help me set up my rods

[ohihunter2014]

I currently have a 5ft5 Shakespeare light action rod i use for crappie and sometimes throw light top water minnows for largemouth or use it for bobber fishing small mouths in the river holes. I have a 6ft ugly stick combo i got at Wal-Mart but replacing the reel with a shimano sahara, sencopate or sierra. I will be getting the larger spool 3000 series reels to use 30-40lbs pro line. I think the rods a medium action and i have pulled some large channel cats, drum and bass out with it and no issues.  A guy at work is supposed to be giving me an ugly stick casting rod 6ft6 and said i should put a bait caster on it.

 

Here is how i usually fish and i do decent. I throw poppers, rapala original in different sizes, sometimes lipless crank baits i guess they are called or small lipped ones that don't dive real deep. sometimes a texas rigged worm. I don't do spin or buzz baits.

 

first off what do you guys think about these rod reel setups for what i want to fish? I cant spend a lot of money on it. do i need a bait caster? never used one but like the concept. I see a lot of taller and thicker rods and see references on here about medium-heavy action rods. I sometimes fish for small mouth and steelhead in the rivers and want to try walleye off the pier of lake erie. all my fishing is dock, pier or bank fishing as i cannot swim so don't do boats. when i largemouth fish its sometimes walking through the woods finding a little clearing and fishing it.

 

I thought about getting either an abu Garcia black max or quantum escalade bait caster or even a BP Pro qualifier for the new rod i am being given and outfitting it with power pro and the new spinning reel with power pro.

 

any other information is appreciated.

[mllrtm79]

IMO on a budget you can fish your ugly stik(s) until you grow tired of them or close them in a door, I fished for years with an ugly stik rod, and various cheap reels. They may not have the sensitivity of a higher end rod, but they are (in my experience) a durable and usable rod. 

 

Being that you're talking about being given a casting rod, I'd suggest one of the two bargain reels you have mentioned, the black max (which I have two of and they work fine) or the BPS pro qualifier, which is currently on sale and have good reviews for the price point (I can't attest to them personally). 

You will find multiple threads on here saying all kinds of things from varying viewpoints. There are advantages to having a baitcaster at times, but your personal experiences will vary depending on what application you are using them for. 

[fishnkamp]

I fish with a bunch of very expensive rods. I also a pair of Berkley Lightning Shock rods ( they sell for $50 or less when on sale). I catch just as many fish on those rods as my rods costing way more. Now the more expensive rods are much more sensitive and for bottom bouncing lures that is important to me.   uae the Lightnings shocks for rattle traps ( lipless cranks) mostly.  You can definitely fish the Ugly Sticks forever and catch good fish.  As for the baitcaster, I would go to BPS and get one og the Pro Qualifiers that are on sale for $50. or get a Black Max.  The baitcaster handle heavier line and baits better.