Inherited Combos Question

[Zion90]

Hello, 

 

I had a quick question for everyone. My father, who was an avid fisherman, passed away several years ago and I was given all of his rods and reels. I have always enjoyed fishing but mostly just for panfish and don’t have much experience fishing for bass. However, I now have a kayak and was looking to do more fishing but I don’t really know which setups are best for which type of fishing techniques. I was hoping I could list the different combos and you all let me know 1) what the combos best use/technique would be and 2) whether certain combos are too old (gear ratio/rod length etc.) to be suggested for use today. I am not getting rid of any of them for sentimental reasons but just curious if I would be better served with a newer rod and reel. 
 

They are:

 

Skyline Graphite rod Med Action 5 1/2 feet long with Abu Ambassadeur 4600C High Speed Baitcaster

 

Skyline Graphite rod Med-light Action 5 foot 2 inch length with Diawa Pro caster PS10 High Speed Baitcaster 
 

Skyline Graphite rod Med Action 5 1/2 feet long with Abu Ambassadeur 5600CA High Speed Baitcaster 
 

Berkley Graphite Lighting Rod (unsure of action) 5 feet 4 inch length with Mitchell 300x Spinning Reel 6.1:1 ratio
 

Skyline Graphite rod (unsure of action as part of it is scrubbed off) just under 5 feet #6-10 line with Ryobi AX122 Spinning Reel 4.3:1 ratio

 

Browning Midas Graphite Rod 6ft Med Heavy Action with Silstar Vertex VX35 Spinning Reel 5.3:1 ratio 
 

Berkley Tactics Popping Edition 7ft Med Action with Silstar Vertex VX40 Spinning Reel 5.3:1 ratio
 

Thanks!

[roadwarrior]

I hope someone can give you advice, but the gear is "old school". Most guys these days

want longer rods and lighter reels. The Abu Garcia are awfully big for 5' rods. 

[TnRiver46]

I love those abu Garcia reels . Baitcasters are for heavier lures, like spinnerbaits, jigs, most crankbaits and top water. The spinning will be better for grubs and weightless worms and inline spinners 

[mrpao]

I would just buy a nice rod rack and display the combos for sentimental reasons.  

Today's tackle is much better and easier to use.

[Zion90]

Thanks, that is kinda what I was noticing. A lot of people seem to be using and recommending a 7ft rod even for pan fishing, just with a light action. Fortunately I also have all of the tackle too much of which is in good condition so I will probably invest in a new rod or two. 

[tander]

The outfits you listed were top notch in their day. I had a bunch of Skyline rods. I hated it when they went out of business. Everyone one wanted an Ambassadeur 5500C. Yea, all are outdated and there are lot better rods and reels but you can still fish with what you got.

[Linewinder]

Hmmm...  Perhaps the "Berkley Tactics Popping Edition 7ft Med Action" with one of those Ambassadeurs???   Is it a straight or pistol grip?

 

And that "Berkley Graphite Lighting Rod (unsure of action) 5 feet 4 inch length with Mitchell 300x Spinning Reel 6.1:1 ratio" is probably something I'd use for wade fishing for smallmouth...  I have that reel -- not special but it is a decent reel.

 

I've been playing with my old pistol grip rods lately, and am learning to use 2-hand casting -- saves some stress on these old wrists.  Plus, they still seem to work ok with underhand casting short distances (worm; jig).  Berkley Lightning, Bionix, Cherrywood and Fenwick rods.

 

[WRB]

Sounds like the casting rods are pistol grips popular in the 70’s. The Abu Ambassador reels are early vintage and valuable to collectors who rebuild the reels. Pistol grip rods also have a following for collectors and die hard users.

Short spinning rods are not popular with bass anglers but stream trout anglers could be interested. 

If the tackle doesn’t have nostalgia value for you try selling them and use the money to buy newer rods and reels.

Tom