What should my first dedicated setup be for?

[JFlynn97]

I've only ever fished with rod and reel combos, and I have two - a shakespeare catch more fish bass spinning combo, and an abu garcia silver max casting combo. I want to splurge a bit and get my first dedicated rod/reel setup. But I'm having trouble figuring out what it should be for.

 

So far I know I want it to be a baitcasting set up. But I'm unsure what I should have it dedicated for. A cranking rod for moving baits (cranks, chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, etc)? A topwater/frogging rod? Which would be the most practical one to get? 

 

I'd also love to know some rod and reel specifications that would work best for its purpose. Rod length/action/power? Reel size/gear ratio? For reference, I pretty much strictly bank fish on the east coast.

 

Thanks a ton in advance!

[Further North]

I'd go one of two ways with this:

 

1. Set up a new dedicated rig for your favorite way of fishing, or
2. Set up a dedicated rig for a technique you really want to learn.

I did the 2nd when I really wanted to learn baitcasting finesse.  Had a blast with it and the dedicated rig made it that much easier to learn and get better at.

[JFlynn97]

31 minutes ago, Further North said:

I'd go one of two ways with this:

 

1. Set up a new dedicated rig for your favorite way of fishing, or
2. Set up a dedicated rig for a technique you really want to learn.

I did the 2nd when I really wanted to learn baitcasting finesse.  Had a blast with it and the dedicated rig made it that much easier to learn and get better at.

Oh I like that idea a lot. I've always wanted to get good at fishing with jigs, and I've always had trouble identifying structure and composition of the bottom of lakes/ponds so that would probably help a lot, right? 

[fishnkamp]

Help me a little. I know you said you bank fish on the east coast.

I live in MD and fish everything from big tidal rivers, to small creeks and small rivers, to ponds, and lakes- all the way up to 60 mile long, very deep lakes out west in TN, and KY.  So, what type of water do you fish? Is it local clear water ponds and lakes, slow moving streams, small rivers or big lakes and rivers? They all have banks, but you attack each of them with different techniques.

You mentioned something about a frog rod. Fishing frogs is fun but until 3 years ago I never needed a dedicated frog rod or even a Punching rod and I have been fishing since 1970.  

Help me identify what your body of water is like. Do you have a lot of heavy vegetation? If so maybe a dedicated frog rod is needed., It sounds to me that you really could use a high quality all purpose rod that could throw some bottom contact baits like jigs and texas rigs, while you could also throw the occasional top water plug as well as a buzzbait or chatterbaits.  

 

Here are two rods I know would do well for you.

First look at a Dobyns Fury FR 734C baitcasting rod. This is a good quality, sensitive 7'3" Heavy ( they rate a little heavier than they are) baitcasting rod. They regularly sell for $110.  They are available on sale from Tackle Warehouse for around $95 during their 4th of July sale ( good till 7/7/17)  You will be amazed at what you can feel with that rod. It will throw jigs, texas rigged plastics, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, even some small swimbaits.  I know you will get a lot of use out of that rod.

 

Next I would look at a Powell Max 3D model 683 CEF.  This is another rod I really like.  I own the original version of it.  It was called a Max 683 CEF. I use this rod for all kinds of fishing, it is one of my most versatile rods in my arsenal. By the way I fish with 12 baitcasters in my arsenal, along with 3 spinning rods too.

For more info on this rod go read this Tackletour review on my original version 683 CEF. The Max 3D is nearly identical, the taper and action are the same, the graphite blank was improved some.

This rod costs $110 on sale.

Go here  http://www.tackletour.com/reviewpowell683cxfast.html

 

Now for a reel. I would recommend a Daiwa Fuego or Daiwa Tatula CT. Both of these could be purchased during this sale and are extremely easy to cast with.  

 

I think your Silver Max combo could handle some crankbait and rattle trap fishing so between the three rods you should have most techniques covered. In the future you could upgrade to a better dedicated crankbait/ rattle trap / jerkbait rod.  I would consider a Dobyns Fury 705CB and move your Silver Max over to it.  

 

 

[Further North]

1 minute ago, JFlynn97 said:

Oh I like that idea a lot. I've always wanted to get good at fishing with jigs, and I've always had trouble identifying structure and composition of the bottom of lakes/ponds so that would probably help a lot, right? 

I would think so.

 

Read on to see what the other folks have to say, then ponder and reflect a little...then get 'er done!  Most important: Have fun with it.

[JFlynn97]

13 minutes ago, fishnkamp said:

Help me a little. I know you said you bank fish on the east coast.

I live in MD and fish everything from big tidal rivers, to small creeks and small rivers, to ponds, and lakes- all the way up to 60 mile long, very deep lakes out west in TN, and KY.  So, what type of water do you fish? Is it local clear water ponds and lakes, slow moving streams, small rivers or big lakes and rivers? They all have banks, but you attack each of them with different techniques.

You mentioned something about a frog rod. Fishing frogs is fun but until 3 years ago I never needed a dedicated frog rod or even a Punching rod and I have been fishing since 1970.  

Help me identify what your body of water is like. Do you have a lot of heavy vegetation? If so maybe a dedicated frog rod is needed., It sounds to me that you really could use a high quality all purpose rod that could throw some bottom contact baits like jigs and texas rigs, while you could also throw the occasional top water plug as well as a buzzbait or chatterbaits.  

 

Here are two rods I know would do well for you.

First look at a Dobyns Fury FR 734C baitcasting rod. This is a good quality, sensitive 7'3" Heavy ( they rate a little heavier than they are) baitcasting rod. They regularly sell for $110.  They are available on sale from Tackle Warehouse for around $95 during their 4th of July sale ( good till 7/7/17)  You will be amazed at what you can feel with that rod. It will throw jigs, texas rigged plastics, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, even some small swimbaits.  I know you will get a lot of use out of that rod.

 

Next I would look at a Powell Max 3D model 683 CEF.  This is another rod I really like.  I own the original version of it.  It was called a Max 683 CEF. I use this rod for all kinds of fishing, it is one of my most versatile rods in my arsenal. By the way I fish with 12 baitcasters in my arsenal, along with 3 spinning rods too.

For more info on this rod go read this Tackletour review on my original version 683 CEF. The Max 3D is nearly identical, the taper and action are the same, the graphite blank was improved some.

This rod costs $110 on sale.

Go here  http://www.tackletour.com/reviewpowell683cxfast.html

 

Now for a reel. I would recommend a Daiwa Fuego or Daiwa Tatula CT. Both of these could be purchased during this sale and are extremely easy to cast with.  

 

I think your Silver Max combo could handle some crankbait and rattle trap fishing so between the three rods you should have most techniques covered. In the future you could upgrade to a better dedicated crankbait/ rattle trap / jerkbait rod.  I would consider a Dobyns Fury 705CB and move your Silver Max over to it.  

 

 

Thank you so much! I live in Delaware, fish mostly small ponds and lakes, practically all of which have vegetation, and typically stained water. I was thinking of getting a rod for jigs (if you see my last comment), so that first rod you posted looks great for me! I also noticed that the price is still $110, unless the sale doesn't start until the fourth of July aha. 

 

Thank you again, that was incredibly helpful!

[fishnkamp]

The 15% is a sale on everything. If you look at the banner on top you will see it. I am sure the discount will be applied when you check out with your cart full.  There is a red ="shop now button, I am not sure how it works.

 

I have fished many of the waters over on the shore. I love fishing Wye Mills and Tuckahoe lake.  If you look at the Fury 734 you could easily fish a frog like a MR Ribbit or even a Hollow bodied frog, obviously the 735 is a better choice for bigger frogs.  The MR Ribbits are what Dobyns refers to as Horny Toads LOl.  However you could also throw a buzzbait in that same situation. I fish them both sometimes.  Another idea would be something like a Buzz Plug or a Strike King Popping Perch, man that might work really well on that rod too.

[kickerfish1]

For my first dedicated setup it would be a jig and worm rod for bottom contact apps without a doubt. I would spend a little extra to get something nice. Depending upon your budge there are lots of great rods to consider from $100 to $500 and anything from brands like Loomis to JDM rods to custom builds. Another option may be to look at some used rods as well. You may be able to find a rod that retailed for $400 or $500 for Around $300 maybe less.

 

One can argue that you don't need a real spendy rod for spinnerbaits and chatterbaits, cranks, frogs, topwater, etc. but when the bait you fish requires you to feel the bite and get a good hook set the rod is going to be a key part of the equation in addition to the anglers skill, the reel, and line. I would make my 1st dedicated rod something for jig/worm apps.

[NHBull]

In my mind, a worm/jig should be the first dedicated rod, because they do so much more......Medium/fast

 

 

Everything else depend on type of water your on.........example, I love throwing CB but my deticated rod doesn't see as much action as my swimmer and topwater

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Fishin' Fool]

Keep in mind a drop shot rod for a dedicated set up also.