If you could do it right the first time?

[smd]

Hello everyone. I have been fishing for seriously for about 2 years. My gear is as follows.

Soft plastics 6'6" M rick clunn (RC) rod and RC baitcast real.

spinnerbaits and cranks same as above but Heavy.

A walmart cheap spinning real and rod for misc stuff and everything else not pertaining to worms or cranks/spinnerbait.

Well now is the time for me to get really serious. I will be buying all new gear in Jan 07.

If you could do it right the first time (skipping the trial and error portion) and had to outfit yourself from scratch, what would you suggest. Say for example i asked u to take me to BPS and hook me up with what I need.

I would want:

1. Softplastic (worm) rig

2. Spinnerbait/crankbait rig

3. Flippin/pitching rig

4. dropshot rig

5. topwater rig

6. Light tackle rig (for when the fishing gets tough)

If any of the rigs could be used to fullfill more than one rig that would be handy.

I prefer baitcasting reels..

Choosing a line is still confusing to me, i usually just grabbed something at walmart.

I will be fishing from a boat.

I live in central cali and the water is kinda clear with alot of rocks/boulders and the ocasional submerged tree.

I know this seems like a short way out of me doing my research but the more i read the more i get confused. I would like to keep the cost of each item to around $150.00 or $300.00 per rig.

Even if you made just one rig, it would help out a ton. Thanks. Plus your guys knowledge and experience is far greater than any companies marketing scheme can tell me.

Thanks in advanced to all who helped out a confused angler.

[roadwarrior]

Welcome aboard!

You only need two rigs:

Spinning:

St.Croix Avid AS70MF or G.Loomis IMX SJR843S/ Shimano Stradic 2500FH/ Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #6 (11.9 lb test)

I would fish all soft plastics and light jigs on this combination.

Baitcasting:

G.Loomis IMX MBR844C/ 2005 Curado/ Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #12 (19.5 lb test).

You can use this for everthing except very light presentations.

[Bud]

         You only need two rigs:  

Spinning:  

St.Croix Avid AS70MF or G.Loomis SJR843S/ Shimano Stradic 2500FH/ Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #6 (11.9 lb test)

I would fish all soft plastics and light jigs on this combination.

Baitcasting:

G.Loomis IMX MBR844C/ 2005 Curado/ Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #12 (19.5 lb test).

You can use this for everthing.

RW I agree with you 100% execpt for the part about yo_zuri hybrid ultra soft #12   Just replace that with Sunline Defier #13    Bud

[roadwarrior]

Hey! My friend...

I fished your Sunline Defier and I REALLY liked it, but I'm not sure too many guys are going to pay $40 for a filler spool!

[TournyFish001]

drop shotting- G-Loomis DSR822 spinning with a Daiwa Fuego 2000 spinning reel and Seagar flourocarbon invisx 6lb line. A fist full of 1/8-3/8 mojo drop shot weights, and owner mesqito #4 hooks and a bag full of robo worm 4.5inch straight tails>>>it is up to you to figure out the color!

this lone combo has done absolute wonders for me this year-

[smd]

Thanks for the replies and the time. We are off to a good start, lets hear what the rest of you would do... Keep'em coming folks...

[justfishin]

Oh boy, I would love to help but, I wouldn't touch that question with a ten foot pole and post it,LOL. Good luck !!!

[TournyFish001]

I read that you have bass pro Rick Clunn model rods- I have one and absolutely love it for crankbaits- it is model RCL703C a 7' MH rod- the tip on the rod is wonderful for crankbaits- must be doing something right because Clunn himself actually uses it for tourney fishing- I have seen it! I use a 2004 chronarch 201 reel and 12 to 15lb flourocarbon line with it- I use it for all of my cranks 1/4oz and up. Great rod- I highly recommend- it is even on sale right now for $59.00- I own $400 dollar rods and for crankbaits I would not trade out my RCL703C!

[flechero]

smd,

I know 1 thing for sure, if I were in your shoes, I would probably buy 1 good combo and fish it a while... figure out what techniques you like it for and then re-evaluate what you need for the remaining techniques.  Buy something more versitle for the first one.  (like maybe the MBR844 or an MBR843 if you are further north, if you prefer 6'6" then start with a MBR783 or MBR784)  Whith each purchase you will be better equipped for the next.  And using one good rod will clue you into what you want in the next one.  

If you just bought 4 or 5 nice combos, you'd be out $1k-$2k and may not even have the "right rods for you"

But if that's how you want to go... First off you need to decide how many rigs you want... because the suggestions will be different for an all around combo or 2 vs. several more specific combos.  Also, are you shore bound or do you have a boat?  Makes a difference because it's easy to haul a bunch of rods in a boat but you would likely take only 1 or 2 if you were walking the banks.

[Guest DavidGreen]

Jim Blair,

I agree with you here. I could unload on this one but prefer to watch what goes down..

Good Luck smd,

Just remember we all had to go through the trial and error phase.

It's called learning the sport.

Tight Lines!!!

[smd]

Thanks for all that had some info to add and thanks for those that added a kindly bump to the post.

[Guest the_muddy_man]

Wow great thread. This is what always costs me the most money I was up to sa many as five rigs at one time. It seems Ill be down to 3 . The thing is I get a rig then use it and get the bright idea I need to ugrade or change it and wind up using the older rig BECAUSE IT WAS JUST FINE. I see my self as owning 4 rigs but mostly fishing 3. I just jumped from spinning to baitcasting so I know ill be spending some wasted dollars til Im comfortable

Bad Monkey%#

[roadwarrior]

Yeah, and you still bought something other than a Shimano!

[Guest the_muddy_man]

OUCH! Shimano tackle is great tackle. Some people like Italain food and some like Sushi, Sushi and Shimano come form the same Place

[The_Natural]

I did it right the second time.  I fished tournaments through middle and high school, and sold all my stuff when I graduated.  After college, at 25yrs old, I dove back in.  I didn't own a single rod or reel, and not a single bait.  Sure I own more combos than I am recommending, but you can add more specialized rigs like crankbait, drop shot, c-rig, and flippin' sticks when you get to where you can afford it.  I'm setting you up to where you could compete in club tournaments, BFL, or be rigged properly for fun fishing.

Baitcasting rods:

1. GLoomis  MBR782C IMX (topwaters/crankbaits/jerkbaits)    $165 from Fat Fish Farmer  

2. GLoomis  MBR843C IMX (spinnerbaits/heavy or shallow crankbaits/worms or Senkos)      $170 from Fat Fish Farmer

3. GLoomis  MBR844C IMX (jigs and c-rigs)     $180 from Fat Fish Farmer

Spinning rod:

1. GLoomis  SJR782/3C IMX (all spinning applications...some like a lighter, more limber spinning rod.  If you do, go with the 782, if you like more of a true medium, go with the 783.)   $165 from Fat Fish Farmer

Baitcasting reels:

Option A: Shimano Scorpion MG's.  Ginrinpeche has Scorpion MG's for $184 shipped, and these should work beautifully on all three setups.

Option B: SHimano Curado 100's.  These are available on Ebay for around $150.

Spinning reel:

Shimano Stradic 2500.  The Stradic is not only proven and durable, but takes up 33" of line per handle turn.  This is significantly more than comparable spinning reels, and contributes to my decision.