Your Preference

[Mobasser]

Most folks, after they've fished for a number of years, develop certain preferences in rods and reels. What's the best for one person, may not work out for another.                                                       Do you prefer a straight grip or other? Cork handles or other material? Length and action on your favourite rods?                Casting reels, round or low profile? A certain reel handle style?                                                             Spinning reels. Is there a general size you like the best? T handle or standard handle? AR switch or none?                                             What are some of your definite preferences that you like best in your rods and reels?

[BrianMDTX]

At this point, I’m still gaining experience. But I do prefer AR on spinning reels, low profile vs round in baitcasting reels and I vastly prefer cork grips. If I had my druthers I’d probably opt for full vs split grips, but split grips don’t really bother me. 

[jimmyjoe]

   The winter's getting to you, isn't it?

  

   I prefer full cork grips. Because I'm a shorecaster, I like 2 lengths; 6' in cover and 7'-02" to 8' in the open. I like my actions to be what are called "progressive". I find that hard to describe in words, but I know it when I see it. And that goes for spinning as well as casting  rods.

   For me, spinning gear is for 6 lb. line or less. I don't like spinning reels over 9 oz. because they feel clumsy. I definitely like an anti-reverse switch.

   In casting reels, I like low-profile because I have arthritis. But if it weren't for that, I'd go Ambassadeur all the way, for both nylon and braided line. I guess that insinuates two things:  1) that I like centrifugal cast control, and  2) that I like synchronized levelwind.

    I guess both are correct, although this Daiwa Magforce-Z is something that I think I could really like.

  

   The only other thing that I look for is a reel seat on my spinning rods that is down-locking. I hate up-locking reel seats.

   Other than that, I'm good to go.   ?       jj

  

[DitchPanda]

All around length I prefer 6ft 10 to 7ft4 I've tried shorter and longer but this range feels more comfortable to me. For action i dont like very fast blanks...i prefer at least a slight moderate bend that loads a little farther into the rod.For handle material I'm not to particular but I do want something that stays kinda tacky so your able to grip when its wet or slimy...some EVA gets extremely slippery. I prefer a full grip but have gotten used to split grips and honestly have more of those at this point. For spinning reel size overall I prefer the 30 size that Pflueger makes and the 2500 size Daiwa makes..both very comparable. I prefer a standard handle and the AR switch doesn't matter to me as I don't backreel. But for my brothers on here that are avid backreelers they should keep the switch on all reels! I prefer low profile for bass but still use my old Abu round reels for catfish.

[Dens228]

I prefer 7 foot rods, give or take a couple of inches. 

I prefer cork handles

I prefer low profile reels

 

And long walks on the beach. 

[Mike L]

Rods...

*Only casting 

*6’10-7’3”

*MH/F, H/F, H/XF

*EVA or cork. It really doesn’t matter as long as it compliments the over all feel. 
*Micro guides for bottom contact only and a little tip heavy. 

Reels...
*Prefer Shimano

*200 Spool size

*Centrifugal brake system. 
*Right side handle 

 

Line...

*All Sunline Flouro...12#, 14#, 16#, 20#

*Original Power Pro braid..50#, 80#

 

 

Mike

[garroyo130]

Full cork grips. That is all.

[Fishlegs]

I'm like @BrianMDTX and still learning what I like. My preferences seem to change every time I buy a new rod or reel...which was pretty frequent this past year. HaHa!

 

Right now I'd say I prefer full grip cork, but what I would call my favorite rod has a split grip EVA handle.

[A-Jay]

I had a coffee - so I'm typing.   

Clearly there's some technique specific variances but over all, spinning & casting,

I prefer 6'9" - 7'4" length sticks.  Can not really identify a specific power or action as the definition of each varies wildly between manufacturers.  So suffice it to say, that in almost every case, regardless of line type or size, I must have a blank that loads; on the cast, the hookset and while landing a bass.  Additionally, while I have and fish a few 'very fast' sticks, they are not my favorites.  Expect for perhaps top water treble hook baits and jerkbaits, I can do whatever I need to with a blank that recovers a little slower and I like that. 

 When it comes to the blank material, and contrary to the industry trend, I prefer my gear to be 'a little on the heavy side, compared to the 'cotton ball like' stuff coming out now.  Just feels better in my hand.  Graphite & Composite sticks fill the rod locker.

 

 As for handle material - in almost every case I like full cork.  I fish some split grips but I'd trade them in if I could at this point.  The one exception is, neoprene skin handle featured on some of the St Croix line.  I picked up a couple of Rage Rods right just as they were being discontinued (A-Rig sticks) and I LOVE that deal.  If I were to go custom and revamp my entire arsenal, every stick would sport that stuff.  Comfortable (wet & dry) and last forever. 

 

 

As for reel sizes, I have 2500 & 3000 size spinning reels, (prefer the 3000) and a 100, 150 & 200 size casting reel (prefer the 200 and would love to see a 250 size on the market).

Do have a handful of 300 size casting reels I only use south of the border as they would be overkill for the local brown bass population.

I do not back reel so with or without the AR switch is fine for me either way. 

 

As for brands, I am all over the place, sort of a hodgepodge. 

 Currently running Quantum, Shimano & Diawa spinning & casting reels.  And Quantum, Shimano, Diawa, St Croix, Lamiglas, and Alpha Rods spinning & casting sticks. 

 

As for my Favorites in all of that; the Daiwa TALT-SS3000CXH Tatula LT Sterling Silver Limited Edition Spinning Reel is a killer spinning reel.  Wish I had a few more and would have no problem replacing everything I have with them.

Love the St Croix LTB line, mostly the older sticks, spinning & casting. 

My affection and perhaps addiction to round reels remains intact, so my Callcutta 200D's scratch that itch very nicely.  

 

 Finally looking ahead, I'd like to check out the newest Shimano Zodias Line as well as the Shimano Tranx 200 size. 

 

A-Jay

 

 

[Finessegenics]

6’8-7’0 is the sweet spot for me. Of course some techniques take a longer rod but I generally find longer rods to be cumbersome.
 

I absolutely need a cork handle. 
 

I really prefer split grips but a full cork handle would not be a dealbreaker. 
 

And for both my spinning and casting, I am a lefty. 

[Log Catcher]

All of my rods are 5'6", 6'0", or 6'6". They all have full cork grips. Reels are low profile and the fastest one I have is a 6.8:1. All of them are right handed including my spinning reels. 

[MN Fisher]

For the canoe - 7' rods, whether it's spinning or casting. Spinning runs light to medium-heavy (my jig/chatter/spinner skipping rod), casting runs medium an up.

Shore-fishing - 6'6" as there's usually overhangs I gotta watch out for. For this medium-light and medium as my shore-expeditions are targeting panfish.

 

Handle material - doesn't really matter, but I find I prefer a split-grip no matter what.

 

Casting reels - low profile, always and I don't 'upgrade' the handles, the stock ones work just fine for me.

Spinning reels - I have 1000-3000 size depending on the technique I'll be using them for - and again, stock handles. Must have the AR-switch...which has reduced my choices as more-and-more reels are eliminating them.

 

12 hours ago, jimmyjoe said:

  For me, spinning gear is for 6 lb. line or less. I don't like spinning reels over 9 oz. because they feel clumsy. I definitely like an anti-reverse switch.

None of my in-use spinners are over 9oz - my retired Trion-35 did go over 10...retired because as you said, it felt clumsy.

 

[Hammer 4]

I only have 1 spinning rig. 7 m/l with 2500 size Diawa reel, that has ar. This rod has eva split grips.

BC rigs range in size from 6'10" to 7'9", all have eva split grips which I now prefer. Use to use full cork grips, I find the eva split grips a bit more comfy.

BC reels range from 100 to 200 sizes, of the 6 I have 1 is a Shimano the rest are Diawa's.

[kayaking_kev]

Baitcasting Rods less than 4.5 oz., 7 ft. long, even though a lot of them are 7'3" now. I also like softer tips, like Dobyns rods.

 

Shimano Reels less than 6.5 oz., but I love the Tatula SV too, and most of my gear ratios are 6.3.1, I have one 8.1.1 and one 7.2.1. I tried the left handed retrieve thing this season, buying 3 of them and sold all 3 and am sticking with right handed retrieve. I have 4 spinning reels, 2 are size 2500 and one is 2000, and one is 4000.

 

Carbon Handles -  Full or Split depending on technique. I have a G2 Full Handle rod, G2 Split Grip rod , CFX Composite Full Handle rod, and I have a NFC Soft Touch Carbontex Full Handle arriving Monday for my next build, all on X-Ray Blanks. But, I do like the cork handle on my Conquest a lot too, and the Xtasy cork handle is decent, I just think it needs to be tapered like the Conquest cork.

 

Exposed Reel Seats - American Tackle G2 Carbon Razor & Blade Seats are awesome, but I want to try that Pac Bay Skeleton Seat sometime too. 

 

Line - I prefer good old fashion Mono, it's just easier and cheaper for me, but I use braid and fluorocarbon also. 

 

Aesthetics - I'm also weird about wanting my gear to look good and my reels to match my rods.

[Columbia Craw]

I prefer my rods and reels begin with the letter”D” and the rest is a secret.

[NOC 1]

8 hours ago, kayaking_kev said:

Carbon Handles -  Full or Split depending on technique. I have a G2 Full Handle rod, G2 Split Grip rod , CFX Composite Full Handle rod, and I have a NFC Soft Touch Carbontex Full Handle arriving Monday for my next build, all on X-Ray Blanks. But, I do like the cork handle on my Conquest a lot too, and the Xtasy cork handle is decent, I just think it needs to be tapered like the Conquest cork.

 

Exposed Reel Seats - American Tackle G2 Carbon Razor & Blade Seats are awesome, but I want to try that Pac Bay Skeleton Seat sometime too.

 

Aesthetics - I'm also weird about wanting my gear to look good and my reels to match my rods.

The G2 handles and reel seats matched to an X-Ray blank are the bomb, easily my favorite set up. Add some Titanium framed Torzite semi micro guides and a Steez reel and I see nothing out there any better.

[Bankbeater]

Rods:

Not really any brand loyalty.  Most are between 6'6" and 7'0".  The longer rods are for casting moving baits, the shorter rods are for bottom contact. Spinning rods are mostly m/f, casting rods are mostly mh/f, but some have more bend in them. 

Reels:

No brand loyalty here either. Most of my bc reels are low profile, but I still have an Abu Garcia round reel on my punch rig. 

[PhishLI]

I use and appreciate shorter and longer rods, but I'd be pleased as punch if all of my rods of any action or power were 7'3" with full cork handles. Love full cork and that length feels just right to me. 7'3" is my Goldilocks stick. With that length I can drop a lure where I want it, most of the time, and I can get the distance I feel I need when I want it. 

[Michigander]

I'm not brand loyal and all of my gear is different styles. The two main preferences I have developed is that I want quality gear ( I don't have time for junk) and that generalist equipment is not appealing to me as I find greater enjoyment from technique specific setups.

 

One constant is that #MatchyMatchy is a driving force for me, lol.

[NJBasstard]

Rods

No brand loyalty.

Preferred length 6'8"-7'2"

Cork grip. Split or full.

No micro guides.

ECS reel seat is preferred.

 

Casting Reels

Shimano.

How a reel palms is #1 for me.

Using 6.?:1 ratios for most moving baits and the 7's and 8's for top water & bottom contact.

Grips matter more than handle length.

No preferred spool size as long as it holds 70-80 yards of whatever mainline I plan to use.

 

Spinning Reels

No brand loyalty.

2000 or 2500 size.

AR is a plus.

No T-handles for me.

 

[Kyle S]

On 1/22/2021 at 9:53 AM, Finessegenics said:

6’8-7’0 is the sweet spot for me. Of course some techniques take a longer rod but I generally find longer rods to be cumbersome.
 

I absolutely need a cork handle. 
 

I really prefer split grips but a full cork handle would not be a dealbreaker. 
 

And for both my spinning and casting, I am a lefty. 

[NYWayfarer]

Rods: 6’8” to 7’ especially for kayak fishing. Anything bigger becomes unwieldy. Cork grips preferably or Winn Grips 

 

Spinning reels: I like the screw in handles not the type with the knob on the other side. The screw in handles stay tighter. 

 

Baitcasters: I prefer aluminum framed reels. 
 

With reels I use all brands but I have more and prefer Lew’s. 
 

With rods I use all brands but my favorites are St. Croix.

 

I like rods and reels to match somewhat. No Orange reel on green rod for me.

[Junk Fisherman]

The only variable you mentioned that I have a strong preference for is longer rods especially with my spinning rods.  My small swimbait rod is 7'9 and the last rod I bought was a 7'6 Steez rod.  The shortest rod I would consider is 7' and ideally I want 7'4 or longer.  

[Boomstick]

I like a shorter split grip for vertical fishing. For moving baits I generally like a full handle but I can make do with a split grip too. No major preference on cork or foam grips.

 

For length, 7' is good most of the time. Generally it's not that important of a factor for me. I went with a 6'8" for poppers and jerkbaits and weightless soft plastics and light finesse jigs which gives me more room to work the rod. My longest rod is my 7'6" flipping stick.

 

I generally use a lot of Daiwa rods and reels.

 

And I bought the first rod that I could consider a specialty rod this winter, and it's primarily for jigs so does that even count as a specialty rod?