Advice on How to Pair My Rods/Reels and What to Add

[kentropy]

Over the years, I have haphazardly collected my fishing gear without really fully understanding how to build an optimized rod/reel collection for fishing.   I am working to broadening my knowledge base, techniques and my understanding of how to use different rods and reels depending on the approach.  I primarily fish for Bass, but sometimes fish for crappie, bluegill and Saugeye.  I have never fished tournaments, but fish from a small boat with a bow mounted foot controlled trolling motor (sometimes kayak) in Columbus, OH.   

 

I have listed what I currently own below.   I could use any advice on the following.

 

1.  How to best pair what I have to build a basic collection that covers most techniques?

2.  What is missing that I should buy next?  (Probably will build slowly and stay in $60-$150 range for each rod/reel)

3.  What type of line, line weight and leaders (if needed) should I use for each setup?

 

That is a lot of advice to ask for, thanks for any help you can give.

 

 

Baitcaster Reels

Abu Garcia Revo Rocket RV03  9.0:1

Quantum Pulse 6.6:1

 

Baitcaster Rods

Abu Garcia Vengance 6’6” Medium Heavy - Fast tip Baitcaster (I also had a medium but just broke it)

 

Spinning Reels

Shimano Stradic Ci4+ 2500   6.0:1  35”/crank  20lb drag

Pflueger President 40 (6740)   5.2:1  31.6”/crank  14 lb drag

Pflueger President 20   5.2:1  20.2”/crank  6lb drag

 

Spinning rods

St Croix  Mojo Bass  6’10” Medium Light - Extra Fast Spinning

Field & Stream 6’8  Medium - Extra Fast Spinning

Ugly Stik   4’8 ultralight

 

 

Cheap Combo sets (both are spinning)

Shakespeare Ugly Stick GX2 ($50 combo) 6’6”  Medium.   with  GX235  5.2:1 spinning reel

Lews Speed Spin Combo ($25 Combo)  6’0” medium  with 5.1:1 spinning reel

 

Several cheap Zebco 33 setups that I use for the kids

 

Thanks again

[Kidflex]

Quantum on the vengeance

stradic on the mojo

preeident on the field and stream

get a good medium heavy fast action rod for that revo rocket!

[jakkbauer]

all that matters is you put that stradic on the mojo

[Riversidebassin]

It depends on what type of fishing you like to do, but if you are looking for a new setup for Crankbait/reaction bait fishing look into getting a bait caster with a lower gear ratio (around 5.5, but no higher than 6.1) and pair it with a medium action rod with a moderate, or mod-fast tip. 

 

If you you pair up that Abu Garcia with a med-heavy casting rod with a fast tip it would be really good for jig/bottom contact fishing. I would choose a rod 7’ to 7’5”, but that’s just my preference.

 

plus pair that Mojo Bass with the Stradic and it would be an awesome finesse setup!!

[Randy Price]

I agree with the other posters.  Put that Stradic in the Mojo!

 

[kentropy]

On ‎8‎/‎11‎/‎2019 at 11:27 PM, Kidflex said:

Quantum on the vengeance

stradic on the mojo

preeident on the field and stream

get a good medium heavy fast action rod for that record rocket!

Thanks, I was thinking maybe 8-10# braid with 6-8 lb fluoro leader on the stradic/mojo as a finesse rod.   Maybe a 20# braid or mono for the quantum/vengeance as a flipping rod.   12 # braid for the president / Field stream (+/- leader) for the FS/president?  Does that sound right?  

[Kidflex]

I’d go with 30-50lb braid. 

[bwjay]

2 hours ago, kentropy said:

Thanks, I was thinking maybe 8-10# braid with 6-8 lb fluoro leader on the stradic/mojo as a finesse rod.   Maybe a 20# braid or mono for the quantum/vengeance as a flipping rod.   12 # braid for the president / Field stream (+/- leader) for the FS/president?  Does that sound right?  

On spinning, I use 15lb PowerPro to a 10lb fluoro (Sunline Sniper) leader and it works great. I get a little more abrasion resistance (than 10lb braid) and it still casts a mile. You can use thinner fluoro if you want but it's already pretty clear... if you anticipate that fish are going to be ULTRA line shy, sure, go to 6lb or 8lb. I don't feel the need to go that small. I would advise 30-40lb braid on your baitcaster(s) to avoid dig-in and make backlashes much less of a headache. I use 40lb Super8SlickV2.

[kentropy]

2 hours ago, Kidflex said:

I’d go with 30-50lb braid. 

On the baitcaster or the spinning rods?  I assume you mean set up the baitcaster for pitching into weeds, frogs, etc?

13 minutes ago, bwjay said:

On spinning, I use 15lb PowerPro to a 10lb fluoro (Sunline Sniper) leader and it works great. I get a little more abrasion resistance (than 10lb braid) and it still casts a mile. You can use thinner fluoro if you want but it's already pretty clear... if you anticipate that fish are going to be ULTRA line shy, sure, go to 6lb or 8lb. I don't feel the need to go that small. I would advise 30-40lb braid on your baitcaster(s) to avoid dig-in and make backlashes much less of a headache. I use 40lb Super8SlickV2.

Thanks.  If I set up the Stradic/Mojo as a finesse type rod, do you think 15braid/10 fluoro still works?   How else would you use the stradic/mojo setup with the 15/10 lines?

[bwjay]

26 minutes ago, kentropy said:

Thanks.  If I set up the Stradic/Mojo as a finesse type rod, do you think 15braid/10 fluoro still works?   How else would you use the stradic/mojo setup with the 15/10 lines?

15lb braid with 10lb fluoro is still just fine for finesse IMO, and any other application you want for your spinning setup (in case you decide to let a friend/family member use it for all baits). Some people like to go lighter but I don't really see the need. Like I said, if you think fish could be really line shy, maybe for like stream trout, you can go lighter on the fluoro. I would use 10lb fluoro for most things and if you're going on a trip where you think you might want to downsize the fluoro, just bring a small spool of lighter fluoro with you in addition to the 10lb.

 

I would still use 15lb braid in that instance. I personally don't think there is any meaningful sensitivity to be gained by downsizing to 10lb braid and I would not go any lighter than that. Some people will even use 20lb braid on spinning, and most reels will still fit a ton of 20lb braid on the spool, but I've had no reason to upsize the braid.

 

Fluoro is already pretty darn transparent... going from 10lb to 8lb isn't gonna make much difference. 6lb maybe but that's so low that I would be too worried about breakoffs from minor contact with cover and not tying/wetting knots perfectly. 10lb Sniper ties and casts just fine for me. It's pretty supple. Note that Sniper breaks under its rating (10lb breaks at 7-8lb in my tests) and it's gonna vary from line to line. But for me, 10lb Sniper has worked just fine. I use 14lb Sniper or 14lb Sunline FC Leader (hoping to try 16lb FC100 System Leader soon) as a leader material on my baitcasters. I have actually quite enjoyed the FC Leader though some people say they don't like it. It's worked well for me. Bass still gulp my Senkos in 6ft vis water so I'm not worried.