Covering as many bases with fewer rods

[Squidly]

I'm looking to get a new casting rod, and would like some suggestions on what to get. I want to cover as much ground with as few rods as possible. I currently have a 6'6" UL spinning setup, a 7' ML fast spinning setup, and a 6'11 medium+ fast casting setup. The medium+ is a Poison Adrena that I figured would cover medium and medium heavy for casting, and I'm on the fence about what else to get. Would a MH fast combo round everything out? Or should I go with a MH/H mod fast? Looking to throw cranks, topwater, possibly frogs, and hoping to get into swimbaits. Budget is ~$300, thanks in advance for any recommendations. 

[BrianMDTX]

If you are going to fish big swimbaits or frogs in heavy cover, I’d get a HF. Otherwise a MHF covers most bases. 

[Catt]

Falcon Amistad XH ?

 

https://shop.falconrods.com/collections/cara/products/cara-t7-casting-lizard-dragger-ii-cc-7-17h?variant=14020296704100

[OilfieldCowboy]

40 minutes ago, Squidly said:

I want to cover as much ground with as few rods as possible.

In that case I suggest reading through this thread:

 

 

[Squidly]

34 minutes ago, OilfieldCowboy said:

In that case I suggest reading through this thread:

 

I saw this article while trying to do some research. The medium moderate they listed is what kinda had me thinking about getting a moderate fast rod. Figured it would work good with lures with trebles, but have enough backbone for some frogging if it was a medium heavy or heavy rod. 

55 minutes ago, BrianMDTX said:

If you are going to fish big swimbaits or frogs in heavy cover, I’d get a HF. Otherwise a MHF covers most bases. 

The cover I usually throw frogs around isn't too horrible. My main concern I guess would be having the moderate fast action for lures with trebles. I've only ever fished with fast action, so I don't know the amount of difference it makes.

[Fishes in trees]

I'm not a big fan of designating a rig " multi purpose".   Here's my take - let the rigs you already got be your " multi-purpose" rigs.  What is your favorite way to fish?  Jigs/soft plastics?  Reaction Baits?

The point here is that $300 more or less , is a nice chunk of change to get a good rig.  Spend that on your strength - on how you like to fish the best.  If you like "feel" baits, like jigs & soft plastics you could do worse than the advice a few posts earlier.  The Falcon Amistad is a great rod and I want one, in my case other boat issues are going to come first this year.   By the way, should your Falcon rod break after the warranty period is over, they have a very fair replacement rod policy that I've taken advantage of several times, when their rods have broken due to operator error.

 

My point is don't get a rig that will kinda do a bunch of chores ok - get a rig that will do how you like to fish the best very well.   You 'll be happier in the long run.   Next year get another one, then on down the road - get more.   Take care of your stuff and sooner or later you'll have a kit of excellent rods - without any compromise on " multi-purpose".

 

This doesn't always have to cost a bunch of money, either.  I came across my current favorite chatter bait rod in a pawn shop in Warsaw, MO - I stop by that store maybe every other year.  I came across my current favorite pitching rod in the close out rack at Academy Sports - $50 more or less.

 

For me - rod bargains happen much more frequently than reel bargains.   Seems like I never come across reel close outs at a significant savings, but that addiction is a different story . . .

[roadwarrior]

1 hour ago, Fishes in trees said:

My point is don't get a rig that will kinda do a bunch of chores ok - get a rig that will do how you like to fish the best very well.   You 'll be happier in the long run.   Next year get another one, then on down the road - get more.   Take care of your stuff and sooner or later you'll have a kit of excellent rods - without any compromise on " multi-purpose".

 

[Bankc]

Figure out what baits you use most often, and build your rod locker around that.  You can pretty much fish any bait with any rod and reel setup in the bass world.  Some work better than others.  But you'll be a lot better off in the long run if you decide, for instance, that you fish a lot of cranks, jigs, and drop shots.  Then you get a cranking stick, a jigging rod, and a drop shot rod, so you'll be in good shape for the three things you fish most often.  And if you want to experiment with something else, one of those rods will pull double duty and allow you to decide if that's a direction you want to spend a lot of time and money on in the future.  

 

Trying to "cover all of your bases" will mean you don't have anything really covered, and a locker full of rods that don't meet your needs.  It's like going to a party and dancing with every girl there.  It seems like it would be a good idea on the outside, but that's just a good way to guarantee you go home alone.  

[Squidly]

1 hour ago, Fishes in trees said:

I'm not a big fan of designating a rig " multi purpose".   Here's my take - let the rigs you already got be your " multi-purpose" rigs.  What is your favorite way to fish?  Jigs/soft plastics?  Reaction Baits?

The point here is that $300 more or less , is a nice chunk of change to get a good rig.  Spend that on your strength - on how you like to fish the best.  If you like "feel" baits, like jigs & soft plastics you could do worse than the advice a few posts earlier.  The Falcon Amistad is a great rod and I want one, in my case other boat issues are going to come first this year.   By the way, should your Falcon rod break after the warranty period is over, they have a very fair replacement rod policy that I've taken advantage of several times, when their rods have broken due to operator error.

 

My point is don't get a rig that will kinda do a bunch of chores ok - get a rig that will do how you like to fish the best very well.   You 'll be happier in the long run.   Next year get another one, then on down the road - get more.   Take care of your stuff and sooner or later you'll have a kit of excellent rods - without any compromise on " multi-purpose".

 

This doesn't always have to cost a bunch of money, either.  I came across my current favorite chatter bait rod in a pawn shop in Warsaw, MO - I stop by that store maybe every other year.  I came across my current favorite pitching rod in the close out rack at Academy Sports - $50 more or less.

 

For me - rod bargains happen much more frequently than reel bargains.   Seems like I never come across reel close outs at a significant savings, but that addiction is a different story . . .

Thank you for the feedback, I really appreciate it. My main issue currently is that I don't have a lot of room for storage, and I drive a relatively small car. But I'd like to do more fishing with crankbaits, jerkbaits, and other hard lures. Now just to figure out what would best suit that ?

[BrianMDTX]

1 hour ago, Fishes in trees said:

I'm not a big fan of designating a rig " multi purpose".   Here's my take - let the rigs you already got be your " multi-purpose" rigs.

That’s good advice. But...it is a truth that not everyone has the budget, the storage space, or even the simple desire to own 10, 15 or 20 rods to throw specific presentations. Some some do need to know which rigs are better suited for fishing a few different presentations reasonably well. 

[RDB]

I don’t think you need a $300 rod for the techniques you listed.  Not knowing how you are fishing or where you are from, I think you are missing a good bottom contact rod for heavier applications.  The enhancements provided with higher end rods is not necessarily useful for things like topwaters and cranks but are quite useful in feel applications.

[fishwizzard]

7 hours ago, Squidly said:

 The medium+ is a Poison Adrena that I figured would cover medium and medium heavy for casting

imho that rod is all you really need for about any presentation with a total weight from 1/4-3/4oz, which frees you up to go to a more powerful rod for the second one. 

 

If you like the PA you have, the 7'4" H/RF rod is supposed to be a great GP Heavy.  If you can track one down, the Megabass Hyuga 72H  is a really versatile Heavy as well.  

[Mat_ski]

Yea I agree on that poison adrena 611m+. Does everything well. 

[Williep99]

If you decide to go down the road of heavy swimbaits that takes some more specific gear. Some throw them on heavy flippin rods and get away with it. If you can’t haul them all, many take a couple alone on a trip and really focus on those techniques and baits. I think there is something to that. After all my years of buying rods based on baits thrown, I’m trying to determine how each rod flexes after the hook set and through the landing. I hate losing fish after hooking them. Just got in a new sglass rod for squarebills.

[Pikeman12]

Are you tournament fishing? If not then my advice could apply to you.

 

I like bringing 2 setups with me:

 st croix mojo 6'10 medium light spinning with a shimano sustain 2500 - 8 lb FC

Berkley lightning rod 7' medium heavy BC with a Daiwa Tatula ct - 50 lb braid

 

These 2 setups have allowed me to do everything I need. Baitcaster is for frogging and anything 1/2+(sometimes 3/8) and my spinning is for everything up to 3/8. If I bring a 3rd rod its for livebait lol. 

 

[Deephaven]

Be honest with yourself and write down the baits you use and what percentage of the time.  Then determine the ideal rod for those baits and use that to make the right decisions.  I am of the school of thought that getting a basis first is key and then everytime I come up with another lure that I feel I "must" have tied on all the time I buy another rod.  

[new2BC4bass]

The Toadface is a very versatile rod.  MH+  Read a post by the company owner stating he carries 5 on his boat.  Falcon makes excellent rods, but I'd go with a Heavy as they fish a little light.  Exprides are said to fish above their price.  Maybe something like an Orochii Extreme Mission Type F?  Choices, choices.  The Bait Monkey says you need to try several.   

[J Francho]

Either a H/F or MH/F depending on the cover and baits.  Something bigger than 7'.

 

Victory VTC71MHF or VTC74HF would both fit the bill.

 

https://stcroixrods.com/pages/victory

[Squidly]

Huge thanks to everyone for all the advice and recommendations. I think I've finally decided that I'm gonna grab a dedicated crankbait rod, swimbaits can wait, I'll just stick to 1oz and lower. I've got plenty of rods to check out now and lots of research to do. The only tackle shop I have anywhere near me is a Bass Pro that usually has a pretty limited inventory, so now it's on to finding out which rod to grab. But I appreciate everyone's help! 

[new2BC4bass]

I love it when someone says they never buy a rod without handling it first.  And either say (or imply) you shouldn't either.  Obviously I live in the wrong area.  I'd have to take a plane ride to handle many of the rods I have.  I lean heavily on the opinions and experiences of those who have used the model I am considering.  My bank account would be fuller if I wouldn't buy a rod without first handling it. 

[WRB]

Frogs weigh between 3/8-3/4 oz., line is usually 40-65 ln braid.

Crankbaits 1/4-1 oz, line 10-15 lb mono-FC.

Top water 1/4- 1oz, line 10-15 ln mono.

Swimbaits are the wild card 1/4-8 oz, line 12-30 lb mono-FC, 50-65 lb braid. 

As you can see no 1 rod can do this combination.

You need to narrow down the lure weight and focus on the line being used, rod action needed to cast with accuracy and ease, power differs for the above applications.

Rod length being limit to travel you might consider a higher end 2 piece rod like AJay uses in MX.

Tom