Need Advice On Some New Gear

[Big Easy Bassin']

I just started bass fishing about a year ago. I bank fish both in the pond at my apartment complex and in New Orleans City Park's ponds/lagoon system. Both are very shallow. I'm usually fishing in 1' to 3' of water, and they're  6' to 7' at their deepest with a lot of grass pretty much everywhere. Right now I'm basically throwing strictly soft plastics and I'm looking to venture out into some new techniques, but I need some advice on new rods and reels. Currently using a Team Daiwa S Spinning Rod - 7'2" - MH - EF paired with a Daiwa Exceler 2000SH spinning reel with 8# P-Line Flourocarbon. That has been my only rig for bass fishing. All of my others are set up for speckled trout fishing in the South Louisiana Marsh. I'm a big Daiwa guy and I've been using their stuff for the past 2 or 3 years so I'll probably stick with them, but I'm not exactly sure what I should get. I've tried some spinnerbaits and crankbaits and I've caught a few fish on them, but I seem to be missing a lot of bites. I'd like to get 2 new rod and reel setups. One for spinners and cranks, and the other one is still undecided. I bank fish for bass, so 3 poles in my limit. I also strictly use spinning setups. At some point maybe I will pick up a baitcaster again, but for now I like my spinning gear. So what kind of setup should I look for in a spinnerbait/crankbait pole, and what are some ideas for a third rig? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Big C]

I am a big Daiwa reel guy too, I think you would have to go far to beat their quality for the money IMO. I also like me some Carrot Stix, it's hard to beat the Carrot Stix Daiwa combo, I have three combos of those brands, and they match up really nice.

 

1st set-up I would go for would be a Daiwa Fuego (I love the 8.1:1)  on a 7' Medium Carrot Stix.  This would be a good "All Around" combo.  It could handle a pretty wide array of lures topwater, moving baits, jigs, ect. 

 

 

2nd combo would be the Daiwa Lexa 6.3:1 gear ratio on a 7' 6" Heavy rod.  Since you're in New Orleans, you should really look into a frog/swimbait rod.  You are probably in an area with bigger fish and excess vegetation.  So, I would suggest something you can throw frogs on, and medium swimbaits on (Hudd 68's/S-wavers).

[Big Easy Bassin']

Thanks Big C. Already looking at a 7'6" Heavy for frogs. I was thinking I could use that setup for dropping a big jig down through the grass as well. But I'm wondering if I should do the 7' Medium or the 6'6". And I'm also unsure about the action. That would probably be my spinnerbait/crankbait rig. Should that be Moderate, Fast, or ExtraFast? And would that style rig be good for a swim bait like a Fluke? I feel like my current setup doesn't do well with a swim bait.

[gulfcaptain]

Are you missing them or pulling the bait away from them?  Look into the a crankbait rod.  I know they have Tatula XT line and a M or MH in a 7' lenght would work for both.  If you're missing them from pulling the bait or pulling hooks the crankbait rod will help with the softer action.

[Jrob78]

You will open up your options a lot more if you include baitcasting gear.  Most bass spinning rods are geared more toward finesse techniques.

[SwampLife]

3 rods for your situation i would say

1. 7' MH/ F - 7.1 gear ratio probably your most versatile set up... Jigs, soft plastics, buzz frogs, but can basically throw anything you want

2. 7' MH / F - 6.3 ratio another very versital combo... Spinner baits, chatter baits, cranks

3. 6'6" to 6'8" medium - moderate to moderate fast- 6.3 ratio here's a good shallow crank bait rod but you can throw weightless flukes, small spinnerbaits or what ever you want

7'6" rods are a great tool to have but can see where that may be a hassle when your bank fishing...

Btw I live in Baton Rouge but my best friend lives in New Orleans so I'm there once a month or so.. Been wanting to try to fish where your fishing

[Big Easy Bassin']

@gulfcaptain. I'll look into a crankbait rod. I'll get them at around 1' to 2' and when they come up to the top I'll pull the hook as soon as I see them. From the research I've done on the net I think it's because of the MH setup I'm using. I think a medium setup will help me with that (or at least I think lol)