lmbfisherman

Your setup seems good enough, I have never owned a Quantum rod before so I can't comment on if the MH seems under specced vs other rods. Maybe check out a Quantum H rod at the store and see how that feels If you are looking for another rod then I'd go with a St Croix Avid MH 7' (seems to have more power than it is rated, own 3 Avids) or Crucial 7'2" Heavy. Of course I use a Heavy/Fast and MH Shimano Compre/Crucial for my jig and worm. I would use whichever one when a situation requires it, so my first recommendation especially if you like Quantum rods to buy a Heavy version. If you want to explore trying another line I'd recommend an Avid MH 7', Shimano Crucial...or really any 150-200 range rod would work for a bottom contact. If you are budget constraint like I am, go for a Veritas or Compre. Personally I think the Compre is more sensitive, but that is just my personal opinion. In the end it's all about what is comfortable for you.

I'd go for Kayak too! I'd probably go 12ft because of the option to go farther. Sometimes public access to the honey hole is further up and you have to paddle to the area.

LOL Well this time he didn't specifically "ask" for a product. He's asking in general. To the question, since this isn't going to be a deep cranker, I would think any 5 to 1 ratio reel would work. Don't need to break the bank at all (BPS PQ or Extreme), I bought an Extreme and don't think it has any issues doing what you want it to do.

Welcome to the boards, awesome place definitely to do that.

I have two of them (Lexa 100), I paid 89.99 with reel trade in plus onsale at the Spring Classic. Then I just picked one up today from a local tackle shop who had it on clearance (says he doesn't sell them much) and bought it for 74.99! What a sweet deal! Now I'm broke, kind of stretched this one, but couldn't pass it up. LOL Such a sweet deal!

I saw you repost that last night. I was like man, from your last post about ebay I thought you sold it already. I should've just sent you a message, but assumed it was gone. Instead I bought a used Crucial. I'd take a look at that too that would be a good buy.

I'd go with the Symetere with the Crucial. I have a Stradic on my Crucial and it feels good in my hands and balanced.

Reels - Shimano - 1 Chronarch, 4 Curados, 3 Citicas, Stradic, Sienna, then add in 2 BPS PQ, Prolite, 1 BPS Extreme and a Daiwa. Sold off my only Abu Garcias last week. I'm not a "fanatic" and don't have problems with other brands, like jb stated...personal preference. That said, I'm starting to change over most of my rods to the Compre/Crucial Lines. I just like how they feel over the other rods I own.

I would agree you should change out the hooks on the BPS brand lures especially. They are very flimsy and easy to straighten out, however it is good practice to do that anyway on most stock lures anyway. I use Owner, VMC, Gamakatsu, Mustad and the BPS EWG hooks and never had a problem with either of them. I do prefer Gamakatsu and Mustad though.

That is good to know. Where is your friend located? The three local shops where I am don't carry them, at least I never seen any Lews in stock ever. With all the rave reviews I was hoping to at least check them out.

Yeah they do attract them up here too. I get my fair share of Smallmouths and Pike in the rivers where I usually throw Firetiger lipless crank.

x2 here. Firetiger works very well at my local rivers.

Oh maybe I misunderstood your budget. If you're that high, I'd buy Crucials or Avid rods and as for reels. Tons of options, I hear Lews is good as Teal stated (Never own one, but because I can't buy them up here in Ontario, or at least haven't found a local retailer). I own Shimanos mostly 1 Chonarch, 4 Curado and 3 Citicas. So if it were me, I'd buy all Shimano I have never been done wrong by them. I do buy other brands though so I'm not just exclusively a Shimano fanatic. Just bought a Lexa 100 for 89.99 from BPS (reel trade in), i haven't used it yet..but it feels real good on my 6'6" Avid Medium/Fast, really balances well in my hands. They are regularly 129.99- 139.99 up here in Ontario. That could be an option for a reel.

Right now - you can buy at BPS (online) the Bass Pro Qualifier reel for 79.99 or if you are patient you can find good deals for Shimano Citicas, Revo S..etc for a 100 new or used. As for the rods I'd go: 1. Flipping Rod 7'6" Heavy/F or XF - Veritas or Compre - both can be found around 100. Recommendation: Doubles as a Frog Rod...to save money for a better Jig Rod. If you want two rods then buy a 2nd one for this setup. 2. Top Water 6'8" - 6'10 Medium/F - Same thing Veritas or Compre 3. Jig Rod 6'10" - 7'2" MH/F or XF - Invest in a 150-200 dollar rod (Avid, Crucial, Cumara..etc) This is a bottom contact rig, you want a sensitive rod. I'd definitely use the flipping rod as my frog rod so you can get a better Jig Rod.

I'd pair it with a 6'6" or 7' MH/F rod. In general this rod would be a jack of all trades and can do some flipping/pitching if it's not too heavy cover/vegetation. In the price range you listed you could go with - 1. Berkley Lightning "Shock" Rod - $50 2. Abu Garcia Veritas - Under a $100 3. Shimano Compre - Under a $100 I own both 2 and 3, if I had to choose though I'd go with the Compre. I like the feel of them better than my Veritas and to me when using a jig. it felt a bit more sensitive than the Veritas. Still either one would be a good buy at the price point. Not to mention the Compre has a better Warranty (Life time limited Warranty).

I actually learned how to fish a jig before a worm when I started bass fishing last year. I still love jigs over a worm, but I know when to say uncle when it's needed.

That is what I usually do. Will I have to try out the "yo yo" technique and ripping out of the grass this season.

Hey "assuming" is fun!

I just looked them up, it seems they are located in Ontario, they aren't part of Spiderwire it's a different company altogether. Hrm I wonder if it's a local product for us Ontario Canada peoples. Hopefully this won't break anything..lol I do use the Stealth though on some of my reels, never really had any issues. EZ Braid? I think it's called, now that was crappy will never purchase that line from Spiderwire ever.

Yeah I like the Sufix Elite, I probably should've just grabbed a spool of Siege. I just didn't need it, but the price alone should've just been a BUY. Ah oh well. I did pick up some Spider Thread was on sale for 13.97. I haven't tried it yet, but they were promoting it pretty hard there today and they even gave out hats for purchasing. Supposedly softer than other "braids". We'll see, bought a 30 and 50 lb. Have you gave it whirl?

Yeah I hear ya, I checked the Bionic Blade/Plus combo when I was there just to look at it. It was 74.99 for the combo, the reels really didn't feel well and the combo was heavy as heck. A full day of fishing with that would probably give you some arm problems.

The Vendetta should be good as an all purpose rod, I'd also agree that you should get a Spinning rod for lightweights. Especially since you state you do not usually use treble baits. When you decide to start treble hook baits you can then look for a Medium powered rod.

x3 for this, I bought this combo in early January in the Medium 7'. I bought it mostly for the reel, but it is a serviceable Rod as a back up for me. I haven't tried out the rod yet, although the Medium/F does seem a bit floppy, to me it's like between a ML-M. I'd go for the MH/F version if you can.

So I just added the following: Crucial Spinning 6'8" ML/XF - Stradic 1000 FJ (Thanks to DarrenM LOL) Compre 7'2" Medium/F - Daiwa Lexa 100 7.1.1 Crucial 7'2" MH/XF - ? Either putting a Curado or Citica on it. Yet to do decide.

I can throw farther with my BC's than Spinning. That is even though I learned last season how to throw a bc. It could just be technique and how good my spinning reels are compared to my BCs though. Normally I don't buy high end spinning reels buy cheapies from retail stores. I usually buy mid tier BCs so that could be the biggest reasons why. That could be part of the difference, also like Darren says once you get more comfortable throwing a BC (Free spool) I'm sure you will get equal or further.