Who wants a challenge? Five setups for tournament fishing

[Joe Be]

OK, here's the deal.  I've got a pile of rods, reels and gear available to me.  The problem is that I will be fishing tournaments and can only bring 4-5 setups (depending on the boater).  I'll fish any type of technique, but I don't prefer to use weightless plastics on a baitcaster.  For rod length reference, I'm about 5'8".

 

I would like (4) main setups and (1) "bonus" setup.  I'll use straight braid, braid with leaders, fluoro only, etc.  Please give me your best 5 setups, including techniques and line/leader setups*.

 

 

Thanks.

 

JB

 

 

*Obviously lake types, etc. are a factor but sometimes we don't even know what lake until the day of.  

 

 

Here is the gear:

BC Reels:

1. (3) Revo Winch: 5.4:1, 22" IPT
2. (5) Revo S: 6.4:1, 26" IPT
3. (1) Revo SX HS: 7.1:1, 29" IPT

 

Spinning Reels: 

1. (2) Quantum Speed Freak 40: 6.2:1, 39" IPT
2. (1) Quantum Smoke 40:  6.2:1, 33" IPT
3. Pflueger President 35:  5.2:1, 27.4" IPT
4. President 20:  5.2:1, 20.7" IPT

 

BC Rods:  

1. Skeet Reese: 7', Fast, Medium
2. Fenwick Elite Tech: 6'3", MF, Medium
3. Shimano Voltaeus: 6', Fast, Medium
4. Duckett Ghost:  7', Fast, MedHeavy
5. Abu Silver Max:  7', Fast, MedHeavy
6. Skeet Reese:  7', MF, MedHeavy

 

Spinning Rods:

1. Fenwick Elite Tech:  6'10", XFast, MedLight
2. Fenwick Elite Tech:  6'9", Fast, Medium
3. St. Croix Triumph:  6', Fast, Medium
4. (2) Abu Veritas:  6'6", Fast, Medium
5. Fenwick Elite Tech:  6'9", Fast, Medium
6. Skeet Reese:  6'10", MF, Medium

 

Line:

1. 30lb or 50lb braid
2. 8lb or 12lb Fluoro

[Dtrombly]

Casting rods- 

Skeet 7'M/F topwater

Elite Tech 6'3" jerkbaits

Duckett Ghost 7' MH/F jigs, t-rigs

Skeet 7' MH/MF spinnerbait,chatterbait 

 

Spinning-

Elite Tech 6'10" ML/XF dropshot 

[CroakHunter]

1 hour ago, Dtrombly said:

Casting rods- 

Skeet 7'M/F topwater

Elite Tech 6'3" jerkbaits

Duckett Ghost 7' MH/F jigs, t-rigs

Skeet 7' MH/MF spinnerbait,chatterbait 

 

Spinning-

Elite Tech 6'10" ML/XF dropshot 

Nailed it!

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

If it were me, the answer would change every tx based on location , season, conditions and partner. 

[Joe Be]

Thanks for the responses.  I guess what I was hoping for was a deeper dive into how you'd divide out the various reels.  What would you spool them with to make each one work with a handful of different bait types?  Do you bring extra reels/spools for different situations?  Do you expect to cut and/or tie leaders on the boat when switching baits?

 

Aside from preferring a 6' rod for top water (mostly spooks and poppers), I agree with the 4 other choices in principle.  I recognize, however, that a 6' rod is good for walking spooks, but maybe not as good for using frogs over pads.  In that regard, "top water" is a little ambiguous.  Furthermore, maybe straight braid works for frogs in pads, but braid with a mono leader is preferred for spooks.

 

In the end, I will definitely have to make decisions based on situation, as Delaware Valley Tackle suggested.  But I also need to be as versatile as possible, given the uncertainty of each lake, boater, etc.

 

 

Cheers.

 

JB

[J Francho]

The lake, location, cover, and boater's style will determine what you'll need.  If I'm fishing a tournament on Erie, then I'm bringing 5 spinning rigs, one for tubes, and four for drop shots.  If I'm fishing Cayuga, I'm going to only bring two spinning, one for wacky or finesse, and one for Drop shot.  The rest will heavy jig and worm, medium jig and worm, and a cranker.  If I'm fishing Oneida in the summer, then I'm bringing four flipping sticks and a frog rod.  I could go on and on with scenarios, but I think you get the gist. Talk it out with your boater before hand, and get an idea of what you'll be doing and do some lake study.  You'll know what to bring once you've done your homework.

[roadwarrior]

To round up to five right now I would add a jerkbait set-up and The Rig. 

[crypt]

On ‎10‎/‎7‎/‎2017 at 6:42 PM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

If it were me, the answer would change every tx based on location , season, conditions and partner. 

this..............