Jeremy M Posted January 29, 2022 Posted January 29, 2022 Novice co-angler looking for some advice. Last year was my first time fishing tourneys as a co-angler in a bass club - only using spinning gear. This winter I got my first baitcasting set-up (Curado DC, St. Croix rod) so I'm excited to learn this. For the tourneys this year, I plan to bring 4 set-ups and I'm trying to figure out what line and lures/techniques to use on each. I realize this may vary depending on various factors (season, type of water, weather, location, etc.) but I'm just looking for general ideas from all of your experience. (I hope to get more baitcasting set-ups after I get used to it.) 1. Baitcasting reel 7.4:1, 7'1" MH Fast rod 2. Spinning reel 5.2:1, 7'0" MH Fast rod 3. Spinning reel 5.2:1, 6'6" M Fast rod 4. Spinning reel 5.2:1, 6'6" M (Fast or Moderate Fast?) rod Given these 4 set-ups, what line type (mono, fluoro, braid), line strength, and technique/lures (topwater, crankbait, jerkbait, spinnerbait, bladed jigs, swim jigs, drop shot, t-rig, wacky, etc.) would you recommend for each? Many thanks! Quote
mrpao Posted January 29, 2022 Posted January 29, 2022 What part of the country and what species of bass do you mainly target? Quote
Kenny Yi Posted January 30, 2022 Posted January 30, 2022 i would do: BC (bottom contact, maybe spinnerbaits)~ 15-25 lb fluoro depending on where you are Spinning MH (bottom contact, cranking) ~ 20 lb braid to 12 lb copolymer or fluoro leader Spinning Ms (the light stuff) ~ 10-15 lb braid to 8-10 lb mono or copolymer leader I let reel speed, lure weight, and hook diameter and comfortability determine what i use on which rod psssttt, Ill see ya this season man! 1 Quote
EWREX Posted January 30, 2022 Posted January 30, 2022 lure choice depending on season and whatever cover you’re fishing. Baitcasting 7'1" MH Fast rod 15-17lb fluorocarbon jigs, texas rigs Spinning 7'0" MH Fast rod 12lb fluorocarbon chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, lighter topwaters, carolina rigs Spinning 6'6" M Fast rod 15lb braid to 8-10lb fluorocarbon leader senkos, tubes, ned rigs, shaky heads, hair jigs, small swimbaits Spinning 6'6" M Fast rod 15lb braid to 8-10lb fluorocarbon leader drop shot, drop shot, drop shot 1 Quote
PressuredFishing Posted January 30, 2022 Posted January 30, 2022 3 hours ago, Kenny Yi said: i would do: BC (bottom contact, maybe spinnerbaits)~ 15-25 lb fluoro depending on where you are Spinning MH (bottom contact, cranking) ~ 20 lb braid to 12 lb copolymer or fluoro leader Spinning Ms (the light stuff) ~ 10-15 lb braid to 8-10 lb mono or copolymer leader I let reel speed, lure weight, and hook diameter and comfortability determine what i use on which rod psssttt, Ill see ya this season man! Depends on what lures you like to throw or work well on ur fishery, so it can also be different lake to lake, medium spinning and mh casting is peanut butter and jelly and a jack of all trades, ya just can't go wrong. Quote
Jeremy M Posted January 31, 2022 Author Posted January 31, 2022 On 1/29/2022 at 6:54 PM, mrpao said: What part of the country and what species of bass do you mainly target? Maryland. Mainly LM but we have one location with SM (Conowingo reservoir). On 1/29/2022 at 8:41 PM, Kenny Yi said: i would do: BC (bottom contact, maybe spinnerbaits)~ 15-25 lb fluoro depending on where you are Spinning MH (bottom contact, cranking) ~ 20 lb braid to 12 lb copolymer or fluoro leader Spinning Ms (the light stuff) ~ 10-15 lb braid to 8-10 lb mono or copolymer leader I let reel speed, lure weight, and hook diameter and comfortability determine what i use on which rod psssttt, Ill see ya this season man! Thanks Kenny - yes, see you soon! On 1/29/2022 at 11:50 PM, EWREX said: lure choice depending on season and whatever cover you’re fishing. Baitcasting 7'1" MH Fast rod 15-17lb fluorocarbon jigs, texas rigs Spinning 7'0" MH Fast rod 12lb fluorocarbon chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, lighter topwaters, carolina rigs Spinning 6'6" M Fast rod 15lb braid to 8-10lb fluorocarbon leader senkos, tubes, ned rigs, shaky heads, hair jigs, small swimbaits Spinning 6'6" M Fast rod 15lb braid to 8-10lb fluorocarbon leader drop shot, drop shot, drop shot Excellent, this is much appreciated! 1 Quote
EWREX Posted January 31, 2022 Posted January 31, 2022 17 minutes ago, Jeremy M said: Excellent, this is much appreciated! once you get comfortable with the one baitcaster, i would subsitute your 7' MH spinning outfit to a second baitcasting outfit to throw the chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, etc. 1 Quote
Super User the reel ess Posted February 1, 2022 Super User Posted February 1, 2022 30# braid on the baitcaster. 20# braid on the spinning. People will tell you not to use braid with some lures. I just set me drag and use the right rod. Whatever leaders you feel necessary based on water clarity and the application. I'm using more straight braid, but that's just me. 1 Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted February 1, 2022 Super User Posted February 1, 2022 17 hours ago, EWREX said: once you get comfortable with the one baitcaster, i would subsitute your 7' MH spinning outfit to a second baitcasting outfit to throw the chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, etc. Probably the nicest rod I have is a MHF spinning rod...6'6" I think. It hasn't been used in years because I prefer baitcast for those weights. Need to force myself to use it. Too nice to let sit. OP, I like some of the above suggestions. In your current position (new to baitcast reels) I'd use the MH casting for bottom contact because most lures are going to be compact and use the MH spinning rod for lures that catch air such as a spinnerbait. You'll have less problems with backlashing...especially in the wind. 2 Quote
Jeremy M Posted February 1, 2022 Author Posted February 1, 2022 4 hours ago, the reel ess said: 30# braid on the baitcaster. 20# braid on the spinning. People will tell you not to use braid with some lures. I just set me drag and use the right rod. Whatever leaders you feel necessary based on water clarity and the application. I'm using more straight braid, but that's just me. I'd like to use straight braid to avoid having to tie on leaders. Of course I'm willing to learn and do it if it makes a difference. I'm assuming you don't notice a different using straight braid? What braid (brand/type) and color do you use? Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted February 1, 2022 Super User Posted February 1, 2022 I've read of two people fishing side by side using the same lures...one with leader and one without...and the one with the leader out fished the one without a leader........in gin clear water. I don't fish this type of water. I've never tested it out, but I don't think it makes a difference where I fish. A B-I-L of mine fishes nothing but straight 40# braid on his spinning reels (in Florida) and it doesn't seem to affect his catch and he has caught some double digit bass. 1 Quote
Super User the reel ess Posted February 1, 2022 Super User Posted February 1, 2022 1 hour ago, Jeremy M said: I'd like to use straight braid to avoid having to tie on leaders. Of course I'm willing to learn and do it if it makes a difference. I'm assuming you don't notice a different using straight braid? What braid (brand/type) and color do you use? No, I haven't noticed any difference in number of bites. But our water is usually not crystal clear. I use the green Power Pro. I have gone back and forth with using a leader. But when I did, it was 15# Big Game mono. It kind of negates the purpose of 30# braid to use a leader of lower strength, in my opinion. Sometimes I rig up a C-rig and I'll use mono as the leader. Also, I have a dedicated frog combo (and T rigs in cold weather) that has 50# PP on it. Never a leader on that one. 1 Quote
Super User the reel ess Posted February 1, 2022 Super User Posted February 1, 2022 22 hours ago, new2BC4bass said: I've read of two people fishing side by side using the same lures...one with leader and one without...and the one with the leader out fished the one without a leader........in gin clear water. I don't fish this type of water. I've never tested it out, but I don't think it makes a difference where I fish. A B-I-L of mine fishes nothing but straight 40# braid on his spinning reels (in Florida) and it doesn't seem to affect his catch and he has caught some double digit bass. I fished with a FL guide who had straight braid on all his combos. I asked him why he didn't use any other lines. He said he fishes too much to be losing lures every time out. With 30# braid you can usually unsnag most lures. Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted February 2, 2022 Super User Posted February 2, 2022 19 hours ago, the reel ess said: I fished with a FL guide who had straight braid on all his combos. I asked him why he didn't use any other lines. He said he fishes to much to be losing lures every time out. With 30# braid you can usually unsnag most lures. Exactly why my B-I-L uses 40# braid. No lost lures. 1 Quote
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