Help me purpose this rod and reel combo

[Dan C]

I have a 7’0” medium-heavy Abu Garcia vengeance rod, paired with a Abu Garcia revo sx 6.6:1 reel. Line is 40lb power pro braid with  8 lb Seaguar invizx fluorocarbon leader. Now if I could use this rod for mainly one or two bait presentations,what should I be using? 

[Looking for the big one]

Ditch the 8lb leader, you are asking for a breakoff with a MH rod and 40lb mainline. If you are set on a leader I would at a minimum go with 12 lb fluoro or mono, and with that setup you could throw a huge variety of baits- spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, texas rig, jig, swimbait... Really almost anything. Choosing what you are going to throw should be more reliant on how you intend to fish rather than the rod and reel you are using.

[Dan C]

7 minutes ago, Looking for the big one said:

Ditch the 8lb leader, you are asking for a breakoff with a MH rod and 40lb mainline. If you are set on a leader I would at a minimum go with 12 lb fluoro or mono, and with that setup you could throw a huge variety of baits- spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, texas rig, jig, swimbait... Really almost anything. Choosing what you are going to throw should be more reliant on how you intend to fish rather than the rod and reel you are using.

Ok I will ditch the light fluoro. That sounds good that I can throw a wide variety of baits on that setup. 

[NJBasstard]

That's basically the same all purpose set-up I use except I run 12-14lb flouro for leader. I use it for pretty much anything with a single hook. Even when I have multiple setups I have that power rod matched with a 6.?:1 reel for single hook moving baits like spinnerbaits, chatterbaits & swim jigs.

[Finessegenics]

Go with some heavier flouro and it could be a great all around rod. I don’t think there’s much you can’t do with 40lb braid and a MH rod. Some will argue that the ratio on the reel is slow but you’ll do just fine with moving baits or bottom contacts baits. 

[jbsoonerfan]

I would lose the leader all together and use that for just about anything you want.

[DitchPanda]

I agree with ditching the leader...I think you could do any single hook application...Texas rig,any jig,spinner,buzz,chatter...could even frog with it in moderate cover...could also throw big topwaters like whopper plopped or super spook if the rod has any softness to the top

I myself am not a huge braid guy but if someone asked me for an all purpose setup I would say:

7ft medium heavy fast rod

6.3:1 to7.5:1 reel

15lb copolymer or 40/50lb braid

this combo is the epitome of Jack of all trades in my opinion

[Pogues2300]

I prefer fast reels for everything but that should work well for single hook moving baits. I definitely prefer higher speed for Texas rig although my first year bass fishing i caught plenty on a pflueger president spinning reel as i only had 1 setup to throw everything. 

[Hook2Jaw]

I would use this particular rod for ½-¾ ounce topwaters with the 40# braid.  Alternatively, I believe it would work well with single hook moving baits with your choice of fluorocarbon or monofilament.  Crankbaits in the ½-¾ ounce range become an option, as well, but I would opt for fluorocarbon for that.

 

My reasoning behind my choices is first, a 50 bones rod just isn't the epitome of sensitivity, but the lower quality graphite brings more parabolism to the table.  Topwater presentations require little sensitivity and the softer action will allow those trebles to remain pinned.  The reel only needs to catch up slack, with a half to full turn completely getting your line in the position to once again made a spook walk or a popper pop.

 

Second, if you go the mono or fluorocarbon route(this would be my choice), the rod becomes a versatile horse for all manner of moving baits.  Spinnerbaits, paddletails, and medium sized crankbaits will all perform well with those lines.

 

Alternatively, you could have it function three ways with something along the lines of 15# monofilament.  Crankbaits won't dive as deep, but it'll still handle single hook moving baits and topwater well.