My Big Five Outfits (OK, maybe six)

[Captain Phil]

Some people have asked me what rods I carry when bass fishing in Florida.   I carry five outfits.  On occasion, I bring a sixth which I will add at the end. 

 

Here is my list:

 

1. Spinnerbaits - 6.5'-7' medium action graphite casting rod,  5/1 reel, 20 pound green Big Game mono.  Works for Chatterbaits too.

 

2. Rattle Traps - 6.5' - 7' medium heavy action graphite casting rod, 7/1 reel, 30 pound green Power Pro no leader.  Can also be used for frogs.

 

3. Top Water - 6' medium action graphite casting rod, 7/1 reel, 20 pound green Power Pro no leader

 

4. Worms, flukes and Senkos - 6'10" Shimano Zodias heavy action, 7/1 reel, 15 pound fluorocarbon no leader. Can also be used for light crank baits

 

5.  Flipping Stick - 7.5' heavy action graphite, Shimano flipping trigger reel.  25 pound green Big Game mono.

 

The 6th option is a spinning reel loaded with 8 pound green Maxima mono.  I use this for finesse fishing and light top waters like Rapalas and Tiny Torpedos.   

 

What's your list?

[the reel ess]

1. Frogs: XH-F 7-3 with 50# PowerPro, no leader, 7.5:1 reel

2. Jigs: H-F 6-9 with 30# PowerPro, no leader, 8.3:1 reel

3. Big trebles: MH-MF 7-0  with 30# PP, 15# Big Game leader, 7.5:1 reel

4. Medium weight trebles: Med-MF 6-6 with 30# PP, Big Game leader, 7.5:1 reel. I like the leader to keep the line out of the hooks on topwaters.

5. Spinner/Buzzbaits: 6-6 MH with 15# Big Game mono, 7.5:1 reel. This is also one of my 2-pc travel rod. It claims to me MH, but it's somewhere between M-MH.

6. Finesse and light trebles: Spinning: 7-0 M-MF, 20 lb PP mainline with whatever leader I feel like per the technique.

I also have a 7-0 2-pc M spinning rod for travel.

[HaydenS]

1.  6'9" MH, 15 pound Fluoro, 7.1:1.  All purpose:  Jig, t rig, chatterbait, spinnerbait, buzzbait, etc.

2. 7'2"H, 20 Pound Fluoro, 7.1:1.  Flipping/Big Swimbait.

3. 7'6" MH, 65 Pound Braid, 7.1:1.  Frog and Punching.

4. 6"6' M, 10 pound Mono/ Fluoro, 6.5:1.  Crankbaits and jerkbaits.

5. 6'6" MH, 10 Pound Braid to 10 pound Fluoro.  Finesse.

6. M 6'0", 10 pound braid to 10 pound Fluoro. Finesse.

[jimmyjoe]

4 hours ago, Captain Phil said:

Some people have asked me what rods I carry when bass fishing in Florida.   I carry five outfits.  On occasion, I bring a sixth which I will add at the end. 

 

Here is my list:

 

1. Spinnerbaits - 6.5'-7' medium action graphite casting rod,  5/1 reel, 20 pound green Big Game mono.  Works for Chatterbaits too.

 

2. Rattle Traps - 6.5' - 7' medium heavy action graphite casting rod, 7/1 reel, 30 pound green Power Pro no leader.  Can also be used for frogs.

 

3. Top Water - 6' medium action graphite casting rod, 7/1 reel, 20 pound green Power Pro no leader

 

4. Worms, flukes and Senkos - 6'10" Shimano Zodias heavy action, 7/1 reel, 15 pound fluorocarbon no leader. Can also be used for light crank baits

 

5.  Flipping Stick - 7.5' heavy action graphite, Shimano flipping trigger reel.  25 pound green Big Game mono.

 

The 6th option is a spinning reel loaded with 8 pound green Maxima mono.  I use this for finesse fishing and light top waters like Rapalas and Tiny Torpedos.   

 

What's your list?

 

   I take it that when you say "action", you actually mean "power". If you could, please tell me which "action" (taper, to some and speed to others) that you use. I'm especially interested in your spinnerbait setup. Are you really using a medium power rod for spinnerbaits? If so, what is the  weight of the spinnerbaits that you're using?

   Years ago, I thought I was going to get by with a medium power, fast action spinnerbait rod. Then I went to a medium heavy power, fast action for a spinnerbait rod. Now I'm using a heavy power, moderate action rod for spinnerbaits, and I'm finally having great luck. Great hookups with no spit outs. It's fiberglass, though, and gets heavy after awhile. I'd be interested to hear about your rig and the weights. I use nothing less than 1/2 oz. spinnerbaits for bass, and those weigh 3/4 to 8/10 ounce with no trailer. The weight only goes one way from there ......... up. ?

 

   Thanks.   jj

[LCG]

 

3 hours ago, jimmyjoe said:

 

   I take it that when you say "action", you actually mean "power". If you could, please tell me which "action" (taper, to some and speed to others) that you use. I'm especially interested in your spinnerbait setup. Are you really using a medium power rod for spinnerbaits? If so, what is the  weight of the spinnerbaits that you're using?

   Years ago, I thought I was going to get by with a medium power, fast action spinnerbait rod. Then I went to a medium heavy power, fast action for a spinnerbait rod. Now I'm using a heavy power, moderate action rod for spinnerbaits, and I'm finally having great luck. Great hookups with no spit outs. It's fiberglass, though, and gets heavy after awhile. I'd be interested to hear about your rig and the weights. I use nothing less than 1/2 oz. spinnerbaits for bass, and those weigh 3/4 to 8/10 ounce with no trailer. The weight only goes one way from there ......... up. ?

 

   Thanks.   jj

While the question is not directed at me. I have some thoughts on the subject.

 

This year I really got more into spinnerbait fishing. I use a 5/16oz war eagle finnese spinnerbaits which weighs in at .56oz real weight.

 

I have been using a 6'6 M-F BPS Carbonlite 2.0 rod paired with a Shimano SLX MGL 70 with 10lb big game mono. So far this has been a great setup for this technique in shallow water ponds,rivers,small lakes. Usually less than 7ft depth. Mostly catching 2-5lb bass. 

 

I tried various rods,line,reels,gear ratios, etc and this seems to be working well so far. The rod is a tad short, but very accurate. Target casting in a kayak is my style or bank fishing.

 

I think you really have to factor everything into the equation of which rod is best. Type of cover, depth, size of lure in real weight which for a spinnerbaits seems to be almost double the listed weight, then type of line and stretch factor, rod length (boat vs kayak vs bank), rod action, and weed through the marketing and inconsistencies of rod power and action ratings, gear ratio vs ipt, etc and finally factor in your preferences and style. No wonder we all keep buying more gear 

 

sounds like we are on opposite ends of the spectrum your style being more power fishing and mine more finnese and I am guessing different types of water. I find these to be big factors that don't always enter the conversation with techniques and gear. 

[Drew03cmc]

4 minutes ago, LCG said:

 

This year I really got more jnto spinnerbait fishing.i use a 5/16oz war eagle finnese spinnerbaits which weighs in at .56oz real weight.

 

I have been using a 6'6 M-F BPS Carbonlite 2.0 rod paired with a Shimano SLX MGL 70 with 10lb big game mono. So far this has been a great setup for this technique in shallow water ponds,rivers,small lakes. Usually less than 7ft depth. Mostly catching 2-5lb bass. 

 

I tried various rods,line,reels,gear ratios, etc and this seems to be working well so far. The rod is a tad short, but very accurate. Target casting in a kayak is my style or bank fishing.

 

I think you really have to factor everything into the equation of which rod is best. Type of cover, depth, size of lure in real weight which for a spinnerbaits seems to be almost double the listed weight, then type of line and stretch factor, rod length (boat vs kayak vs bank), rod action, and weed through the marketing and inconsistencies of rod power and action ratings, gear ratio vs ipt, etc and finally factor in your preferences and style. No wonder we all keep buying more gear 

 

sounds like we are on opposite ends of the spectrum your style being more power fishing and mine more finnese and I am guessing different types of water. I find these to be big factors that don't always enter the conversation with techniques and gear. 

I don't see a medium driving home most spinner bait hooks sufficiently for my uses. I prefer a MHMF or MHF depending on bait, hook, current or depth. 

[LCG]

14 minutes ago, Drew03cmc said:

I don't see a medium driving home most spinner bait hooks sufficiently for my uses. I prefer a MHMF or MHF depending on bait, hook, current or depth. 

This bass is nothing special but the hook was buried through the top of the mouth, doesn't get much better than that. But again short distance casting.

 

[jimmyjoe]

7 minutes ago, LCG said:

 

sounds like we are on opposite ends of the spectrum

 

   Yes, it sounds like it. When I saw that @Captain Phil was in Florida, the first thing that came to mind was BIG BASS. That's why I was surprised that he used a (presumably) medium power rod. I figured that he would have had a monster rod.

 

   But you're in Canada. That's a little different, at least for bass. Musky are a different problem.

   BTW ...... at one time I used the 3/16 version of the War Eagle Finesse spinnerbait. It caught fish left and right; some small and some big. I quit using it because it didn't last. It got broken up by one big fish or two mediums, sometimes breaking into two pieces right at my feet.

   I was not happy, to say the least. I had chosen it because I have arthritis in my hands, and the lighter weight allowed me to "push" the rod less.  Ha! So much for good ideas.  ?

   I eventually came around to the "1/2 oz. minimum" school of thought, and I've been happy ever since. The moderate action on that big fiberglass rod helps cushion the acceleration on my cast, although I still need to be a little careful.   

 

   Good luck fishing!            jj

[Drew03cmc]

6'6" MF/6.2:1/12# copolymer

6'8" MF/7.0:1/20# braid to 10-12# leader

7' MHMF/6.2:1/30# braid to 15# leader

7' MHF/7.0:1/30# braid to 15 to 20# leader

7' HF/7.0:1/50# braid

 

6'8" MXF/spin/15# braid to 10# leader

 

[scaleface]

My truck has a short bed so 7'0" is the max length that will fit in it . I typically carry 5 to 7 rods . 

 

one 7 ft hvy action worm/jig rod Okuma Epixor 

four 7 ft mh action rods for most everything else . Okuma Epixors

one 6'6" med action rod for lighter weight lures 

one 7 foot spinning rod for finesse presentations 

[jimmyjoe]

   Leave it to me to forget the intent of the OP. Brain fart! Sorry about that.

 

7'-06" H/F Daiwa Fuego casting.

7'-02 H/M St. Croix Mojo Bass Glass casting.

7'-0" MH/MF St. Croix Mojo Bass.

8'-0" M/MF custom rod on a Batson IP963F blank. This rod has "next zip code" written all over it.

 

I put my reels on whichever rod I feel gives me the best use that day or season, playing musical reels all year. Different matchups have different uses.

 

Daiwa Tatula 150H (50 lb. Sufix 832 braid)

Shimano Curado 200i PG (12 lb. Big Game)

Shimano Citica 200i (12 lb. Trilene XL)

Shimano Curado 70 XG (12 lb. InvizX fluoro)

 

Fewer spinning.

 

6'-06"  M/F St. Croix Avid spinning.

7'-0" ML/F St. Croix Avid-X spinning.

 

Shimano Stradic 2500 FK  (undetermined line right now.)

Shimano Stradic Ci4+ 2500 FA (6 lb. Stren)

 

I have other stuff for panfish , crappie or walleye, but these are my bass setups. 

I also had lots of other rods and reels that I have sold over the last couple of years. I love to experiment, but not every experiment turns out good.  ?     jj

[Captain Phil]

13 hours ago, jimmyjoe said:

 

   I take it that when you say "action", you actually mean "power". If you could, please tell me which "action" (taper, to some and speed to others) that you use. I'm especially interested in your spinnerbait setup. Are you really using a medium power rod for spinnerbaits? If so, what is the  weight of the spinnerbaits that you're using?

 

Rod actions printed on the rod don't mean much.  I have to hold a rod to determine if it works for me.  I am also older than most on this forum, so light rod weight is important.  I want my spinnerbait rods to have a lot of backbone so I can get a good hook set.  At the same time, I want the top 18" or so to have a little bend in it.  Casting spinnerbaits with a broom stick is hard work. The flexible tip makes it easier.  I use the lightest rods I can find that meet that criteria.

 

95% of the time I use two spinnerbaits, a Hildebrand Okeechobee Special in chartreuse and white with tandem gold blades and a White Terminator with silver blades.   Both are 3/8 oz.  I often downsize the top blade so the bait runs slower and deeper. I modify these baits with a Zoom split tail and a trailer hook.  These two spinnerbaits do everything I need a spinnerbait to do.  

 

The rod I chose is not necessarily the rod you should use. Everyone is different.  The quality of the bait itself is significant in spinnerbait fishing.  There is a big difference in the fish catching ability of a $10 spinnerbait and a Walmart special.  Cheap spinnerbaits have thick wire and little vibration.  The blades don't turn freely enough and the blade finish is dull. Most anglers fish spinnerbaits too fast and are afraid to throw them into deep cover. The first bait I throw in a day of fishing is a spinnerbait.  Many days it's all I need.

[jimmyjoe]

50 minutes ago, Captain Phil said:

Casting spinnerbaits with a broom stick is hard work.

 

   Yes, it is. I found that out the hard way. I usually use a H/M fiberglass rod for spinnerbaits. People  think because it is (physically) heavy that it must be hard work to use. It's not, because of the moderate action; it "gives". I have a H/F rod (and used to have a different H/F rod) and they are/were much harder on me. The acceleration was more physically demanding.

   I'm surprised that you use 3/8 oz. spinnerbaits. I used to fish rivers exclusively, and I used 1/2 oz. or heavier. But I had pike (and wiper) to contend with, too. I've experimented with lighter spinnerbaits in lakes the last few years, but keep coming back to 1/2 oz.   I guess old habits die hard. ? 

 

   Thanks for the information; I appreciate it.      jj

  

[Deephaven]

Casting

Frog: Loomis 904 kicked out to 7'10", 50lb PP

Jerk/Top: St Croix SC5 XF spinning blank made into a 6'8" casting rod, 20lb PP

Spinner/chatterbait: SC5 MH/F made to 7'10", 30lb PP

Skipping/Jig: GLX 844 kicked out to 7'3", 15lb Big game

Texas: SC5 M/F built to 7'6", 30lb PP

And if I have to spinning

Finesse: SC5 M/F 7' , 10lb PP

 

...although I carry more than 6 rods always those would be the "big five"

[Captain Phil]

4 hours ago, jimmyjoe said:

 

I'm surprised that you use 3/8 oz. spinnerbaits. I used to fish rivers exclusively, and I used 1/2 oz. or heavier.jj

  

 

You don't need a big spinnerbait to catch big bass.   It's where and how you fish them that makes the difference.  Big bass won't move far for their food.  They lay in wait and catch their meal using as little energy as possible.   For this reason, you must put the spinnerbait as close to the fish as possible.  I look for pads where I can cast past the target and move my rod so the bait runs directly under the pads.  I like to catch big bass.  2-3 pound fish are always welcome, but the fish I am looking for are 5 pounds and up.  Once I catch one like that, I am usually ready to go home.  I went out this morning for a few hours. I left the ramp at 9 AM.  The water is 88 degrees and the sun was directly overhead.  In the pads I caught a very scrappy 5 pound bass on a Hildebrand spinnerbait.  If you look close you can see it was hung on the trailer hook.  If you don't use a trailer hook you are missing a lot of bass.

 

[Bass Junke]

1- St Croix Mojo Bass 7'1"med fast 10lb P-line floroclear. Texas rigs, jerk baits buzz baits. 

2- Falcon Bu Coo med hvy fast 20lb power pro. Finesse jigs, spinner bait chatter baits.

3-Rainshadow Revelation MH fast 12lb big game. C-rig. 

4- Rainshadow  Revelation H fast 30lb power pro. Heavier jigs, pitching /punching, frogs.

5- Rainshadow Revelation M xfast spinning 8lb P- line CX. Light texas rigs, Ned rigs, shakey heads.

6- Rainshadow RX-6 M xfast spinning 6lb P-line CXX. Drop shot. 

[WRB]

Since I sold nearly all my tackle and only an occasional back seater now my rods & reels are minimum number that fits this thread.

1. 6’10” MHF JWR ALX custom rod w/ Daiwa Tatula 8:1 reel w/12lb Tatsu FC. Worms.

2 & 3. 2each 6’10” H F JWR ALX custom rods, same reels and line as #1, jigs.

4.  6’8” MF Major Craft Iovino Splash-It rod, Daiwa 153 HTSA 6.3:1 w/ Sunline Armillo 11# mono. General use Treble hook moving lures, spoons etc.

5. 7’ MF St. Croix Victory spinning, with Shimano Vanford 2500 reel, 5 lb Max UG copoly Mono, all my finesse presentations.

Extra spool with Smack down w/11 lb Armillo leader for Senkos in cover.

Tom

[TnRiver46]

Ummmm…… hahah. I honestly don’t even know! It’s a pile of junk that nobody would want to buy but I make it work 

 

A couple of spinning combos with 6 pound mono, a couple of bait casting combos with 12 pound mono. And one rod with braid for frogs in milfoil. Not sure on length and action, most of them franken-rods

[roadwarrior]

 

[Bankbeater]

These are the 5 I use the most.  They may change from trip to trip, and depending on the time of year, but I'll have at least 4 each trip.

 

6'6" mh/f, 15# mono, 6.3:1 bc for jigs.

6'6" mh/f, 15# mono, 6.3:1 bc for Texas rigs.

7'0" mh/f, 15# mono, 6.3:1 bc for heavy moving baits.

6'6" m/m, 10# mono, 6.3:1 bc for light moving baits.

6'6" m/f, 10# mono, 5.2:1 spinning for finesse plastics.

 

 

[MN Fisher]

The five rigs I reach for the most?

 

7'0" MH/F, 7.1:1 BC, 15#Tatsu - bottom contact, swim jigs

7'0" MH/F, 7.9:1 BC, 40# 832 - spinner/chatter/buzz

7'0" MH/MF, 6.3:1 BC. 12# YZH - cranks, squarebills, topwater

7'0" M/F, 7.3:1 BC, 10# Advance Mono - jerks, soft swimbaits, lipless

7'0" ML/F, 1000-size Spinner, 10# 832/6# InvizX - finesse

[Koz]

On 9/19/2021 at 2:28 PM, Captain Phil said:

3. Top Water - 6' medium action graphite casting rod, 7/1 reel, 20 pound green Power Pro no leader

 

I find that very interesting as most people use longer, beefier rods for topwater baits.

 

So why do you choose the shorter, medium rod for topwater baits?

[Valongbeard]

Expride 7’ 2” mh graphite t rigs jigs swim baits up to 1/2 oz 

 

Expride 7’ 2” mh graphite glass composite chatterbaits and large square bills 10 foot and less crankbaits

 

Expride 7’ 6” heavy flipping pitching 1/2 oz larger jigs and plastics frogs 6” inch mag drafts

 

Zodias 6’ 10” medium top waters jerkbaits small square bills crank baits 

 

Diablo spec r spinnerbaits buzzbaits medium size square bills smaller swim baits 

 

Expride 7’ medium spinning shaky head drop shot light baits in general 

 

 

[WRB]

28 minutes ago, Koz said:

 

I find that very interesting as most people use longer, beefier rods for topwater baits.

 

So why do you choose the shorter, medium rod for topwater baits?

My #4 rod/reel combo is designed for top water lures and works very well for them. This combo is also very universal for treble lures between 3/16 to 5/8 oz and 3/4 is structure spoons.

For me I work top water lures easily with the 6’8” rod.

Tom

[the reel ess]

22 hours ago, Drew03cmc said:

I don't see a medium driving home most spinner bait hooks sufficiently for my uses. I prefer a MHMF or MHF depending on bait, hook, current or depth. 

I've caught pently on a SB/buzzbait with a M rod. They'll allow the fish to completely take the hook before you know it's there and set the hook. But I know a MH can be helped a lot by using mono.