Help Needed

[Chef]

So, I'm in need of help.  I have an Expride 7'2 Medium and 7'6 Heavy along with a newly aquired Poison Adrena 6'11 Meium Plus.  The reels that I have are the Curado DC and the Bantam.  My question is what is next.  I know I need  a spinning, cranking, and a frog rod.  With what I have stated, how would you pair things up?  What rod would you recommend for cranking, frogging, and finesse?  I'll probably get a Metanium DC for one of the setups.  Thank you for the help!

[NathanDLTH]

I’m basing Reel preference off the fact you only own shimano, but I’m a Daiwa guy. 
 

7’2 Expride I’d go 7:4 in either Bantam or DC

7’6 maybe 8:1 or something fast because you’re probably flipping with this. Bantam would be better here imo. 

6’11 MED+ consider a 7:4 the new Curado 70 mgl would be sweet or a Chronarch Mgl. 

 

spinning I’d get a medium lite with a 2500 or 3000 vanford/ci4+ or if you get lucky a used sustain or Exsence. This is your finesse set-up. 
 

cranking needs to be glass-7’4-7’6, 12-14lb line depending on the plug you’re throwing. Curado k or tranx 200 6:2 or 7:4. 
 

Frog- the 7’2 heavy zodias is a good starting point, 7:4 or 8:5 are the gear ratios you want. 40-65lb braid. The only other rod I’d look at for this is 7’3 XH Expride. All depends on how heavy of cover you’re frogging. Imo Bantam and change out the handle for something bigger like the metanium‘s size 96mm or so. It’s going to give you more power bringing in those fish out of heavy cover. 

[new2BC4bass]

I would pair them in the order you have them listed.  7'2" Medium/ Curado DC and 7'6" H/Bantam.  You might be able to also use the 7'6" Heavy rod for frogs.  Of course, if you are like many of us you would rather have a separate rod for frogs.  Any excuse for more gear. 

 

I think most would also suggest buying more rods in the sequence you have listed.  Being something of a baitcast fanatic I would get the crankbait rod before the spinning rod.  Plus I like casting a crankbait.  No experience with the Exprides, but I have read they are good for moving baits.

 

Going by the gear you already have I'd have to say your budget is a lot better than mine, and as such I can't offer much help.  I like the couple ALX Zolo rods I bought (at a sale price I haven't seen since then), and would suggest the Toadface as a frog rod that is also very versatile.  For less money Fred's Magic Stick is said to be an excellent frog rod that is also versatile enough for other techniques.

 

For years I used a MF for crankbaits (liked the Falcon Cara).  An Online friend basically gave me a Dobyns 704CB Glass.  I like it a lot.  I recently picked up a used Phenix X10 that I haven't used yet.  The Phenix 'X' rods have an excellent reputation for crankbaits.

 

I haven't used a spinning rod in years with the exception of last year when I visited Florida and the only reel I had with me that had braid on it (other than the reel for my frog rod) was the lone spinning reel I took down.

 

You are in a great budget range.  You have many, many good options.  Good luck choosing.

 

 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Put the DC on the 7'6

Bantam on the 7'2

Look at the 20 Met B for the Adrena.  Its amazing, its not super light at 6.5 oz but it feels incredibly solid for a magnesium framed reel.  Ive done everything but frog with it and its been great.

I would go with a ML spinning rod since you have the M+ Adrena you use that for heavier finesse tech.

Depending on what you want to spend on the spinning combo Tatula Elite AGS, MC Zodias, Tatula with anything from a Fuego to a Luvias or Vanford

 

[Chef]

Appreciate the responses guys!