Rod Selection: The Basics

[roadwarrior]

For enthusiasts, technique specific gear is fun
to collect. However, three rigs cover all the
basics:

#1 6 1/2' or 7' MHF 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

 

[CJV]

For enthusiasts, technique specific gear is fun

to collect. However, three rigs cover all the

basics:

#1 6 1/2' or 7' MHF 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

 

I'm glad three setups work for you! I have a hard time making 6 setups work.

[FrogFreak]

I hope my wife doesn't see this!

[KlubbaT]

Hey RW. What would you recommend for line on these 3 set ups?

[roadwarrior]

The simple answer is #12 Yo-Zuri Hybrid on baitcasters, #6 Y-Z Hybrid on spinning tackle.

 

Other suggestions for baitcasters include Kanzan #50 direct or with #20 Tatsu leader.

#20 Tatsu or AbrazX for fluorocarbon only.

 

Although I generally recommend #6 Hybrid, I use mostly #4 on spinning gear. However,

not everyone would be comfortable with that choice. I also use Tatsu #6. Lots of guys

like braid, too. I have experimented, but it's not for me.

[KlubbaT]

Thanks RW

[KlubbaT]

Ok. I already have 6# yozuri hybrid soft on my spinning rod (Dobyns 683SF). Just bought a Dobyns DX744C and a 705CB to round out my arsenal. Got some 12# yozuri hybrid for 705CB. Want braid on the DX744C. Seems that 30-50 are most popular so I'm leaning towards 40# braid currently.

[Boomer_bassin]

Hey RW, would you mind expounding on what all techniques the spinning rod would be capable of?

[roadwarrior]

Gosh, there is no limit to what you can do with spinning tackle, from bream to yellowfin tuna!

 

For me, spinning tackle is all about finesse. Primarily I fish soft plastics and live bait with spinning

gear. For everything else I like the feel and functionality of baitcasting equipment. My basic rig is

a 2500 size reel, 7' MF rod and #4 or #6 line.

 

Specifically this is my spinning gear:

 

G.Loomis PR844S/ Stella 2500FD/ Yo-Zuri Hybrid #4  (Mostly live bait)

St. Croix LES70MF/ Stella 2500FE/ Tatsu #6  (This is my primary rig)

St. Croix Avid AVS66MLF/ Stella 1000FA/ Hybrid #4  (Trout, white bass & bream)

[Felix77]

The RW trio is spot on! ... Here is my "base" set

 

#1 6 1/2' MH baitcaster for jigs, spinnerbaits, walk to the dog baits, flippin and pitchin moderate cover etc.

#2 7' MM baitcaster for treble hook lures (square bills, jerkbaits, lipless CB's, poppers)

#3 6'9" MF spinning rod (weightless senko, drop shot, mojo rig, lighter lures like the KVD 1.0 Squares)

[bigbill]

I mainly use five rod setups from shore. My topwater and Carolina rig plastics setups are the heaviest. Then my spinnerbaits setup, my crankbait setup and my small light lure setup. These are spinning outfits. They range from 7'2", 7', 6'6" 6' & 5'6". I have more but narrowed it down to five.

My new baitcasters pretty much the same range except no light tackle.

I'm not talking about my 6 fly rod setups, my trout and great northern pike setups, my saltwater setups for bluefish and stripers, weakfish, flounder and blackfish.

I probably own more tackle than I'll ever need but this season I'm going to try my hardest to wear out them all. Bill

My goal someday is to fly fish for ever fish species we have here.

[FATYAKKER]

RW, Thanks for posting this. It was extremely helpful for someone just getting back into fishing after an eight year absence. I was overwhelmed shopping online and in the stores and didnt no where to start. Thanks again

[tomustang]

I use a 7MHM for a greater spectrum of throwing cranks from wake/shallow to deep divers running up to 20ft

[Bilbotc2]

ok, sorry to seem a little dense but what does the MF, MM and MH stand for? Thanks!

[Jraut98]

They are types of rods depending on what kind I fish your catching and how your catching them. MF stands for medium fast MH stands for medium heavy and MM stands for medium moderate hope this helps

[EatSleepBass]

Hey RW! Im looking to get a casting rod for my new bionic plus reel! im looking for something for mainly spinners, frogs, crankbaits and Jigs. what rod and line would you recommend? im looking to spend under $100, thanks!

[roadwarrior]

For an all-around rod in your price range take a look at Okuma 7' MF

[Choporoz]

 

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

 

Thank you!    What gear ratio would you put on each?

[roadwarrior]

For single hooks 6.0 - 7+

 

5.0 or so for treble hooks.

[sparky241]

Medium fast and medium heavy but I don't know what mm is

[roadwarrior]

MM = Medium Power/ Moderate Action

[kawiguy08]

Very good info for a beginner like my self. I will return to this thread when buy a new combo. I have a spinning combo now with 6lb on it. I am only comfortable throwing plastic worms right now so it fits real well with what was said. Again very good info.

[Dwight Hottle]

First letter or two letters is the power. M for medium, or MH for medium heavy, or H for heavy. The 2 or 3 letter is the action. L for light, ML for medium light, M for moderate, F for fast, EF for extra fast, etc.

[Mccallister25]

I just recently bought a Sellus from a buddy, and its an x-fast model. Ill be using it for my jig fishing, when Im typically used to fishing with a regular fast tip. Should I expect a significant difference in hooksets?

[BasshunterJGH]

I like 4 combos: one 7 ft med light spinning for finesse worms and jerk baits, one 7 ft med hvy fast action casting for jig and worm, one 7 ft med mod action for crankbaits, and one 7 ft 3 in or 6 in hvy or mag hvy for flipping, pitching, frogging and small swim baits