If you could have only one rod and reel

[Crankin4Bass]

GLX 783 MBR with a Chronarch 200e7.

[new2BC4bass]

23 hours ago, Mike L said:

Fenwick Techna AV MH/F

Curado 200E

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

Definitely a nice choice!  Except mine would be the 201E7 (and probably the MF given its lure range although I do have the MHF). 

 

2 hours ago, BassWhole! said:

See ya'll in January...

 

Yup.  This question comes up at least a couple times a year.  Mostly when cabin fever has set in.

 

OP, I've never been able to answer that question tho I've tried.....several times.  Too many good rods/reels out there to pick just one.  Even if you know you would be fishing in the same area there are still many good choices.

 

In a previous life I fished light line on a spinning reel for everything.  Mostly I went for panfish or bullheads.  If I went this way (and used what I already have), it would be either my 6' 10" MLF Regista or 6' 9" M-EF Smallmouth with an EX 2000 Procyon or the EM MS 2508PE-H.

 

Now that I mostly fish for bass I use a lot of 3/8 and 1/2 oz. lures and fish them on a MH casting rod.  Now my choice becomes impossible.  I've been steadily acquiring gear for the past 12 years since getting back into fishing.  I can't chose just one rod and one reel. 

[Mike L]

20 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

Definitely a nice choice!  Except mine would be the 201E7 (and probably the MF given its lure range although I do have the MHF). 

 

 

Best dang rod’s made! Now or then

Yep, my E is also a 7 but right handed. 
 

If you ever decide to sell your MH/F regardless of condition, name your price. 
 

 

 

 

Mike

[DogBone_384]

My only one rod/reel combo? My Kistler KLX 7’ FMH spinning rod with my Abu Revo MGX hanging under it.  
 

It’ll handle 1/8-3/4 oz baits, and with a mod/fast action nearly anything I tie to it will work just fine.

 

Spooled up, it probably weighs between 10 & 12 ounces too.

 

My reality is, however, that Kistler # 17 & 18 are OTW via UPS now…

[FishTank]

If I am going for strictly recreational fishing (which to me means fishing pleasure), I am picking a G. Loomis NRX 802C and a Daiwa Steez CT SV.   Just pure fishing fun.  It makes a 2lb feel like a monster.

 

If I am fishing a tournament and want a do all rod for everything, I like the St. Croix Avid MH Fast with a Shimano Curado K. 

[Maxximus Redneckus]

Abu 1500c with a berkley lightning  rod pistol grip from the 80s..with some 8 lb big game and a manns 6 inch grape worm OR a mepps #2 black fury

[soflabasser]

On 6/3/2021 at 4:02 PM, David 7 said:

If you could have only one rod and reel for recreational purposes, what would they be? Mine is a modest Ugly Stick combo, I'm really curious as to what yours would be.

If I could only have 1 rod and reel for bass fishing it would probably be a medium to heavy action Ugly Stik with a Penn or Shimano spinning reel. I choose this combo since I expect my tackle to be durable and strong enough to catch a wide variety of fish. Some complain a Ugly Stik is ''too heavy'' or ''not sensitive'', I never had this problem and have caught lots of fish with these rods.

[David 7]

20 minutes ago, soflabasser said:

If I could only have 1 rod and reel for bass fishing it would probably be a medium to heavy action Ugly Stik with a Penn or Shimano spinning reel. I choose this combo since I expect my tackle to be durable and strong enough to catch a wide variety of fish. Some complain a Ugly Stik is ''too heavy'' or ''not sensitive'', I never had this problem and have caught lots of fish with these rods.

I couldn’t agree with you more. Still can’t see how any other combo will help me catch more fish than my current 7’ MH Ugly Stick combo; sensitivity is good, rod is strong as an ox and it can take a beating. Everything above this is just luxury and comfort IMO. 

[ATA]

I have one rod for the time I only take one:

rod: Shimano shaula 4Pcs

reel: Metanium DC with 20lb spectrum and 16lb fc 100 flouro

[QED]

The one rod that I used during high school and college was a Fenwick 149 fiberglass rod with a Ryobi Powerful DX-1 reel.  Caught hundreds of fish with the combo (SJ County delta system - while cutting high school, no less!  How Adventures of Tom Sawyer was that?), but the Ryobi tended to break bail springs and occasionally the bail itself, so I had to toss it when replacement parts became unavailable.  Replaced it with a period correct Daiwa 500C.

 

The one rod and reel that I mostly use now for fishing at a small, nearby (~4 miles) mountain lake just outside Silicon Valley is a VERY similar setup - a Fenwick Golden Wing 49UL with a JDM Shimano Soare CI4+ reel.  Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.

[soflabasser]

1 hour ago, David 7 said:

I couldn’t agree with you more. Still can’t see how any other combo will help me catch more fish than my current 7’ MH Ugly Stick combo; sensitivity is good, rod is strong as an ox and it can take a beating. Everything above this is just luxury and comfort IMO. 

I have caught hundreds of bass over 5 pounds on my Ugly Stiks, they are great rods for the money. Some of these rods are well over 20 years old and still work great. There are lighter rods that cost much more money but most of them are nowhere as durable as an Ugly Stik. You should read about Pat Cullen when you get a chance, he is one of the best trophy bass fisherman that has lived. He caught over 1000 bass over 10 pounds on Ugly Stik rods.

[jimmyjoe]

16 minutes ago, soflabasser said:

He caught over 1000 bass over 10 pounds on Ugly Stik rods.

 

   Once you get accustomed to casting with an Ugly Stik, ten-pounders feel like minnows.

   ?  ?  ?       jj

[soflabasser]

22 minutes ago, jimmyjoe said:

 

   Once you get accustomed to casting with an Ugly Stik, ten-pounders feel like minnows.

   ?  ?  ?       jj

Lol! Maybe that is why I never complain about my fishing gear being too heavy. I lift weights as well which makes fishing and everyday activities much easier. Pat Cullen enjoyed fishing with his Ugly Stik rods and his success in bass fishing is more than enough proof you can do well with these rods.

[bulldog1935]

I'm awful glad this thread premise isn't reality.  

 

Well crap, it would be a fly rod - Vince Cummings Water Witch and Hardy JLH Ultralite.  

Hondo Creek

 

sight-fished PB on the same rod - not really showing off, but going after my cat's whisker

Upper Sabinal

 

closer in line with the OP's purpose, would have to say my Valleyhill all-range BFS rod with Steez SV TW and a range of spools.  

 

 

[johnmyers]

Only 1 would be tough t deal with but if I had to it would probably be a G Loomis NRX 872s JWR with a Shimano Stradic 3000

[soflabasser]

Nice catches @bulldog1935. The biggest bass is skinny but I can tell it is a big one. I have over 20 rod and reels as well but the OP asked for only 1 rod and reel so I mentioned the combo I felt is the most well rounded and durable. Hard to beat an Ugly Stik rod when it comes to durability. Shimano and Penn make some of the best spinning reels so I am comfortable suggesting these reels if a person could only choose 1 reel. With that said it is best to own a couple combos if possible to have more options but a person can do very well with only 1 rod and reel.

36 minutes ago, johnmyers said:

Only 1 would be tough t deal with but if I had to it would probably be a G Loomis NRX 872s JWR with a Shimano Stradic 3000

The Shimano Stradic is a good choice.

[Ryanralston07]

Reel: Pflueger President 35 series

 

Rod: St Croix Inshore 7' MH/F 

 

Should be able to take on pretty much anything you want to throw at it up to 35-40 pound salmon and even small bass  

[Dens228]

MegaBass Orochi XX, either a Tour Versatile or a Diablo SpecR....

Paired with a Tatula Elite and 30 lb Smackdown. 

[redmeansdistortion]

I'm halfway there, Zebco Cardinal 3 is already in possession and serviced.  Now I want a 4wt or 5wt fiberglass blank set up for spinning with a Michigan handle.  

 

This one is using an Avail CD0590R spool, Carbontex washers, and will soon have a IOS Factory line roller and bushing so it works better with braided line.  I'm also working on a 3D printed part that enables the bail to be returned manually.  Should be sweet when it's done.  I'm really loving the Cardinal.