Rod & Reel Arsenal

[Quarry Man]

Rod & Reel Arsenal 

                                                                      Rods & Reels Currently In My Arsenal

 

Drop Shot Setup

• 7’0” M Cabela’s Tournament ZX
• 1500 Cabela’s Tournament ZX
• 20 lb braid/8 lb fluorocarbon

 

Swimbait Setup 

• 6’6” M Daiwa Samurai
• 4500 Okuma Stratus V
• 30 lb braid/15 lb fluorocarbon

 

Crankbait Setup

• 7’1” M Mod Cabela’s Tournament ZX
• Daiwa Zillion 7.3:1
• 10 lb monofilament

 

Spinnerbait Setup

• 7’1” MH Cabela’s Tournament ZX
• Cabela’s Arachnid 6.3:1
• 15 lb fluorocarbon

 

Jig Setup

• 7’3” MH *** *** ***
• Daiwa Tatula CT 7.3:1
• 15 lb fluorocarbon

 

Texas Rig Setup 

• 7’3” MH *** *** ***
• Quantum Smoke PT 7.0:1
• 30 lb braid

 

Flipping/Big Jig Setup

• 7’ XH Carrot Stix Wild Wild Black
• Quantum Smoke PT 7.3:1
• 50 lb braid

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Next Combos To Purchase

 

Wacky Rig Setup

• 7’1” MH Powell Max 
• 2500 Shimano Stradic FK
• 15 lb Suffix 832/8 lb Seaguar Invisx

Jerkbait Setup 

• 6’7” M *** ***
• 7.2:1 Shimano Curado 70
• 10lb Seaguar Invisx

Plastics Setup

• 7’ M ALX Ikos
• 7.2:1 Shimano Curado 70
• 20 lb Sufix 832

Flipping Setup

• 7’6” H Dobyns Sierra
• *** *** 8.1:1
• 50lb Sufix 832/20 lb Seaguar Abrazx

 

I know this is a lot to strive for, but I am planning on getting a job soon (16 yrs old). Is this enough to cover most of the techniques in bass fishing?

[NYBasser]

You have more than enough rods to cover 99% of bass fishing techniques. I would even recommend to cut down on some of the combos you have and upgrade some of the cheaper quality rods you have.

 

I have the Daiwa samurai 6'6", but I use it to mess around with carp, and I would definitely not regard it as a bass rod at all. The rod pretty much has no backbone and if you hook a nice fish, you are going to be in for a ride.

 

Many techniques in bass fishing overlap, and you can use one combo for many techniques. In theory, your Jig/T-rig/Plastics rod can be the same, so instead of buying 3 separate combos, why not use one rod to cover the 3 techniques and then use the money to upgrade some of your other combos? It only takes a minute or so to tie on a different bait. Just because the Pros have 15 combos on deck doesn't mean you need that many, especially if you are young and money is going to be a limiting factor. 

[Poolshark]

whatever makes you happy man. I've had up to 22 setups and I'm doing the opposite of you. I'm honing in on the 4 or 5 that I find most useful and I'm trying to make it the best gear I can. I'm simplifiying because i fish for joy and relaxation. It seems like there there is always new gear that I want and I keep adding to my Arsenal to the point that I now have way too much. There is no reason you will NEED all those setups, but if that makes you happy than by all means go for it. 

My only advice to anyone is find versatile gear and get quality stuff. Try to enjoy being out on the water and have fun 

 

 

[bigturtle]

You really only need 4-5 rods to cover all those techniques. Your spinnerbait, jerkbait, crankbait and swimbait can all be 1 rod. Jigs and texas rigs can be 1. Plastics and wacky can be 1. If you want to be like a pro fisherman and have 1 rod for every technique, go for it, but its a big waste of money for majority of us here. Buying 1 rod for 2, 3 or 4 different techniques is the way to go

[offsidewing]

Looks like you've put some thought into what you'd like to accomplish.  You've got some sensible set ups and a couple folks have given you advice where to improve.  I'm a sucker for the quality and value in the Cabela's Tournament ZX rods.

 

I'm doing the exact same thing as some others posted.  I'm cutting down on the number of combos I use. I've upgraded my three most versatile combos of which I do 75% of my fishing.  Those combos are quality gear where price is secondary  The other 2 combos are on Tournament ZX rods and quality but relatively inexpensive reels.  

[Quarry Man]

49 minutes ago, offsidewing said:

3 hours ago, Poolshark said:

 I'm honing in on the 4 or 5 that I find most useful and I'm trying to make it the best gear I can.

My only advice to anyone is find versatile gear and get quality stuff. Try to enjoy being out on the water and have fun 

 

4 hours ago, NYBasser said:

In theory, your Jig/T-rig/Plastics rod can be the same, so instead of buying 3 separate combos, why not use one rod to cover the 3 techniques and then use the money to upgrade some of your other combos? 

I'm doing the exact same thing as some others posted.  I'm cutting down on the number of combos I use. I've upgraded my three most versatile combos of which I do 75% of my fishing.  Those combos are quality gear where price is secondary

 

Ive thought about this before. Maybe I should get 1 nice Spinning setup, 1 nice medium caster, two medium heavies and a heavy

[Poolshark]

On March 14, 2017 at 10:06 PM, Quarry Man said:

 

Ive thought about this before. Maybe I should get 1 nice Spinning setup, 1 nice medium caster, two medium heavies and a heavy

 

sounds good. Simplify. Buy quality and have fun 

 

 

 

[Kris2016]

It all depends on what you want to do with your rods.  If you are planning on fishing tournaments with a bass club and would be limited on how many rods you take on someone else's boat, downsizing would be a good idea.  If you own a boat or intend on fishing from your boat or co-angler on someone else's it might be ok to have a bigger arsenal.  Back in my Gambler days I carried 17 rods, 2 spinning and the rest baitcasters.  But I was a serious bass fisherman back in those days.  Make the decision that YOU want to do and then follow YOUR decision.

 

PS  I just sold off about 10 rods at a local Fisherman's Flea Market because my present reservoir rig has Rod Sitters for 4 rods for me and 4 rods for my co-angler.  I make the choice on what to take with me and take no more than 5 including one spinning most times.

[dam0007]

?? Only thing I would consider doing is veering towards all the same or similar reels across the lineup give or take gear ratios. would help down the road when it comes time for maintenance and parts.. 

[CTBassin860]

Stick to 4-5 good setups that pull 2X duty.That is an attainable goal.You'd have to bag groceries/flip burgers for 2 years to attain your list.Having 15 setups,while as fun as that sounds.Is a bit overkill and you'll save a ton of money.

[Quarry Man]

1 hour ago, MassBassin508 said:

Stick to 4-5 good setups that pull 2X duty.That is an attainable goal.You'd have to bag groceries/flip burgers for 2 years to attain your list.Having 15 setups,while as fun as that sounds.Is a bit overkill and you'll save a ton of money.

 

I agree, maybe adding a setup a year is more of a reasonable rate. My current arsenal works fine. I wish I had the opportunity to stick with a 7' mf  spinning rod, 7' mf caster, 7' mhmf caster, and a 7'6 h caster, all at a high quality. Seems like that would be most practical. I think my rods will be fine. I can always go back to casting and reeling a senko all day long if need be

[CTBassin860]

4 minutes ago, Quarry Man said:

 

I agree, maybe adding a setup a year is more of a reasonable rate. My current arsenal works fine. I wish I had the opportunity to stick with a 7' mf  spinning rod, 7' mf caster, 7' mhmf caster, and a 7'6 h caster, all at a high quality. Seems like that would be most practical. I think my rods will be fine. I can always go back to casting and reeling a senko all day long if need be

Or you could sell off a setup to upgrade.For instance,sell off the T-Rig setup to pay for the soft plastics setup you want.

[Quarry Man]

2 minutes ago, MassBassin508 said:

Or you could sell off a setup to upgrade.For instance,sell off the T-Rig setup to pay for the soft plastics setup you want.

 

Im trying to sell my friend that rod. Also, it is on sale in the flea market!

[fishnkamp]

We have been pming back and forth. I went through a list of lure categories and we matched up his gear to some of the different categories. My advice has been to add one lighter spinning rod and then we went over all the different finesse baits those two rods can handle like grubs, tubes, light finesse tx rigs, Sencos, shakey heads, Ned Rigs, paddle tail swimbaits etc. Instead of buying a grand worth of rods and reels, I suggested that he pick one bait at a time.  For example Kalin Grubs. I would get the 5 inch Kalin's Lunker grubs in bluegill, watermelon/red flake,and smoke/S&P. I like the Bass Pro Shops Perfect finesse worm jigheads (a one piece hook and worm weight, like a slider head). I would pick up two packs of the 3 colors and two packs of the jigheads in 1/8 and 1/4 ounce.  Now he has colors that work in off color and clear water and has a complete system to fish with.

Next I would add drop shot hooks and a couple of baits for that technique. And so on.  

I would spend some time concentrating on catching fish on those new baits along with the other baits I had for my other rods.

 

Once you have a good feel for all of that, I would look at the baitcasters I had and determine what they can throw well. I would then add some new baits and get good with those.  He has a 7 foot mh rod. I would concentrate on fishing both texas rigged plastics and jigs. A regular Arkie style jig, as well as swimjigs are powerful tools in a lot of bodies of water.  I would experiment with his 7 foot Medium mod rod. Learn to catch fish with rattle traps ( try SK Red Eye Shads, Bill Lewis Rattle Traps and some Booyas, especially the one knockers) squarebills, shallow divers and mid depth divers. And so on.  Find out what your rods do well and which ones you have trouble catching fish on. Add a few baits to your tackle bag as you go along.  This method will increase your tackle options but also educate you on how they work and when. 

 

 

After all of that you will identify what your current rods do well, and what baits you are good at fishing.  Lastly, you will know if you need a rod to do one specific technique or not. If after a season you never had any fish hiding in milfoil or lily pads, then a dedicated frog rod or punching rod is useless.  Maybe instead, you really need to upgrade one of your current rods. Perhaps you do have a body of water that the fish suspend deep and you can not live without a deep diving crankbait rod. The experience you do not have yet, will tell you the best way to go.

[Quarry Man]

34 minutes ago, fishnkamp said:

We have been pming back and forth. I went through a list of lure categories and we matched up his gear to some of the different categories. My advice has been to add one lighter spinning rod and then we went over all the different finesse baits those two rods can handle like grubs, tubes, light finesse tx rigs, Sencos, shakey heads, Ned Rigs, paddle tail swimbaits etc. Instead of buying a grand worth of rods and reels, I suggested that he pick one bait at a time.  For example Kalin Grubs. I would get the 5 inch Kalin's Lunker grubs in bluegill, watermelon/red flake,and smoke/S&P. I like the Bass Pro Shops Perfect finesse worm jigheads (a one piece hook and worm weight, like a slider head). I would pick up two packs of the 3 colors and two packs of the jigheads in 1/8 and 1/4 ounce.  Now he has colors that work in off color and clear water and has a complete system to fish with.

Next I would add drop shot hooks and a couple of baits for that technique. And so on.  

I would spend some time concentrating on catching fish on those new baits along with the other baits I had for my other rods.

 

Once you have a good feel for all of that, I would look at the baitcasters I had and determine what they can throw well. I would then add some new baits and get good with those.  He has a 7 foot mh rod. I would concentrate on fishing both texas rigged plastics and jigs. A regular Arkie style jig, as well as swimjigs are powerful tools in a lot of bodies of water.  I would experiment with his 7 foot Medium mod rod. Learn to catch fish with rattle traps ( try SK Red Eye Shads, Bill Lewis Rattle Traps and some Booyas, especially the one knockers) squarebills, shallow divers and mid depth divers. And so on.  Find out what your rods do well and which ones you have trouble catching fish on. Add a few baits to your tackle bag as you go along.  This method will increase your tackle options but also educate you on how they work and when. 

 

 

After all of that you will identify what your current rods do well, and what baits you are good at fishing.  Lastly, you will know if you need a rod to do one specific technique or not. If after a season you never had any fish hiding in milfoil or lily pads, then a dedicated frog rod or punching rod is useless.  Maybe instead, you really need to upgrade one of your current rods. Perhaps you do have a body of water that the fish suspend deep and you can not live without a deep diving crankbait rod. The experience you do not have yet, will tell you the best way to go.

 

Thanks for all the help! I am going to get the spinning setup. I will also invest in some more finesse baits too!

[jimf]

I like this article which outlines 6 combo's to cover everything:

http://www.***/outdoors/***/story/1465944-6-rod-and-reel-bass-fishing-system-rods

 

And coincidently that is exactly how many combos I carry with me, and in fact it's 5 baitcasters and 1 spinning outfit I use for finesse.   My setup is not that far off from that article and I think it works great.

 

[Quarry Man]

I like the thought of having enough rods to not have to retie every time you want to throw a new lure, but having 30 rods is pointless to me, i barely have 30 lures to begin with...

[bigturtle]

8 minutes ago, Quarry Man said:

i barely have 30 lures to begin with...

 

[Quarry Man]

1 minute ago, bigturtle said:

 

 

Haha I meant types of lures, that would require 30 setups, also way too expensive for me.