On 2/4/2014 at 11:37 AM, roadwarrior said:

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

 

Thank you sir the tackle gods love ya and so do I??

On 2/16/2014 at 6:40 PM, FrogFreak said:

I hope my wife doesn't see this!

When I started out back in 2001 I may have read a similar post as this. I ended up with 4 casting 1 spinning. Haven’t been for bass since then until now. I’m half way there

I hope this comment hasn't been made before.  The problem with your recommendation is that bass fishing isn't about basics for most of us, even beginners.  Beginners might wish that success could be reduced to basics, but they will waste a lot of time and money to find that perfect "basic" setup that makes the dream happen for them.  It doesn't work.  "Basic" bass fishing doesn't exist in the real world.

Methinks even most beginners don’t respond to posts from 2014 … but ya never know.  ?

On 2/10/2014 at 2:24 AM, CJV said:

 

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

He didn't say 3 setups work for him....he has many, many more he utilizes.  He is simply saying you can 'make it happen' with the 3 he recommended.

I spent years fishing with a "heavy" rod, a "medium" rod and an "ultralight" rod all filled with mono.  I never knew I needed various length and weight rods as well as different speed reels and braid, fluro, and mono lines until I started reading the internet    I'm kidding because I have zero doubt that specific setups are more effective in various situations, but I do try to keep it simple and not worry so much about the "best" setups.  I have to admit that this forum has cost me money already though!

"Need" and "Want" are two different things.

Since this thread started 2/4/2014 Kent’s 3 basics hasn’t change much, little longer today.

What has changed is technology offering lighter over all rod weight and wider range of actions and power combinations.

Price a decade later the entry level rods you actually get more for your buck today but higher end offerings are pricy!

Lots of good sales ongoing.

Merry Christmas,

Tom

On 2/4/2014 at 1:37 PM, roadwarrior said:

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 just recently acquired an EXH Moderate Fast rod. Not really sure what this type of rod is best suited for. As of now I have it rigged up with 17lb Big Game fluorocarbon(good line for the price) with a bladed jig tied on. However, that could change. Any recommendations?

11 hours ago, MichaelCopeland said:

I just recently acquired an EXH Moderate Fast rod. Not really sure what this type of rod is best suited for. As of now I have it rigged up with 17lb Big Game fluorocarbon(good line for the price) with a bladed jig tied on. However, that could change. Any recommendations?

Some prefer heavier mod-fast taper rods with braid line for punching and frogging.

1 hour ago, Bass Rutten said:

Some prefer heavier mod-fast taper rods with braid line for punching and frogging.

Thanks for the info. I thought about using it for hollow body frogs. Since I already have it rigged for a bladed jig, I'm gonna see how well that works. If it's not that great, I'll give the frog a shot. Being mostly a bank beater, I don't come across enough heavy vegetation for punching. Thanks again.

I took my brother in law kayak fishing yesterday. I lent him a 7ft Lews speed stick that he somehow snapped the tip off of, and an Ugly Stick Gx2 7ft medium fast action with a Penn Persuit reel IV series. Somehow that got sent overboard into the lake. I get a text message from him that he's out of the water and leaving to get something to eat. Trying to make amends before I even heard the news, he goes out and buys me a replacement for the Lews and then purchases a 7ft Gx2 medium heavy rod.

 

The Gx2 was my snakehead and light inshore rod, and now I have no idea where a medium heavy rod will even play a role in my fishing life.

 

What are you guys using a 7ft medium heavy rod for?

MH/F is pretty much the 'Swiss Army Knife' of rods...it'd probably be a shorter list to say what it can't do.

 

Jigs, T-Rigs, 3/8oz+ Shakey Heads, 3/8oz+ Soft Swimbaits, Whopper Ploppers, small hard Swimbaits (Bucca Baby Shad or Baby Gill), 3/8oz+ Jig-Worms...and that's just the start.

A 6ft6in medium or medium heavy is a all around, rod.

What about top water?

What about frogs?

What you throwing g your bladed jig on?

On 4/5/2026 at 5:56 PM, Pondhopper21 said:

What about top water?

What about frogs?

What you throwing g your bladed jig on?

Shorter and softer for most topwater. Shorter helps you work a walking bait. Something 6’6” to 7’. Softer helps not put out small trebles and lets them suck it down better. A crankbait model is good for this. I use a Dobyns champ 685cb and 610-4 Kaden.

For frogging, a 5 or 6 power rod. Length is kinda preference. I like a 7’3 to 7’6”. Longer gets better hookups and helps you get the fish up out of the slop and pad stems. Longer casts too. Dobyns 736 and 746 for me unless it’s light cover and lighter frogs it’s the champ 735 and Kaden 745.

People are all over about what they prefer for bladed jig. I like a heavy crankbait rod. Flexes enough to let em suck it in a bit but solid enough to get a good hookset. For this I strictly use a champ 746cb