Mixing Brands?

[KYntucky Warmouth]

I really don't believe that having the same setups makes you more efficient. A professional sponosorship is really where that idea is rooted for beginning anglers. If you've taken the time to become familiar with your gear and can really fish it, it doesn't matter what brand it is. I can switch between different setups easily because I know my equipment, I'm not going to cast my Curados the same way I cast my zillions or a Sol. I know not to snap cast a revo, so if I'm fishing a revo, I won't.

I see this happen all the time here in the flea market and have benighted from it. Someone buys 5 revos because they're new and they think they might like them. 4 months later they're for sale because they wanted to try Daiwa reels, well, the next year the daiwas are for sale because they liked revos better. It makes no sense, to waste that kind of money when you don't know what you like.

If you find a reel or rod that you really like, build gradually. Don't think you need to change every setup when you want to try something new. Personally I am still looking for the perfect setup. I haven't found one rod or reel manufacturer that can satisfies me completely, some have and that's great but I like having different choices and I take different rods everytime I go fishing.

[Jim_M]

Having the same (or very similar) reel makes a lot of sense.

[smalljaw67]

Years ago I would say yes, by all means, have the same reels on the same rods but todays rods are all light, most are in that 3.6 to 4.6 ounce range were years ago some rods were 5 ounces while others were closer to 4 ounces and still others were over 5. When the rods were over an ounce different between each other then going from a heavy rod to a light rod could really screw you up as far as casting accuracy and setting the hook. Todays quality rods, those rods in the $100 to $300+ range are all withing an ounce so picking one up after using another isn't as bad as it once was. I have 3 rods of the same brand, actually identical and then 2 of another brand and then 3 of another, so yes, I have multiple rods from a single manufacturer but if I say switch from throwing a spinnerbait on my Quantum Super light to Throwing a crankbait on my Fenwick Smallmouth rod, I really don't feel any weight difference to cause my casting to be off, in fact both of those rods have a Smoke 150 reel, one is a burner and the other is a cranking gear ratio and the rods are very cloes in weight. If it was 10 years ago, KVD is spot on, the differences in rod from one to another were vast but with such an emphasis on every piece of equipment being light weight, as long as the rods are all with in the same price range and within 3 years of each other then it isn't too important. JMO.

[Lucky Craft Man]

Rick Clunn takes this even further. He said on one of the older episodes of "The Bass Pro's" is that he uses a 7' Heavy Baitcasting rod for everything, which if you are truly trying to elimnate any "adjustment" period, this is the only way you can do it. All my rods are made by G Loomis, but going from a G Loomis GLX 7'11" Heavy flipping stick to a G Loomis GLX 6'8" Medium Worm rod takes a little adjusting, even though they are all made by G Loomis.

[Hyrule Bass]

Rick Clunn takes this even further. He said on one of the older episodes of "The Bass Pro's" is that he uses a 7' Heavy Baitcasting rod for everything, which if you are truly trying to elimnate any "adjustment" period, this is the only way you can do it. All my rods are made by G Loomis, but going from a G Loomis GLX 7'11" Heavy flipping stick to a G Loomis GLX 6'8" Medium Worm rod takes a little adjusting, even though they are all made by G Loomis.

This post is an example of why i dont buy into the having one brand of everything theory being discussed.

I think its better to just familiarize yourself with the equipment you do have and become comfortable with that, and with any new equipment you may purchase.

[.ghoti.]

I remember a seminar where Rick Clunn explained his "system". Not only does he use the same rod; a 7'H-F, but used the same reel, with the same gear ratio, and the same line. So, at that time, every one of his combos was identical. 7" H-F rod, 6.3:1 reel and 25lb flouro line. He claimed that when he wanted to make a bait change, everything felt and performed exactly the same, so he was more efficient. I didn't buy the idea then and don't buy it now. It doesn't make sense. How can that setup, with a 1/4oz crankbait tied on, feel and perform exactly same as it would with a 1oz jig tied on?

If it doesn't make sense with identical components, how can it make sense with different ones? Even if they are from the same manufacturer?

I have rods from a wide variety of companies. They all feel different in some way, and they would if they were all from the same manufacturer. Different lengths, power, action, handle length, grip materials, reel seats and balance points. Putting the same reel on all of them would not change those differences, so it makes no sense to have all identical reels.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

IMO this is another example of the confidence in your tackle having a psychological affect on your concentration. Competitive fishing is 90% in the head and instinct. A lot of these guys are so organized they border on OCD, which works in their favor apparently.

Years ago when we raced dirt bikes, 6 of us had the exact same make, model and size of bike and when we would switch with each other, we all HATED the other 5. No 2 felt the same. To some extent, I see the same with reels that I own and work on. Each has its own personality to some degree so I see no need to have identical setups laying around. Not mention, It's hard enough to explain to the wife why you need more than one "pole" lol, it'd be harder if they were all the same.

[.ghoti.]

INot mention, It's hard enough to explain to the wife why you need more than one "pole" lol, it'd be harder if they were all the same.

Thanks DVT, thanks a lot. I have coffee dribbling out of my nose and it's all down the front of my shirt and all over my keyboard. I owe you one. And I always pay up.

[roadwarrior]

For enthusiasts, technique specific gear is fun

to collect. However, three rigs cover all the

basics:

#1 6 1/2' or 7' MH baitcaster for jigs, some

soft plastics and spinnerbaits

#2 6 1/2' or 7' MM baitcaster for treble hook

lures

#3 7' MF spinning rod for lighter lures and a

variety of techniques

[KCL655321]

For reels I like keeping to pretty much one brand, which is Abu for me, due to familiarity with the mechanics of how the reel works & how to adjust it & know they'll all be pretty close to the same. Of course being a Revo fan opens up Pflueger, Lews, & BPS reels which are all really similar to the Abus. For rods, different companies have different actions that I like better for different techniques, so I'm not nearly as brand loyal when it comes to rods.