Rephrase a question on a baitcasting reel and purchasing equiptment

[ReelMaster]

After reading all of the responses and searching the boards I realize that choice of rods and reels is more of a personal choice than anything else. I will be at Bass Pro tomorrow to look for a reel to match to a 6'6" M Crankin Stick I thought it said MH at first. What do I need to look for when choosing a reel for this particular rod. I understand that it is mainly for crankbaits. I saw some recommendations for a reel by David Fritts that is suppose to be good for throwing crankbaits.

After reading the board and some articles I may look for two more rods and reels combos to get started with. One would be a 6'6"-7' MH action baitcasting combo with 12-14 lb test line, and a 6'6"-7' M action

spinning rod with 8-10 lb test line. If I understand right these two outfits along with the crankbait outfit could handle the majority of my fishing. Later I could get a flipping/pitching setup.

My main question is how do I go about making sure I am selecting good balanced combonatios and a quality product.

[Sam]

Mr. HopJ,

Easy question, complex answer.

1.  Be sure to "balance" your reel with your rod's specs. Write down the rod's lure size and line test parameters and match them with the reels you are considering.

2.  Some guys swear by the old and slow 5:1:1 reel ratios for cranks, with 20-pound test.  Others go with the 6:1 and 7:1 models as they want more speed when necessary.  Personal choice.  I use the 5:1 with Bandits and the 7:1 when I really want to burn that crank during the summer.

Go with the brand names and you can't go wrong.  Flooger, Diawa, Shimano, etc. make great baitcasters. The number of bearings and the metals used guide the pricing. Also, do you want a "low" profile reel or a standard baitcaster?  Personal choice.

And don't forget to add an Ultra Light spinning rig to your arsnel for small crankbaits.  Lots of fun in the summer.

3.  As for rods, graphite or glass? Some guys say graphite has more feel and you need the feel for crankbaits. Others love their glass rods.  Either way, be sure to start with a medium heavy model in a cranking rod.  As you know, there are specific cranking rods.  I love my cheap BPS cranking rod. So go figure. Just be cognizant of the type of rod in the combo you are considering from BPS up to G. Loomis.

4.  If you stick with brand names you can't go wrong. Not "Ugly Stick" but you know the names.  Just balance the rod and reel via their specs. Ugly Sticks are great for pond fishing and letting kids use them.

And take your time.  Look at the rods. Feel them.  Note their weight. Have the clerk let you add a reel to the rod to see how it feels.

Do the same with the reels.  Take your time.  Feel them. Hold them.  Look closely at them.  Check out their specifications.  Go with a color you like.

Count the number of eye guides on rods. What kind are they?  How close are they to the reel?  Is the combo's monetary value in the reel or the rod?

Consider the reel's weight.  Wide spool or narrow spool? What are the "hot" sellers?

Just go with your gut feeling and you will do great.  You do not need the most expensive rod or reel. The fish have no idea of the cost of your gear.

Be sure to balance the rod with the reel and get ready to spool it up and do some fishing!  

[roadwarrior]

  Quote

After reading all of the responses and searching the boards I realize that choice of rods and reels is more of a personal choice than anything else.

Personal choice is the deciding factor, but not the basis for equipment

decisions. Maybe this will help:

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