I own a very good 6'6" medium fast action spinning rod. Now I'd like to buy a second rod and reel, a baitcaster this time.

The most common lures I use are:

• Worm/Senkos/Tubes/Crayfish
  
• Topwater (poppers, plastic minnows)
  

Sometimes I use:

• Crankbait
  
• Spinnerbait
  

What rod would you get to complement my existing gear? I'm not interested in a specific model, but rather what length/power/action/material would you go for.

Also, could you tell me for what lures/applications would you use my existing spinning gear instead of the baitcaster I'm about to buy?

Thank you very much in advance.

You have a good "all purpose" spinning combo that will let you fish a wide range of things, an ideal (IMHO) casting complamentary rod to it would be a 7' MH/Fast. Use your spinning rod for weightless softplastics, drop shotting, small jigs, small cranks etc... and the casting outfit can handle the rest.

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