Getting my setups thinned out

[biggiesmalls]

First post on here, but I've lurked and gotten advice via others' threads for some time now. 

 

I am trying to keep my freshwater setups down to three or less for this upcoming season (I fish March through October/November every year, with a few months of a break for going through tackle and since I don't like to fish when I'm only going to get 1-2 fish a day at most). I used to carry a "big boy" setup (meaning frogs, swimbaits, etc), a cranking setup, a topwater/jerkbait setup, a spinnerbait/chatterbait setup, a finesse setup, and then a single-hook setup (like jigs and texas rigs) - plus an ultralight setup for panfish. Yes I had a setup for everything (pretty much), but I realized that it wasn't too enjoyable having to carry seven rods and a big tackle bag down to the water every time - especially since I very rarely fish anything larger than 1 or 2 acre ponds. So, my goal is to get my total setup count down to three or less (and get an actual backpack instead of a tackle bag, since that bag isn't comfortable to carry). I sold my tackle to a friend who wants to get into fishing and has a ridiculous amount of money to do so, and after putting most of that money into my shark tackle (and a few other things), I've got a few hundred left over for freshwater stuff. 

 

I was thinking that I should start out with a good all-around casting setup. I am dead set on the rod - a No.*** BlackOut casting rod. Will probably go with the 7'3" medium heavy rod, since it's pretty much the best all-around rod specs out there (I'm like 5'3" so I wish the rod was a little shorter, but I don't think that 3" is going to make a huge difference when I use 7' rods regularly). The *** was chosen partly because of the AWESOME reviews I have seen on it, partly because TW has them on sale for $55 right now. 

 

Next step is the reel. I am thinking something in the range of 6.3:1 to 6.6:1 will be nice for fishing pretty much everything. I want something that I can get for right around $100 or less, and I would prefer new but don't mind getting something slightly used (ie close to new condition, just slight signs of wear). I also want something that I can easily purchase a spare spool for, and easily replace the spool in the reel while fishing. I plan on filling one with Yo-Zuri Hybrid #12 and the other with Sufix 832 #50 (so a copolymer and a braid). I have a good feeling that this setup will be able to handle nearly every kind of fishing I do (one thing about the MH, I can't think of a place I regularly fish that has what I would consider "heavy" cover - so my favorite technique, frogging, doesn't really require a pool cue to do). 

 

After that setup is put together I will probably get a spinning setup for finesse applications. My other favorite technique is senko fishing - so my rod of choice is most likely going to be the No.*** BlackOut spinning rod in 7' medium power. Reel will be a Pflueger Trion - I use one for panfish, it's the smoothest little reel for the price you pay (what is it like $40?). I will fill it with #8 Yo-Zuri Hybrid and be done with it. 

 

Finally for panfish, I will be buying a 6'6" 2-6 pound glass blank from Mudhole and sending it to a friend to have it turned into a nice budget panfish rod. I'm tired of only fishing like 5' ultralight rods, I need something longer to really get my baits further out there. I kept my little Pflueger trion spooled with 4# BPS mono, might go with #4 Yo-Zuri though - since my ponds have some of the biggest panfish I have seen anywhere in them. There's one pond that used to have a pair of big bass in it, my two PB's actually (5 and 6.5 pounds) and there's always a big redear next to one of them - and he's all of 16" or bigger. I've yet to hook him but he's going to be one for the photo album when I do. 

 

Sorry for such a wall of text, but do you think my setups are looking good? Any changes you'd do to them? Any that you don't think I need? I mostly fish with frogs, hardnose snakes, and wacky rigged senkos - with the occasional topwater, jerkbait, lipless/squarebill, spinnerbait, buzzbait, texas rig, shaky head, and even live bluegill thrown in there. I want to keep my tackle at the absolute minimum necessary to fish a wide variety of baits - if I only need one bass setup, then I'm even better off. 

Thanks

[bigturtle]

Sounds fine for a 3 rod setup. Your 7'3" MH rod has an extra-fast action, so it wont be the best for any sort of treble hook baits like crankbaits, jerkbaits or topwater, but your medium spinning rod can do those, maybe #10 instead of #8 line.


 

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard!

 

And definitely sounds like you have a handle on what/how

you want to freshwater fish. I can't really add much to your

comments because I'm mainly a light line angler that prefers

shorter rods (5'6"-6'3" with 6'6" the max)...

 

But good luck on all your endeavors!

[papajoe222]

I'd base the casting rod choice on what the average size bass is in your area. Around here, three pounds is a decent fish. The only time I use a MH/Fast rod is for frogs and swimbaits, or when fishing heavy/matted weeds.  As for length, especially for fishing from shore, go with the longest rod you feel comfortable casting.  The majority of time you'll be casting for distance and the longer rod will help out there. The other thing to consider in choosing any rod is what weight lures you'll be using.  You can cast light lures on heavy rods, but it isn't fun.

Your reel choices are good, but don't assume you'll be able to pick up an extra spool for a baitcaster as easily as for a spinning reel as often times you can get one of those with two spools.  You could always go with one spool filled with braid and add a leader of fluoro or mono in whatever test you like.

[the reel ess]

If I could have only three combos they'd be:

 

7' MH Casting...your 7-3 will cover that base and will give you some help with jigs and frogs as well. I like 30# braid on it, but that's a personal choice. 

 

6'6" M casting...a good all-around casting rod for trebles, spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. I like 15# mono. Again, a personal thing, but it floats for topwaters and allows some stretch for the trebles.

 

7' MH spinning...spinning rods are usually a little "whippier" than casting rods of the same rating. you can do a little of everything with lighter lures. I love 20# braid for spinning because it doesn't twist nearly as much.

 

In fact, I have those combos and a couple more. I like fast casting reels because I'm getting old and lazy. If you're compromising, a 6.2:1 will cover more techniques. For spinning, that Trion is alll anyone needs. I have one and I'll have another or a President when I need to replace a reel. I guess that's 4 combos, but then I usually take 7 in the truck and possibly 6 on the kayak. I can't decide.

 

[fishnkamp]

With your budget for a baitcasting reel I think you would do well to run over to Bass Pro and get one of their Pro Qualifiers that are on sale reduced down to $49.  They usually run almost double that. If I could spend a little more of your money it would be a Diawa Tatula CT and they can be had online for around $100 shipped.

 

[biggiesmalls]

Thanks for all the responses. As far as my baitcaster - the Pro Qualifiers are $100 right now.

 

If it helps anyone out - this would be the list of lures I use, in order of how often:

Topwater frogs

Wacky rigged senkos and other weightless plastics

Topwaters (spooks and poppers)

Texas rigged plastics, including hardnose snakes as well

 

Then in no particular order, shaky heads, drop shots, crankbaits (squarebills and lipless, I carry one deep diver when I explore new ponds but have yet to need it), jerkbaits, jigs, spinnerbaits, and buzzbaits. I also enjoy using live bait at times - take a wacky hook, hook a tiny bluegill, and let it swim right out in front of some structure, it flat out catches fish. I don't think I missed any techniques that I do. 

 

[Poolshark]

Don't overthink your setups.the brands you listed are fine.  I carry many on a boat but

If I'm hitting the bank I take two or three depending on where I'm going. 

A 7ft mf spinning setup with 20lb braid and 10 lb Floro leader

a 7 to 76 mhf casting with 40 lb braid and optional Floro leader 

and a 7 to 76 mm casting. With plain old 12lb big game 

i throw everything in the box but giant swimbaits with these setups and never have an issue 

 

[biggiesmalls]

Do you think that a 7'3" medium heavy (12-20 pound, 3/8-1 ounce) casting rod could do essentially everything? It's an extra fast tip, which should work well for everything except crankbaits - which I don't fish all that often. I think that if I had a baitcaster that I could easily change the spool out on (not allowed to talk about which one that is, but I mentioned it earlier I think) and I used 12 pound mono/50 pound braid, I could fish pretty much any bait I wanted - and as for crankbaits, I'll have to just fish them with mono, loosen the drag, and hope it works out.

 

What would be a good rod for fishing wacky rigged senkos with? Could that MH rod do it well enough? If I could carry only two rods (bass rod and panfish rod), that would be cool. I could put a little more money into the reel as well in that case. 

[new2BC4bass]

 

The 7' MH Escalade is rated 1/4 to 1-1/2 oz. and 10-25 lb.  Listed at 4 oz.  Dick's has them on sale at 50% off.  A $100 rod for $50.  I've only handled them in store, but they feel nice.  TW has the Daiwa Exceler on sale for $49.97.  It is a $100 reel normally.  Should make a very good $100 combo.

 

Looks like you have already done a lot of research.  Pick the items that interest you the most.  You will be happier that way.

[biggiesmalls]

I think I am set on the rod I will be getting. However I am definitely not sure about the reel. The *** has been recommended by a friend, I was fishing his this weekend and I really like it. He's got a speed spool for $50 that I was going to buy, but it's only a 5.4:1 which wouldn't make a great all-around reel.

 

I have another thread on choosing the right reel for the job.