Getting new rod/reel for the old man

[Matt_3479]

So my old man loves to fish. Knows nothing about it but loves to do it. Growing up he was big into hunting but the older he’s getting the more he prefers fishing. His birthday is coming up next month and I’d love to get him a new baitcaster set up but unfortunately I don’t know what to get. 

 

What he he wants to use it for is reefing bass and pike out of thicker cover. He has an old crappy baitcaster that he uses now and 2 spinning rods. This rod he will want to use for casting into weeds, trolling close to weeds for pike (with his mike the pike lure 1 1/2oz), and going probably some top water and senko’s in weeds and around docks for bass. 

 

I needs to keep it to probably 7’4” and smaller as he can’t fit much more on his boat. I’m thinking about a 7’-7’4” medium-heavy, fast action rod. Something maybe like the Shimano zodius, *** envy or muse, st. Croix avid X, Shimano crucial or whatever you might recommended! 

 

As for reels i can probably figure it out, but debating between a Shimano Curado, *** *** or c, Daiwa tatula sv type r or sv tws.

[Angry John]

I use a 7'4" avid for throwing an swaiver and it's got a lot of power.  Rated 1.5 oz but handles 2 great.  Don't know that I would trawl with a fast action but it's a great rod.  Mine is a custom build so I know the blank well if you like the factory build I would say it is a great choice.

[Matt_3479]

4 hours ago, Angry John said:

I use a 7'4" avid for throwing an swaiver and it's got a lot of power.  Rated 1.5 oz but handles 2 great.  Don't know that I would trawl with a fast action but it's a great rod.  Mine is a custom build so I know the blank well if you like the factory build I would say it is a great choice.

What would you recommend trolling with then? Moderate?

[Angry John]

Don't have a ton of experence trawling but slower actions are what I am used to.  I used a moderate fast and liked that but each company is so oooo diffrent on how they rate their rods.  St croix are more powerful than most and faster than most.  I wish everyone posted css numbers for a direct and easy comparison.  Only company I know that has is point blank.  

[thinkingredneck]

Hard to go wrong with St Croix

[fishnkamp]

For a reel I always suggest the Daiwa Tatula family. I use 7 of them ( Type Rs, CTs etc.)  In my opinion the brake system is great.  I tried one and just started replacing my Shimanos, and BPS  one by one. 

For an all around workhorse, go with a 6,3-1 Tatula CT for around $120 ( check everywhere online for the best price). There are some advantages to a Type R, nut not enough to really push you to one. I chose my type Rs due to gear ratios available at the time.

 

As for a rod I would normally tell you to consider something like a Dobyns Fury 734C. That is about as multi purpose as it gets. However you mentioned that 1 1/2 lure, so I would lean you towards the Fury 735C. That rod will do a lot for him except he may still need to find a solution for the lightweight baits like Sencos.

 

All in all you would be looking at about $240 for a setup like that. I fish with several Dobyns rods, but mine are Champions. My friend Ed fishes with either 4 or 5 Fury rods now and loves them as much as I do my Champions.

Either way Dad is going to love the new setup.

[Matt_3479]

3 hours ago, fishnkamp said:

For a reel I always suggest the Daiwa Tatula family. I use 7 of them ( Type Rs, CTs etc.)  In my opinion the brake system is great.  I tried one and just started replacing my Shimanos, and BPS  one by one. 

For an all around workhorse, go with a 6,3-1 Tatula CT for around $120 ( check everywhere online for the best price). There are some advantages to a Type R, nut not enough to really push you to one. I chose my type Rs due to gear ratios available at the time.

 

As for a rod I would normally tell you to consider something like a Dobyns Fury 734C. That is about as multi purpose as it gets. However you mentioned that 1 1/2 lure, so I would lean you towards the Fury 735C. That rod will do a lot for him except he may still need to find a solution for the lightweight baits like Sencos.

 

All in all you would be looking at about $240 for a setup like that. I fish with several Dobyns rods, but mine are Champions. My friend Ed fishes with either 4 or 5 Fury rods now and loves them as much as I do my Champions.

Either way Dad is going to love the new setup.

Thank you very much for the advice! He won’t be throwing 1 1/2oz lure but he will be trolling with it though. I just want to make sure it can handle that lure. Other then that, it will be 90% of the time smaller rapala’s, senko’s, twister tails, spoons and spinner baits and top water frogs. 

 

Im leaning towards the Daiwa tatula sv tws, or the type r. I’m really curious on the *** and *** reels though. As for rods dobyns are hard to find my neck of the woods (southern Ontario) but have been keeping a good eye on them. St. Croix avid x 7’ medium-heavy fast is on sale right now for a good price and is why I’m considering that. I’m also interested in loomis, muse/envy series of rods, dobyns champion xp 

[fishnkamp]

Dobyns, as well as most other manufacturers, is easy to get in Toronto. Just order from Tackle Warehouse, they regularly ship into Canada. I found that out for another Canadian angler last year.

I own Champion XPs and Sierras. Nice rods.

[Dwight Hottle]

The St Croix avid makes a MH moderate in 7' which handles casting baits 3/8 up to an 1oz. The moderate action rod makes a great trolling rod & treble hook rod. You dad will probably like it for single hook baits too. It will handle heavier baits when trolling. I would stick to the curado or tatula for a reel since they both have great track records.  

[new2BC4bass]

I personally feel you are going to have a hard time finding one rod to do all that.  Trolling 1-1/2 oz. and throwing small Rapalas and twister tails with the same rod is not something I think I could do.  However, my skill level isn't all that great.

[fishnkamp]

new2BC4bass you are correct, that is why I suggested he may still need to find as solution for the light weight baits. i would suggest using a 6'6 to  7' medium power fast action spinning rod for the light baits like grubs, tubes, Rapalas etc.

[Matt_3479]

20 hours ago, fishnkamp said:

new2BC4bass you are correct, that is why I suggested he may still need to find as solution for the light weight baits. i would suggest using a 6'6 to  7' medium power fast action spinning rod for the light baits like grubs, tubes, Rapalas etc.

 

Well he has 2-3 spinning rods from medium, to medium heavy, in fast and moderate-fast in the 6’6-7’ range. So leave those for the twister tails and such. And I just checked his current baitcaster (one a friend gave him as his first to try) and it’s a 7’ medium-heavy rated for 1/2-11/2oz looks to be moderate so he could use that for trolling. But I know he wants to get himself a nice rod finally as everything he has is cheaper so maybe focus more on a 7’-7’4” not to be used for trolling or that 1 1/2oz lure.

[fishnkamp]

Then a Dobyns Sierra or Champion XP series DC 734C would be my choice. Use the old setup to troll with. He will love the feel of the 734.  It is truly a great feeling versatile rod.

[Angry John]

Yea that avid x heavy would do well for the frog and even that heavy bait would be no issue.  If he has a second rod for the smaller baits it's a win.  Trying to get a rod to do a bunch is hard and something always has to give.  A megabass power versatile does a bunch but costs a decent ammount and will still not throw spinners.

[Matt_3479]

So I think I have narrowed it down to the 7’ medium-heavy avid x or a 7’ medium heavy shimano zodias as both Rods I can get on sale right now at a steal of a deal!! His current baitcaster can be used for the heavies and big lures, he has 2 spinning rods he can use for lighter jigs and twister tails, and this new rod he can use for his lighter top water, some rattle traps, senko’s and such. 

 

Got a local store looking into wait times but it’s looking like I’ll be either partnering it up with a Daiwa tatula sv tws in 6.3 or the Shimano Curado K in 6.2 as I was told there probably best for all round gear ratio. 

The other rod I can get at a wicked price is the shimano crucial but don’t hear too much about that one

[Matt_3479]

The other rod that is a great deal right now is the crucial but I never hear much about it

[Matt_3479]

Turns out I was able to get a great deal on a rod and reel so I’ve picked him up a st. Croix 7’ Medium Heavy avid x Fast Action rod, partnered up with a Diawa tatula sv tw 6.3:1. I was really unsure if that was the better gear ratio but from what I’ve read probably the best all round gear ratio. Hope he likes his new birthday present 

[Angry John]

2 hours ago, Matt_3479 said:

Turns out I was able to get a great deal on a rod and reel so I’ve picked him up a st. Croix 7’ Medium Heavy Fast Action rod, partnered up with a Diawa tatula sv tw 6.3:1. I was really unsure if that was the better gear ratio but from what I’ve read probably the best all round gear ratio. Hope he likes his new birthday present 

Does not say which line of rod you have but avids and above are sweeeet.  The 6.3 raito is what i use for almost everything and it is a very versatile speed.  He should be very happy....

[Matt_3479]

46 minutes ago, Angry John said:

Does not say which line of rod you have but avids and above are sweeeet.  The 6.3 raito is what i use for almost everything and it is a very versatile speed.  He should be very happy....

Thank you, didn’t realize I left it out. It’s the avid x rod. I have one in a spinning rod and love it. Awesome I was a little nervous on ordering a reel right away but the sale was over as of today so had to make a move

[Angry John]

I am sure he will be pumped as you have hit the point were they get really good.  Need a step dad

[Matt_3479]

21 minutes ago, Angry John said:

I am sure he will be pumped as you have hit the point were they get really good.  Need a step dad

haha