Rod / Reel Variance

[TommyBass]

So I was looking at the Rick Clunn thread and it got me wondering how many people think like I do. I have never been one to buy different rods / reels for certain techniques. I find it almost funny / weird for someone to have 10 rods on their boat, all 10 of which are setup different for a particular technique. Now I'm not saying its good to use a buzzbait on something with low gears or throw a crappie lure with a baitcaster... those are just commone sense and limited by actual physics.

But is it necessary to acutally have say a spinnerbait combo, topwater combo, jig combo, wacky rig combo, crankbait combo, swimbait combo, etc???

I find it hard to belive that if someone came out on the boat with me and we both fished with the same lure and completely different rod and reel setups that they would outfish me soley because of the setup. To me, anyone who is slightly seasoned and decent at fishing can catch anything on anything.

To me, the approach of different setups, if anything, limits / hampers you and takes your focus off of what is actually important. It all comes down to putting a lure in front of a fish and making him bite it. He dosnt care if you have a kistler or an ugly stick above the water.

I'm not saying decent fishing equipment isn't a must, it is. But the variance I am seeing in rod and reel style / techniques is ridiculous. I feel it is undoubtedly the fishing world propagandists behind this movement.

In summary, from my point of view I think that all you need is a decent reel on an average rod, and maybe own 5 of them (if not the exact same then relatively similar). You can learn and implement all techniques on such outfits and easily do anything that is required of bass fishing. I understand why you would take multiple rods fishing, just not the different types.

If you don't feel this way, you can also feel free to explain to me why it is to such importance that everything be fished the way you fish it.

[roadwarrior]

Technique specific rods are for "enthusiasts".

Almost all your fishing can be done with just

one rod. Beyond that, you only "need" three rods:

Spinning: 6 1/2' or 7', M or MH, Fast Action

(soft plastics and light lures)

Baitcasting: MH or H, Fast Action

(jigs, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and all single hooks)

Baitcasting: MH, Moderate Action

(all treble hook lures)

However, for me, I like to have a technique

specific rig for every application. I'm a "collector".

Playing with gear is almost as much fun as the

fishing!

8-)

[firefightn15]

I don't tournament fish but would be willing to bet RW's best equipment that in that scenario time or rather loss of time is a big factor.  Now add the technique specific apps and I can come up with easily wanting a minimum of a half a dozen setups.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Technique specific rods are for "enthusiasts".

Almost all your fishing can be done with just

one rod. Beyond that, you only "need" three rods:

Spinning: 6 1/2' or 7', M or MH, Fast Action

(soft plastics and light lures)

Baitcasting: MH or H, Fast Action

(jigs, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and all single hooks)

Baitcasting: MH, Moderate Action

(all treble hook lures)

However, for me, I like to have a technique

specific rig for every application. I'm a "collector".

Playing with gear is almost as much fun as the

fishing!

8-)

x2 RW, maybe you should make a sticky thread of your suggestion. This comes up a lot.

[S Hovanec]

It depends on the water I'm fishing as to the rods I take. I don't want to re-tie every time I want to use a different lure.

When I fish Lake Erie, I have 1 M/F rod with a tube, and 3 rods rigged dropshot. 2 M/F and 1 ML/XF. The mediums are for the larger baits and the ML is for smaller worms. Plus, once I net a fish with a DS rig, it's pretty much out of commission til I untangle it from the net, so I grab another rigged set-up.

When I fish a local reservoir, I take a MH baitcaster for topwater, a M spinning for tubes and 2 DS rods for the same reason mentioned above.

[J Francho]

Most typical bass fishing can be done with a 7' MH/F rod.  I run a few dupes of this setup.  However, as my fishing style has become specialized, so too has my equipment.  I would not want to drop shot 40 FOW with a 7' MH/F rod.  Nor would I want to toss light cranks with it.  Time on the water and experience using certain baits and presentations has allowed me to develop a preference of what will work better.  If I use that particular bait or technique a lot, I'm going to get the tools that work best for me.  There are times when one of these "specialized" is used exclusively for weeks on end.  Other times, something else.  On tournament days, redundancy can mean a few more casts, which means a few more opportunities.

[Paul Roberts]

Great thread. Well put TommyBass. I can add little to what's been said. Good stuff all.

I have more rods than I need now, in part bc I've been a multi-species angler. But I cover things adequately (on the bass waters I currently fish) with M and MH tackle. I bring dupes so I don't have to tie a lot.

[TommyBass]

Makes sense I suppose.  I do fish alot of tournaments and have managed to do fairly well with my simplistic approach but I can see where your comming from.  I didn't really think about it in terms of collecting or "enthusiasts". 

Obviously you probably will need different rigs for different species... thanks for pointing that out Paul (gotta love my ultralight crappie pole!).  I meant to target this thread specifically at bass fishing.

RW - good point about playing with the gear... I find I like that as well to some extent.

[K_Mac]

RW and J Franco make the case very well. Having the right set-up for the technique being used does add to the enjoyment for me. The first time I threw a small crankbait on a med loomis crankbait rod I understood why folks will spend crazy amounts of money on technique specific rods. My budget prohibits the purchase of high-end tackle, but having the right power and action rods makes me a better fisherman. If nothing else it makes me more confident, which makes me a better fisherman... ;D The logic may be circular but you get the point.

[Paul Roberts]

RW and J Franco make the case very well. Having the right set-up for the technique being used does add to the enjoyment for me. The first time I threw a small crankbait on a med loomis crankbait rod I understood why folks will spend crazy amounts of money on technique specific rods. My budget prohibits the purchase of high-end tackle, but having the right power and action rods makes me a better fisherman. If nothing else it makes me more confident, which makes me a better fisherman... ;D The logic may be circular but you get the point.

It is nice to have just the right rig. I guess it also comes down to how often we fish, and how much $ we're willing to put in.

[K_Mac]

I agree Paul. My trouble is I am an tackle enthusiast on a very limited budget. I have learned to live within my budget, like it or not.

[J Francho]

RW and J Franco make the case very well. Having the right set-up for the technique being used does add to the enjoyment for me. The first time I threw a small crankbait on a med loomis crankbait rod I understood why folks will spend crazy amounts of money on technique specific rods. My budget prohibits the purchase of high-end tackle, but having the right power and action rods makes me a better fisherman. If nothing else it makes me more confident, which makes me a better fisherman... ;D The logic may be circular but you get the point.

It is nice to have just the right rig. I guess it also comes down to how often we fish, and how much $ we're willing to put in.

I think it also comes down to how long you've been fishing.  I see many n00b posts asking for what shaky head rod, what dropshot rod, what tube rod, etc. when all they really need for all three is a 7' M/mod-fast rod.  I just can't see how a young person just getting into the sport would need to specialize so early, when they haven't experienced enough fishing to know why a certain rod may be better.  On the flip side of that, I se many offer their opinions about rod selection based on the fact that's all they've ever used.  Try doing things on something differently, sometimes it ends up being better.  Everybody wants a soft, XXXX-Fast tip on a frog rod.  Makes it nice to throw those things a mile.  Ever try to haul a six pounder from the slop with a rod like that?  Not fun.

[Paul Roberts]

RW and J Franco make the case very well. Having the right set-up for the technique being used does add to the enjoyment for me. The first time I threw a small crankbait on a med loomis crankbait rod I understood why folks will spend crazy amounts of money on technique specific rods. My budget prohibits the purchase of high-end tackle, but having the right power and action rods makes me a better fisherman. If nothing else it makes me more confident, which makes me a better fisherman... ;D The logic may be circular but you get the point.

It is nice to have just the right rig. I guess it also comes down to how often we fish, and how much $ we're willing to put in.

I think it also comes down to how long you've been fishing. I see many n00b posts asking for what shaky head rod, what dropshot rod, what tube rod, etc. when all they really need for all three is a 7' M/mod-fast rod. I just can't see how a young person just getting into the sport would need to specialize so early, when they haven't experienced enough fishing to know why a certain rod may be better. On the flip side of that, I se many offer their opinions about rod selection based on the fact that's all they've ever used. Try doing things on something differently, sometimes it ends up being better. Everybody wants a soft, XXXX-Fast tip on a frog rod. Makes it nice to throw those things a mile. Ever try to haul a six pounder from the slop with a rod like that? Not fun.

John, that's right on. I think the bait/rod monkey too often, or too quickly, does the thinking. On the flip-side, another reason I've had so many rods is bc I've tried new things, that may or may not have worked out as I'd intended.

I think RW's list is a good one that'll cover the basics. In some waters I'd add a L spinning, and in others a H flippin' stick.

My trouble is I am an tackle enthusiast on a very limited budget. I have learned to live within my budget, like it or not.

Describes me pretty well too.

[Fishes in trees]

So how come I have different rods and reels for different fishing approaches?  I have two answers.  #1  Because I can.   Fishing is an individual sport.  There is no right or wrong way to approach it.  Back in the day, when I was a pond hopping, bank walking, Bush hippie, my gear selection was limited by how much I can carry.  Fast forward 30 years and now I cut my hair more often, but I'm still limited by how much I can carry.  With an 18 foot boat and an SUV I can carry more, but I'm still limited. 

#2  Like many other guys, I don't get to go fishing as often as I'd like, therefore, my fishing time is worth quite a bit to me.  Wasting fishing time bugs me quite a bit.  I don't mind losing baits, that is part of fishing, yet it really bugs me when I have to stop and retie just to change baits.  It is easier to just pick up another rod and reel with another option ready to go.  When I can save fishing time by throwing money at more rods and reels, that is a fair trade to me. 

[dave]

I like the golf analogy. You can play golf with one club but, would it be optimum and as efficient? Would you try to drive with a wedge, put with a driver, chip with a putter? Same goes for fishing.

[K_Mac]

I like the golf analogy. You can play golf with one club but, would it be optimum and as efficient? Would you try to drive with a wedge, put with a driver, chip with a putter? Same goes for fishing.

Great analogy. Remember in the movie Tin Cup when he played most of the round with a seven iron? If all you have is a seven iron, that's what you use. Add a driver or three wood, and a putter and your odds of shooting a good round go up. Fill the bag with a set of good clubs and and now the ability to execute and make good choices become key. Just like fishing.

[TommyBass]

I'd think the comparison with golf would be more accurate using brands. Maybe a Taylormade vs. a Spalding. Both will get the job done but the Taylormade has both the name and maybe a little more performance (ie 10 more yards / drive).

The original golf comparison is rather strong. You'd struggle to golf good with one club and thats not so for fishing (unless maybe you picked the putter or driver). I effectively fish almost all techniques on a MH 6'6-7' pole (I guess in your analogy, a 7 iron). I'd find it hard to believe anyone would outfish me with an identical lure because they selected a different rod (club). Same way in that there are some golfers that would down right destroy other golfers using their Wilson and Spalding Walmart club sets.

Interesting points of view none the less!

Note: I wasn't trying to dis anyone who does do this... I was just simply wondering why I see more and more of it now then I used to.

[Dan:]

I like the golf analogy. You can play golf with one club but, would it be optimum and as efficient? Would you try to drive with a wedge, put with a driver, chip with a putter? Same goes for fishing.

Exactly what I was going to post.

You can use the same rod to do everything but some rods and reels are better at certain applications than others.