Using the same rods and reels

[Quarry Man]

I watched an interesting video the other day where SmallmouthCrush, AKA Travis Manson talked about the rods and reels he uses. He said that he likes to use all the same reels and similar rods because they have the same feel. Do you think this is a good way of going about it? or do you think that people should buy different rods that perform better for certain. techniques? I personally see the point he makes, and would say to keep reels similar but maybe use some different rods.

[A-Jay]

Reels, yes - Rods, sort of..

I use one brand of low profile casting reel and one brand of round casting reels. (Quantum & Shimano)

Rods for me are pretty technique specific.

So while I have brands I prefer, I own/use several to meet my needs. (Quantum, Fenwick, St Croix, G Loomis & Lamiglas.

A-Jay

 

[roadwarrior]

You don't "need" different gear, but I prefer technique specific tackle. 

 

[redmeansdistortion]

Everybody has a method to their madness.  For bass fishing, I don't choose my rod according to technique but I consider the weights of the baits I'm throwing instead.  This has been my method for 30 years and it hasn't let me down yet.  Being primarily a steelhead fishermen, I definitely do go by technique for those as a hardware rod is vastly different from say a float rod or drift rod.  Rod choice will make or break you in that respect.  With bass, not so much.  Just my experience anyway.

[FishTank]

Again....

 

Reels I think can be the same but I would like different retrieve rates based on the technique.  For rods, I would want a range that will suit the needs of the bait and technique I am using. 

 

So if I were to set up my gear this way, I might go with the Shimano Curado or the Abu Garcia Revo STX.  They each have 3 retrieve speeds and will work for my type of fishing.  Rods, the St. Croix Legend Tournament might be an easy choice.  They have 20+ technique specific rods and the technique is printed on the rod handle.  Makes it kind of dummy proof.

 

For me personally though, I like to fish a variety of brands.  Each have their own specific feel and qualities.  In a small way this kind of increases the fishing fun for me.  I think I would change my mind if I was tournament fishing on a regular basis or if I fished for a living. 

[Jrob78]

I've never felt like it makes much difference. I use Daiwa and Shimano reels and have no problem switching between the two. With rods, they are going to be different lengths and different weights and will feel different regardless of brand. Plus, half the fun for me is using and trying out different gear. 

[WRB]

I prefer what feels right to me, but tend to buy rods and reels in sets. My 3 jig and worms rods are the same length, same make but 2 different powers, 1 is 6 and 2 are 5, all 3 have the Diawa Tatula reels. 3 swimbait rods, different makes and lengths collected over a period of time, same make Shimano Calcutta reels. 3 crankbait rods, all 3 are different makes and same lengths and different power/action for specific size deep diving lure. 3 spinning rods, 2 the make and 1 different, all 3 different lengths and power, same action, same Shimano reels. 3 different rods and reels used for spoons, top water, jerk baits etc. 15 outfits I use regularly and very familiar with each combo.

Tom

[Catt]

When it comes to bass fishing everyone has their own personal repertoire of confusion!

[J.Vincent]

7 hours ago, Quarry Man said:

I watched an interesting video the other day where SmallmouthCrush, AKA Travis Manson talked about the rods and reels he uses. He said that he likes to use all the same reels and similar rods because they have the same feel. Do you think this is a good way of going about it? or do you think that people should buy different rods that perform better for certain. techniques? I personally see the point he makes, and would say to keep reels similar but maybe use some different rods.

If I remember correctly there is a legendary tournament bass angler named Rick Clunn who briefly held a similar opinion regarding fishing rods ....years ago he claimed a 7ft MH Fast was the one all and only type of rod he used because he wanted to reach for a rod and automatically know how it would perform....I’m assuming he used various lines to simulate slower action....but it was a short lived experiment because I’m pretty sure he is now fishing technique specific gear again. My opinion is we should always keep a variety of different rod actions and different speed reels to accommodate the various presentations. 

[Quarry Man]

5 hours ago, J.Vincent said:

My opinion is we should always keep a variety of different rod actions and different speed reels to accommodate the various presentations. 

Agreed, some rods excel in some areas, but not others.

[junyer357]

Its a mix for me. I prefer the same rods for the same uses, ie i have a 7'mh-f avid i use for 3/8-1/2oz jigs, a 6'8" m-xf avid for worms, and looking for a 7' h-f avid for heavier jigs. I have 4 identical squarebill/small crank rods. I have a 683sf champion for senkos and 702sf champion for ned rigs. 

Reels im switching mostly to tatula ct's, but also have a few lews and recently picked up a curado 70. 

[EWREX]

yes and no, it all depends on your preference in the end. i use pflueger spinning reels exclusively, but have a few different casting reels brands between daiwa, quantum, and lews. as for rods, i have a few different brands, but most are dobyns

[MN Fisher]

For spinning, I'm an Abu/Mitchell and Pflueger fan - all I got

For baitcasting, all I'd had for years was an Abu - now I have a Diawa and a Pflueger...we'll see how they work this coming season.

 

Rods - for the longest time, what ever was affordable...either pre-paired with a reel or Ugly Sticks. Now I'm branching out and again we'll see how the new Diawa rods I got perform.

[Choporoz]

Seems a lot of models of reels (rods, too) have pretty short lives.  The reel model...or rod blank or handle...that you buy today is possibly going to be unavailable in 3 years when you want to buy another...So, even if you try to maintain identical stuff, it becomes very hard.  So, maybe not worth bothering? 

[KP Duty]

I also remember when clunn decided he was going to use a 7ft mh for everything.  I thought "what happens when your schedule has okeechobee on it?"  

[redmeansdistortion]

2 hours ago, Choporoz said:

Seems a lot of models of reels (rods, too) have pretty short lives.  The reel model...or rod blank or handle...that you buy today is possibly going to be unavailable in 3 years when you want to buy another...So, even if you try to maintain identical stuff, it becomes very hard.  So, maybe not worth bothering? 

Not to mention the latest and greatest tech always makes it's way down market.  Generally speaking, the higher end stuff of years past is the more budget friendly stuff of today.  While this isn't always the case, it happen a lot of the time.

[Team9nine]

As others have suggested, you have to do what works best for you, whatever that is. As for Clunn, he's still doing the same 1 rod/reel concept that he started nearly 20 years ago.

[OnthePotomac]

I remember reading years ago where Denny Brauer had gone to using the same speed reels and just concentrated on retrieving lures accordingly.  Daiwa was his sponsor at the time.

[Mobasser]

Use what works best for you. What some pros are using may not be the best for your own fishing. You can get suggestions from people, but in the end your the one who holds the rod, makes the cast, and lands the fish. Use what you like

[bayvalle]

On 2/3/2019 at 1:07 PM, Catt said:

When it comes to bass fishing everyone has their own personal repertoire of confusion!

Well said

[CrankFate]

I fish by weight. Way too light (weightless or close to weightless). Too light. Light. Medium light. Medium. Heavy. Very heavy (8oz + in deep saltwater) Most of my Rods have similar actions. Most of my reels retrieve 30-36” per crank. Most of my fishing is under 1 oz baits. I match reels to rods based on weight, balance, drag and color. As far as I’m concerned, advice only goes so far. The rest is trial and error. I have small fingers, so I prefer smaller reels and lighter rods. I usually fish very shallow and only from the bank, where distance = fish. These are the biggest factors for me. Everyone has personal mechanics and types of water they fish. A guy with long fingers that fishes deep water from a boat is going to use different gear. The hard part is finding out which gear works best for your body mechanics and the places you’re fishing. 

[Smelter96]

I could use St.Croix rods and TD Zillions for everything and be more than happy with that decision.