SHTF combo

[Lures'n'Liberty]

Are any of you preppers? I like to be ready for anything, and to be able to get mobile and be prepared in the event of the zombie apocalypse or any other situation where the need to bug out may arise. Was talking to a friend about this the other day, and space being a situation, there's only room for one combo. You may have to travel anywhere from coast to coast and have no particular target fish other than the kind that's for dinner, potentially you're only food source. What one rod/reel combo would you buy?

[HeavyDluxe]

Up to a 6'6 M spinning rod strung with 6-8lb mono.  If I'm near 'bigger' or 'toothier' critters consistently, make it a MH.

[Stasher1]

Emmrod Packer with some sort of bullet-proof baitcaster...like an Abu C3/C4 or a Calcutta. You won't be "sport fishing", so sensitivity isn't paramount, and the Emmrod is about as sturdy as you're going to find anywhere.

 

Mine, with a Zebco Omega Z03...

 

[d-camarena]

Uglystik

[Dinger0306]

24 minutes ago, Stasher1 said:

Emmrod Packer with some sort of bullet-proof baitcaster...like an Abu C3/C4 or a Calcutta. You won't be "sport fishing", so sensitivity isn't paramount, and the Emmrod is about as sturdy as you're going to find anywhere.

 

Mine, with a Zebco Omega Z03...

 

Looks like a sweet little setup.

[Stasher1]

12 minutes ago, Dinger0306 said:

Looks like a sweet little setup.

 

 

Thanks. It's taken a fair number of decent-sized cats over the past few years. It's not fancy or lightweight, but it's dead-nuts reliable and breaks down into a very compact package.

[Dinger0306]

1 minute ago, Stasher1 said:

 

 

Thanks. It's taken a fair number of decent-sized cats over the past few years. It's not fancy or lightweight, but it's dead-nuts reliable and breaks down into a very compact package.

You've given me an idea for a travel rod. Looks like it'd work well as a small stream smallmouth setup too. 

[Lures'n'Liberty]

Is that a spring? Sweet combo, I like it. Personally, I was thinking 6'6" MH Ugly Stik with a French Mitchell 300

[Stasher1]

3 hours ago, Lures'n'Liberty said:

Is that a spring? Sweet combo, I like it. Personally, I was thinking 6'6" MH Ugly Stik with a French Mitchell 300

 

 

Yes, it's a spring. The rod's power is determined by the number of coils on the spring. Neat design that allows you to cast it like a traditional rod or hold the lure, pull it back, and "slingshot" it out from under overhanging limbs.

 

All this Emmrod talk got me thinking about mine, and I wound up ordering another one from Walmart.com for less than $40 shipped to the store down the street. 

 

 

[Lures'n'Liberty]

I may have to buy one and change my tune. How do you like that Omega? I've mentioned in several other threads that I don't do baitcasters. Outside of 2 spinning combos, all of my bass rigs have Daiwa Goldcast or Silvercast reels on them and I've heard a lot of good things about that reel.

 

[S Hovanec]

Never given much thought to it.  Now that you mention it, I'll probably throw together some sort of low modulus 6.5'-7' 4pc travel spinning rod in ML or Medium power.  Probably Medium though.

[Lures'n'Liberty]

1 minute ago, S Hovanec said:

Never given much thought to it.  Now that you mention it, I'll probably throw together some sort of low modulus 6.5'-7' 4pc travel spinning rod in ML or Medium power.  Probably Medium though.

West Newton, PA? My man! I'm sure we're hitting some of the same holes. How's the Yough looking this year?

[S Hovanec]

1 minute ago, Lures'n'Liberty said:

How's the Yough looking this year?

 

High and muddy, just like the Mon.  I haven't been on the water yet this year and embarrassingly, haven't fished since Labor Day weekend.  Heading to Erie on the 26th to chase some smallies.

 

BTW, I found what I want to build for my SHTF rod.  Rodgeeks 6'6" M/F 4pc travel.  It will be the first Rodgeeks I've ever ordered with no color!  Gotta keep it subtle as to not attract the zombies!

[Stasher1]

14 minutes ago, Lures'n'Liberty said:

I may have to buy one and change my tune. How do you like that Omega? I've mentioned in several other threads that I don't do baitcasters. Outside of 2 spinning combos, all of my bass rigs have Daiwa Goldcast or Silvercast reels on them and I've heard a lot of good things about that reel.

 

 

 

Honestly, outside of ergonomics, I don't have a single complaint. It's a bit large to palm like a baitcaster, but it's butter-smooth, casts well, and has decent drag performance. It's also pretty d**n good looking, imho.

 

I'm contemplating picking up a Bullet for the new Emmrod, just for the higher retrieve rate.

[Lures'n'Liberty]

3 minutes ago, S Hovanec said:

 

High and muddy, just like the Mon. 

 

 

For sure. I was along the aquatorium on Sunday and only had a few real light hits. Went up to Pigeon and had better luck.

[S Hovanec]

I haven't fished pigeon in 20 years.  Used to fish off the wall at Peno's and slay the white bass.

[Lures'n'Liberty]

4 minutes ago, Stasher1 said:

 

 

Honestly, outside of ergonomics, I don't have a single complaint. It's a bit large to palm like a baitcaster, but it's butter-smooth, casts well, and has decent drag performance. It's also pretty d**n good looking, imho.

 

I'm contemplating picking up a Bullet for the new Emmrod, just for the higher retrieve rate.

I think the silvercast is the best looking on the market, shiny chrome (both of mine are mounted on glossy red rods from a MFR that I can't say) but chrome don't get you home. Do they make it in different sizes? I know Daiwa makes the GC/SC 80, 100, and 120. I like the 80s but for a one and only rod I'd go for the bigger one.

 

I've definitely looked into the bullet but haven't bit yet. I could really benefit from a fast retrieve reel and wish someone would make a quality 2 speed closed face reel. 

 

[S Hovanec]

7 minutes ago, Lures'n'Liberty said:

For sure. I was along the aquatorium on Sunday and only had a few real light hits. Went up to Pigeon and had better luck.

 

something is going wokny with my phone.  this posted twice.

[Lures'n'Liberty]

4 minutes ago, S Hovanec said:

I haven't fished pigeon in 20 years.  Used to fish off the wall at Peno's and slay the white bass.

It's not like it used to be. There are trees down in the creek from Bentleyville to the mouth and since Tri State closed they don't stock trout anymore. The smallies are still in there, though. Hell, if it's been 20 years, there's even a new bridge by the wall and a sewage pump station there now. The sewage authority did a nice job of cleaning up the section in between though.

[S Hovanec]

Another stretch I used to fish is from the wall near the new toll 43 bridge to Cox market.  Lots of sauger and smallies, and some pretty big carp too.

[Lures'n'Liberty]

1 minute ago, S Hovanec said:

Another stretch I used to fish is from the wall near the new toll 43 bridge to Cox market.  Lots of sauger and smallies, and some pretty big carp too.

Across from Flexicore, I know it well. That hole will probably hold fish forever. 

[S Hovanec]

Sorry I derailed your original post.

 

Enough of this local fishing discussion and back to SHTF rods.

[Brayberry]

For me it'd be a light action St Croix Travel Rod, packs down small and is light so easy to carry around.  For the Reel it'd be a Pflueger President Limited Edition, with braid or 6 - 8 lb test.  With that combo I should be able to get crappie, bass, catfish, bluegill, trout, walleye, etc

[Bucky205]

Put a spool of 20lb braid and some hooks in your grab bag.  You can use the braid for a number of things outside of fishing.  You can even use it to stitch up a cut.  Forget the rod and reel, a stick or cane pole will suffice.

[XpressJeff]

Ron Popeil's Pocket Fisherman!