Specialty Gear Has My Head Spinning!

[AndrewR]

I’m new to fishing and think I am making this more difficult than it should be?

I currently have a Stradic FI 3000/Voltaeus VTC66M2 and want to upgrade the rod, and then add a second rod/reel combo. After doing a lot of reading on the site, I don’t think I can go wrong with a couple of St. Croix Avid rods. Looking at new reels, I’m leaning toward the Chronarch (CH100D7).

Where I really feel lost is in rod selection and matching them to the reels. It seems every rod is designed for one specific fishing technique. Since I will only have two rods (at least to start), what would you recommend to give the most versatility? Up to now, most of the fishing I have done is with soft plastics (Texas rig) and spinnerbaits. Of course I would like to branch out from there.

[Stasher1]

Spinning: AVS68MXF

Casting: AVC70MHF

[Glenn]

Here's a few articles that will help you out:

http://www.bassresource.com/beginner/rod_reel_line.html

http://www.bassresource.com/beginner/selecting_rods_reels.html

http://www.bassresource.com/beginner/bass_fishing_rods.html

http://www.bassresource.com/beginner/rods1.html

http://www.bassresource.com/beginner/reel_selection.html

Hope that helps!

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Technique specific labels are just marketing. This is not to say that the manufacturer's suggested use for a given rod is bad advice, just that you don't need to limit the application to their suggestion. Focus on getting a feel for different powers and actions and the benefits each provides in a given application. Also keep in mind that there are no industry standards for rod ratings. It's all subjective on the part of the manufacturer.

[Pantera61]

This is probably the singular best reason to stay with one brand of rods or within one line of rods. There is no standard between rod manufacturers as to what the actions (UL, L, ML, M, MH, H, XL, etc.) or tapers (Slow, Mod Fast, Fast, Extra Fast). What Shimano classifies as L F, Daiwa UL XF and St. Croix ML F OR what Shimano, Daiwa and St. Croix describe as ML F could be different from one to the other. Add the other manufacturer's into the mix and you've got a total confusion.

No rod builder in his right mind is going to slap a "Carolina Rig" decal on a 5'6" UL XF rod with the expectation anglers will be successful or satisfied. There are times where there can be technique or bait crossover can occur; spinnerbaits (non-slow rolled), crankbaits and topwaters are pretty close. Certain jig and worm presentations also.

Technique specific rods are the culmination of the rod builder's knowledge, feedback from sponsored pros and unpaid field testers all seeking to earn the largest part of the tackle market.

There was a time when everybody used 5'6", pistol-grip, M action, M taper rods for every technique. If that were successful we wouldn't have all the choices we have today.

[Raul]

I’m new to fishing and think I am making this more difficult than it should be?

Basically yes, specialty gear makes it more difficult than it should be. If you can get away with it you only need three rods:

1 Medium Light/Medium Fast spinning rod

1 Medium Fast trigger rod

1 Medium Heavy Fast trigger rod

With those three you can fish practically every bait in your arsenal except for the heaviest stuff.

Don´t have the cash ? well you can get away with two,

1 Medium Fast Spinning

1 Medium Heavy Trigger

[RoLo]

I agree with Raul, keep it lean and mean,

Heck, a bass can be caught with a cheap line tied to the end of a branch.

If my bass fishing were restricted to a 6' 6" medium-heavy spinning rod

for the rest of my life, I would feel no pain.

The performance of ALL tackle is Limited, but the performance of the angler is Unlimited

Roger

[piscicidal]

I’m new to fishing and think I am making this more difficult than it should be?

I currently have a Stradic FI 3000/Voltaeus VTC66M2 and want to upgrade the rod, and then add a second rod/reel combo. After doing a lot of reading on the site, I don’t think I can go wrong with a couple of St. Croix Avid rods. Looking at new reels, I’m leaning toward the Chronarch (CH100D7).

Where I really feel lost is in rod selection and matching them to the reels. It seems every rod is designed for one specific fishing technique. Since I will only have two rods (at least to start), what would you recommend to give the most versatility? Up to now, most of the fishing I have done is with soft plastics (Texas rig) and spinnerbaits. Of course I would like to branch out from there.

Don't get too caught up in the "specialty gear". The differences between, say, my plastic swimbait rod and my frog rod is very subtle. The only reason I have eight rods in the boat is that my fishing time is extremely valuable to me and I don't want to waste one minute retying.

Truth is, I could do 80% percent of my fishing with a good (Avid, Dobyns, Crucial, etc..) 7' MH/F baitcast rod.

[Siebert Outdoors]

Technique specific labels are just marketing. This is not to say that the manufacturer's suggested use for a given rod is bad advice, just that you don't need to limit the application to their suggestion. Focus on getting a feel for different powers and actions and the benefits each provides in a given application. Also keep in mind that there are no industry standards for rod ratings. It's all subjective on the part of the manufacturer.

Exactly!

[Jigfishn10]

Technique specific labels are just marketing. This is not to say that the manufacturer's suggested use for a given rod is bad advice, just that you don't need to limit the application to their suggestion. Focus on getting a feel for different powers and actions and the benefits each provides in a given application. Also keep in mind that there are no industry standards for rod ratings. It's all subjective on the part of the manufacturer.

So true. When I started fishing you selected your rod based on action and power. I built 6 of my bass rods based on those standards and the applications I wanted to use them for. Then came the whole "dumbing down of America" craze and the manufactures came out with "technique specific" rods. I had to retrain myself all over again. Take DVT advice on focusing on getting the feel for each.

Good post DVT.

[Whets Lines]

For me, I think a good 7' medium-heavy fast rod is a great baseline rod. If I were to start over, this would be the rod I'd start with. Using the advice of previous posters, I'd then stay with this brand (for the most part) and move towards another powers/actions as I learned new baits and techniques. If you can't try other people's rods, this is really the only way to go. Start in the middle and add from there. For example, maybe you start using crank baits and you feel you are pulling the bait away from the fish, but like the power of the rod, then you know you can try a medium-heavy in a slower action. Or maybe you are flipping/pitching into cover and you are constantly afraid you are going to lose the fish because you don't have the power to pull it out. You can then get a heavier power. Basically, to me, medium-heavy is a good starting point for largemouth bass fishing. I'm a St. Croix guy and commend your choice. You will be very happy with Avids. Good luck.

Whets

[breezy]

You should be able to do the majority of your fishing using a 6'6-7' MH casting rod and a 6'6-7' M spinning rod. Depending on your area, cover present, the rod manufacturer and preferred techniques you may even consider going down to a ML or up to a MH on the spinning rod. For 90% of techniques/presentations this will be all you'll need, especially at first.

[bigfruits]

st. croix rods are great!

check out the shimano curado 50 or 51 for a nice compact reel.

id get rods between 6'6" and 7'

i match the power and lure weight rating to the lures im throwing and the type of cover.

i generally like medium spinning rods and med heavy casting rods...

as far as action i generally use XF for bottom baits, Mod or Mod Fast for crankbaits and Fast for anything else. Fast is the best all-around action IMO.

[Raul]

I agree with Raul, keep it lean and mean,

Heck, a bass can be caught with a cheap line tied to the end of a branch.

If my bass fishing were restricted to a 6' 6" medium-heavy spinning rod

for the rest of my life, I would feel no pain.

The performance of ALL tackle is Limited, but the performance of the angler is Unlimited

Roger

Funny that Roger mentions it, a few months ago me and my pals went on a 2 day fishing trip, as usual we all carried part of our arsenal, I fished the entire weekend with only 1 rod ( even though I had a bunch of rods with me ), that rod was a 6´6" medium heavy fast spinning rod ( Shimano Clarus + Shimano Sedona 2500 ), didn´t even bother to take a look at the other stuff I had with me, 1 rod was enough.

[AndrewR]

Thank you all for some great advice. That was exactly the comments I was hopping for. I made up my mind and today went to the local BPS, of course they didn't have the exact rods or reel I wanted in-stock so they had to order them. I should have them before next weekend. Definitely excited! I went with two St. Croix Avid rods (AVS68MXF & AVC70MHF) and the Shimano Chronarch reel. That should be a great start.

[Hooligan]

Thank you all for some great advice. That was exactly the comments I was hopping for. I made up my mind and today went to the local BPS, of course they didn't have the exact rods or reel I wanted in-stock so they had to order them. I should have them before next weekend. Definitely excited! I went with two St. Croix Avid rods (AVS68MXF & AVC70MHF) and the Shimano Chronarch reel. That should be a great start.

You'll fall in love with the reel immediately, as will you the Avid. They're likely the best bang for the buck rod on the market today.