Can you help me get my sh... together?

[freelancer27]

Hi all,

I have to admit that I am a bit all over the place with my gear lately. What I mean with this is? I am reviewing my gear constantly to see how I can optimize it to address all of my 'bass needs'.

What I am struggeling with is figuring out right now what reel to pair with what rod to optimize if for the different techniques that I am using for my bass fishing.

Maybe you want to have a look and tell me what rod you would combine with what reel for which application, so that I can get a better picture what adjustments I need to make (what gear is missing to complete my arsenal).

So here is what i have:

Rods:
* G. Loomis E6X Casting Rod 6'8" Med Hvy 803C JWR,  Lure weight: 3/16-5/8oz
* St. Croix Avid X Series Cast Rod 7' Med Hvy, Lure weight: 3/8-1oz
* Bass Pro Shops Extreme 7'0'', Medium heavy, Action: fast , Lure Weight: 3/8 - 1 1/2 oz
* Okuma Scott Martin TCS Casting Rod 7'11" Heavy, Lure Weights: 1/4-2oz
 

Reels:
* Lews Team Lew's Custom Pro Speed Spool (7.1:1)
* Reel:  Shimano Curado 200 I
* Daiwa Coastal (7.3:1)
* Lew's BB2 Inshore 
 

My techniques that I want to cover:

1. Spinnerbaits (3/8oz - 1/2 oz)
2. Smaller Swimbaits (up to 1oz)
3. Lipped and Lipless Crankbaits (3/8 - 3/4 oz)
4. Jigs
5. Weighted plastics
6. Jerkbaits
7. Topwater (Frogs, Spoons, Buzzbaits)

It would be great to see what combos you would build and which combo(s) I am still missing.

Thank you very much!

Cheers!
 

[A-Jay]

As I'm not familiar with much of your tackle, I'm unfortunately not going to be able to offer much in the way of assistance as you attempt to match your tackle to the applications you want to fish.

But I will say that I believe part of what is making this difficult for you is that you're doing it backwards.

Instead for purchasing tackle and then trying to figure out how to use it, I'd recommend that you decide what presentations, applications & baits you want to utilize and THEN purchase the gear that best fit those deals.  It's a whole lot easier.

Good Luck

A-Jay

 

 

[freelancer27]

I agree @A-Jay. Unfortunately I was not that aware/ smart when I bought the gear... Now I am trying to piece the items together to see what is missing. 

I was about to get a dedicated Spinnerbait combo but wondered if I should not get a Crankbait combo instead, that started me thinking about my entire gear and now I am questioning everything..

[byram bassturd]

Hey Freelancer. I too am not familiar with your gear but my advice would be to test out different rod and reel combinations with the various lures and techniques that you hope to employ and decide for yourself which setups feel best to you. And dont get too frustrated as the process is part of the fun. You'll discover a lot about not only the types of gear you enjoy using but a lot about your fishing style as well. Good luck! 

[A-Jay]

10 minutes ago, freelancer27 said:

I agree @A-Jay. Unfortunately I was not that aware/ smart when I bought the gear... Now I am trying to piece the items together to see what is missing. 

I was about to get a dedicated Spinnerbait combo but wondered if I should not get a Crankbait combo instead, that started me thinking about my entire gear and now I am questioning everything..

Well, essentially you have 3 HM rods & 1 H stick with that you have 4  7:1 (at least) gear ratio casting reels - with the Lews being a wide spool that yields more line capacity.  Don't get bummed out about it - Just go fishing - mix & match your tackle until you find what works best for whatever applications you want to fish.  This is the fun part.  The size & type line you select for each will play a role here as well.

Just for starters the shorter rod may offer better casting accuracy so might be a good choice for presenting baits to "Targets".  Clearly the H stick is going to be one you'll get the most out of when used where it's powerful characteristics will be beneficial an not a problem.  After that - it's a wash.  And much of it comes done to personal preference.  I could tell you what I like but you might hate it & vise versa.

 Enjoy

A-Jay

[freelancer27]

Just now, A-Jay said:

Well, essentially you have 3 HM rods & 1 H stick with that you have 4  7:1 (at least) gear ratio casting reels - with the Lews being a wide spool that yields more line capacity.  Don't get bummed out about it - Just go fishing - mix & match your tackle until you find what works best for whatever applications you want to fish.  The size & type line you select for each will play a role here as well.

Just for starters the shorter rod may offer better casting accuracy so might be a good choice for presenting baits to "Targets".  Clearly the H stick is going to be one you'll get the most out of when used where it's powerful characteristics will be beneficial an not a problem.  After that - it's a wash.  And much of it comes done to personal preference.  I could tell you what I like but you might hate it & vise versa.

 Have fun

A-Jay

I would be very interested to hear how you would put the combos together for the different techniques! 

[A-Jay]

3 minutes ago, freelancer27 said:

I would be very interested to hear how you would put the combos together for the different techniques! 

OK -

You might be interested but you might not like what I Prefer.

Please remember this is what I like & you did ask . .

 I don't use high speed reels much - for anything - most of mine are 6.6:1.  I use Composite sticks for most all my cranking.  So nothing in your list would work for me there.  Beyond that, and using your list,  I'd use the H stick and Lews reel for frogs, jigs & weighted plastics.  I'd use the St Croix for spinnerbaits & buzzbaits. You can choose the reels you like.   That's all I've got Bud.

Good Luck

A-Jay

[Gundog]

Since you're asking for opinions I'll throw my 2 cents in. I would use the 7.3:1 reel with the Okuma rod with jigs and frogs. The high speed reel will bring in line quicker for pitching and flipping jigs and let you reel in slack line quick when frog fishing. Match the Lews Custom Pro with the BPS 7' for swimbaits and maybe T-rigs. The Curado I'd put with the St. Croix. Two quality pieces go good together. You can use that for spinnerbaits. The Lews BB I'd match up with the G.Loomis and use that for lipless crankbaits and jerkbaits. The rod won't be the best for the baits but unless you are willing to buy a medium power/moderate action rod, it will have to do. 

[Poolshark]

This is a personal preference, but since your asking, I'll take a shot at it for you. 

personally I would prefer and add a mod action rod for crankbaits and a good medium fast spinning rod. But if these are all you had I would use them as such...

the bps extreme: spinnerbaits,lipless cranks, buzzbaits. This rod has enough tip  and slightly more moderate fast than the others. Good spinnerbait rod. 

the g loomis 803:  plastics, senkos and small worms and jigs, extra fast tip, perfect for this.

the st croix: small frogs, buzz toads, bigger worm and jigs. 

the Scott Martin: for your swimbaits. A good flipping rod otherwise

id throw the curado on the st croix

the lews on the g loomis

I'd put bb2 on the Scott Martin IF you want to throw swimbaits. 

I'd buy a new reel for the bps extreme. 

[Big Bait Fishing]

you're talking the fun out of testing gear YOURSELF and finding what works for YOU.....

[A-Jay]

56 minutes ago, Big Bait Fishing said:

you're talking the fun out of testing gear YOURSELF and finding what works for YOU.....

Exactly ~

A-Jay

[freelancer27]

Thanks guys for all your thoughts!

Here is how I am currently using it:

 

Casting Combo 1:
* Rod: G. Loomis E6X Casting Rod 6'8" Med Hvy 803C JWR
* Reel: Lews Team Lew's Custom Pro Speed Spool (7.1:1)
* Line: 12 pound Fluro
*Applications: Drop shot, light plastics, light jigs and Jerkbaits

Casting Combo 2:
* Rod: St. Croix Avid X Series Cast Rod 7' Med Hvy
* Reel:  Shimano Curado 200 I
* Line: 12 pound Fluro (thinking of putting 20 pound braid on it)
* Applications: Big bottom bouncing lures (Weighted creature baits, Jigs)

Casting Combo 3:
* Rod: Bass Pro Shops Extreme Casting, Medium heavy, fast tapper
* Reel: Lew's BB2 Inshore 
* Line: 14 pound Mono
* Applications: Spinner baits, (lip less) crankbaits, small swimbaits

Casting combo 4:
* Rod: Okuma Scott Martin TCS Casting Rod 7'11" Heavy

* Reel: Daiwa Coastal
* Line: 50 pound Praid
* Applications: Top water and heavy punching


So combo 3 is where I am combining a bit of too many techniques for my liking. 

I am playing with the following thoughts:

1. Use Combo 3 for spinnerbaits and small swimbaits and get a combo for lipless crankbaits and lipped crankbaits.
Combo that I would consider here is: 

Reel: Daiwa SV TWS 6.3:1
Rod: Megbass SWINGFIRE 

2. Use combo 3 for Crankbaits (not optimal but ok) and get following combo for spinnerbaits and small swimbaits:

Reel: Daiwa SV TWS 6.3:1
Rod: Megbass DIABLO SPEC-R

3. Sell combo 3 and get 2 new combos:

Spinnerbaits and samll swimbaits:
Reel: Daiwa SV TWS 6.3:1
Rod: Megbass DIABLO SPEC-R

Lipless and lipped crankbaits:
Reel: My old Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier 6.4:1
Rod: Dobyns Fury Casting Rod 7' Med Hvy Cranking


Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[WRB]

You need a finesse spinning outfit for drop shot unless you use heavier weights and power/bubba shot with 3 1/2"-4" leader lengths and larger size soft plastics using #2.

You don't have a crank bait rod, that would be better suited for #3, except move the swimbaits to #4. #4 would be better suited for a frog rod, swimbait and anything in heavy cover.

#1 & #2 are your all around utility outfits and may want to consider replacing #3 with another #2 based on lure type you prefer to use.

Tom

 

[Raul]

12 lb fluoro for light plastics, jerks & light jigs ....... okie dokie, if your definition of light is like 3/8 of   oz then okay ......

[freelancer27]

2 hours ago, WRB said:

You need a finesse spinning outfit for drop shot unless you use heavier weights and power/bubba shot with 3 1/2"-4" leader lengths and larger size soft plastics using #2.

You don't have a crank bait rod, that would be better suited for #3, except move the swimbaits to #4. #4 would be better suited for a frog rod, swimbait and anything in heavy cover.

#1 & #2 are your all around utility outfits and may want to consider replacing #3 with another #2 based on lure type you prefer to use.

Tom

 

I do have a spinning combo that I use for super finesse applications and a heavy swimbait rod for bigger swimbaits (2oz -8oz). Just did not mention it here since those combos I would consider 'fixed'.

What is your thought on the following:

Reel: Daiwa SV TWS 6.3:1
Rod: Megabass's Orochi XX Swingfire

Based on the review on TackleTour it says that the Swingfire can be used for spinnerbaits as well.  My rookie thought on this is: The Rod can load up much better than a medium-heavy rod and therefor should be able to 'bomb out' spinnerbaits as well. 

The cons would be that the Swingfire is Glass, which means that it is not that sensitive and the backbone of the rod is not the best for single hook baits.

[Raul]

On 20/11/2016 at 3:38 PM, freelancer27 said:

I do have a spinning combo that I use for super finesse applications and a heavy swimbait rod for bigger swimbaits (2oz -8oz). Just did not mention it here since those combos I would consider 'fixed'.

What is your thought on the following:

Reel: Daiwa SV TWS 6.3:1
Rod: Megabass's Orochi XX Swingfire

Based on the review on TackleTour it says that the Swingfire can be used for spinnerbaits as well.  My rookie thought on this is: The Rod can load up much better than a medium-heavy rod and therefor should be able to 'bomb out' spinnerbaits as well. 

The cons would be that the Swingfire is Glass, which means that it is not that sensitive and the backbone of the rod is not the best for single hook baits.

Hard to "bomb out" a spinnerbait, spinnerbaits have the sleek aerodynamics of a kite.

[A-Jay]

On ‎11‎/‎20‎/‎2016 at 4:38 PM, freelancer27 said:

I do have a spinning combo that I use for super finesse applications and a heavy swimbait rod for bigger swimbaits (2oz -8oz). Just did not mention it here since those combos I would consider 'fixed'.

What is your thought on the following:

Reel: Daiwa SV TWS 6.3:1
Rod: Megabass's Orochi XX Swingfire

Based on the review on TackleTour it says that the Swingfire can be used for spinnerbaits as well.  My rookie thought on this is: The Rod can load up much better than a medium-heavy rod and therefor should be able to 'bomb out' spinnerbaits as well. 

The cons would be that the Swingfire is Glass, which means that it is not that sensitive and the backbone of the rod is not the best for single hook baits.

Be sure to book mark this thread for yourself so you can come back to it later.

Might be useful after you have some time on the water with your gear and you can compare all this conjecture to your actual fishing based results.

A-Jay

[freelancer27]

I ordered for now:

	Orochi XX Casting Rod 7' Hvy Tour Versatile		1	$299.00	$299.00
	Orochi XX Casting Rod 7'2" Diablo Spec R		1	$289.00	$289.00
	Orochi XX Casting Rod 7'2" Swingfire Dobyns Fury Casting Rod 7' Med Hvy Cranking Lets see what i will keep ;)