Question On 3Rd Reel/rod Purchase

[68camaro]

I am trying to put together a 3 rod set that will cover most bases I will encounter bass fishing here in VA. Can you look at my two rigs and my potential 3rd and critique if I have a good three rod set to handle most presentation/seasons/techniques etc.  I understand reel and rod choices may not be your favorite but please let me know if I have a gaping hole.

 

G. Loomis, 7'1" E6x Med-Mod, Fast Action - Shimano Curato 5.5:1, 12 lb mono.

      - use for crank baits

 

St. Croix 6.6" MH, Fast Action - Curato 6.3:1 with 12 lb Spiderwire Mono.

      - Texas/carolina rigs, worms, shallow crankbaits, lighter jigs, spinnerbait, chatterbait, top water

 

Soon to be third purchase:

      Dobyns 735C F/H paired with Curato 7.1:1 with 30-40 braid (not sure I need more than this)

           - this will be for frogs, jigging in heavy stuff, pitching/flipping 

 

 

Is my method madness or sound? As you can tell the St Croix will be a more versatile rod than other more focused two.

 

I understand not perfect but I really want to keep it to 3 rod/reels and I like the Curato so see no reason to change on 3rd rod.

 

I have thick skin so if I am making a mistake or missing something please share your ideas and why and don't worry about hurting my feelings.

 

Thanks so much

 

Chuck

[lecisnith]

I don't see anything for finesse on your list. How about a M or M/L spinning setup for dropshot, light or weightless T-rigs, tubes, things like that? Those are my most effective tactics for the most part.

[Choporoz]

Have you seen this thread already?  You may already have it narrowed down sufficiently, but there's a lot of good info in there.

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

[68camaro]

I don't see anything for finesse on your list. How about a M or M/L spinning setup for dropshot, light or weightless T-rigs, tubes, things like that? Those are my most effective tactics for the most part.

 

Good point, however truth-be told I am not sure exactly what finesse fishing is   I am very new to this and when people say finesse it confuses me. What exactly is finesse, t-rig or tube?  I do some drop shots and wacky worms with St. Croix rig.

[68camaro]

Have you seen this thread already?  You may already have it narrowed down sufficiently, but there's a lot of good info in there.

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

 

No very helpful thanks.

[d-camarena]

Id get a 7ft medium light for finesse. 7 or 8 pound line

[d-camarena]

Finesse is pretty much downsizing everything. Light line, light lures, softer rod. And lots of twitching and line watching.

I use a 6ft light rod

[lecisnith]

Finesse is pretty much downsizing everything. Light line, light lures, softer rod. And lots of twitching and line watching.

I use a 6ft light rod

Exactly. I have a 6', 6'6",6'9" for various applications. Two cheap, one not so much. All get a lot of use whether it be fishing a tube with internal jig weight, drop shot, weightless texas rig (T-rig), wacky rigging. I caught my first fish on a split shot rig yesterday evening. 3+ pound smallie. I was pretty excited.

[bassbassontherange]

Have you seen this thread already?  You may already have it narrowed down sufficiently, but there's a lot of good info in there.

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

This is a great thread with a lot of advice. I think the rod you use should also reflect what type of line you're going to use, though. For example, a MM for treble hook lures makes sense, but you can have a hard time setting a hook sometimes if you're using a MM with a high stretch line. I guess I'm getting into maybe a little too much detail, but it can be important to consider.

[MIbassyaker]

Sounds like the issue is whether you want the third rod to cover heavier presentations, or cover lighter presentations than what what you're using the other rods for.  I suppose it depends on what kinds of presentations you use the more in your waters, and where you think the other rods can pick up the slack. I personally get a lot more mileage out of lighter gear for weightless plastics, jigworms, shakey heads, split-shots, drop shot, etc. than I do heavy gear, but that's because I don't do a ton of frogging (although I do some) and virtually never flip or punch really heavy stuff, or use lures over an ounce; of the heavier work I do, I find I can get by just fine with an MH/F.

[DaleGribble]

Those will do fine for almost anything. Add a good spinning rod with a halfway decent reel for finesse drop shottig and shakey heads or smaller worms/flukes and you're set.

[68camaro]

This is a great thread with a lot of advice. I think the rod you use should also reflect what type of line you're going to use, though. For example, a MM for treble hook lures makes sense, but you can have a hard time setting a hook sometimes if you're using a MM with a high stretch line. I guess I'm getting into maybe a little too much detail, but it can be important to consider.

 

Is Mono high stretch?

[68camaro]

All great comments, some food for thought and thanks all for taking time to reply.

 

BTW - I will stick with heavy app. rod as MLBasskayer asks since I really like action of frogs and since I pond fish I have a lot of matts/weeds etc around edges. Plus I like casting across pond to shore, weeds and matts and pulling into water.

 

Chuck

[Poolshark]

A nice spinning setup would be a nice addition. light lines and small baits will catch you a lot of bass, especially in the colder months. Otherwise... A good flipping setup is another way to go. If you choose right it can double as a frog setup.

[new2BC4bass]

Is Mono high stretch?

 

Most are.  Not sure about Izorline Platinum and P-Line CXX.  You see a lot of people posting that fluorocarbon line doesn't have near the stretch of mono.  Bull.  If a line handles like wire, then it will have a lower stretch value...whether it is mono or fluoro.  I prefer a little softer for its handling qualities.  Not only will it stretch like mono, but when it breaks, you have to cut an extra few feet off.  At least I had to when I got stuck in the rocks with my 10# fluoro because of the way the end frayed/split.

[Jrob78]

All great comments, some food for thought and thanks all for taking time to reply.

 

BTW - I will stick with heavy app. rod as MLBasskayer asks since I really like action of frogs and since I pond fish I have a lot of matts/weeds etc around edges. Plus I like casting across pond to shore, weeds and matts and pulling into water.

 

Chuck

If you want to stick with the heavier applications, the Dobyn's  and Curado will be a great choice for frogs and the like.  I think you're dead on with your choice.  You don't need a spinning set up if you don't fish light line.

[spincastman]

Diawa silvercast  100 on a med fast 7 ft for finesse spool with 8 lb flouroclear......diawa silvercast 120 spooled with 10lb iron silk on a 7 ft  med hvy moderate for spinnerbaits and  cranks ......diawa silvercast 170 on a med hvy 7ft spooled with 20lb wildfire braid for jigs, large flukes,etc......spincast all the way!!

[The Fisher]

I have a St Croix Avid 7' med fast spinning rod paired with a Shimano Sahara 2500 for lighter plastics like drop shots, shaky heads and 1/8 oz TX rigs. I use it a lot when it gets colder and I have to downsize. I have 3 bait cast combos for other stuff and fish from the bank.

[stkbassn]

Take a look at the Shimano Zodias 6'8ml spinning rod. I don't have a finesse set up myself but its going to start with this rod when I get one. Handled it in the store the other day and was blown away.

[Jrob78]

He said like 3 times he wants a rod for frogs and you guys are still suggesting spinning rods? lol

[68camaro]

Thanks all, today I received my new Dobyns 735C FH and Curado 7.1:1 reel. I took it out for its maidan voyage and it casts like a dream. I put 50lb braid on it.

 

Unfortunately due to massive rains the ponds are all flooded and there are no surface matts, pads or weeds so I couldn't walk it across matts or throw it in thick stuff, It seems the rains washed away the weeds because I wasn't getting hung up on bottom either.

 

I did catch a 13 incher with a swimming jig so first time out I broke it in.