Multiple setups or one really good setup?

[BassNemesis]

Hi Folks,
 

Long time lurker...first time poster.
First off, thanks for all the postings....I've spent hours (and hours ) combing through archives.  Not sure we say enough of that these days.

 

My home lake is Lake Simcoe, Ontario.  Big lake with a wide spectrum of fish - pike, perch, walleye and big bass  5,6,7+ are not uncommon, but quantities are a challenge, and to my point. On average not getting huge volumes of bites, but decent sizes when you do.

 

Depending on season, you'll need various setups, flipping, top water, DS, spinning and cranking...literally everything.

I'm wondering if folks typically have 1  good setup for each technique or 2 decent setups? (Now doubt 'Good' and 'Decent' are loaded terms, but hoping you get my point   My budget is roughly 400 for rod/reel combo for good setup.

Part of me is thinking to get the various decent setups so I really get to feel the decent rods/reel and figure our what I may like/not like.
Part of me is thinking to get 1 decent rod and future proof with a good rod/reel investment..
 

Thoughts?

[Hawkeye21]

I prefer to have multiple good combos.  When I'm out fishing I hate having to tie on a different lure each time I want to switch it up.  I like to have at least three different setups so I can switch between them easily.

[Angry John]

I like high end gear so my answer is loaded.  I would rather have the best setup and work only 3 than have 20.  I think you could work with 3, A dropshot/shakey/tube spinning rod, a rattle trap/spinnerbait/light jig and a heavy frog/heavy jig/swimbait/swimjig rod.  How you accomplish this is up for great debate but here is what I would do.

1.dobyns dx 742 certate spinning reel with 6 lb flouro or braid to leader

2. St Croix lec70mf steez sv with 15 lb p-line 100%

3. MB XX perfect pitch with daiwa zillion j dream with 40 lb braid

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard!

 

I would say you can get away with two good setups,

especially if you are a recreational fisherman (me).

Often I will go out on my kayak with only two setups,

but there are times when I'll take 3 or 4, each rigged

with a different technique.

 

For $400 you can score an excellent rod/reel combo, 

and getting your hands on everything in-store is the

best way to feel what balances right in your hands.

 

Spinning setups for me are usually Medium and ML

rods paired with Shimano Stradic 1000 reels. I plan

to (re)add a MH to my spinning setups eventually.

 

Casting: MH and ML rod which share a Chronarch 50e.

[blckshirt98]

You don't need a "really good" setup, just a setup that you will fish and not replace.  One thing you want to avoid is to buy multiple setups for the sake of having multiple setups, already knowing you'll replace them before you even get to the checkout line.

[WRB]

You don't need to start out with multiple bass fishing rods and reels, you can only use one at a time.

The all around bass combo is a 4 power or MH fast action 6'10" to 7'4" rod and 100 size bait casting reel well within $300- $400 budget. Buy the best quality, not the highest price point and your combo will last years. Add a new combo as needed after you have mastered the use of the combo you have. 

With adult size bass being available my suggestion is target them using jigs and soft platics the majority of the time. You can use the same rod & reel combo for several other presentations like chatter baits, spinnerbaits, 5" to 6" hollow body swimbaits etc., affectively.

Tom

[Spankey]

I think decent is a term that would be though to define. 

 

I like my St. Croix Rods. I fish the Premier Spins, Premier Crankbait Rods, Avids and Mojos. I could get an up scale St. Croix but can't see it. I have (2) Premier CB rods that I feel are far better rods. But it is only an opinion.

 

You could go to Cabela's and get a ML/M Tourney Special with a mod. fast action, put on a Shimano Sedona or Sahara on it with some Trilene 6lb. test and have one heck of a light Crankbait set up. 3/16 to 5/16 baits. This will cover a lot of cranks. Maybe too light for your fish but just in general and only put out $125. 

 

I would say buy what feels right and buy for the intended purpose. You can always up grade later. 

 

My love affair with St. Croix might come to an end with my next rod. Recently found some Shimano Rods that feel great. I need a Lite 7 ft. one piece. They have some new casting rods for this year that a nice. They just don't carry as good of a warranty. 

[bagofdonuts]

I'm kinda opposite of some. I'd rather have two decent $200 rod/reel combos that do different things than one really nice $400 set up. You can get a lot of really nice reels these days in the $100 range, same is true of rods. I don't like spending alot of time on the water changing lures. I want to be able to pick up a worm rod or jig rod and fire it out there.

[Neil McCauley]

Wait... so you are asking whether you should get 1 "good" vs 2 "decent" rod setups per fishing technique? So, 5+ techniques...5-10 rod setups? How many do you currently have?

I think it depends where and how you fish, and what other gear you'd like to have that might take priority. You say your lake requires all those various presentations, but which does it actually the most? No use having a fancy setup for presentations you rarely use, or to have so all these setups but a sub-optimal boat or electronics.

[CTBassin860]

Definitely multiple good ones.If i had 400 to blow on a setup id have a St. Croix LTB and a new Tatula CT!

[gim]

You gotta start somewhere.  Every one of us started with ONE rod and ONE reel.  We didn't all go out and spend $4 grand on 10 of the best rods n reels on the market.  You accumulate this gear over a long period of time.  Same with tackle.  Try one setup and if you like it, stick with that brand.  If the first one isn't great, then try something else.  Eventually you'll find what you prefer more and start to use them.

[Raul]

I can whup butt with one setup and I want it to be real good.

[BassNemesis]

Thanks folks...lots of excellent points to consider!

 

To answer some of the questions:

• In my experience, chatting with others and the various fishing shows filmed there lol, the lake has/requires various techniques through the season.  Since I leave on the lake, I plan to get out even more frequently that my expectation would be do leverage most of then.
• I should have mentioned earlier, but I have a several rods. Each of which I would say are generally entry level rods/reels

 

In thinking about this a bit more, I may turn a couple of my current rods into a second technique rod and 'invest' in a good rod/reel...perhaps dependent on a local sale or two ;-).  

Fortunately (or unfortunately) bass season opens late June in my area, so I'll have plenty of time to keep perusing the forums!

 

Thanks folks...lots of excellent points to consider!

 

To answer some of the questions:

• In my experience, chatting with others and the various fishing shows filmed there lol, the lake has/requires various techniques through the season.  Since I leave on the lake, I plan to get out even more frequently that my expectation would be do leverage most of then.
• I should have mentioned earlier, but I have a several rods. Each of which I would say are generally entry level rods/reels

 

In thinking about this a bit more, I may turn a couple of my current rods into a second technique rod and 'invest' in a good rod/reel...perhaps dependent on a local sale or two ;-).  

Fortunately (or unfortunately) bass season opens late June in my area, so I'll have plenty of time to keep perusing the forums!

 

[JustinJ]

7' MH casting rod and a 7' medium powered spinning can do A LOT of things in the bass fishing world

[WRB]

1 hour ago, BassNemesis said:

Thanks folks...lots of excellent points to consider!

 

To answer some of the questions:

• In my experience, chatting with others and the various fishing shows filmed there lol, the lake has/requires various techniques through the season.  Since I leave on the lake, I plan to get out even more frequently that my expectation would be do leverage most of then.
• I should have mentioned earlier, but I have a several rods. Each of which I would say are generally entry level rods/reels

 

In thinking about this a bit more, I may turn a couple of my current rods into a second technique rod and 'invest' in a good rod/reel...perhaps dependent on a local sale or two ;-).  

Fortunately (or unfortunately) bass season opens late June in my area, so I'll have plenty of time to keep perusing the forums!

 

Thanks folks...lots of excellent points to consider!

 

To answer some of the questions:

• In my experience, chatting with others and the various fishing shows filmed there lol, the lake has/requires various techniques through the season.  Since I leave on the lake, I plan to get out even more frequently that my expectation would be do leverage most of then.
• I should have mentioned earlier, but I have a several rods. Each of which I would say are generally entry level rods/reels

 

In thinking about this a bit more, I may turn a couple of my current rods into a second technique rod and 'invest' in a good rod/reel...perhaps dependent on a local sale or two ;-).  

Fortunately (or unfortunately) bass season opens late June in my area, so I'll have plenty of time to keep perusing the forums!

 

OK, tell us what you already have, make and models ?

Tom

[scaleface]

Dont try to copy the pros . You dont need a setup for every technique . If your fishing from a boat I would have about four casting   setups that will handle everything . I dont have terribly expensive equipment and do just fine . I usually take a 7 foot med action rod that is used mostly for crankbaits  . A 6'10" med hvy for worming . A couple of 6'6" inch rods for everything else . Throw in a spinning combo and i'm covered .

 

With a 400 dollar budget I would get two maybe three combos . There are some clearance sales going on right now and I bet I could squeeze three  combos out of four hundred dollars .

[Angry John]

1 hour ago, scaleface said:

Dont try to copy the pros . You dont need a setup for every technique . If your fishing from a boat I would have about four casting   setups that will handle everything . I dont have terribly expensive equipment and do just fine . I usually take a 7 foot med action rod that is used mostly for crankbaits  . A 6'10" med hvy for worming . A couple of 6'6" inch rods for everything else . Throw in a spinning combo and i'm covered .

 

With a 400 dollar budget I would get two maybe three combos . There are some clearance sales going on right now and I bet I could squeeze three  combos out of four hundred dollars .

And there I was thinking he had a 400 dollar budget each.  Seems everyone has vastly different ideas on what an expensive setup is.

[BassNemesis]

My apologies if I was unclear, but my rough budget was 400 per rod setup.
Currently...
Shimano Compre + Symmetre FJ 1000
St. Croix Mojo Bass + Quantum Smoke 6.6
Fenwick SMB + Daiwa Aird

Shimano Clarus + Cardiff 201A

 

Most of those setups were comparable in cost, but my thought was to upgrade to the next level.
As a example, really eyeing the St. Croix Avid for my crankbait setup.

[Angry John]

I love st croix but cranking is not where i like them.  Cranking i choose the dobyns graphite series or even a phoenix X series  The X-10 got a raving review on TT and i would have one had i not found my steez flex-light for such a good deal.

[jimf]

If you are just starting out with getting "decent/good" equipment and have a $400 budget, I would go with 2 "decent" setups as opposed to one "good" setup.   For the money you are talking, you should be able to do that.    I think the difference between "junk" and "decent" is huge, with a relatively small price jump.   The difference between "decent" and  "good" is much more subtle, with a higher price jump.   Once you have your bases covered with setups, you are likely to start diving into the "good" stuff, but for now I wouldn't do that.

 

The other advice I would have is spend a little more on the rod if you can.   For example, you could get a nice spinning outfit by going with a $130 St. Croix Mojo paired with a $50 Pflueger President.   I would to that before I put a nice Shimano Ultegra ($150) on an Ugly Stick ($50).   For one thing, my opinion is the rod is more important than the reel, and two the rod is going to have a longer lifespan than the reel.   You buy a solid rod and it will be in your lineup 10+ years from years now, but a $150 reel and chances are it's not around that long.

 

 

[blckshirt98]

$400 per setup is treading into "enthusiast" territory.  At that point I'd try to identify the 1-2 techniques you have the most confidence with, and just go for it and save up and get 1-2 technique specific dream setups that you'll use until the day you die.

[bigfruits]

looks like you have the bases covered already. take your time and get nice combos from here forward and sell combos that start collecting dust after purchasing new stuff.

 

instead of buying the same exact rod or very similar rod for the same techniques, i might get one that is a bit different in power in length.

for example, i have a 3 power 6'10" rod for jerkbaits, topwater, shallow and lipless cranks and a 4.5 power 7' for the same techiniques when using slightly heavier lures.

 

a problem ive had when having a "decent" combo and a "nice" combo for the same technique is that instead of having two different lures of the same type tied on, id end up switching lures on the nice rod and ignoring the other one.

 

id personally rather have 3 or 4 nice combos than 8-10 mediocre ones for recreational fishing. if i was a tournament angler i might think differently.

[offsidewing]

I fish southwestern Maine regularly.  I fish 2 combos for everything bass related.  I have more, but find myself mostly using two combos.  A spinning 6'8" Medium Xtra Fast rod with a 2500 sized spinning reel.  Then a 7' Medium Heavy Fast casting rod with a 100 sized baitcast reel.  

 

The spinning combo does the following:

Tube Jigs

Ned Rig

Shakeyhead

Senkos 5" and under

Flukes

Weighted plastics under 1/4 oz

Fat Ikas

 

Baitcasting combo for the following:

Weighted plastics 1/4 to 3/4 oz - football jigs, T rigged craws, swimbaits like Keitechs, wacky rigged 6 and 7 inch senkos.

Jerkbaits

Spooks

Spinnerbaits

Some squarebills/lipless cranks.

Flipping small grass patches.

 

Thats really all you need for bass up north.  This leaves out deep crankbaits, stuff like alabama rigs, and flipping really heavy cover.  

I do have casting gear for Ned rigs and tube jigs, but thats just for the heck of it.

 

 

 

 

 

[WI_Angler1989]

I'm kind of in the middle. I have 3 really nice setups that cover everything that I do. My best (most sensitive and costly) setup is my finesse rod/bottom contact rod. The 2 others are high quality rods with solid "bang for buck" reels.

So, I say get the best quality you can afford, in as many as you can afford. All gear catches fish, but if you're like me and enjoy using quality rods and reels its worth it.

[new2BC4bass]

I prefer baitcast outfits whenever possible.  Choices are many today.  Here's a few reels I've tried and liked.  Two excellent low budget reels are either of the Tatula series and Lew's Tournament MB...$95-$110.  Reels not likely to be mentioned that I put on my "favorites" list shortly after getting them are the Primmus Xi HS and Helios Air.  $225-$280.  Problem is you won't find them for the prices I paid which was a lot less.  Recently received a Helios that will be spooled today so I can take it tomorrow on my yearly Florida visit.  Beautiful looking reel and I assume I will be liking it also...based on the Helios Air.  It is a $200 reel that can be had from Amazon for $120.40 if you reel left handed.  Carbonite drag, carbon fiber handle and ABEC-5 spool bearings.  Although I do not have a Pflueger Supreme XT, I feel safe in recommending it because a good buddy of mine was impressed enough with his to buy another.  I do use Pflueger reels, just not that model and feel they are under-rated by most.  Not much experience with very many newer reels as most of mine are older models.

 

Now if you don't mind used....TD-Z 105H, Pixy/PX, any Alphas, Curado E, T3 1016 or T3 MX, gold colored Carbolites, Gen 2 Premier and Gen 1 and 2 STX, Chronarch A or B, Zillion and older Fuegos are a few more I like a lot.

 

Rods are also all over the place.  Here again most of mine are older models.  I have always felt I got good value for my money from Fenwick.  The Aetos 6'6" MLM brings a smile to my face every time I use it.  I am also a fan of Falcon rods.  Like my 7' M Helios enough that I want the MH model.  Very light rods.  Look hard enough and the 7' M can be found for $108 and the MH for about $19 more.  My Tatulas are giving me an appreciation for Daiwa's Regular action.  I have a couple MH Hammer rods that I was only able to use enough to say that I had tried them.  I expect them to be among my favorites.  Can say the same for my Phenix Recon 2.

 

The new Mojo blank is getting a lot of love as are the Dobyns Fury and Sierra.  A couple rods a generous member sold me (practically a give-a-way) are the Champion 704CB Glass and Orochi XX Diablo Spec R.  Love these rods.  You would have to stick one of the first two reels I mentioned on them to stay within budget unless buying a used reel.

 

Another low cost rod I like is the Redbone Hurricane.  Suggested to me by a fellow member.  Lucked out and picked up a discontinued 7' ML for $75.  Store had two.  Kick myself for not buying both.  Saltwater rod rated 3/8-3/4 oz. which is normally considered a MH for bass.  It and the Primmus will launch a 3/8 oz. crankbait the well known country mile.