How many “main” setups do you have?

[Scrapiron]

Kayak fishing I limit myself to three; I rotate depending on mood/conditions/location:

 

MH MF 7’3” Zbone 

M MF 7’3” Zbone

ML MF 7’0” ZBone spinning

 

MML F 7’6” Steez AGS spinning

MMH F 7’5” Steez AGS Bottom Contact

ML F 7’0” Steez SVF Spinning

 

Steez A baitcasters and Exist spinning reels. 
 

I can cover 90% of bass presentations. I fish open water, no weeds, no frogging. I use snaps on 1 or 2 rods to save time. Haven’t noticed any difference in catching/not catching fish. At times I’ll mix/match rods- they get along just fine. ?

[Hulkster]

i have two:

 

Spinning rod: E6X JWR892S with Stradic FK 3000 spooled with 10 pound sufix siege

 

Baitcasting rod: E6X MBR903c with Curado 200i PG spooled with 12 pound Sufix Siege.

 

I bring these two setups with me where ever I go. 

[Glaucus]

After falling ill most of last year, particularly the second half of the year, and my (soon to be ex) wife deciding to break our family apart, I sold a ton of stuff to get the funds to start a new life in another state. Expensive fishing gear was one of the things that needed to go. Now I have 6 setups, and they're budget options. The truth is, I've been happy, and I haven't noticed any significant difference. We'll see how everything holds up. I've had the Eagle rods and the Shock rod for awhile but they never really got the call as main, every day options until this season.

 

The listed bait isn't what the setup is limited to, but what is usually tied on.

 

Daiwa Aird-X 7' H/F

Lew's Speed Spool 6.8:1

15LB Berkley Big Game

Jigs

 

Daiwa Aird-X 7' MH/F

Lew's Speed Spool 6.8:1

12LB Berkley Big Game

Texas Rigs

 

Berkley Lightning Shock Rod 7' MH/F

Abu Garcia Black Max 6.4:1

15LB Berkley Big Game

Chatterbaits

 

Fenwick Eagle 6'6" M/F

Abu Garcia Silver Max 6.4:1

12LB Berkley Trilene

Squarebills

 

Daiwa Aird-X 7' M/F

Daiwa Legalis 2500

6LB Yo-Zuri Hybrid

Wacky Rigs

 

Fenwick Eagle 6'6" M/F

Pflueger President 30

8LB Berkley Trilene

Ned Rigs

 

The Shock had 30LB braid to a leader but I stripped it because I have a very hot and cold relationship with braid.

[NavyVet1204]

2 hours ago, Glaucus said:

After falling ill most of last year, particularly the second half of the year, and my (soon to be ex) wife deciding to break our family apart, I sold a ton of stuff to get the funds to start a new life in another state. Expensive fishing gear was one of the things that needed to go. Now I have 6 setups, and they're budget options. The truth is, I've been happy, and I haven't noticed any significant difference. We'll see how everything holds up. I've had the Eagle rods and the Shock rod for awhile but they never really got the call as main, every day options until this season.

 

The listed bait isn't what the setup is limited to, but what is usually tied on.

 

Daiwa Aird-X 7' H/F

Lew's Speed Spool 6.8:1

15LB Berkley Big Game

Jigs

 

Daiwa Aird-X 7' MH/F

Lew's Speed Spool 6.8:1

12LB Berkley Big Game

Texas Rigs

 

Berkley Lightning Shock Rod 7' MH/F

Abu Garcia Black Max 6.4:1

15LB Berkley Big Game

Chatterbaits

 

Fenwick Eagle 6'6" M/F

Abu Garcia Silver Max 6.4:1

12LB Berkley Trilene

Squarebills

 

Daiwa Aird-X 7' M/F

Daiwa Legalis 2500

6LB Yo-Zuri Hybrid

Wacky Rigs

 

Fenwick Eagle 6'6" M/F

Pflueger President 30

8LB Berkley Trilene

Ned Rigs

 

The Shock had 30LB braid to a leader but I stripped it because I have a very hot and cold relationship with braid.

Sorry to hear about your situation friend. Hopefully it gets better for you with that new start. That is some good setups you have there and similar to what I’m hoping to have gathered up before too long.

[Glaucus]

4 minutes ago, NavyVet1204 said:

Sorry to hear about your situation friend. Hopefully it gets better for you with that new start. That is some good setups you have there and similar to what I’m hoping to have gathered up before too long.

I've had a new lady for 3 months and a better job than I had before. Life has been good to me. Good health too. Just a different perspective now on everything, even down to as something as small as fishing gear.

[redmeansdistortion]

Being that I fish salmonids mostly, I'll list those.  I don't really have any bass specific setups, but I do use mine for bass as well.  I'll list my favorites and what I do with them.

 

Daiwa Alphas Air Stream Custom mounted on a Major Craft Troutino 4'10" and spooled with 4lb Ultragreen.  I use this fishing trout in brush choked headwaters.  It's very light and sensitive, plus it's super easy to cast in close quarters.  I can cast from my ankle and fire it right where I need it.  Probably my favorite to use, also a riot catching panfish.  I have yet to catch a bass on this one.

 

Daiwa Alphas CT SV, RCS SV700S shallow spool, mounted on a Kuying Teton TTC662L.  I use this trout fishing the main tributaries with space isn't as constrained.  The faster currents of those tributaries necessitates a heavier rod, and a light power is preferable over an ultralight on those streams.  This one is spooled with 15lb Power Pro.  It's a joy to use on big browns and rainbows as well as bass and panfish.  I had a ball last weekend fishing a park on Lake St Clair throwing little 1.5" grubs on a 1/16 head, caught 8 largemouth, a couple white bass, and a few good sized bluegill.  None of the bass were very big, about 10" to 14", but still good fishing.

 

Daiwa Fuego CT, Ray's Studio long cast spool, 7' Lamiglas LX702ULC.  I like this one fishing small plugs like Hot n Tots, Hot Shots, small Husky Jerks, and 1/8 to 1/4 spoons and spinners for steelhead.  I've landed fish up to 11lb on it and it handles them no problem.  Also my favorite combo to use wading the shores of Lake Huron for smallmouth.  I can whip it out there good.

[DaubsNU1]

Had a buddy who worked for Cabela's back in the day. I haven't purchased a new rod in 25 years...

 

These are normally in my boat when I'm on the water:

 

Casting:

6' Cabela's C44x with Shimano Citica reel, 20 lb braid (t-rigged worm)

7' Cabela's C44x with Shimano Curado reel, 30 lb braid (houdini shad or senko)

7' Cabela's Fish Eagle II with Shimano Curado reel, 20 lb braid (buzz-bait or spinner bait)

7' Berkeley heavy rod with Shimano Citica reel, 40 lb braid (jig-n-pig)

 

Spinning: 

6'6" Cabela's XML Ti, Shimano NEXAVE FE, 10 lb Floro (senko)

6'6" Cabela's Fish Eagle II, Shimano, 8 lb mono (Slug-Go)

6'6" Cabela's Fish Eagle II, Shimano, 6 lb mono (power grub on lead-head)

7' Cabela's Tourney Trail IM7, Shimano, 6 lb mono (floating worm)

 

 

 

[Tizi]

Here is my current line up (does not include rods I use at home for short excursions (SLX combos):

Brand	Model	Length	Action	Lure Weight	Line	Reel	Reel Speed
Tatula XT	TXT701MLRB	7'	MLR	1/4 -5/8	8 lb Trilene XL or XT?	Tatula 100	7.1:1
Tatula	TTU701MRB-G	7'	MR	1/4 - 3/4	10 lb Maxima Chameleon	Fuego CT	6.3:1
Tatula XT	TXT701MHRB-G	7'	MHR	1/4 - 1	12 lb Yo-Zuri Hybrid	Tatula 150	5.4:1
Tatula	TTU701MRB	7'	MR	1/4 - 3/4	10 lb Sunline Assassin	Tatula SV TW	6.3:1
SLX	SLXCX610M	6'10"	MXF	1/4 - 1/2	10 lb Seaguar Invisx	SLX	7.2:1
Tatula	TTU6101MHFB	6'10"	MHF	1/4 - 1	10 lb Seaguar Invisx	Tatula SV TW	7.3:1
Tatula	TTU711MHXB	7'1"	MHXF	1/4 - 1	12 lb Yo-Zuri Hybrid	Fuego CT	6.3:1
Tatula	TTU711HFB	7'1"	HF	1/4 - 1.5	15 lb Seguar Invisx	Tatula CT Type R	6.3:1
Tatula	TTU741HFB	7'4"	HF	1/2 - 2	65 lb Daiwa J-braid	Tatula 200	6.3:1
Tatula XT	DTXT761HFB	7'6"	HF	3/8 - 1.5	30 lb Trilene Black	Fuego CT	8.3:1
Daiwa DX	DXSB801HB	8'	HF	2 - 8	20 lb Trilene Big Game	Lexa 300	6.3:1
Tatula XT	TXT701MFS	7'	MF	1/8 - 3/4	8 lb Sufix Siege	Fuego LT 3000	6.2:1
Carbon Lite 2.0	JCT66MLS	6'6"	MLF	1/16 - 3/8	6 lb Sufix Siege	Fuego LT 2500	6.2:1
Tatula	TTU701MFS	7'	MF	1/8 - 3/4	8 lb Yo-Zuri Hybrid	Tatula LT 3000	6.2:1

 

[ajschn06]

I have been going with 4 outfits that cover the types of fishing I do.  Have a 5th ready, but haven't been bringing it in the boat:

 

Spinnerbait/Bladed Jig

Crankbait

Jig (usually a swim jig)

T-Rig

Jerkbait

Swimbait

 

I usually start rigged up with a Crankbait, Swim Jig, T-Rig, and Jerkbait….. It's a day to day thing for me, once I'm out on the water it's the 4 lures I started the day with unless I have real reason to change.   I've got a pretty intricate system developed for how I want the other poles set up when I want to switch in a Spinnerbait or swimbait.....

[MN Fisher]

[Talio]

So are most of you storing these in rod lockers on your boats?  I have enough problem getting a single one piece to and from my house without breaking it, let alone a gaggle of them.  I'm assuming that the majority of active users here are fishing from proper bass boats, yeah?  I know a lot of the higher end kayaks have onboard storage, which is super cool, but I've always wondered about jon boats.  You see way more jons on my water than bass boats, and I've always wondered how they get all those rods to and from storage without busting a few.  

 

I fish with three rods onboard usually.  MH caster with 17lbs floro.  Medium spin with 6lbs test.  Then like a heavy action for flipping or frogging the gross stuff with braid or a lot of the times I'll bring my fly rod along cause who doesn't like catching fish on those poppers?

[dodgeguy]

54 minutes ago, Talio said:

So are most of you storing these in rod lockers on your boats?  I have enough problem getting a single one piece to and from my house without breaking it, let alone a gaggle of them.  I'm assuming that the majority of active users here are fishing from proper bass boats, yeah?  I know a lot of the higher end kayaks have onboard storage, which is super cool, but I've always wondered about jon boats.  You see way more jons on my water than bass boats, and I've always wondered how they get all those rods to and from storage without busting a few.  

 

I fish with three rods onboard usually.  MH caster with 17lbs floro.  Medium spin with 6lbs test.  Then like a heavy action for flipping or frogging the gross stuff with braid or a lot of the times I'll bring my fly rod along cause who doesn't like catching fish on those poppers?

I carry 6 set ups on a 14ft row boat. I know a guy who takes pvc tubes and makes clampable 4 rod holders that go on each side of a rowboat. That gives you 8 rods in the rod holders plus like 5 in the boat would be 13 total.

[MN Fisher]

12 minutes ago, Talio said:

So are most of you storing these in rod lockers on your boats?  I have enough problem getting a single one piece to and from my house without breaking it, let alone a gaggle of them.  I'm assuming that the majority of active users here are fishing from proper bass boats, yeah?  I know a lot of the higher end kayaks have onboard storage, which is super cool, but I've always wondered about jon boats.  You see way more jons on my water than bass boats, and I've always wondered how they get all those rods to and from storage without busting a few.  

 

I fish with three rods onboard usually.  MH caster with 17lbs floro.  Medium spin with 6lbs test.  Then like a heavy action for flipping or frogging the gross stuff with braid or a lot of the times I'll bring my fly rod along cause who doesn't like catching fish on those poppers?

Well, I'm in a canoe which I store in my garage. Between trips, the rods go in a rack that hangs above the canoe. Once I've rigged them up with my starting lures for a trip, they get secured between the rear and mid seats.

 

At the launch, they get moved to the racks I built behind the rear seat.

[Tizi]

I don't bring every rod with me. I have several that are technique specific:  Frog rod, Flipping rod, Swimbait rod, etc.  I bring 3-5 depending on boat or kayak, sometimes 6 in the boat.

 

1 - MH/F casting

1 - M/F casting

1 - HF casting

1 - M/F spinning

 

If I was going to a lake to frog fish, i would bring about 3 rods.  Swimbaiting, 2-3 rods.

 

I use a Cal Coast rod mule to transport my rods.

 

I store my rods in a rod rack in a closet. I am working on building a locking locker in my garage since the wife wants the gear out of the closet.

[iabass8]

[MN Fisher]

13 minutes ago, iabass8 said:

I wish...

[jbsoonerfan]

This one has changed a little bit since the last time I posted it, but I think this is mostly right. LOL

[new2BC4bass]

JB....like Shimano products?

[jbsoonerfan]

8 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

JB....like Shimano products?

Somewhat.....LOL

[Teal]

Typically it changes week to week but I have a game plan in mind and typically includes 3 or 4 rods and ideas... but I bring 8 to 10 rods.  

[new2BC4bass]

6 hours ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Somewhat.....LOL

Don't have matching rods, but am heavily loaded with Daiwa reels.  Unfortunately some haven't even been mounted on a rod yet.  Some haven't seen any use in a few years.  Mostly because I haven't been getting out much the past 3 years yet have continued to add to my collection.

 

Baitcast reels:

 

Grey Cabela's Prodigy (Daiwa)
Daiwa Procaster 100HN
Daiwa TD-X 103HL
Daiwa TD-X 100HSDF
Daiwa TD-Z 103ML
Daiwa TD-Z 105H (3)
Daiwa TD-Z 103HL Type R
Daiwa Tatula Type R

Daiwa Tatula Type R Limited Edition

Daiwa Tatula SV103HL

Daiwa SV105HSL
Daiwa Alphas 103L Type-F
Daiwa Purple Alphas 103L (3)
Daiwa Alphas ito 103-Ai
Daiwa Zillion 100SHLA
Daiwa Zillion PE 100H
Daiwa Zillion 50th Anniversary
Daiwa Liberto Pixy L Airy Red (2)

Daiwa PX68L
Daiwa PXL Type R
Daiwa T3 Ballistic 100HL
Daiwa T3 1016SHL (2)
Daiwa T3 MX 1016XHL
Daiwa Fuego (3)
Daiwa Sol (2)
Daiwa SV103HL

Daiwa SV103HL RCS 1012 spool

Daiwa Steez 100HLA

Daiwa Steez SV103H 6.3:1

Daiwa TDX-103H

Daiwa TDX-103HVA

Daiwa TD-Z US Trail with Steez 103 spool

Daiwa TDX-103H Airmetal

Daiwa TD-Z ito 103M

Daiwa Steez 103H

Daiwa Coastal SV 7.1:1

Daiwa Steez EX 100HS I'ZE factory Steez SV105 spool

Spinning reels:

Daiwa 1000C
Daiwa 1500C
Daiwa TD Sol 2500
Daiwa Advantage 2000A
Daiwa SS Tournament 1300
Daiwa SS Tournament 1600
Daiwa 2500 SS-II
Daiwa-S 1500CU

Daiwa BG 1500

Daiwa Procyon 2000
DaiwA 16 EM MS 2508PE-H

[Bass Rutten]

Being a bonafide minimalist has me using 3 setups at the moment.

7’3” hvy/mod-fast for glides, swimmers, and wakes/rats.

 

7’3” xhvy/fast for soft paddle tail swimbaits. Frog & punching rig too when needed.

 

7’3” mh/fast for jigs and plastics, mostly flipshot or jika rigged.

 

”I fear not the man who has 10,000 lures in his box, but I fear the man who shows up with a pocketful, and also the man who ate taco bell yesterday” -me 

[Mat_ski]

Kayak fishing I stay with 3 setups at most. These 3 cover my favorites:

76 mml steez ags, 2500 stradic fl, 8lb sufix 832 - for all the finesse needs

Fmj with alphas ct sv, 40 lb sufix 832 - for jigs and trigs

611 m+ adrena with alphas ct sv, 20 lb sufix 832 - for everything else (very versatile stick)
 

 

 

 

 

[Westcoast]

I keep a lot of gear around the house. Out on the water in the kayak it’s 4-6 all dedicated to where and how I’d like to fish that day. Banking is three max, any more becomes cumbersome to move around. Sometimes I find I almost have too much gear and it gets to be a pain to decide what to bring without bringing too many or wishing I’d brought more. I find as I’m buying and selling and building more rods that I’m opting for rods that are more versatile. Except for my bottom contact which I want extra fast and extra sensitive. 

[ACGOG]

I guess I'm still a bit of a noob but I only roll with two rods at a time. There's two reasons behind this:

 

1. Every time I upgrade I try to have a substantial step-up. Those substantial step ups are... not cheap lol.

 

2. We tend to fish very secluded spots that we have to actually wade through water to get to with lots of bank trees. Even when kayaking, I still don't personally use a bunch of different rods for the same reasons. I also tend to fish the same setup (Carolina and Texas jigs).

 

First setup was an Ugly Stick (oooooh yeah!) ->

Second was an Abu Garcia Veritas with a Revo SX ->

Fantasista with a Stradic CI4+ ->

G-Loomis GLX with a Daiwa Certate LT ->

Newest purchase was a G-Loomis NRX and am waiting for my 18 Stella FJ to come in from Japan (stupid ACH payments).

 

Normally what I do is take my most recent setup and have the one I replaced as a backup or as a loaner for my buddies as my gear tends to be a little nicer than what they've got and it's nice to share.