2 Versatile rod/reel combos

[rcg703]

I've been fishing both fresh and salt water for years but am focusing more on my bass fishing this year. I want a versatile 2 rod combo that will cover as many bases as possible. I already know I'm doing one baitcast and one spinning setup. What would you recommend for each including rod type/length and line type? I fish mostly local lakes and ponds with usually stained to muddy water and a little vegetation. I want these two to be as versatile as possible. Thanks in advance guys!

[new2BC4bass]

Budget always helps as you could put together combos ranging from $100-$1000 or more for each.  Baitcast: Rod 6'6"' to 7'3" MHF  Reel 7.? ratio....or more if you prefer.  Spinning: Rod 6'6" MF (or MLF depending on rod) Reel President if keeping price low.

We'd all be glad to recommend our favorites if we knew what you plan on spending on each.

A couple stickies to read if you haven't already done so.

 

 

[rcg703]

Im trying to stay under $100 for each combo. Im more so looking for suggestions on what type of rod/reel/line to match up and be able to fish multiple conditions with multiple lure types. For example, how versatile is a spinning setup with 6-6'6" MH rod and 8lb copolymer line and a bait casting setup with 6-6'6" MH rod and 50lb braid? That's what I have in mind but looking for some opinions from some more experienced anglers. 

[Master Bait'r]

9 minutes ago, rcg703 said:

Im trying to stay under $100 for each combo. 

 

Aaaaaand I'm rendered useless 

[IndianaFinesse]

I would suggest a ~6'9" m/f or a ~6'9" ml/f spinning rod depending on what you normally use.  Spool that up with eight to ten pound braid and adjust the leader line to the situation.  For the baitcaster a 6'6"-7' mh/f rod will definitely be the most versatile.  Spool that up with thirty to fifty pound braid, and again adjust the leader to the situation.

Now for the specific rod/reel/lines.  Get the spinning rod from FFO, they have a Abu Garcia Verdict in the right specifications and it is only fifty bucks instead of the retail price of one hundred and thirty.  Again from FFO ( I love that place:), they have an Abu Garcia Orra for forty dollars instead of the msrp of seventy.  This combo will only cost you 90$.  As for which brand of braid, I'm not picky but I very slightly prefer powerpro.  Just get whatever braid is on sale.

Now on to the casting rod.  Get the Fenwick hmg from FFO.  And I would get the H20 mettle casting reel from academy, it is one of the few casting reels under one hundred dollars with a centrifugal braking system and it performs more like a reel in th 100$-150$ price range.  This combo will run you right at one hundred dollars, but it is well worth it.

[rcg703]

Thanks IndianaFinesse, this is exactly the info I'm looking to get! I've never fished with braid/leader before just for fear of the leader breaking off and losing a monster. And forgive me for being a noob, but what's FFO?

[standman]

1 hour ago, rcg703 said:

Thanks IndianaFinesse, this is exactly the info I'm looking to get! I've never fished with braid/leader before just for fear of the leader breaking off and losing a monster. And forgive me for being a noob, but what's FFO?

Fisherman's Factory Outlet -  Pure Fishing 's outlet - Abu, Pflueger, Berkeley, Fenwick, Penn, Shakespeare, and few others.....  

[rcg703]

thanks for the info dude

[IndianaFinesse]

7 hours ago, rcg703 said:

Thanks IndianaFinesse, this is exactly the info I'm looking to get! I've never fished with braid/leader before just for fear of the leader breaking off and losing a monster. And forgive me for being a noob, but what's FFO?

I use the Alberto knot for braid to flouro leader connection, and haven't had any problems with it.  Everyone has a favorite, try a few to see which on you tie best.  As far as the knot breaking, it is the weak point in the line but not by squat.  I have caught (and weighed) carp up to 38 pounds, channel catfish up to 16, and bass up to 8.2 pounds using a eight to ten pound flourocarbon leader tied to braid without breaking off on any fish, aside from fish with teeth or when they wrap the line around something.  

FFO stands for fishing factory outlet, which it basically is.  They sell deadly discounted items from several brands such as pfluegar, Abu Garcia, Fenwick, pen, Berkley, Shakespeare etc.  They sell items that don't have this year's packaging, last year's models, and reconditioned items that are like new.  I buy nearly all of my rods and reels from them, I can't normally afford two hundred dollar rods but from FFO it's only sixty.  And although for the most part they aren't this year's model (except for reconditioned itmes), there usually aren't that many differences between year models and certainly not fifty to seventy percent difference.

[rcg703]

I think I'll try braid with a leader. I'll test some different knots to see what I'm comfortable tying. Are Pinnacle bait casters any good? I saw one in a local store for $45 but waited to find something nicer.