Lew's Tournament Pro G (6.8:1) + St. Croix Mojo Bass (6'8" MH/F) for first baitcasting combo

[DoctorP]

Greetings from sunny AZ!

I've been bass fishing for about 4 months and have been having a great time with my Pflueger President & Ugly Stik Elite 6'6" M/F. I'm looking to pick up a quality baitcaster rod and reel outfit and after reading through many reviews and threads on here it seems like the Tournament Pro G & Mojo Bass should be an awesome combo.

 

It seems like most people agree that a 6'6"-7' MH rod is a great all-around rod, but I'm a little thrown off by St. Croix's description of the model I'm looking into as their "Jig-n-Worm" model. While I may use the rod for that purpose, I am really looking into a baitcaster so I can more efficiently throw swim baits, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, crankbaits, etc., while keeping my spinning outfit for more of the jig and soft plastic techniques. Is this rod still a solid "all-purpose" option despite St. Croix's description? Do you have any thoughts on this combo as a first baitcasting outfit? Mainly shore fishing at the moment in ponds and lakes around the Phoenix area.

 

Appreciate any help. 

[Robert Riley]

I'd just go buy a Lew's Mach I combo tbh. 
But you would be happy with that reel, the TProG is great. In regards to the rod choice, if you want a shorter rod, go with the one youre looking at. 7 feet is right around where I like my rods, so I don't see why you couldn't just get the spinnerbait mojo bass rod.

[Loomis13]

Yeah, that would be a good all around rod, or if you are planning on using braid you could go with the spinnerbait rod like Robert stated above.

 

Edit: And I think that would be a great starter rod and reel!

[DoctorP]

Thanks for the feedback! Glad to hear the reel is a good choice.

 

1 hour ago, Robert Riley said:

I'd just go buy a Lew's Mach I combo tbh. 
But you would be happy with that reel, the TProG is great. In regards to the rod choice, if you want a shorter rod, go with the one youre looking at. 7 feet is right around where I like my rods, so I don't see why you couldn't just get the spinnerbait mojo bass rod.

A buddy I fish with has the Mach I combo & it seems to be a great starting setup. I don't mind spending a bit extra on my setup considering he upgraded after a few months with that combo.

 

1 hour ago, Loomis13 said:

Yeah, that would be a good all around rod, or if you are planning on using braid you could go with the spinnerbait rod like Robert stated above.

 

Edit: And I think that would be a great starter rod and reel!

I'm definitely planning on using braid. The "Spinnerbait" Mojo Bass 7' looks good, but it is a moderate fast instead of fast (6'8" "Jig-n-Worm" & 7'1" "Jigs / Baits"). Will the mod. fast still work for my intended use/is it a better option since I'll be using braid?

 

Edit: Looks like the Spinnerbait model might be a lot closer to what I'm looking for than I thought. Still happy to hear any additional thoughts before I shell out the dough though!

[Robert Riley]

IMO, a St Croix moderate fast is a hair slower than a generic fast, its meant for moving baits.

[Poolshark]

The 7'1 mhf is the rod you are looking for. It fishes worms, jigs, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, light swim jigs, soft jerk baits, senkos, finesse swimbaits and small frogs well.

i don't usually care about what are rod is labeled as... But this one is labeled as jigs/baits. 

Its a fast action, not extra fast. It had a soft tip to cast better. 

If you like the mojo bass, this would be a great start. 

[WIGuide]

The worm and jig rod you were looking at will make a great all around rod. I've got the 6'8" MH/F worm and jig rod and even though that's what they designed it for, you are not limited to those techniques. Personally I'd stick with a fast action for all around.

[Loomis13]

9 hours ago, DoctorP said:

Thanks for the feedback! Glad to hear the reel is a good choice.

 

A buddy I fish with has the Mach I combo & it seems to be a great starting setup. I don't mind spending a bit extra on my setup considering he upgraded after a few months with that combo.

 

I'm definitely planning on using braid. The "Spinnerbait" Mojo Bass 7' looks good, but it is a moderate fast instead of fast (6'8" "Jig-n-Worm" & 7'1" "Jigs / Baits"). Will the mod. fast still work for my intended use/is it a better option since I'll be using braid?

 

Edit: Looks like the Spinnerbait model might be a lot closer to what I'm looking for than I thought. Still happy to hear any additional thoughts before I shell out the dough though!

Well I threw out the MHMF just because of the crankbaits. If they were going to be the main lure on this rod, then I would go with the MHMF. Now if you do decide to go this route, the braid will help cover up the more moderate action and make it fish a little faster.

[jimf]

The slower tip would be better for cranks but I still would probably go with the Fast if I had just one rod.   To the OP the combo you are describing is pretty kick butt.   You might develop a taste for higher end rods as you go, but the rod is good enough to have a permanent spot in your arsenal forever.  It's a great combo.   

[The Fisher]

4 hours ago, Poolshark said:

The 7'1 mhf is the rod you are looking for. It fishes worms, jigs, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, light swim jigs, soft jerk baits, senkos, finesse swimbaits and small frogs well.

i don't usually care about what are rod is labeled as... But this one is labeled as jigs/baits. 

Its a fast action, not extra fast. It had a soft tip to cast better. 

If you like the mojo bass, this would be a great start. 

This ^

[DoctorP]

I had a chance to swing by BPS briefly today and was able to get a feel of all three Mojo Bass rods discussed (6'8" MHF, 7'1 MHF, 7' MHMF). While an employee suggested the 6'8" as I will be mainly bank fishing for the foreseeable future, the action seemed very stiff and certainly tuned for jigs and worms. The 7' MHMF felt as described by Robert, a hair slower than generic fast, but still very versatile. The 7'1" felt truer to 'fast' action and like something I could get away with throwing a majority of the tackle box at. 

 

18 hours ago, Robert Riley said:

IMO, a St Croix moderate fast is a hair slower than a generic fast, its meant for moving baits.

10 hours ago, Loomis13 said:

Well I threw out the MHMF just because of the crankbaits. If they were going to be the main lure on this rod, then I would go with the MHMF. Now if you do decide to go this route, the braid will help cover up the more moderate action and make it fish a little faster.

10 hours ago, jimf said:

The slower tip would be better for cranks but I still would probably go with the Fast if I had just one rod.   To the OP the combo you are describing is pretty kick butt.   You might develop a taste for higher end rods as you go, but the rod is good enough to have a permanent spot in your arsenal forever.  It's a great combo.   

After some thought I think that I will invest in a more crankbait specific outfit in the future and only occasionally throw squarebills/lipless cranks/etc with this setup. Maybe I'll continue to use the spinning gear for those lures until then. Thanks for the suggestions!

I can feel the taste for higher end rods growing... Just holding the Avids/Legends...  And I haven't even fished a quality rod yet!

 

10 hours ago, WIGuide said:

The worm and jig rod you were looking at will make a great all around rod. I've got the 6'8" MH/F worm and jig rod and even though that's what they designed it for, you are not limited to those techniques. Personally I'd stick with a fast action for all around.

Thanks for the direct input as an owner of the rod! After holding it in person I felt it might be a little stiff for some of my applications in comparison to the 7'1" MHF. Definitely a subtle difference though. 

 

 

12 hours ago, Poolshark said:

The 7'1 mhf is the rod you are looking for. It fishes worms, jigs, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, light swim jigs, soft jerk baits, senkos, finesse swimbaits and small frogs well.

i don't usually care about what are rod is labeled as... But this one is labeled as jigs/baits. 

Its a fast action, not extra fast. It had a soft tip to cast better. 

If you like the mojo bass, this would be a great start. 

7 hours ago, The Fisher said:

This ^

Appreciate the info! After holding the 7'1" in person & hearing your feedback, I am set that this is the rod for me. Now to figure out the right line. Can't wait to break her in!

 

Thank you everyone for all the help. Cheers 

[Poolshark]

3 minutes ago, DoctorP said:

Thanks for the direct input as an owner of the rod! After holding it in person I felt it might be a little stiff for some of my applications in comparison to the 7'1" MHF. Definitely a subtle difference though. 

 

 

Appreciate the info! After holding the 7'1" in person & hearing your feedback, I am set that this is the rod for me. Now to figure out the right line. Can't wait to break her in!

 

Thank you everyone for all the help. Cheers 

 

its a good choice for your first st Croix. You'll like it so much I'm sure you will end up with some of the higher end rods after awhile, but if you're like me you'll still keep this in the rotation. 

Good luck to you... Have fun with it 

[WIGuide]

16 hours ago, DoctorP said:

I had a chance to swing by BPS briefly today and was able to get a feel of all three Mojo Bass rods discussed (6'8" MHF, 7'1 MHF, 7' MHMF). While an employee suggested the 6'8" as I will be mainly bank fishing for the foreseeable future, the action seemed very stiff and certainly tuned for jigs and worms. The 7' MHMF felt as described by Robert, a hair slower than generic fast, but still very versatile. The 7'1" felt truer to 'fast' action and like something I could get away with throwing a majority of the tackle box at. 

 

After some thought I think that I will invest in a more crankbait specific outfit in the future and only occasionally throw squarebills/lipless cranks/etc with this setup. Maybe I'll continue to use the spinning gear for those lures until then. Thanks for the suggestions!

I can feel the taste for higher end rods growing... Just holding the Avids/Legends...  And I haven't even fished a quality rod yet!

 

Thanks for the direct input as an owner of the rod! After holding it in person I felt it might be a little stiff for some of my applications in comparison to the 7'1" MHF. Definitely a subtle difference though. 

 

 

Appreciate the info! After holding the 7'1" in person & hearing your feedback, I am set that this is the rod for me. Now to figure out the right line. Can't wait to break her in!

 

Thank you everyone for all the help. Cheers 

I'm glad you found one you like! The 7'1" MH/F is a great rod as well I've got one of those in the LTB line. You're right, the bait monkey hits hard when you get around those high end sticks! I only live about an hour and a half from the factory, and going in their store is VERY dangerous for the pocketbook haha. Enjoy your rod and may it haul in many fish for you!