Rod and reel pairing

[insaneurge]

I have a question for those with more experience than me. I have been overhauling my tackle this year and I am trying to figure out the best pairing for the following rods and reels.

 

Shimano Calais 200 (ca. early 2000s)

Shimano Curado 200DC XG (from early 2023)

Megabass Tequila Baccarac

G Loomis NRX+ 904C MBR

 

Ideally these would both be multipurpose rods, with the TB handling heavier applications like light frogging, light pitching/punching, swimbaits etc, and the MBR handling jigs, texas rigs, light swimbaits, chatterbaits, spinnerbaits and the like.

[Bankbeater]

I just start mixing and matching rods and reels until I hit a combo that feels right to me.  If it feels good when casting then I leave them paired.

[Jig Man]

Mount, fish, decide is the way I do it.

[Darth-Baiter]

Daiwa’ s on the two Shimano rods for sure, just to poke a stick into the eye of conventional wisdom. 
 

 

I’ll let you know about the Bantam when it gets to my house.  I’m putting it on a FMJ, which I hope works.