Heavy-ish Spinning Rig for Smallies 7' or so - Help

[XpressJeff]

Folks, I have not looked at the newer spinning gear at all and what I own is too old/light/small to deal with the quality fish I hope to attract. I need help and I am kinda poor by the standards some of you folks buy gear.

 

I would like a rod with a backbone that will not weigh a ton and wear out this old man and a nice reel.

 

Being a retired government employee my budget has got be in the $250-300 range and it will be used for multiple types of baits. I have not researched reel sizes but SMB will be my target audience.

 

I am glad to blessed enough to get back into fishing but I did not realize just how much the gear has changed in 20 years!

[Darren.]

42 minutes ago, XpressJeff said:

Folks, I have not looked at the newer spinning gear at all and what I own is too old/light/small to deal with the quality fish I hope to attract. I need help and I am kinda poor by the standards some of you folks buy gear.

 

I would like a rod with a backbone that will not weigh a ton and wear out this old man and a nice reel.

 

Being a retired government employee my budget has got be in the $250-300 range and it will be used for multiple types of baits. I have not researched reel sizes but SMB will be my target audience.

 

I am glad to blessed enough to get back into fishing but I did not realize just how much the gear has changed in 20 years!

 

When you say "heavy-ish", I'm assuming you are not

referring to the rod power? I go with MLXF and M for

most of my bass fishing. ML for smallies.

 

As far as quality rods, BPS Carbonlite, St. Croix Premier,

and many others. I'd look for ML or M power.

 

The Shimano Stradic FK in a 1000 or 2500 size (1000 for me)

can be had for $139.

 

Hard to find a better reel for the price. Quality is top notch.

[XpressJeff]

.Thank you Darren, please let me know where to find the size (1000-2500) for spinning reels if possible.

 

My rods are just too wimpy.

 

In th e thread regarding music one fella has a video catching a SM and the rod he's using has more backbone and still a flexible tip. 

 

I don't know how to properly explain myself. Forgive my ignorance. The options were not as plentiful 20 years ago!

 

Ben Jefferson

[Darren.]

11 minutes ago, XpressJeff said:

.Thank you Darren, please let me know where to find the size (1000-2500) for spinning reels if possible.

 

My rods are just too wimpy.

 

In th e thread regarding music one fella has a video catching a SM and the rod he's using has more backbone and still a flexible tip. 

 

I don't know how to properly explain myself. Forgive my ignorance. The options were not as plentiful 20 years ago!

 

Ben Jefferson

 

Ben, the link to the reels is here:

 

http://www.americanlegacyfishing.com/shimano-stradic-fk-spinning-reels.html

 

And a ML rod with an XF (extra fast) tip is perfect for

smallie fishing, same with large mouth, IMO.

 

Here's a chart at St. Croix.

 

A ML (med light) St. Croix is closer to some rod makers

M (medium) power.

 

 

[XpressJeff]

Thank you Darren.

 

I lived in Wisconsin in previous life/wife and was able to stop at the St Croix facility when fishing Chippewa flowage area a. number of years ago. I purchased a few "Blems" that I cherish today still.

 

Appreciate your help

 

[5fishlimit]

You might also want to check out the spinning reels by Pflueger - specifically the President.  They are around $50 and a great reel for the money.  A LOT of people on this board - including myself - use them with zero issues.

[Fishin' Fool]

I think you would get a great set-up purchasing the new St Croix mojo SCIII blank 7' medium power fast action rod with a Pflueger President spinning reel ( I don't know my Pflueger reel sizes but I'm gonna guess a size 2500 reel).  For that price range you could almost afford 2 rods/reels.

[DubyaDee]

3 minutes ago, Fishin' Fool said:

I think you would get a great set-up purchasing the new St Croix mojo SCIII blank 7' medium power fast action rod with a Pflueger President spinning reel ( I don't know my Pflueger reel sizes but I'm gonna guess a size 2500 reel).  For that price range you could almost afford 2 rods/reels.

 

Can't go wrong with this.

[roadwarrior]

I suggest buying "the right" rod and using whatever spinning reel you currently have, then perhaps

upgrading the reel at a later date. I own the GLX version, but I think you will find this rod to be

EXACTLY what you are looking for:  http://www.americanlegacyfishing.com/g-loomis-popping-fishing-rod-pr844s-imx.html

 

 

[fishnkamp]

My wife and I chase big smallies every other year when we vacation in Tennessee and Kentucky. Dale Hollow is her favorite body of water in the world. Many of the smallies we catch are over 4 pounds with a bunch in the 6 and 7 range. 

 

She only fishes with spinning gear, which can offer some challenges when finding the best rigs for heavier application like when we fish for big smallies, stripers and cats.

Here are her best setups.

First another shout out to Pflueger reels. She fishes mostly those in a 6930 and 6935 sizes.

She fishes two G Loomis GL2 rods for finesse baits.  One is a 6 foot light action rod, a SJR 721 and it covers baits weighing 1/16 to 5/16.

 

Her next rod is a G Loomis GL2 6 foot medium action SJR 722. That covers 1/8 to 3/8 once baits.  Both of these rods could easily be replace with a rod in the 6'6 to 6'9 range and today I would consider nothing less than one of these rods in the SJR IMX lineup.  The IMX is a great rod blank. These rods cover really light baits like Ned Rigs, Sencos, tubes, grubs, and light texas rigged baits. Baits like Reaction Innovation Skinny Dippers and Little Dippers fished on lightly weighted swim bait hooks.   Research and add these to your smallie arsenal!

 

Her next rod is a bargain rod. It is a Berkely Lightning Rod Shock rod. It is a 6'6" medium power medium action rod. It cost less than $50 and throws small top mid sized crankbaits, rattle traps, and spinnerbaits.  All good smallie baits.

 

Next is an Irod Genesis II IRG713S “Fred’s Power Finesse Rod H”  This is a 7'1 heavy spinning rod. It handles baits from /16 to 7/16 and a little more. This is rated a s a Heavy Finesse rod. I read it a sa perfect rod for mid weight texas rigs and jigs.  It is a light well balanced answer for the purpose. Irod makes a super rod all across the lineups.

 

Her heavy rod is a Dopbyns Champion Sierra Series SA 705C. This is a workhorse. It is her 7 foot frog rod but could easily handle a heavy football jig fished on a deep ledge.

 

I am not sure how many of these rod categories you have covered.  Each one does a specific duty. I can recommend rods from all of these as well as Powell Rods  since Linda or I fish with rods from each company.  Most of the rods I mention would do a great job and fall in your budget.  If you have any questions just ask. 

 

 

[1BADAIR]

dobyns 743

[XpressJeff]

Thank you folks for the suggestions.

 

It's causing me to learn a lot!

 

I am going to have to get a neck brace soon because my head will be too heavy!

[PatrickKnight]

6 hours ago, 1BADAIR said:

dobyns 743

 

These guys will give you a discount for your service!!

 

And thank you very much for your service!

[XpressJeff]

PM sent Patrick

[BassThumb]

Dobyns Fury 703sf and a Shimano Sahara FE 2500 will run you about $170 right now. It'll be a great set-up for someone get to back into fishing.