What would you choose?

[Daniel Abram]

So I bass fish for SM and LM. I want to cut it down to 5 rods. Two spinning rods and three bait cast. What would be your choices? I fish Wv Va tn north and South Carolina. Lakes and fish a few rivers. 

[MediumMouthBass]

#1. Spinning rod for SM/LM, 7' M fast. Great for just about all finesse techniques and paddle tails. (wacky rigs, ned rigs, neko rigs, tube jigs, etc)

#2. Spinning rod 6'6"-6'10" M fast or moderate-fast. Jerkbaits (which is a proven bait for both species but smallmouth especially).

#3. 7' MH fast casting rod, but a stiffer/thicker one. Football jigs, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, more of a heavy duty MH rod but not quite near where you would be throwing baits that require a heavy rod.

#4. 7'3" MH fast rod. Pretty much a do all kind of rod, that extra length will help cast farther.

Lipless cranks, Chatterbaits, almost every topwater (just loosen the drag if theres treble hooks), Texas rigs, heavier paddle tail swimbaits, and dozens among dozens of other techniques.

#5. Either a 7'4" M moderate rod for squarebills, shallow-mid diving crankbaits. Or a 7'4" MH moderate rod for deep diving crankbaits. Either way pay more attention to their lure weight ratings than the power.

 

Theres alot of good rods that would fit these needs, theres no perfect ones however as thats different for every fisherman and how it is in their hands.

Whats your budget per combo or as a whole? Level of experience with casting reels? Certain brands you prefer or dislike? Any certain features or technology you want out of a rod or reel?

[DogBone_384]

2 hours ago, Daniel Abram said:

I want to cut it down to 5 rods

I'd choose a 7' ML/F and 6'8"-7' M/F spinning rods for finesse plastics, maybe substituting  the M/F for a M/MF for light cranks. 

 

The three casting rigs would be 7'-7'3" M/F, MH/F, and MH/M for tubes, jigs/Keitechs, and the moderate action for 1/4 oz and up cranks/lipless.

[Daniel Abram]

2 hours ago, MediumMouthBass said:

#1. Spinning rod for SM/LM, 7' M fast. Great for just about all finesse techniques and paddle tails. (wacky rigs, ned rigs, neko rigs, tube jigs, etc)

#2. Spinning rod 6'6"-6'10" M fast or moderate-fast. Jerkbaits (which is a proven bait for both species but smallmouth especially).

#3. 7' MH fast casting rod, but a stiffer/thicker one. Football jigs, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, more of a heavy duty MH rod but not quite near where you would be throwing baits that require a heavy rod.

#4. 7'3" MH fast rod. Pretty much a do all kind of rod, that extra length will help cast farther.

Lipless cranks, Chatterbaits, almost every topwater (just loosen the drag if theres treble hooks), Texas rigs, heavier paddle tail swimbaits, and dozens among dozens of other techniques.

#5. Either a 7'4" M moderate rod for squarebills, shallow-mid diving crankbaits. Or a 7'4" MH moderate rod for deep diving crankbaits. Either way pay more attention to their lure weight ratings than the power.

 

Theres alot of good rods that would fit these needs, theres no perfect ones however as thats different for every fisherman and how it is in their hands.

Whats your budget per combo or as a whole? Level of experience with casting reels? Certain brands you prefer or dislike? Any certain features or technology you want out of a rod or reel?

Well I have some rods now. Going to more than likely buy 2 bait casters. My budget is $150-$200 a rod. I have reels. Just trying to figure out the rods I want 1st. Then match up with my reels I have. Just tired of keeping a bunch of rods on the boat. I will probably keep a couple spares in case of one breaking. I’m pretty good with bait casters. Been using one for about 10 years now. I really like Abu Garcia.

[WRB]

Suggest the new Daiwa Kage B line of rods. 
Tom

[Dan N]

All around 7’ 

casting: 1 MH fast

1 heavy fast

1 medium, moderate 

spinning:

1 medium fast

1 medium light fast

between 6’9” and 7’3”

I would think you could do just about anything with 5 rods.

I believe every rod I own is between 6’6” and 7’6” . 
I honestly fail to see a difference in an inch or 2. 
Yes, go ahead and add the jokes🤣

[Brian11719]

Spinning

6'10-7'2 ML F - drop shots and other lighter jig / worm type stuff

7' M F - wacky rigs, shaky heads, etc.

 

Casting

7'1 MH F - jig / worm rod

7'4 H F - frog / flipping and pitching

7'2 MH MF - crankbaits, bladed jigs etc.

 

Shimano Poison Adrena (the new ones) or St Croix Legend Xtreme for the spinning rods w/ Shimano Vanford reels. Dobyns for the casting rods w/ Daiwa or Lew's reels.

 

If you want a budget option for the casting stuff the new Daiwa Tackle Warehouse DXB rods w/ the Lew's Tournament MP LFS (or just the speed spool but honestly get the MP) would be my recommendation. No budget recommendation for the spinning stuff I like sensitive spinning rods so probably not the best one to ask about less expensive options...but I really do like the Adrenas and Legend Xtreme.

[JN94]

Spinning 1: 1/8-3/8oz rated, fast or mod fast (I tend to prefer mod fast on light wire hooks) for lightest weight finesse lures

Spinning 2: 1/4-1/2oz rated, mod fast, small moving baits and small treble hooked lures

Casting 3: 3/8-1oz rated, regular action. All purpose rod. Jigs, t-rigs, single hook or larger treble moving baits, topwaters, etc

Casting 4: 1/2-1.5oz rated, fast or regular action. Larger/heavier jigs, t-rigs, larger moving baits. Pretty much just an upsized version of previous rod to handle heavier lures

Casting 5: 1-4oz rated. Big swimbaits, A-rig, etc

 

Should cover the gamut. Length depends on what you like/how you fish. I tend to prefer regular/mod-fast actions because I think they're a lot more versatile (which may serve you well if you're limiting your rods) and I lose less fish. I also fish braid to leader on everything. But action can also be dependent on what works best for you 

[Craig P]

I wouldn’t limit yourself, just choose the 5 rods that best suit the water you’re fishing that day. I do this myself. I have my staples, 3 rods typically are always on the boat but then grab 2 off the rack if I know the lake offers something technique specific. 

[GRiver]

10 hours ago, Craig P said:

I wouldn’t limit yourself, just choose the 5 rods that best suit the water you’re fishing that day. I do this myself. I have my staples, 3 rods typically are always on the boat but then grab 2 off the rack if I know the lake offers something technique specific. 

This what I do, my boat has limited space. I rotate the others depending on how I’m fishing that day…. Plus I don’t want the other rigs to get jealous.