Time for a power fisherman to buy a spinning combo, HELP!

[WRB]

My all around spinning rod is Major Craft NAS-WJ701MH, 7',  3/16- 5/8 oz lures rating. I use the this rod for finesse jigs 1/8 to 1/4 oz with various soft plastics and 1/4 oz drop shop and 1/8 to 3/16 oz slip shot rigs. For lighter finesse presentations Iovino Major Craft finesse spinning rod, 6'9", 1/8- 3/8 oz. I like the balance workmanship, handle design,  guide train and light weight blank of Major Craft rods for the price.

Spinning reels like casting reels you get what you pay for, quality isn't cheap.

The most important feature of a spinning reel is reliable smooth drag because it's important using lighter line. Reel weights are very competitive within price points. I prefer either Daiwa or Shimano and use Shimano Stratic 2500's, line capacity isn't an issue.

Tom

 

[pauldconyers]

I guess I should review kind of what I am going to do with this combo I will put together. Wacky worms, shakey head, ned rig, vertical jigging, might learn a drop shot one day, lighter soft plastics and such. Who knows, I might even crappie fish with this one day! Again, this would probably be my one and only spinning rod so I would really be looking for what I choose to handle all these presentations. Here are the general recommendations I am getting from you guys:

 

6'9" to 7'
Med Fast
2500 or 3000 size reel

 

As for these points, regarding the rod is there sort of a consensus as to what is the most "universal" size? It sounds like a Medium Fast is the ticket but is there any reason I should consider a ML or and XF? Last question about the rod, I am a fan of split handle on my BC rods, would that probably translate to my preference in a spinning rod too in your opinion? Any reason you would argue a full handle is superior on a spinning rod?

 

Only two questions I have regarding the reel. I have not really heard anyone talk about the gear ratio. Does gear ratio really not matter on a spinning reel like it can on a BC reel? Lastly 2500 or 3000 size reel really seems to be the recommendation here. But obviously I could buy either, any arguments for or against either one for what I would be using it for?

[MN Fisher]

4 minutes ago, pauldconyers said:

I guess I should review kind of what I am going to do with this combo I will put together. Wacky worms, shakey head, ned rig, vertical jigging, might learn a drop shot one day, lighter soft plastics and such. Who knows, I might even crappie fish with this one day! Again, this would probably be my one and only spinning rod so I would really be looking for what I choose to handle all these presentations. Here are the general recommendations I am getting from you guys:

 

6'9" to 7'
Med Fast
2500 or 3000 size reel

 

As for these points, regarding the rod is there sort of a consensus as to what is the most "universal" size? It sounds like a Medium Fast is the ticket but is there any reason I should consider a ML or and XF? Last question about the rod, I am a fan of split handle on my BC rods, would that probably translate to my preference in a spinning rod too in your opinion? Any reason you would argue a full handle is superior on a spinning rod?

 

Only two questions I have regarding the reel. I have not really heard anyone talk about the gear ratio. Does gear ratio really not matter on a spinning reel like it can on a BC reel? Lastly 2500 or 3000 size reel really seems to be the recommendation here. But obviously I could buy either, any arguments for or against either one for what I would be using it for?

If you're going to be doing mainly lighter techniques -then a M or ML would both work...the ML more for Ned and light Drop-shot, but the M for light T-Rigs, any jigging and shakey-head...but both WILL work for all those, just not ideal

 

I'm not a fan of XF, only rod I have that's not a F is my cranking rig.

 

Far as the reel - depends on how much line you want and how fast you want to retrieve it back...both are usable for all the techniques you listed, just the 3000 holds a LOT more line. my Trion-30 (close to 2000 size) holds 110yds of 10# mono, but the Trion-35 (close to 3000 size) holds 155yds of the same. Also, the larger reels at the same gear ratio retrieve faster. Both of mine are 5.2:1, with the 30 taking in 25.9IPT and the 35 taking up 28.5IPT.

[OkobojiEagle]

Many suggestions above, but not many stressing a closely balanced spinning rod & reel...

 

oe

[Spankey]

I fish ML X-Fast spinning quite a bit. My rods are 6'8" to 7' lengths. I feel they are perfect for drop shot and split shotting the small finesse worms (4"-5") I fish. Small creature baits, jigs, NED rigs and grubs. I'll would fish bass anywhere in the country with them. But I also fish Med. Fast action rods in those lengths also. I find that Senko, flukes, light T-Rigs of 6" worms and lizards, some light C-Rigs, bigger creatures, 7" Power Worms, they seem to fish better with stepping up to Medium power. Admittedly I do not fish as heavy as alot of you guys. I just ordered today a 6'3" ML X-Fast rod today that I have been contemplating since last season. It will fill a size I don't have and it will be used on a regular basis. This rod will not be a regret for me buying. I think you have to consider the size of your soft plastics and possible weight that may be associated with fishing them.  

[GReb]

I bought a Tatula LT and Mojo over a year ago with the same thoughts and fished with it only a couple times. I’ve used it more for bream than bass. Wish I’d have kept my money honestly 

[Fishes in trees]

Not a fan of generalized rigs.   Decide what you're going to do most & get a rig suited for that.  THEN try to apply it to other techniques and see how you like it.

My advice would be to get a decent drop shot rig.   Once you learn how to drop shot, you can put a bait where the fish are any time of the year.   I've never had a "great" day throwing the drop shot. ( great day = 50+ fish or more )

HOWEVER - I've had many days where the drop shot turned a rotten or slow day into a decent day, so for me it is a situational rig.

[flyfisher]

All good advice on here.  I prefer my spinning rod for small shaky heads, weightless soft plastics and hard jerk baits and it does a nice job.  The key, even more so than a BC set up, is balance. As the weight of the reel being under the rod does change the characteristics of the rod.  Also, as far as accuracy goes, people always say they aren't accurate but I can promise you they weren't accurate with their BC the first time either.  You can feather the line with your off hand to change the trajectory and minimize splash as well but it will take practice.  Line management can be an issue but I run braid on almost all of my spinning setups and the line twist issue goes away then.  Wind knots occasionally but no twist to worry about.

 

My current spinning setups are stradics, FJ and Ci4+ paired with shimano curado spinning rods.  Good value and not break the bank expensive.  I also like the fury rods mentioned earlier.  Lots of good options out there and you can't really go wrong in 100-150 price range.  

Have fun....

[pauldconyers]

Again, never really used a spinning reel much.  I read a lot on here about people talking about an anti-reverse on/off switch and people back reeling them. Then a lot of people saying it is just a gimmick that they do not use. Can someone explain to me what this is and why I might want a spinning reel to offer it?

[MN Fisher]

2 minutes ago, pauldconyers said:

Again, never really used a spinning reel much.  I read a lot on here about people talking about an anti-reverse on/off switch and people back reeling them. Then a lot of people saying it is just a gimmick that they do not use. Can someone explain to me what this is and why I might want a spinning reel to offer it?

Basically - with the switch on, it acts just like the anti-reverse on a baitcaster...any line 'given back' to the fish comes from the drag. With the switch off, the handle WILL operate in reverse, giving line back at the user's discretion. I've never switched mine off in 50+ years of using spinning reels, so I don't see the need for it.

[pauldconyers]

2 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Basically - with the switch on, it acts just like the anti-reverse on a baitcaster...any line 'given back' to the fish comes from the drag. With the switch off, the handle WILL operate in reverse, giving line back at the user's discretion. I've never switched mine off in 50+ years of using spinning reels, so I don't see the need for it.

So you are saying if a spinning reel did NOT have this feature on it if a fish pulled drag and line out the handle would spin in reverse? A lot of spinning reels made today do not have that option, do those reels act like a BC and get that line from the drag or does the handle spin in reverse?

[MN Fisher]

2 minutes ago, pauldconyers said:

So you are saying if a spinning reel did NOT have this feature on it if a fish pulled drag and line out the handle would spin in reverse? A lot of spinning reels made today do not have that option, do those reels act like a BC and get that line from the drag or does the handle spin in reverse?

Quick answer - it acts like a BC now.

 

Long answer - all they did was remove the switch - anti-reverse is 'always on'. Just that some people like to be able to turn it off and 'back-reel'. The reels that don't have the switch, don't have this ability.

 

 

[pauldconyers]

2 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Quick answer - it acts like a BC now.

 

Long answer - all they did was remove the switch - anti-reverse is 'always on'. Just that some people like to be able to turn it off and 'back-reel'. The reels that don't have the switch, don't have this ability.

 

 

Thanks for the info

[OkobojiEagle]

3 hours ago, pauldconyers said:

Again, never really used a spinning reel much.  I read a lot on here about people talking about an anti-reverse on/off switch and people back reeling them. Then a lot of people saying it is just a gimmick that they do not use. Can someone explain to me what this is and why I might want a spinning reel to offer it?

An anti-reverse switch will allow you enhanced control of your spinning reel, much as an over-drive switch will give you enhanced control of your vehicle's automatic transmission.  It's not hard to find people who are oblivious to the purpose of both.

 

oe

[pauldconyers]

To you Shimano spinning reel guys, can you tell me the main differences between the Shimano Stradic FK vs the FJ model?

[jbsoonerfan]

57 minutes ago, pauldconyers said:

To you Shimano spinning reel guys, can you tell me the main differences between the Shimano Stradic FK vs the FJ model?

Google can be your friend. 

 

Basically the FK is the new (updated) version of the FJ. The main upgrade is lighter weight.