you wish you had a fuller arsenal.

[flyfisher]

you are also limiting yourself to just one area to fish.  I am not sure where you live but I am sure there are other lakes to fish that will present different conditions that may dictate different presentations.  I thought about doing something similar but i couldn't do it.  I instead just limit the rods i take with me based on what i think i will encounter on a given trip.

[new2BC4bass]

I couldn't limit myself to one casting outfit, but if one technique is all you plan on fishing with the b/c, then it makes sense to have a rod as sensitive as you can afford.

 

In Abu rods all I own are a ML spinning rod and a 7'6" MH casting rod....both Villains.  I like the spinning, but far as I'm concerned the rods are under-rated.  In the case of the casting rod, the low limit is 3/8 oz., but I can barely toss a 1/2 oz. lure a decent fishing distance.  i would suggest trying to test the rod you are interested in using the lures you plan on fishing before buying if at all possible.  Maybe a friend....or a friend of a friend....will have the model you would like to buy.

 

Whenever I visit relation in Florida my main 2 lures are a 10" unweighted ribbontail worm and a #11 Rapala.  I also catch fish on a spinnerbait.  I seldom use a jig, but the first time I did I had a hit as soon as the jig hit the water.  Nothing after that.  Haven't caught one on a crankbait, and I almost always throw one for awhile each time we go out.  I could fish there with only 2 rods, but enjoy trying other baits even tho i usually strike out with them.

 

The spinning rod will give you some versatility, plus a rod for T-rigged plastics can be used for other single hook applications.  Just need to retie.  I personally don't like to retie which is one reason I carry more rods than I really need.

[Hogsticker]

I'm not opposed to your thinking as long as you're not going to venture off as you stated. If you have the area you fish dialed in, and plastics are both your thing and primary all that's usable, why not get a combo that will maximize your potential and effort. Just don't skimp on the line you will be using. I can't stress that enough. Another thing I'd recommend is buying a reel where you can purchase an optional drop in shallow spool. When I beat the banks I bring two rods, two reels, and two additional spools to accommodate different techniques.

[BocaGrande]

Don't get me wrong, I love all my fishing outfits and tackle. I've become addicted! But I was just Thinkin the other day that I only catch em on T rigged plastics.. so do I really NEED all my oher stuff? Probably not. Do I go out fishing for hours in a day in a boat? No. Nor do I go early morning..

[BocaGrande]

Probably what would happen, is I would sell all my stuff, get a nice outfit like the okuma helios, and then get sucked in to better tackle and buy more expensive outfits most likely start the cycle all over again lol

[roadwarrior]

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/130634-rod-selection-the-basics/

 

 

 

[Mike2841]

I see where you're coming from. I could honestly do 90% of the fishing I do with one rod.

[BocaGrande]

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/130634-rod-selection-the-basics/

Yes! I've seen this when I first signed up. Very true good post! I got hooked to the technique specifics

I wouldn't be able to choose between my veritas or mojo bass. Both MH 7ft. Mojo is a spinnerbait rod and the veritas micro guides.. tough choice for me!

[fishindad]

I see where you're coming from. I could honestly do 90% of the fishing I do with one rod.

I think this is most likely true for most anglers (including me), they just want to have the option to fish with every style of lure known to man. 

 

I love fishing soft plastics too but would find it difficult with only one or two rods. I think you have a good idea of selling tackle you don't really use in order to buy one or two really nice combos. I'd be perfectly happy with one spinning and one baitcasting combo.

[BocaGrande]

I think this is most likely true for most anglers (including me), they just want to have the option to fish with every style of lure known to man.

I love fishing soft plastics too but would find it difficult with only one or two rods. I think you have a good idea of selling tackle you don't really use in order to buy one or two really nice combos. I'd be perfectly happy with one spinning and one baitcasting combo.

What line would you use for the baitcast combo?? I guess maybe the most efficient would be braid and tie on leaders depending what lure, right? This is driving me nuts already, I love my options lol

[fishindad]

Yes, the most versatile way would be to use braid main line, say 30-50 lb and switch out your leader based on the cover, etc. you're faced with. But, to simplify things, you could go with straight fluoro like 15-20 lb. test if you do mostly T rigging plastics. Also, if you fish mostly stained to dirty water then don't even bother with a leader.

[lmbfisherman]

I kind of know what you mean.  Some of my rods don't get much use because certain techniques work better one day or one week or on month or one year etc.  But I noticed every year since I started bass fishing certain techniques just shine that year.  This year it has been the year of the squarebill cranks.  I think you limit yourself if you go that route,  in the end though it really is your choice.

[aprilbass101]

I know where you're coming from Boca! I agree with having a great set-up for just your plastics but don't limit yourself to just one technique as well. Which most of the guys that commented have suggested to you. Every body of water offers different obstacles to catch bass which sometimes call for different techniques at different times of the year. I'm just suggesting that you experiment a little bit more with some different cranks, jigs, spinnerbaits, & jerkbaits through out the year at your different fishing holes! Give them more than a few chances even though you haven't had much luck in the past. They'll produce just as well from the bank as they do from a boat! It's all about the confidence in what you're throwing! You can always go back to the plastics which seems to be your strong suite Tight Lines!