If you could buy one high end rod and reel setup, what would it be for?

[Boomstick]

So I have been debating this idea for a while now of buying one high end rod and reel setup. You guys have largely got me curious. There's a few rods and reels I'm considering, but I'm less interested in the make and model to go with right now than what I should get it for - although I largely have it narrowed down to two options.

 

My first and most obvious thought is something I could use for T-Rigs and dragging jigs (primarily 3/8oz and lighter and occasionally 1/2oz) through lighter cover - something I almost always have rigged up, and the presentation makes sense.

 

My second thought is something slightly heavier that would be more of an all around jig rod, better for 1/2oz jigs. I lost my 7'1" jig rod this past summer, so I could kill two birds with one stone here, although I'm not opposed to buying the same rod again (as long as it arrives in one piece).

 

Of course, if there is anything else, I'm open to suggestions as well.

[BigAngus752]

Finesse.  I'd love a high end rod for Neds and shaky heads.  

 

Second place would be a 1/2oz and less jig rod.  

[BrianMDTX]

I think I’d opt for your first choice. I love fishing T-rigs and mostly with 1/4 oz bullet weights but sometimes up to 3/8. I’d love a rod so sensitive I could tell different types of pond muck apart lol. 

[roadwarrior]

G.Loomis GLX MBR844C/ Shimano Conquest 100

 

[MickD]

Finesse.  No doubt about it.  You don't need the best for cranks, for ripping, for trolling, for top water, you want the best, meaning best sensitivity, for finesse.

 

And use braid, and you will feel the heartbeat of the bass.  (just a little exaggeration).  But the best rod with braid is about as good as it gets for a technique that is a lot tougher without a great rod and braid.  And the other techniques don't need this stuff.

[Dens228]

Jigs, I feel that jig fishing requires more sensitivity and feel than other baits such as cranks or topwater.

[DitchPanda]

Jigs...no question.

[BoatSquirrel]

Guys who fish clear water, "finesse!"

Guys who fish stained/muddy water, "jigs!"

[FishTank]

Jigs and T-rigged soft plastic> G. Loomis NRX 853C and a Shimano Antares A.

[JustJames]

Third for finesse, good sensitive well balance, light weight rod, pair with reel that has smooth drag, well capable of light weight lure. 
Did I say 2020 metanium?

[Lead Head]

I fish mostly heavily stained water so its jigs all the way for me. 

[Boomstick]

1 hour ago, BigAngus752 said:

Finesse.  I'd love a high end rod for Neds and shaky heads.  

 

Second place would be a 1/2oz and less jig rod.  

I think that's a great suggestion, and the primary reason why that wasn't option #3 is that my most expensive rod is my Avid X 6'9" ML/XF that I use for finesse fishing, so I have a pretty decent setup there.

1 hour ago, roadwarrior said:

G.Loomis GLX MBR844C/ Shimano Conquest 100

 

 

42 minutes ago, FishTank said:

Jigs and T-rigged soft plastic> G. Loomis NRX 853C and a Shimano Antares A.

The GLX/NRX are among the options I'm considering along with Megabass or maybe Steez since I'm a Daiwa fanboy admittedly - depending if I can find a pretty good deal

[Columbia Craw]

Get the setup for the most used/applied contact technique you use.  My two highest end set ups are a jig/t-rig and drop shot outfits.  

[jbsoonerfan]

Not what I would buy, but since you said you are a Daiwa fan, you should get a Daiwa Steez Strikeforce or Steez 19 Racing 701MH with a 20 Steez Air TW

[Boomstick]

54 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Not what I would buy, but since you said you are a Daiwa fan, you should get a Daiwa Steez Strikeforce or Steez 19 Racing 701MH with a 20 Steez Air TW

I was looking more at the Steez SVF AGS with maybe a Steez SV TW or something. Occasionally I see them at a pretty decent price, and maybe I can find something decent this black friday. They have a 7'1" MH/XF rod which should do the trick, and a 7'5" MH/F as well and a 7'1" H/F.

 

They also have a 7'2" MH+/F but they list that as a topwater, spinnerbait and deep diving crankbait rod, so it's probably not a great jig rod.

 

Also the Megabass Destroyer FMJ looks like it would be a good all around jig rod.

[Mike L]

 Fenwick Techna AV casting rod with a Shimano 200E reel. 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[Catt]

Kistler Helium & Lew's Custom Lite SLP ?

[Mike L]

1 minute ago, Catt said:

Kistler Helium & Lew's Custom Lite SLP ?

I keep hearing good things about those, gotta try one. 
 

(The rod not the reel)

 

 

 

Mike

[Catt]

17 minutes ago, Mike L said:

I keep hearing good things about those, gotta try one. 
 

(The rod not the reel)

 

 

 

Mike

 

Rods are super light & the reel is 4.9 oz. ?

[jimmyjoe]

7 minutes ago, Catt said:

 

Rods are super light & the reel is 4.9 oz. ?

 

   4.9 ounces? WOW!         jj

[Hook2Jaw]

I'm normally worming or jigging with a baitcaster, so I would absolutely love a high end Daiwa or 13 stick with a high end Daiwa reel for sending jigs and worms out there to tell me about all the plankton drifting into my line.

 

I don't think I'd want the best of the best, something in the 250-300 range for each would suit me just fine.  I'm on a kayak, my rods are vertical behind me, and I've cut two blanks in half this year.  I would die in I cut a 300 dollar rod down to size.

[Boomstick]

33 minutes ago, Hook2Jaw said:

I'm normally worming or jigging with a baitcaster, so I would absolutely love a high end Daiwa or 13 stick with a high end Daiwa reel for sending jigs and worms out there to tell me about all the plankton drifting into my line.

 

I don't think I'd want the best of the best, something in the 250-300 range for each would suit me just fine.  I'm on a kayak, my rods are vertical behind me, and I've cut two blanks in half this year.  I would die in I cut a 300 dollar rod down to size.

I hear you there. Fortunately, I have yet to break a rod. I've lost one by loaning it to my son who lost it, but this isn't one that would ever leave my boat. And if I'm worried about low hanging trees or bridges, this rod stays at home.

[FryDog62]

I skip weightless plastics a lot and due to wrist surgeries had to give up spinning outfits altogether.  
 

So I had to convert to all baitcasters, even for finesse... but still wanted to skip without backlash, get maximum distance, and ultimate sensitivity to detect the lightest bites. 
 

It’s the one over the top rod/reel combo I have - NRX 852c and a Steez SV TW.  No regrets...

[Ogandrews]

If your looking for the most sensitive jig rod possible I’d go with with a new st croix legend extreme 7’4” heavy or 7’1 mh if you like something lighter and pair it with either a Shimano Antares or Metanium dc. I have played around with one of the new legend extremes and it is unbelievable how sensitive they are, and this is coming from someone that uses all glx/imx pro/exprides for my fishing so I’ve got pretty high standards.

[Steveo-1969]

13 hours ago, Columbia Craw said:

Get the setup for the most used/applied contact technique you use.  My two highest end set ups are a jig/t-rig and drop shot outfits.  

^^ This. Only you know what bottom contact technique you use the most. Spend as much as you can afford and you will be smiling from ear to ear every time you pick it up! ?