Rod for me

[MJW]

Hey, I've really enjoyed reading this forums and have a few questions about rod choice for myself. 

 

I'm recently getting back into fishing after purchasing a fishing boat with a family member and already own a cottage on a lake in Muskoka Ontario. 

 

The lake I'm fishing mostly is Sparrow Lake and will mostly be targeting for small and large bass, walleye, and pike, but will occasionally fish cats, and bowfins. I'll be throwing a variety of different presentations obviously (minnows, senkos, crank baits, various topwater, spoons like 5 of d) we've got plans for a few bass tournaments.

 

I've decided on a st.croix premier w/ a Pflueger Supreme 25, but can't decide between a MF or a MLF. Ive read a lot on this forum that St.Croix run stiffer in the power department. This is going to be my only rod for this summer unfortunately, so I want to make sure I get something versatile enough for me to be happy with it.

[jbsoonerfan]

Only rod? M fast

[Bankbeater]

I would go with the m/f.

[LCG]

Hello and welcome. Fellow Ontarian here. St croix makes a nice rod. If you are fishing more open water the medium light will work well, especially for more finesse techniques. If your fishing around more cover or weedy areas and other species besides just bass, then the medium would be better suited. 

 

I fish mostly in Southern Ontario, and use a 6'8" M-XF spinning rod rated 1/8-1/2oz, paired with a Shimano stradic FL 2500 spooled with 20lb braid to a 6lb leader most of the time. Mostly fish small lakes, rivers, and ponds.

 

My other rods are baitcasting combos for crankbaits, spinnerbaits, texas rigs, etc. Mainly fish for bass, but will target catfish, carp, Walleye, pike, etc before the bass season starts, but use medium heavy rods for those. Be sure to read up on the MNR rules and regulations, they are extensive. 

 

Being that you are wanting to do a lot with one rod, I think you should steer towards a medium power rod. 

[jimmyjoe]

   Welcome to BR!

   I can only tell you how I would handle this situation. Like I keep telling people, my opinion is worth what you paid for it.    ?

   The walleye can be handled on a ML/F, although no one would blame you for moving up to a M/F.

   Everything else? M/F, at least. And I'd move up your reel size to a 30 or even 35. I would use 8 lb. nylon minimum. Otherwise the cats, pike and bowfin will dominate you.

  If you use braid, the 30 size is fine. I had a 25 size years ago, and I put it on an ultralight.

 

   Good luck and good fishing!    jj

[diehardbassfishing]

Big St. Croix guy here. Own in the Premier series. Many others by SC too.

Go with M/F.

I fish with some MH/F. Stiffer, but not broomsticks. A bit more power, but still casts even lighter weights fine. As it should be - their Fast tip is consistent.

 

Get into St. Croix with first rod as M/F. 

 

 

Karl

[MJW]

Thanks I'll go with the medium. You guys would recommenda 30 reel size over a 25?

 

Would the extra money for the Pfluger Supreme be worth it over a president?

 

[MN Fisher]

I would go with a 30 over a 25 for Medium work...I use a 25 size for finesse, a 30 on my medium.

 

Yes, if you can swing the Supreme, go for it. It's a metal frame instead of plastic and over 1oz lighter. The Supreme also has a faster retrieve rate.

[haggard]

St. Croix Premium M/F yes.

 

[dodgeguy]

8 hours ago, MJW said:

Thanks I'll go with the medium. You guys would recommenda 30 reel size over a 25?

 

Would the extra money for the Pfluger Supreme be worth it over a president?

 

Yes and yes