Only one to choose? Feedback please

[MUSLENUTZ]

I like to carry one rod and reel. I’m using Texas Rigs, spinner, crank, finesse fishing etc while only fishing from the shore. I’m always switching between lots of different lures but I only like carrying one set up.  So my question. If I am switching a lot of the time which is better. Spinning or Casting? If I change lures a lot will I be hassled by a bait caster. Bottom line, you have one set up from the shore. What are you choosing and why? I’m in the North East and there is always wind as well. Let me know your thoughts. Let me know your gear to if you want. Thanks!

[burrows]

I think maybe you should be looking for something mhmf maybe in the 6’9 6’10 since your on the bank it will help you to get under tight spots but a 7 foot will be fine also. I think you should find a good casting rod invest in a sensitive rod maybe in the 100 range Also a good  Bait casting reel also in that 100 range. You should be able to cover all your basis. What is your budget?

[Boomstick]

Well first, I personally find that it's easier for me to change lures on a baitcaster. It's also much better for lures that you cast a lot, so I would definitely go that way. I will also second what Burrows said about going with a 6'9" - 6'10" rod, and I also agree that spending around $100 on a rod and a reel is a good value point . I would probably go with a medium fast rod which can do weightless texas rigs, 3/8oz spinnerbaits and square bills and run 12lb line (mono or fluro if you are comfortable tying uni knots).

[FishTank]

I have a Shimano Core and a G. Loomis 6'6'' 783C GLX that I use for general purpose.  This is not a great setup from an economical set up but this rod and reel combo will do just about anything.  

 

The other setup I use from the bank is a St. Croix Avid 6' ML Fast with a Shimano Stradic.  This set up works well but it just isn't ideal for all situations. 

[MUSLENUTZ]

18 minutes ago, Burrows said:

I think maybe you should be looking for something mhmf maybe in the 6’9 6’10 since your on the bank it will help you to get under tight spots but a 7 foot will be fine also. I think you should find a good casting rod invest in a sensitive rod maybe in the 100 range Also a good  Bait casting reel also in that 100 range. You should be able to cover all your basis. What is your budget?

I was going for a stradic and a Avid x but That was my preference for a spinning set up. The avid x is on backorder so I have tine to see if I’m going spinning or casting. MHF 7ft

6 minutes ago, Boomstick said:

Well first, I personally find that it's easier for me to change lures on a baitcaster. It's also much better for lures that you cast a lot, so I would definitely go that way. I will also second what Burrows said about going with a 6'9" - 6'10" rod, and I also agree that spending around $100 on a rod and a reel is a good value point . I would probably go with a medium fast rod which can do weightless texas rigs, 3/8oz spinnerbaits and square bills and run 12lb line (mono or fluro if you are comfortable tying uni knots).

 

I’m thinking 7ft mhf. Lots of vegatation and slop where I fish . I have a 66mf and it’s not doing it. 

[islandbass]

From one shore angler, the ideal is to have one of each... period... ‘nuff said. 

 

But since you wish to self impose the constraint of using only one rod and you mentioned you use finesse techniques, then I would recommend spinning. 

 

Why? For this class of lures, the spinning is just as effective as a casting reel but two things where spinning will outshine casting is when you need to max cast into the wind with a lighter lure, from the bank. 

 

As shore anglers, we don’t have the luxury of having a boat to bring us closer to our targets as a way to counter strong wind or to reduce the distance to cast to our intended targets. 

 

Therefore, based on what you described, spinning.

[Oregon Native]

When I did a lot of bank fishing I used spinning.  Better distance in tighter places.  If bass weren't biting I could throw small stuff for other species.  Used braid with leader most of the time....and if not straight braid could be used in weeks and light braid cuts through weeds nicely.  Do like a little longer rod....at least a seven foot.  With spinning and you decide to wade a creek ...small grubs or tubes with a light head do well on this outfit.  For a reel I like the 1300 Daiwa  SS.  Ten pound braid.

[Boomstick]

10 hours ago, MUSLENUTZ said:

I was going for a stradic and a Avid x but That was my preference for a spinning set up. The avid x is on backorder so I have tine to see if I’m going spinning or casting. MHF 7ft

 

I’m thinking 7ft mhf. Lots of vegatation and slop where I fish . I have a 66mf and it’s not doing it. 

7ft mh/f isn't great for a crankbait and you can forget about finesse. Then again, I wouldn't try to throw all of those on the same rod to begin with.

 

I run a 6'10" MH/F for jigs, frogs and soft plastics, 7'2" MH/MF glass cranking rod for moving baits and a 6'9" ML/XF rod for finesse.

[NYWayfarer]

11 hours ago, MUSLENUTZ said:

I like to carry one rod and reel. I’m using Texas Rigs, spinner, crank, finesse fishing etc while only fishing from the shore. 

I find it impossible to do all of the above with one rod and reel. I carry a baitcasting set up 6'10' MH/F rod and a spinning set up with a size 100-200 reel on a ML/F rod. With these 2 combos I can cover anything from casting a 90 Whopper Plopper to using a Johnson Beetle Spin.

 

Since I fish the baitcaster more often I make sure the spinning set-up is something I don't mind getting beat up. It usually is resting against a tree or on my tackle bag when not in use.

 

 

[new2BC4bass]

I am like a couple others.  Would not like to fish all those lure types on one rod.  MH is going to be a little tough for light finesse.  Also like a couple others, if I had to do it all with one rod it would be a spinning rod.  And with the exception of this spring, I haven't used one of my spinning rods in several years.  However, for fishing from shore in any circumstances I personally would make out better with a spinning rod.  I need less room to cast with a spinning rod versus a baitcast rod.  Awful hard to make a smooth cast when space is severely limited.  This is no problem for a spinning rod, but is just asking for backlashes with a baitcast rod.  At least it is for me as I find myself being jerky when in limited space.  Jerky = Oh crap! 

[BankBasser]

7' M/F spinning would be my choice. With the appropriate weight lures you could cover everything you listed.

[J Francho]

My father caught all sorts of fish, from bass to salmon to northern pike with one rod.  It was a 7-6 Garcia Conolon spinning rod.  Medium heavy and moderate fast taper.  Paired with a DAM Quick 5000 spinning reel and 10# Trilene, he threw just about anything, short of really tiny baits.  I imagine with braid, you could downsize the reel, and find a rod with a similar action, and be able to handle most anything.  Would it be ideal?  No, but it would work, and work well.

[MUSLENUTZ]

4 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

I am like a couple others.  Would not like to fish all those lure types on one rod.  MH is going to be a little tough for light finesse.  Also like a couple others, if I had to do it all with one rod it would be a spinning rod.  And with the exception of this spring, I haven't used one of my spinning rods in several years.  However, for fishing from shore in any circumstances I personally would make out better with a spinning rod.  I need less room to cast with a spinning rod versus a baitcast rod.  Awful hard to make a smooth cast when space is severely limited.  This is no problem for a spinning rod, but is just asking for backlashes with a baitcast rod.  At least it is for me as I find myself being jerky when in limited space.  Jerky = Oh crap! 

I’m using a 6.6 Mf and it’s like using a tree branch. The vegatation is just too thick. I’m confident I’ll be able to finesse with a MHF. Thank you

1 minute ago, MUSLENUTZ said:

I’m using a 6.6 Mf and it’s like using a tree branch. The vegatation is just too thick. I’m confident I’ll be able to finesse with a MHF. Thank you

Also I find myself flipping with my spinning reel in tight places. That’s the reason I was leaning to the bait caster. More accuracy. But since I have a 6.6 mf i night give the bait caster a try. I dunno. I fish for long periods. Might be more fatigue with a bait caster vs spinning.  

[GReb]

6’6” MH mod-fast is the most versatile rod IMO. You can fish everything from top water to jigs. It’s compact enough to fit in most any vehicle.