For The Budget Guy?

[JoeDeal55]

First off, shout out to @JSchwartzy for his easy to understand "Bass Tackle Setup Selection Guide"

So theoretically, I could use a MH/F for spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, and chatterbaits. And a M/XF for jerkbaits and topwater walking baits. This could potentially save me a lot of money. I know a lot of anglers would prefer to have a seperate rod for each individual technique, but for the budget guy (like myself) combining these techniques is more ideal.

On paper it appears I can pull this off but I am not sure due to lack of experience and gear. I do plan on purchasing a jerkbait rod that I would like to also throw some topwater trebles on. And a spinnerbait rod that I would also like to throw chatterbaits and buzzbaits. Additionally, could you throw these 3 baits with the same line? What rods have you had experience with that would adequately perform these techniques? I would have to also buy new reels with the rods and id like to keep it under $250 for each combo. I have plenty of time to decide so im starting my research now. Trying to budget my future purchases over the next few years. Any and all thoughts, advice, warnings, etc are welcome! Thank you for your time.

 

[Big Rick]

JSchwartzy hasn't been on the forum since May 11, 2016. So, I doubt he will respond. However, his work lives on!  

[JoeDeal55]

13 minutes ago, Big Rick said:

JSchwartzy hasn't been on the forum since May 11, 2016. So, I doubt he will respond. However, his work lives on!  

Still gotta give the guy credit. Im always looking at his spreadsheet lol

[islandbass]

A Medium Heavy powered rod with a fast action is the basic “just about do it all” rod for many bass angling techniques 

The medium powered rod can do a lot for you two, especially the light single soft plastics 

 

With that said 3 rods can function as “do it all” for the budget minded. The two I already mentioned and other other thing to factor in in your area. If you’re going to be frogging and punching then it makes sense to get a heavy powered rod to handle that. For me, it is a scenario I won’t encounter much at all so I don’t have this type of rod (yet).  To the other side of the spectrum is finesse. This is where medium light powered rods come in. I have this. 
 

These 3-4 powered rods will get the job done — BUT, and this is a big but — one of the advantages of having multiple rods is that it reduces cutting a lure off to replace another. You will not have “on the fly” luxury of simply switching rods. If you have one rod for chatters, spinnerbaits, and jigs, guess what? You’re retying a lure every time you have to change.  It not really a big deal but that is a given reality. 
 

Hence the beauty of having multiple rods. With that said, I do not play that game. I bring 3-4 rods with me that will cover my bases. I also fish from the shore so I refuse to carry 8-10 rods. I used to carry 5-6 but quickly realized nearly 100% of the time only 3 of the rods were used. 
 

Do what works for you and don’t play the keep up with the Jones’ games. 
 

Last piece is this (my POV). If you’re going to spend a lot of $$ on a rod, I would make sure it’s a technique for which sensitivity is paramount and imperative, since you did say budget minded. Bottom contact, etc. I wouldn’t be as willing to shell out such cash for say something like a high end crankbait rod. This does not apply if money is not an issue. 
 

Before you know it, you’ll have 10-15 rods… Easy, lol. 

[JoeDeal55]

8 minutes ago, islandbass said:

A Medium Heavy powered rod with a fast action is the basic “just about do it all” rod for many bass angling techniques 

The medium powered rod can do a lot for you two, especially the light single soft plastics 

 

With that said 3 rods can function as “do it all” for the budget minded. The two I already mentioned and other other thing to factor in in your area. If you’re going to be frogging and punching then it makes sense to get a heavy powered rod to handle that. For me, it is a scenario I won’t encounter much at all so I don’t have this type of rod (yet).  To the other side of the spectrum is finesse. This is where medium light powered rods come in. I have this. 
 

These 3-4 powered rods will get the job done — BUT, and this is a big but — one of the advantages of having multiple rods is that it reduces cutting a lure off to replace another. You will not have “on the fly” luxury of simply switching rods. If you have one rod for chatters, spinnerbaits, and jigs, guess what? You’re retying a lure every time you have to change.  It really a big deal but that is a given reality. 
 

Hence the beauty of having multiple rods. With that said, I do not play that game. I bring 3-4 rods with me that will cover my bases. I also fish from the shore so I refuse to carry 8-10 rods. I used to carry 5-6 but quickly realized nearly 100% of the time only 3 of the rods were used. 
 

Do what works for you and don’t play the keep up with the Jones’ games. 
 

Last piece is this (my POV). If you’re going to spend a lot of $$ on a rod, I would make sure it’s a technique for which sensitivity is paramount and imperative, since you did say budget minded. Bottom contact, etc. I wouldn’t be as willing to shell out such cash for say something like a high end crankbait rod. This does not apply if money is not an issue. 
 

Before you know it, you’ll have 10-15 rods… Easy, lol. 

I have a finesse spinning rod and a MH/F workhorse baitcaster right now that I am throwing everything on. I just use a snap to quickly change baits right now but my plan is to get more rods so thats not an issue lol. My next rod is a dedicated jig rod because that my confidence lure. After that I will get a Jerkbait/topwater rod. Then a spinnerbait/chatterbait/buzzbait rod. Then onto a cranking rod. But this process will be years in the making. I like to have a plan and no regrets.

[BrianMDTX]

In all honesty (and IMO), a bass angler with a MH/F baitcaster and a M/F spinning rig can fish just about anything within reason. It is nice to have rigs for special applications, but it is not a necessity. 
 

No matter what that damned Bait Monkey says! 

[JoeDeal55]

4 minutes ago, BrianMDTX said:

In all honesty (and IMO), a bass angler with a MH/F baitcaster and a M/F spinning rig can fish just about anything within reason. It is nice to have rigs for special applications, but it is not a necessity. 
 

No matter what that damned Bait Monkey says! 

I pretty much do everything on my 2 rods right now except for crankbaits, jerkbaits, and frogs. So for me its more of "broadening my techniques" and I want better gear. My 2 rods are extremely low budget. They work amazing because I catch fish with them, but I have nothing to compare them to lol. I want a more responsive and sensitive rod for my jigs. I need a shorter rod with a faster tip to learn the jerkbait. What I have now will not work a jerkbait.

[BrianMDTX]

Before I got a MH/MF rod, I fished crankbaits and jerkbaits on a MH/F. Caught bass, too. I eased up on the hookset with crankbaits and did more of a “sweep-sweep” with jerkbaits than the standard way of working a jerkbait, but it will catch bass. 
 

Is a MH/MF better for those applications? Certainly. Just as a MH/F is better than a M/F for Texas rigs. But I’ve used both and caught bass with both as well. 
 

Of course, a lot of that depends on the rod. One’s MH/F is more akin to a M/F, while another’s may be stiffer and almost like a H/F. 

[Deleted account]

Totally doable, one can do 90% of bass fishing with 2 BCs and a spinning stick. 

[JoeDeal55]

13 minutes ago, Deleted account said:

Totally doable, one can do 90% of bass fishing with 2 BCs and a spinning stick. 

Would you throw all three baits (spinner, chatter, buzz) on lets say, 10-12lb Yo-Zuri Hybrid?

[TnRiver46]

3 minutes ago, JoeDeal55 said:

Would you throw all three baits (spinner, chatter, buzz) on lets say, 10-12lb Yo-Zuri Hybrid?

I wouldn’t! Those are heavy lures, I like heavier line for those. 
 

my rods and reels are way cheaper than budget level gear haha

[JoeDeal55]

3 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

I wouldn’t! Those are heavy lures, I like heavier line for those. 
 

my rods and reels are way cheaper than budget level gear haha

What line would be best for versatility for all three lures? Straight braid perhaps?

[Deleted account]

8 minutes ago, JoeDeal55 said:

Would you throw all three baits (spinner, chatter, buzz) on lets say, 10-12lb Yo-Zuri Hybrid?

15 BG in my case, but 12 YZ Hybrid will work.

[TnRiver46]

3 minutes ago, JoeDeal55 said:

What line would be best for versatility for all three lures? Straight braid perhaps?

I would still go mono, just more like 15-17. I have thrown chatter on 12 before though, it works. But if a big one grabs it near grass or a dock it won’t 

 

i don’t like fishing heavier lures with thin line 

[JoeDeal55]

I hear great things about BG and Yozuri hybrid. They are both affordable so I will probably try them both out. Very little vegetation in my fisheries so I will go with 15lb. Thanks guys.

[FishTank]

I wouldn't throw topwater or jerkbaits on an X-fast rod.  Medium power maybe.  Ideally, I like a MH fast with a soft tip (sort of a Mod-fast rod) for jerkbaits and depending on the topwater bait, a Heavy with a strong but section and a little bit of a soft tip.  

 

My thoughts on jerkbaits with an x-fast taper rod..... Bass tend to smash jerkbaits.  A x-fast tip will load the rod too quickly.  

 

For topwater with an x-fast rod.... You need the fish to be able to almost swallow the bait especially frogs.  Topwater poppers may be a different story.  

 

I would change what was said above to a MH fast for both techniques but the rod would need to be able to handle a wide range of baits. 

[JoeDeal55]

6 minutes ago, FishTank said:

I wouldn't throw topwater or jerkbaits on an X-fast rod.  Medium power maybe.  Ideally, I like a MH fast with a soft tip (sort of a Mod-fast rod) for jerkbaits and depending on the topwater bait, a Heavy with a strong but section and a little bit of a soft tip.  

 

My thoughts on jerkbaits with an x-fast taper rod..... Bass tend to smash jerkbaits.  A x-fast tip will load the rod too quickly.  

 

For topwater with an x-fast rod.... You need the fish to be able to almost swallow the bait especially frogs.  Topwater poppers may be a different story.  

 

I would change what was said above to a MH fast for both techniques but the rod would need to be able to handle a wide range of baits. 

I have thrown jerkbaits and walking baits on a MH/F BC, a M/F spinning rod, and an old Pinnacle BC rod that says MH but feels like a M, and its very noodly. I assume its a moderate action. Out of those three, the M/F spinning rod imparts the best action for me. Although its awkward for me to twitch and reel simultaneously with a spinning rod. The worst lure action was on the more moderate rod. I felt like I had to beat the water to death to get the lures to properly work. Could just be my personal experience or the fact that I suck at jerkbaiting, but I truly hated the experience. For me the faster the tip the better the action. I assumed my best bet would be a M/XF BC with some mono to absorb some of the impact. Or at least a M/F BC. 

[BrianMDTX]

48 minutes ago, JoeDeal55 said:

Would you throw all three baits (spinner, chatter, buzz) on lets say, 10-12lb Yo-Zuri Hybrid?

Or 12 lb. Big Game. 

[Deleted account]

39 minutes ago, FishTank said:

I wouldn't throw topwater or jerkbaits on an X-fast rod.  Medium power maybe.  Ideally, I like a MH fast with a soft tip (sort of a Mod-fast rod)

X2

[WRB]

I am down to the bare essentials 2 bait casting rods and 2 spinning rods for finesse soft plastics.

My custom ALX jig & worm 5 power fast rod w/Daiwa Tatula reel.

Major Craft Iovino Splash-It rod MF, w/Shimano SLX MGL reel. This my do everything outfit from small to medium crank baits, poppers, jerk baits, spoons, soft plastics etc.

SC Victory spinning MF rod w/Shimano Vanford reel.

My late sons Phenix MF spinning rod w/Shimano Stradic reel.

Back seater these days so KISS.

Tom

[Bird]

I completely understand the term K.I.S.S......keep it simple stupid. 

 

I could likely throw everything in my tackle bag on a 7' med with the exception of finesse. 

Only use 2 baits on heavy action for Bass, frogs and mag flukes with 5.0 hook. 

Don't let the bait monkey dig into your pocket book. Lol

 

 

[QED]

17 minutes ago, WRB said:

I am down to the bare essentials 2 bait casting rods and 2 spinning rods for finesse soft plastics.

My custom ALX jig & worm 5 power fast rod w/Daiwa Tatula reel.

Major Craft Iovino Splash-It rod MF, w/Shimano SLX MGL reel. This my do everything outfit from small to medium crank baits, poppers, jerk baits, spoons, soft plastics etc.

SC Victory spinning MF rod w/Shimano Vanford reel.

My late sons Phenix MF spinning rod w/Shimano Stradic reel.

Back seater these days so KISS.

Tom

Good application of the pareto principle (aka the 80/20 rule).  Your eclectic selection of gear seems well founded.

[bait__Monkey]

20 minutes ago, Bird said:

 

Don't let the bait monkey dig into your pocket book. Lol

 

 

Where’s my shovel? 

[WRB]

I killed that sucker this year sold nearly all my tackle and don’t plan to replace it.

Cheers to those members who bought my stuff?. Enjoy

Tom

[CrashVector]

In my opinion, if you want to be a minimalist as far as equipment goes, OR if you simply dont have the disposable income to buy multiple combos (and lots of people don't), I point people towards a MH/F 7' baitcast combo like the Abu Garcia Max X combo, AND a M/F spinning combo like the Max-X spinning combo from Abu.

 

With a total investment of under $200, youd have the ability to fish literally ANY lure for bass, and do it fairly well.

 

Throw in two spools of Berkley Trilene Big Game...one 12lb and one 8lb, and it just touches the $200 mark.

 

Spend $20 on terminal tackle..hooks, weights, swivels, etc.

 

Then $20 on lures.  Zoom is super affordable.

 

Less than $250 all said and done, and done very well imo.

 

You can go even less expensive on the combos to bring the price down farther