BPS MH Carbonlite 2.0 Suggestions

[Corey T]

I just started getting into bass fishing with my father-in-law since I have completed my grad program and have settled down. I grew up on the water but admit that most of my time was spent fishing for crappie. With that said, I've got a steep learning curve ahead related to rods and reels, tackle, and so on.

 

My question: I was gifted a BPS Carbonlite 2.0 Medium Heavy 8.3:1. What are some ideal set ups (application, line, tackle) that I could use? Thanks in advance!

[Fishingmickey]

MBB,

     I'll assume that is a BPS carbonlite combo your talking about (MH rod with a 8.3:1 retrieve ratio reel)? Rod length and action would help narrow it some. 

     I will assume it is between 6'10" and 7'2" and fast action.  You have a great multi-tasking rod and reel set-up if that is the case. It should be fine for fishing worms, jig's, carolina rigs, spinner baits, top water etc. Pretty much everything between 1/4 - 3/4 oz.  I'd spool it with something between 12 - 16# mono or flourocarbon  or 30-40# braid.

Good luck!

Fishingmickey

[Corey T]

Thanks for the feedback, fishingmickey, I really do appreciate it. It is the combo... a 6’9” fast action. I’m just excited to start getting my own equipment.

 

We run the boat along the banks most of the time. I would like to get a second Carbonlite 2.0 combo and keep the length of the rod the same and have the same reel ratio while I get more experience. Would it make sense to get a Medium-Light to have a little diversity in what I throw for bank fishing?

[LCG]

I think a spinning rod would make more sense for a second rod. Something to throw lighter finnese stuff. 

 

The combo you have now should offer a lot of variety. Jigs, Texas rigged soft plastics, top water frogs, pretty much anything within the rods lure rating. 

 

This is an awesome site with a lit of people willing to share their knowledge and experience. You can learn lots by reading the forums, but I can get overwhelming. 

 

Probably best to focus on one or two techniques at first and grow from there. Good luck to you and welcome to the forums. 

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard!

 

I have no experience with the CL 2 rods other than

hands-on in-store. That said, I've got the earlier black

and white models in both casting and spinning from

Medium to one MH. The MH is great for jigs, TX rigs,

and so on. You'll get a lot of use out of it.

[Dieselguy416]

I use my medium light carbonlite for Ned rigs and light plastics. I don't like using spinning gear from a kayak. I paired it with a Daiwa tatula sv though which is perfect for sub 1/4 oz baits. 

[Corey T]

Back to the original rod and reel...

 

We fish a lot of ChatterBait and I picked up a couple Pop R the other day. This should match up well, right?

[LCG]

As long as you stay within the rods lure rating, your good. Middle of the rating is usually the sweet spot. 

[Corey T]

Thanks, Luke. I’m sure a lot of this is basic info but there are so many different resources and opinions out there that it is hard to know where to start. My father-in-law is a class act and will certainly help get me up to speed but I want to put in the effort on my end and not play 20 questions when we actually make our way to the water. 

[Fishingmickey]

MBB,

     Best advice I can give you if your just getting back into bass fishing is to learn how to fish a texas rigged worm! After you acquire a good sense of feel. That sense of feel will transfer over to jigs or other plastics you'd fish. 

     My favorite set-up for that is a medium heavy combo with 14# flouro and a 3/16th oz worm weight on a 3/0 straight shank hook (owner or gamakatsu). I do like the Berkely power worms for that set up. That combo would be fine for chatterbaits also.

     If you decide to go with a second combo. I'd advise another MH set-up or go with a spinning set-up for finesse fishing and smaller baits like Senko's, Ned rig, drop shot, small cranks and small poppers like the Pop'r. Basically lures that are under a 1/4 oz that would be harder to cast on a bait casting rig. Run a lighter line like 6-10lb mono/flouro or 20# braid on the spinning rig.

Fishingmickey  

[LCG]

45 minutes ago, Fishingmickey said:

texas rigged worm!

X2 and jig with a Craw trailer

[DomQ]

I just picked up the carbonlite 2.0 rod and reel combo, rod feels great and the reel is nice. What is it based off of? The lews LSF or the MB? 

[Riazuli]

For your second combo, I'd look at getting a medium fast rod, since you've already got a medium heavy.  Also, if you prefer baitcasters over spinning like I do, the medium fast will work well for plastics (worms, etc.), jerkbaits, and lighter topwaters like pop r.  The medium heavy is probably better suited for the chatterbaits depending on the weight - like others were saying, use the lure ratings on the rods to guide you with that. Lighter crankbaits on the medium and heavier crankbaits on the mh and just whatever feels comfortable for you while trying to stick to the lure ratings.  Heavier cover go with mh, again keeping lure rating in mind.  Also, the bass pro sale is still on until Sunday 3/4, so if you're able to catch the sale before it ends, they offer great deals with a reel and /or rod trade in.  I'm guessing the carbonlite 2.0 combos are sold out everywhere at the $120 price... If they're not you would be lucky to get one of those.  If they are sold out, rather than get that, which would run you around 200 bucks with trade ins (~80 more than the combo deal)... At that point, I'd say maybe consider something a little higher end like a Shimano Curado K or something like that.  I know you don't have a ton of time to research with Sunday upon us, but I'd give it a good look on Saturday 3/3 and see if you can come up with something within your budget based on threads from forums and online reviews.  The Johnny Morris signature series rod is on sale now for 125, and that has a higher rated graphite build than the carbonlite 2.0.  You could get that at 100 with a trade in.  Walmart has 10 dollar combos that are good for two trade in coupons toward a rod and a reel if you don't have something already to trade in (you're likely to get around 20-30 off of each depending on the price of your new rod and reel).  The Curado K comes down to 150 (although I also noticed you can also get those new on eBay for around that price or less from some vendors without having to do a trade in).  Daiwa also makes good reels (I'd go with a daiwa or Shimano, with my personal preference leaning toward Shimano).  The tatula sv tw is a good reel, probably more comparable to a Curado K at least in price (can get both at different places new around 150).  Just some things to think about!  Don't get bit too hard by the bait monkey

[DmG]

On 1/29/2018 at 9:28 PM, Dieselguy416 said:

I use my medium light carbonlite for Ned rigs and light plastics. I don't like using spinning gear from a kayak. I paired it with a Daiwa tatula sv though which is perfect for sub 1/4 oz baits. 

Is it the 6’6” or 7’

[OnthePotomac]

I use my Carbonlite 2.0 MH fast tip rods for all plastics, unweighted and weighted and all jigs with fast reels.  My Carbonlite 2.0 mediums for cranks, top waters and spinnerbaits.  Love those new gripes on the 2.0 rods.

[Falkus]

First of all, Welcome to the "Monkey Bait" Club ...

 

Wait until you spend more money for some of those sick rods/reels or lures.

 

You have been warned ?