Need help with rod/reel combo choices

[squishy_pants]

I have 2 combos, a low-end MF spinning combo and a decent MHF baitcaster combo. Should I ditch the old spinning combo and use my BC for everything, or should I bring both combos? And what type of lures/rigs would I use for each combo?

[MN Fisher]

Keep the spinning rig, I've got 5 of each myself and they all get used at one point or another.

BC rig - spinner/chatter/buzzbait, T-Rigs, jigs, Spooks and Whopper Ploppers (3/4oz and under)

Spinning - Jerkbaits, crankbaits, drop-shots, wacky/neko.

 

That's a good start anyway.

[squishy_pants]

3 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Keep the spinning rig, I've got 5 of each myself and they all get used at one point or another.

BC rig - spinner/chatter/buzzbait, T-Rigs, jigs, Spooks and Whopper Ploppers (3/4oz and under)

Spinning - Jerkbaits, crankbaits, drop-shots, wacky/neko.

 

That's a good start anyway.

Cool. May I ask your reasoning for your choices?

[MN Fisher]

The ones I picked for the spinning rig are either treble lures, where too stiff a rod can pull the lure from the bass' mouth - so the lighter power...or techniques where you want a lighter touch.

All the BC techniques I listed are ones I use on a MH/F rod - though my larger Ploppers go on my H/F rig.

[DitchPanda]

31 minutes ago, squishy_pants said:

I have 2 combos, a low-end MF spinning combo and a decent MHF baitcaster combo. Should I ditch the old spinning combo and use my BC for everything, or should I bring both combos? And what type of lures/rigs would I use for each combo?

MN Fisher covered it pretty well. Myself I have probably 20 combos. But if I could have just 2 it would be exactly what you have...a medfast spinning and a medhvy fast casting. Can do almost everything with those 2.

[squishy_pants]

1 hour ago, DitchPanda said:

MN Fisher covered it pretty well. Myself I have probably 20 combos. But if I could have just 2 it would be exactly what you have...a medfast spinning and a medhvy fast casting. Can do almost everything with those 2.

That’s good to know. What line would you spoil on each rod? Right now I have 12lb mono on the spinning combo and 20lb braid on the baitcaster. I’m also getting a fluorocarbon leader soon.

[BrianMDTX]

Squishy, I think you are just starting out. So am I, after a long, 30 year hiatus. I started fishing again in May with old (like 30 to 50 year old) rods and reels. 

 

Since then I’ve purchased four new rigs. A baitcaster with a MF rod; a baitcaster with a MHF rod; a spinner with a MF and a spinner with a MLXF. That pretty much covers me to fish almost every presentation except punching, which where I fish is not an issue. 

 

Are these rigs specialized for every presentation? No. You’d need God knows how many rigs to fish every presentation to its maximum potential. But it covers a lot of the spectrum. From topwater, to T-rigs, jigs, weightless plastics, wacky rigs and others I haven’t dabbled in yet. 

 

You can easily fish T-rigs with your MHF, as well as topwater, tubes and jigs. Your MF spinning is good for WR, as well as dropshotting and other finesse presentations. 

 

Trust me, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the specialized rigs to the point of insanity lol. But three or four rigs can cover a lot of ground. 

[squishy_pants]

More combos sounds nice, but my parents would never allow me to get more rods ?. Right now I’m running 12lb mono with the spinning combo and 20lb braid on my BC. I’m also getting a fluorocarbon leader with my braid. So with what I have, do you think that should cover a good amount of presentations? Or would you recommend me to get different line? What rigs/lures would you use for each combo? I also want to avoid respooling line, so if you recommend line, what is an all-around line should I get that would work so I don’t have to change it out? Sorry for all the questions, I recently got into fishing and the possibilities are endless.

[MN Fisher]

I would up the braid on the BC to 30# minimum - I've used 20# on a BC, but it's pretty finicky. Also when spooling it up, make sure it's tight...dig in (where the line buries itself under other loops) is a major cause of backlash.

 

Spinning - even on my 3000 size, I'm only running 10# test...that's about the max you want on spinning gear unless you get into big (4000+ size) reels.

 

Line:

Braid - Sufix 832...it's a bit more expensive than others, but I've liked it more than the Power Pro Original I was using.

Mono - Sufix Elite...very affordable...I have it on 2 of my spinning rigs and it's been very good.

[squishy_pants]

I have a spare pack of 6lb mono, do you think that would work on my spinning combo?

[MN Fisher]

5 minutes ago, squishy_pants said:

I have a spare pack of 6lb mono, do you think that would work on my spinning combo?

6# should be fine - I use it on my finesse rig, but as long as you got the drag set properly you shouldn't have an issue.

[squishy_pants]

3 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Keep the spinning rig, I've got 5 of each myself and they all get used at one point or another.

BC rig - spinner/chatter/buzzbait, T-Rigs, jigs, Spooks and Whopper Ploppers (3/4oz and under)

Spinning - Jerkbaits, crankbaits, drop-shots, wacky/neko.

 

That's a good start anyway.

I just remembered that the spinning rod’s tip broke off so now there is a good 5 inches off. We took it to a store and they welded a guide to the end. Is is still worth it to use it, or should I just stick to the BC?

2 hours ago, DitchPanda said:

MN Fisher covered it pretty well. Myself I have probably 20 combos. But if I could have just 2 it would be exactly what you have...a medfast spinning and a medhvy fast casting. Can do almost everything with those 2.

 

[MN Fisher]

7 hours ago, squishy_pants said:

I just remembered that the spinning rod’s tip broke off so now there is a good 5 inches off. We took it to a store and they welded a guide to the end. Is is still worth it to use it, or should I just stick to the BC?

 

Did they put a regular guide on it or a tip-top. Also, losing 5" of a rod will change it's action...I'd consider getting a replacement. You can find decent rods at affordable prices...my M/F spinning rod is an Aird-X and they run around $50.

[Lead Head]

You can get a spinning rod at academy for about $15-20. It won't be anything nice but will let you fish neds and whatnot until you can get a better one. I caught all kinds of fish on one for about 3 months before I broke down and got a better one. You will definitely be better served if you can keep a medium spinning rod in your arsenal. 

[squishy_pants]

1 hour ago, MN Fisher said:

Did they put a regular guide on it or a tip-top. Also, losing 5" of a rod will change it's action...I'd consider getting a replacement. You can find decent rods at affordable prices...my M/F spinning rod is an Aird-X and they run around $50.

They put a tip top on it. That’s funny because a while before I was going to get the same rod as you! Also... I really don’t know if my parents would allow me to get a new rod because I recently got the baitcaster. If I am unable to get a new rod, would you still recommend using my broken one?

[BrianMDTX]

1 hour ago, squishy_pants said:

If I am unable to get a new rod, would you still recommend using my broken one?

IMO, no. It's basically a stick at this point. All the action (flex) is gone.

[roadwarrior]