What Setup is Next?

[CrustyMono]

Here is a list of my current rods and reels:

Rods

7'1" M Fast Casting

7'1" M Moderate Casting that I am trading in for a 7'6" H Fast

7'3" MH Fast Casting

7' M Spinning

 

Reels

Quantum Smoke PT 7.3:1 (large drag)

Daiwa Zillion TWS 7.3:1

Cabela's Arachnid 6.3:1

Cabala's Tournament ZX Spinning (1500 size spool)

 

My favorite techniques: Swim jigs, Soft Body Swimbaits, Senkos, Drop Shot, Wacky, Jigs, Topwater, Frogs, and Flippin'. 

I would like to get better at bottom contact fishing with jigs and shakey heads. I am not very good with spinnerbaits and crankbaits. I am ok with not having an ideal rod for those tactics. I have rods that will work with these baits if i need them to. I find myself using the spinning combo a lot. I am fond of braid to leader fishing. I am constantly tying on new lures. Every third time, the leader is too short and I need a new leader. I would , like to have a drop shot rod where I would only keep a drop shot tied on. The other spinning setup would be for my shakey heads, wacky rigs, swimbaits, poppers, and other techniques.

 

As Christmas has ended, I have received several gift cards to bass pro and cabela's. The after-christmasy sales are going on now and it is a good time to buy. I want to buy a Cabala's Tournament ZX Spinning Rod for $50 after the gift card. As for the reel, I want the Shimano NASCI. It will also be 50$ from Bass Pro after the gift card. 

 

Am I better off with a 7' Fast or a 6'10 M XF? Is a 2500 or a 3000 best?

[burrows]

7 fast will balance out better the 3000 and the 2500 weight is the same 8.8 ounces they share the same body only difference is the spool.see shimano website. I paired it up with a 6'8 medium  xf and it didn't work for me as far as balance so I put it on a 7 medium fast I got the 3000 size. It's a solid reel bro I'm talking  solid for the price but I guess I'm getting used to lighter reels because I do feel the weight and it bugs me a little but the reel is perfectly balanced and fluid.

Edited December 30, 2016 by Burros

[Spankey]

I'm gonna wait until show time but I'm going to pick up another 6'8" MXF Mojo spin or the new Bass X 6'8" MXF. I don't want to buy the Bass X sight unseen. I'm pretty sure they will be the same or feel the same. But maybe not. I'm in no rush. I just want both in my hands before I buy. I'll walk out with one or the other. 

[Fishin' Fool]

Back in the day we had one rod and it used to do everything.

[the reel ess]

I can't speak for how you like to fish, but I have a MH 7' spinning combo for single hook presentations. It's a Viper combo that I bought from BPS on clearance about a decade ago and it just keeps on ticking. The rod doesn't have any action or power info on it, but it loads up pretty fast, so I'd say it a MH/MF. I usually try to avoid buying matched store brand combos, but this one has been stellar. When the reel finally quits I'll replace with a Pfleuger size 30.

25 minutes ago, Fishin' Fool said:

Back in the day we had one rod and it used to do everything.

Now we have 6 or more and catch most of the fish on one.

[fishballer06]

Are you fishing from shore or boat? That alone can determine what is practical/worth carrying around. 

 

If you like frogging, a 7-7'6" Heavy rod would be a good addition. That rod could also work for heavier jigs, carolina rigs, and lighter swimbaits as well. 

 

I would also recommend a cranking rod, but you said you're not into moving baits much. If you'd like to get into them, I'd recommend a 7' MH Mod action rod. That rod will be practical for a lot of uses. Cranks, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, topwaters, swim jigs, etc. 

[lonnie g]

I fish lay lake in Alabama  I use g loomis imx medium heavy fast action 7 ft. finess worm with titainium bullet nose sinker or shaky head rig  sinsativity is great feel everything. great for ky spot fishing on rocky points  great fishing my friend lonnie 

[PatrickKnight]

The biggest difference in the Nasci 2500 and 3000 other than line capacity is going to be gear ratio. 2500 is going to be 5.0:1 and the 3000 will be a 6.2:1, just something to keep in mind.

[burrows]

5 hours ago, Spankey said:

I'm gonna wait until show time but I'm going to pick up another 6'8" MXF Mojo spin or the new Bass X 6'8" MXF. I don't want to buy the Bass X sight unseen. I'm pretty sure they will be the same or feel the same. But maybe not. I'm in no rush. I just want both in my hands before I buy. I'll walk out with one or the other. 

I think the bass x is a good rod it's basically got the same blanks as the older mojo I wouldn't buy the bass x because I rather have the sclll blanks. 

[Spankey]

I have a few of the Avids in my mix of rods. Great, great rods the best I own. I like the split grips. If it feels like a winner it will go out the door with me. If another Mojos strikes me. Thats what it will be. I have in mind how I'll use it. I'm as addicted to St. Croix Rods as Rapala and Bandit baits. I sick but not compulsive. 

[fishnkamp]

If you want that rod now is the time to order it,. They are on sale for $69. They have to be backordered but I would lock in the savings big time.  If the rod you have now is the 7 foot drop shot model than I highly recommend getting the 6'10 M xf model.  That is the rod I would throw shakey heads, light texas rigs ( up to 3/8 ounce worm weight) Sencos both weighted and weightless, grubs, tubes etc.  If your 7 medium spinning rod can handle drop shots that is exactly what I would do.  It also means that the 7 footer would be my backup if I found the drop shots were not useful, I might have a Senco or texas rig on the 6'10 rod and a follow up bait like a grub with a 1/8 to 1/4 texas rig setup or even a tube on the other. I can not help with the reel I have never seen it, but if you want another reel to look at as an option check out the Okuma RTX 30 and the Helios reels I fish one of the RTXs and so do several of my buddies. Nice light weight reel, smooth and sturdy and has a high gear ratio.