How To Choose A Rod And Reel, Help! (Spinning)

[Southern_Comfort]

Currently, I have two good rod/reels. Both are baitcaster's. Shimano Citica's. one is on a 7' Custom rod MH, The other on a 6'6 Team diawa pro bass model.

I'm buying two good spinning set-ups.

One I want a pflueger president with 8 lb test.

The other reel, I'm undecided on, Maybe The newer BPS extreme? I'm open to suggestions.

Need suggestions on rods also.

One I want to be able to fish for Crappie, Bluegill and bass. I'm leaning towards the president with 8 lb line for this.

The other just crappie and bass.

Could the president with the right rod be able to be fished with, plastic's, Cranks, spinnerbaits?

[SirSnookalot]

Boat, shore, open water, heavy vegetation? I'd go with 6'6 6/12 med or ml for open water and if you're dealing with a lot of vegetation I'd go to the next step up 7' 8/17 rod. I only use spinning and have no problem fishing variety of techniques and lures.

What size president ? Depending on size you may look at another line option. I don't give brand recommendations, especially not knowing the price range. What I like you may not, you may be spending more or less than me.

[Dave T.]

One I want to be able to fish for Crappie, Bluegill and bass. I'm leaning towards the president with 8 lb line for this.

The other just crappie and bass.

Could the president with the right rod be able to be fished with, plastic's, Cranks, spinnerbaits?

You are asking a lot for a rod that is light enough for Bluegills, and still heavy enough for bass.

With that said...

It looks like you are looking at a "ML" rod at most for the Crappie, Bluegill rod , and a "M" for just the Crappie and Bass. With those size rods, you be wanting a small to medium size spinning reel to match up to the rod. In my opinion, if you want to fish cranks and spinnerbaits on those rod/reel combinations, you will need to keep the size of the cranks and spinner baits on the small size. Fishing big ones will put a lot of strain on a spinning reel, and rods that size are not ideal for lures with a lot of water resistance.