I'm not a power fisherman (crankbaits and reaction strikes) but I really do well fishing my finnesse tactics. Currently I have a 7'mh ethos/mettle for jigs and worms, a 6'6m/mettle for topwaters and spinnerbaits (rod fishes a little heavier than a medium but not really as heavy as a medium heavy), and a 6'6 medium pflueger combo for skipping/drop shotting/and weightless. What would you buy next? 

Either another worm/jig set up, or a cranking set up.

Either another worm/jig set up, or a cranking set up.

I was thinking about either a cranking set up or a 7'h for frogs and pitching into pads or mats.

Some sort of set-up for fishing lipless cranks.

Okay I've got a couple couple ideas.

   ·All Star Team Rod Crankbait and Abu Garcia C3 4600 - Medium/Deep Divers and 1/2oz lipless

   ·Ethos 7'H and Mettle + 50lb Power Pro - Frogs and Pitching into some mats and pads

   ·Ethos 7'MH and Mettle + 50lb Power Pro - Worms, Jigs, Frogs, Pitching into heavy cover

Reason for the frog rod is because we've been fishing Nickajack Lake and also Baylor Lake which is on the same river. Look at Baylor.

https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en-US&q=Baylor+Lake&ie=UTF-8&ei=vesjUoPfI6assQSU4IGgAQ&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAA

That was taken before the weeds were really bad. Currently there's a lot more pads and almost have of its mats 

I'd suggest a Moderate action rod which you can use to fish both crankbaits and jerkbaits.  I'd suggest a 6'6' Medium moderate action.

I've been fishing jerks on my 6'6m fast. I don't get to fish jerkbait s very often because the water never gets really cold here. Never been big on cranks because I've had a hard time keeping fish on, but I just now realized that it's because of my tackle.

Jigs Jigs Jigs!

 

I have two. A flipping jig set up and a swim jig set up. I  have one tied on at all times.

If you don't fish crankbaits much, get the heavy rod.  Try to find a heavy powered rod in the 7'2"-7'6" range with a 7:1 reel.  You can use it for jigs, c-rigs, pitching to heavy cover, frogs and small swimbaits.  

I think I'll get the jig rod now, and get the crankbait rig around Christmas.

I feel like that Fenwick elite tech mh-mf would be able to do a lot of the techniques mentioned by other members. In that $100 price range too.

I feel like that Fenwick elite tech mh-mf would be able to do a lot of the techniques mentioned by other members. In that $100 price range too.

 

x2, not a fan of the reel seats, but lightweight and very sensitive.

I think I'll get the jig rod now, and get the crankbait rig around Christmas.

What's your budget on rod and reel for the jig set up?

What's your budget on rod and reel for the jig set up?

I'd probably just buy another Ethos for the mettle I bought on Saturday and put my old blue max reel on the 6'6m. I'm really happy with the ethos/mettle combo I have all ready. I won't be able to spend much until I'm able to get a job (which I really don't want). The most I could ever see spending on a combo would be maybe $200 on a very high end with out any left over for any other tackle. I would like to keep it around $150 though because a rod is not any good without a lure at the end.

I'd probably just buy another Ethos for the mettle I bought on Saturday and put my old blue max reel on the 6'6m. I'm really happy with the ethos/mettle combo I have all ready. I won't be able to spend much until I'm able to get a job (which I really don't want). The most I could ever see spending on a combo would be maybe $200 on a very high end with out any left over for any other tackle. I would like to keep it around $150 though because a rod is not any good without a lure at the end.

Gotcha,

 

In that case (sorry didn't see your age), if your happy with the Ethos/Mettle combo, I'd go with another one. Eventually down the road, you will want a rod with great sensitivity for bottom contact jigs, but you've got a few years to worry about that.

I wouldn't buy anything if I didn't have a job, you can do do pretty much everything with what you have.  If I bought anything it would be a fly rod and learn something totally different.

You know, if your budget is that tight, you might be better off with spinning gear. More bang for your buck, so to speak.

I'd probably just buy another Ethos for the mettle I bought on Saturday and put my old blue max reel on the 6'6m. I'm really happy with the ethos/mettle combo I have all ready. I won't be able to spend much until I'm able to get a job (which I really don't want). The most I could ever see spending on a combo would be maybe $200 on a very high end with out any left over for any other tackle. I would like to keep it around $150 though because a rod is not any good without a lure at the end.

Here's another option around your range. http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Pro-Qualifier-Reel/CarbonLite-Trigger-Rod-Baitcast-Combos/product/12041705055310/

You know, if your budget is that tight, you might be better off with spinning gear. More bang for your buck, so to speak.

I can get more, but don't want to. I was planning on spending about $200 on my crankbait rig. It's kind of like snook said, except for that I've tried fly fishing. I have been considering another spinning rod, but the one I have now is still pretty good.

 

Gotcha,

 

In that case (sorry didn't see your age), if your happy with the Ethos/Mettle combo, I'd go with another one. Eventually down the road, you will want a rod with great sensitivity for bottom contact jigs, but you've got a few years to worry about that.

I've been looking at other rods in the price range, and the only other I've found that I like would be a vendetta. I like the Powell diesel but not having a warranty worries me, and especially when both abu and H2O have great customer service with pretty good warranties. I think that if I ran some braid on the ethos it would increase the sensitivity enough that I could use it with success.

Here's another option around your range. http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Pro-Qualifier-Reel/CarbonLite-Trigger-Rod-Baitcast-Combos/product/12041705055310/

I've been considering the pro qualifier.

So would y'all go with a 7'MH or a 7'H? Braid, mono, or fluoro? I currently have 12lb CXX on both reels.

So would y'all go with a 7'MH or a 7'H? Braid, mono, or fluoro? I currently have 12lb CXX on both reels.

How heavy of jigs are you running?

I use 1/2oz and like a heavy action with fast tip.

I prefer braid for jigs, but I'm experimenting with some Seaguar Tatsu Fluoro in 20# on my jig rod right now.

Go with the heavy power, fast action and braid.  Since you don't have a ton of rods, you need variety.  Cover all your bases.   You can always tie a leader if you don't want to fish straight braid.  

How heavy of jigs are you running?

I use 1/2oz and like a heavy action with fast tip.

I prefer braid for jigs, but I'm experimenting with some Seaguar Tatsu Fluoro in 20# on my jig rod right now.

1/2 is about the max weight I'll throw. I mostly throw 1/4 and followed by 3/8. But with the skirt and trailer your 1/4 ounce jig probably weighs 1/2 ounce give or take a little.

 

 

Go with the heavy power, fast action and braid.  Since you don't have a ton of rods, you need variety.  Cover all your bases.   You can always tie a leader if you don't want to fish straight braid.  

Ok. I'll just try to wait for the next rod riot if it's pretty soon.