Matching casting reels to casting rods and bait suggestions

[GeorgeH]

Hey guys, so I am fairly new to bass fishing and just got back into bass fishing at the end of last year.  I am trying to match up the following reels to the rods below, and was hoping you guys could help me out.  It would also be great if you guys had any tips for what to throw on each setup.  I do have 1 spinning rod, Megabass Orochi XX Whipsnake that is paired with a Shimano Vanford 2500.

 

Almost all of this stuff below was gifted to me from my family, except for the Dobyns Rods I just purchased.

RODS:

Megabass Orochi XX Perfect Pitch

Dobyns Champ DC 734C FH XP

Dobyns Champ DC 736CB GLASS XP

Dobyns Fred Roumbanis Utility Rod DC 703C FR

Dobyns Fred Roumbanis Crankbait Rod DC 705CB FR

REELS:

2 - Shimano JDM 2021 Scorpion DC HG

1 - Shimano JDM Metanium DC HG

1 - Shimano Metanium DC XG

1 - Shimano Curado DC XG

 

[RDB]

  On 1/11/2022 at 6:48 PM, GeorgeH said:

Almost all of this stuff below was gifted to me from my family, except for the Dobyns Rods I just purchased.

RODS:

Megabass Orochi XX Perfect Pitch

Dobyns Champ DC 734C FH XP

Dobyns Champ DC 736CB GLASS XP

Dobyns Fred Roumbanis Utility Rod DC 703C FR

Dobyns Fred Roumbanis Crankbait Rod DC 705CB FR

REELS:

2 - Shimano JDM 2021 Scorpion DC HG

1 - Shimano JDM Metanium DC HG

1 - Shimano Metanium DC XG

1 - Shimano Curado DC XG

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I am looking for a new home.  Do you mind reaching out to your family and gauging their interest?

[TNBankFishing]

  On 1/11/2022 at 6:48 PM, GeorgeH said:

Hey guys, so I am fairly new to bass fishing and just got back into bass fishing at the end of last year.  I am trying to match up the following reels to the rods below, and was hoping you guys could help me out.  It would also be great if you guys had any tips for what to throw on each setup.  I do have 1 spinning rod, Megabass Orochi XX Whipsnake that is paired with a Shimano Vanford 2500.

 

Almost all of this stuff below was gifted to me from my family, except for the Dobyns Rods I just purchased.

RODS:

Megabass Orochi XX Perfect Pitch

Dobyns Champ DC 734C FH XP

Dobyns Champ DC 736CB GLASS XP

Dobyns Fred Roumbanis Utility Rod DC 703C FR

Dobyns Fred Roumbanis Crankbait Rod DC 705CB FR

REELS:

2 - Shimano JDM 2021 Scorpion DC HG

1 - Shimano JDM Metanium DC HG

1 - Shimano Metanium DC XG

1 - Shimano Curado DC XG

 

Expand  

I'll bite. 

 

Listing lightest to heaviest. 

Dobyns 703C - Met HG Seagar Invisix 12lb- Light T-rigs 1/4oz, light jigs 1/4oz, 3.8 paddle tails on 1/4oz heads. 

Dobyns 734C - Met XG Seagar Abrazix 15lb- 3/8th T-rigs, 3/8th jigs, 3/8th spinner baits

Dobyns 705CB Sunline Crank FC- DC HG - Squarebills, shawllow to medium cranks, topwater treble baits. 

Dobyns 736CB Sunline Crank FC- DC HG - Medium to Deep cranks, maybe chatterbaits. Not used the stick to know for sure. 

MB PP - DC XG Braid- Frogs, light punching 3/4-1oz, heavy jigs in cover 1/2oz-3/4oz, 5 inch paddle tails with 3/8th head. 

[GeorgeH]

  On 1/11/2022 at 9:19 PM, TNBankFishing said:

I'll bite. 

 

Listing lightest to heaviest. 

Dobyns 703C - Met HG Seagar Invisix 12lb- Light T-rigs 1/4oz, light jigs 1/4oz, 3.8 paddle tails on 1/4oz heads. 

Dobyns 734C - Met XG Seagar Abrazix 15lb- 3/8th T-rigs, 3/8th jigs, 3/8th spinner baits

Dobyns 705CB Sunline Crank FC- DC HG - Squarebills, shawllow to medium cranks, topwater treble baits. 

Dobyns 736CB Sunline Crank FC- DC HG - Medium to Deep cranks, maybe chatterbaits. Not used the stick to know for sure. 

MB PP - DC XG Braid- Frogs, light punching 3/4-1oz, heavy jigs in cover 1/2oz-3/4oz, 5 inch paddle tails with 3/8th head. 

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Thanks for your thoughts.  I appreciate it!

 

Does anybody else have some input?  I would love more ideas to help me figure this out.

[new2BC4bass]

Beyond my price range.  Would love to have the Dobyns Champ DC 736CB GLASS XP.  It was designed to be a chatterbait rod.  It succeeds very well.  Check out reviews on it.  4 power Dobyns are a do-it-all rod....so I read.

 

Looks like you've got a nice arsenal started.  Another 20-30 of each and you will be all set. 

[WRB]

High end rods and reels will not help you catch more bass with limited experience.

Put more time in practicing casting with your tackle and studying  bass behavior.

I have only been bass fishing about 65 years,  casting skills and knowledge is far more important then the tackle I am using.

Tom

 

[GeorgeH]

Well, it seems that nobody other than TNBankFishing, is willing to match up the reels, and provide bait suggestions for each rod and reel.  Thank you TNBankFishing, I really appreciate your help!

 

Tom - I do agree that high end rods and reels are not necessary to catch bass, however it certainty does not hurt.  I may argue that having more sensitivity high end rod, could result in more hookups, that otherwise may go undetected in a lessor quality rod, but not necessary.

 

I was gifted everything on my list except for the Dobyns Rods that I got 2 of them at 40% off, and the other 2 at $139 ea.

 

My family just wanted to make an ole guy like myself happy and buy me stuff for a change.  I personally would not have bought this high end stuff, but I sure will use it once I figure out how to optimize what I have.

 

I went out to Castiac and tried out the MB whipsnake with the Vanford with 10# braid to 10# fluoro leader, because that's the only obvious pairing that I have.  Tried a variety of finesse approaches and practiced my hunting skills so to say.

 

Just to be clear, this isn't my first rodeo, only new to Freshwater Bass fishing, so I thought, wow what better place to get some help to figure this out than the highly touted Bass Resource forums.

 

Anyway, that's enough rambling for now.  I will make one last effort to get assistance with my puzzle of optimizing the equipment I currently have, and what baits to use on each setup.  Thanks in advance.

 

Current Rods and Reels:

RODS:

Megabass Orochi XX Perfect Pitch

Dobyns Champ DC 734C FH XP

Dobyns Champ DC 736CB GLASS XP

Dobyns Fred Roumbanis Utility Rod DC 703C FR

Dobyns Fred Roumbanis Crankbait Rod DC 705CB FR

REELS:

2 - Shimano JDM 2021 Scorpion DC HG

1 - Shimano JDM Metanium DC HG

1 - Shimano Metanium DC XG

1 - Shimano Curado DC XG

[WRB]

You bought rods and reels with excellent customer service and reliable performance that will last longer then you will use them as technology is always changing....good choices.

Deep diving crank baits are a lot easier to use all day with lower gear ratio between 5.8-5.0. 

Bottom contact lures that cast over 35 yards higher gear ratio ‘s 7.0-8.1:1 is useful to hook set and control the bass.

Not knowing what the gear ratio/IPT the reels are can’t make suggestions.

Tom

PS, the line you use is also important.

[Fishingmickey]

Love to help you out George,

     You've got a excellent set of rods and reels. You've probably got a fair majority of us drooling over all that DC reel stuff and top notch rods.

     Like WRB said without knowing the gear ratios reels and how your planning to fish them (what baits and size/weight of them) it is hard to say how to pair them. 

     You've got the majority of the rod powers covered (3-6 power) lengths are all 7' - 7'3".  Any of those reels will work with any of the rods. Now you need to determine line type (braid, mono, fluoro) and lb. test.

     Myself, I'd use the Curado 150 DC for heavier lures/presentations. The Scorpions and Met's will probably do anything else you ask of them. I do feel they would perform better on the lighter side of lure and line weights.

Good luck and happy matching,

Fishingmickey

[softwateronly]

Here's my stab at it, trying to balance XG/HG and weight.  My experience is with braid to leader.

 

 

Current Rods and Reels:

RODS:

Megabass Orochi XX Perfect Pitch - Shimano Metanium DC XG 

This would be my jig/worm rod, should balance well and I would be very happy...

-jig/worm

- could also do weedless swimbaits, just gotta reel slow

- frogs

 

Dobyns Champ DC 734C FH XP - 1 - Shimano JDM Metanium DC HG

- spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, paddle tails, spooks, etc almost anything moving really

- finesse jigs

- secondary jig/worm rod 

 

Dobyns Champ DC 736CB GLASS XP - 1 -Shimano JDM 2021 Scorpion DC HG

- chatterbaits, underspins, medium cranks, most deep cranks

 

Dobyns Fred Roumbanis Utility Rod DC 703C FR - 1 - Shimano Curado DC XG

- secondary worm rod

- anything single hook under 5/8oz moving just reel slow

- secondary finesse jigs

 

Dobyns Fred Roumbanis Crankbait Rod DC 705CB FR - 1 - Shimano JDM 2021 Scorpion DC HG

- traps, squarebills, topwater trebles

 

scott

 

[Bird]

And here I am using Lews speed sticks and old lightning rods. Lol

Keep it simple and look at the Rods recommendations for lure weight ratings and go from there. 

 

 

[Bankbeater]

I just start mixing and matching the rods and reels.  Then I go in the backyard with a practice plug tied on.  I'll cast with it for about 15 minutes to see how it feels.