AVERAGE RODS AND REELS?

[DADto4]

Ok with all the recent posts like what's in your locker and what should I get for x-mas or what to use for some particular lure or technique got me thinking.

So on my last four days off, I did an inventory with one of my boys..We found that 8 out of 9 of my high end BC rods are med hvy fast action 6', and only three were 6'6".

Also found that the paired reels were all in the 5.3:1 or 5.6:1 ratios only one was higher, but all are lure type specific to me.

Alright enough rambling... main question is what is with the extra long rods and burner type reels is it a matter of long casting and working buzzbaits? Or is it much more in depth!

WHAT AM I MISSING ?

My high end collection although it may be a few years older goes like this

BPS  (2)BNX66MHT/citica ci201

       (2)SG60MHT/curado 100

       (1)TSP66MHT/lexica lx100

       (2)BNX60MHT/Diawa triforce 153i

       (1)Gloomis gl2/chromica cm200

       (1)Gloomis gl3/Quantum KVD

ARE MY RIGS SIMPLY OUTDATED

IF THEY ARE I WILL NEED TO KNOW APPROX. 7 TO 10 DAYS BEFORE DEC.25!!!!!!!!!

[Catt]

My shortest rod is a 5' 6 Shimano Crucial CU-56D-T used when I have to pull my boat into the buck brush during the spawn or when I pull my boat under docks. My longest rod is a 7' MH extra fast Team Daiwa 701MHRB used for flipping/pitching. The rest are 6' 6, 6' 8, & 6' 10 medium heavy extra fast in a variety of name brands.

While many anglers buy their rods for specific lures I buy mine because I like the feel, action, & back bone; the additional length gives me better balance & feel.

As for reels I use Shimano's Calcutta & Cardiff because they are rock solid & dependable under every scenario. These reels are 5.8:1 gear ratios which suit me, if I want to speed up I just turn the handle an extra time; I do have 1 Calcutta CT50A that is 5.0:1 which is use for slow rolling.

Is your tackle outdated?

I'm the wrong person to answer that since I believe in keeping my tools simple, functional, & dependable.

[roadwarrior]

Maybe this will help:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1196114229

Regarding reels, I would suggerst two Citica CI200DSV on sale and either a Symetre or Stradic 2500FI.

8-)

[The Rooster]

I'm a lot like Catt in that last statement he made there.  

But as I have learned it, a higher speed reel like a 7.0:1 will help with certain presentations such as high speed buzzbait retrieval, and also can be convenient in fishing a jig or T-rig for when the presentation is done, you will have a quick retrieval to be ready for another cast a bit faster.  Also it can be helpful to take up line quickly for when a bass takes the bait and then swims towards the boat before you get to set the hook.  Reel in slack fast and then set the hook.  

Then of course a slower gear ratio such as a 5.4:1 will help with cranking a big crankbait down deeper.  Things like that gives us a reason to have more than one ratio of reel in the boat.

I like a 6.4:1 reel for most things though, seems to be enough of a speed increase over the slower 5.4:1 to help with the things I said above but also still allow me to slow down some to retrieve a crankbait with ease to get it down deeper.  

On the longer rods, they are supposed to help with things like casting distance, leverage to pull a fish out of cover, and setting a hook faster with less effort, or setting the hook better when the fish is in deep water.  There's probably a few advantages to working some baits with longer rods too, but I simply don't know that much cause I dont' use any longer rods than what you have yourself.  

I like a 6'6" as about the maximum length for now.  That is until I see any further need for extra length.  Seems a 7' rod has too long of a handle and it's in my way more than anything.  Might help with casting distance or setting the hook on a deep water bite, might even help with leveraging a fish out of heavy cover.  But I think if it's in my way then I'm not going to get the benefits of the longer length cause I'm fighting the rod too much.  If it's holding me back then I can't see any benefits of having it.  So 6'6" is as long as I want for now.  

[DADto4]

Catt, thanks for your honest input I agree with everything you said.

I also go for feel hence the small surplus of BPS rods I love the "power hump".  But I am feeling the urge to get something new!

[The Rooster]

Bass Pro Shops has their Extreme combos on sale right now for $100.  That's pretty good for that combo.  The reels are excellent, I have 3 of them, and the rod has the power hump you like.  I don't have any of those rods now, I liked others better but I got the reels and paired them with others instead.   Right now I'm getting into using Shimano Compre rods for my Extreme reels.

But they are great reels.  Good prices too.  Something different than what you already have and yet still familiar if you get the combo with the power hump.  They also have 3 different gear ratios for the reels so you get a good choice of what you want.  That reel is available in 9 different models.  Some with flippin switch, some without, some are smaller finesse models, there's a wide spool version too.  Very smooth and very nice, aluminum framed reels with 7 bearings.  I can't say enough about them, check them out!

[Maxximus Redneckus]

My shortest rod is a 5' 6 Shimano Crucial CU-56D-T used when I have to pull my boat into the buck brush during the spawn or when I pull my boat under docks. My longest rod is a 7' MH extra fast Team Daiwa 701MHRB used for flipping/pitching. The rest are 6' 6, 6' 8, & 6' 10 medium heavy extra fast in a variety of name brands.

While many anglers buy their rods for specific lures I buy mine because I like the feel, action, & back bone; the additional length gives me better balance & feel.

As for reels I use Shimano's Calcutta & Cardiff because they are rock solid & dependable under every scenario. These reels are 5.8:1 gear ratios which suit me, if I want to speed up I just turn the handle an extra time; I do have 1 Calcutta CT50A that is 5.0:1 which is use for slow rolling.

Is your tackle outdated?

I'm the wrong person to answer that since I believe in keeping my tools simple, functional, & dependable.

is that crucial a pistol grip???

[Catt]

Nope split straight grip  

[DADto4]

Rooster, I was looking at that combo last week and it is on the christmas wish list. I hope Santa takes the hints I've left.

As always thanks for the input

-John

[Fishing Rhino]

Rooster, I was looking at that combo last week and it is on the christmas wish list. I hope Santa takes the hints I've left.

As always thanks for the input

-John

I just picked up two.  Christmas gift to myself.  A great bargain at 30 bucks off the regular price, and an 80 dollar savings over buying them separately.

Nice selection of rods and reel with different ratios and one flipping model.

I got the 7' 10" extra heavy and a 6' 6" medium heavy.  The first is for casting swimbaits up to 3 ounces, and a backup to my Nitro combo which can toss lures up to 6 ounces.

I plan to try them on Stripers chasing herring into the Westport River next spring.  I'm curious to try some of the stuff I've got for largemouths to see what happens.

The other makes number two of that combo.  Will be rigged with a different bait for ease of switching.