Filling out my Arsenal

[kbeeb374]

Hey guys,

So I started getting really into bass fishing 2 or 3 years ago, and started really expanding my arsenal of rods and reels last year.  I know there are a ton of threads dedicated to which rod is best for different things.  I am not asking for recommendations on specific rods and price points, I can figure that out. What I am asking for is help rounding out my arsenal.  I am in the market for probably 2 rods (1 casting 1 spinning) and 2 reels (lefty casting).  What I would like is suggestions on is what to do with the open slots in my arsenal and maybe what techniques I should have specifics set ups for (given 11 total slots).  

Here is what I have  (My thoughts on use in parenthesis):

Casting:

1. 7'6'' MHF   -    6.4:1 gear ratio    (Pitchin Jigs, probable upgrade to High speed reel)
2. 7' MHF      -     6.4:1 gear ratio    (Spinnerbaits / swimjigs / chatterbaits)
3. 7' MHF micro guides    -    6.4:1 gear ratio  (Spinnerbaits / swimjigs / chatterbaits)
4. 7' MHM     -    6.4:1 gear ratio    (Topwater, possibly lipless)
5. 7' MHMF (Fritts perfect crank)   -     5:1 greenie  (All cranks, mostly shallow and medium divers)
6. 6'5'' MF   -  6.3:1 greenie  (Jerkbaits / unknown haha)
7. 8' Heavy Mod Fast   -   Calcutta 200  ( A-rigs and Swimbaits)
8. Open slot  (I was thinking 7' MH or H extra fast for frogging with a high speed reel)

Spinning:

1. 7'2''  MLF   -  2500 stradic  (Dropshot / tubes)
2. 7'2'' MLF   -    35 president limited  (Dropshot / tubes)
3. Open rod slot   -   35  president   (Really unsure what I should do with this slot)

I have been using my 7'6'' MHF for frogs as well and I don't really like it for frogs that much.. Are there any other techniques you might think I should have a casting set up for? 

Also, I always have a dropshot on one spinning rod and a tube on the other.  what other finesse technic should I tackle and what power/action rod would you recommend with it?

I am in the finger lakes region of NY so there is plenty smallmouth and largemouth fishing.

If this really is another best rod thread, I am sorry.  But I thought it would be fun to get a few different takes on my "technique arsenal" as a whole rather than specific rods.

Let me know what you think. Thanks!

[stk]

welcome to the forums and the disease of bass fishing.  Roadwarrior has a great thread on this:

 

[kickerfish1]

Plenty of suggestions for adding a casting rod and spinning rod but without knowing what all you currently have, it will be difficult to help you expand. Other factors to consider is how you fish and where you fish? Adding a finesse drop shot outfit may not be as beneficial to a guy in Florida as say a heavy punching or flipping stick for example.

[kbeeb374]

  On 2/23/2016 at 6:32 PM, stk said:

Roadwarrior has a great thread on this:

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Yeah I actually read through most of that... I am really more asking about techniques to have set ups for I think.. hard to explain.  I just want to get the most out of all the spots I have on the rod holder.

 

  On 2/23/2016 at 6:40 PM, kickerfish1 said:

but without knowing what all you currently have,

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See edit. sorry I hit enter on accident and it posted before I was done.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

maybe something with a fast action but soft tip for topewater and jerkbaits. Or a 6'8" ml/XF for vertical drop shot. There aren't a lot of common bass techniques you can't effectively employ with what you have. 

[Bruce424]

Maybe a 6'6" MHF casting for spinnerbaits

7' mh spinning rod?

[kbeeb374]

  On 2/23/2016 at 8:28 PM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

maybe something with a fast action but soft tip for topewater and jerkbaits. Or a 6'8" ml/XF for vertical drop shot.

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Thank you, this is exactly the kind of comment I was looking for.  hadn't thought about something XF for vertical purposes.  not sure what you mean by something being fast and having a soft tip though..

[Fishin' Fool]

Yah for your casting 8 slot you need something like Dobyns 735c in either the Fury or Champion line. 

[MIbassyaker]

What about two spinning rods instead?  one MLXF for drop shot, one MXF for wacky rigs, weightless t-rig plastics (e.g., flukes, ribbontails, etc.), shakeyhead, both under 7'

Take one of your 7'2" MLFs and use it for mojo/spitshot rigs instead, or backup weightless/wacky/shaky

[blckshirt98]

My suggestion probably follows no conventional wisdom out there, but I'd get a Phenix M1 7'8" M XF spinning rod to throw smaller squarebills/crankbaits.   I see you have one dedicated setup for crankbaits, and a few other MHF that can be used for crankbaits, but I always have issues throwing lighter crankbaits on casting gear.  Anything under 1/2oz I like to use spinning gear, so that's where I would go.

The 7'8" M XF can also be used for lighter c-rig/t-rig/shaky head/spider jig applications as well...basically anything under 1/2oz.

[roadwarrior]

  On 2/23/2016 at 8:28 PM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

maybe something with a fast action but soft tip for topewater and jerkbaits. Or a 6'8" ml/XF for vertical drop shot. There aren't a lot of common bass techniques you can't effectively employ with what you have. 

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Don't be in a hurry. Over time you will find a niche here and there. DVT's suggestion is a very specific example.  Another "technique specific" rod is for the A Rig. You will find that if you start deep cranking a lot, that requires a dedicated rig, too.

 

[kbeeb374]

A lot of great suggestions! Thanks, this will give me something to think about.  I may end up with another combo haha.

[Fishes in trees]

Don't neglect the notion of carrying duplicates.   For instance, I have a couple of  jig rods that are identical.  I fish these a lot.   It is a way to quickly check out if and when different colors make a difference - or shapes.   I frequently throw a jika rigged lizard on one and a jika rigged creature bait, brush hog or mad paca on the other - similar or different colors - just depends.

 

You can acquire many more cranking rods for specific purposes.  For me, the rod that I throw deep divers around trees and bushes is different than the one that I use for throwing cranks across points.  (One has heavier line, the other lighter for more distance)   I also carry a spinning rig for cranks, which I tend to use for throwing into cross winds, also a MUCH lighter spinning rig for throwing Shad Raps and similar style lighter cranks.

If you put your mind to it, you can expand your arsenal from current capacity to 30 or so, easily