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Rod Selection: The Basics


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So I will only be fishing with spinning gear. 

 

I want to break away from my 10-12# mono so what do you guys suggest?

 

I currently have a 6'6 MF rod by Shimano.

 

I'm trying to get something that I can throw into cover with no problem and rip fish out. Is braid the answer or is that Yo-Zuri hybrid good? 

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So here is a newbie question... Does it really matter what orientation I use a specific rod?

To clarify, some rods are made for spinning reels and then others have that little finger ledge thing for the spincast reels or baitcasters. I have primarily spinning reels but wanted to use a spinning rod with my baitcaster. So the eyelets that would normally be facing groundward would be facing skyward. I have heard a fishing pro state that it matters but that is only one opinion. I rather not spend addition funds if a have a perfectly good rod already.

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  • Super User

What would be the ideal gear ratios for the setups? And what about frogs?

5.0:1 for deep diving crankbaits and large lures

 

6.3:1  is the most versatile for an all-around reel

 

7.1:1  for buzzbait, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits and for some, pitiching jigs.

 

 

 

:fishing-026:

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  • 1 month later...

 

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

 

 

 

RW - thanks for posting this.  How about buzzbaits? Im assuming you'd put that with #1?   You say some soft plastics though.  This is where my confusion comes in.  Why only some?  I see people saying their setup if for punching through thick stuff.  Or its their texas rig setup, etc etc.   What do you mean by "some", and what soft plastics would you use on that setup?  Why would you not use the others?

 

Thanks for the help, I'm learning!

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 4 weeks later...

7 ft med fast diawa silvercast 100 for finesse with 8 lb flouroclear......7  med hvy moderate diawa silvercast 120 with 10 lb iron silk for cranks and spinners......diawa silvercast 170 on a 7 ft med hvy rod with wildefire braid in 20 lb for frogs, jigs , large flukes , etc....all rods cherry wood by berkley except the 170 is on a cabelas tourney rod.Thats how I roll ....spincast all the way.I catch musky bass walleye  pike smallmouth with no second seat to no one.

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  • 1 month later...

I'm buying a boat this coming yr, and I'm 6' can I fish a 7' rod for frogs or will I hit the water with the tip? And should I go with H or XH and F or XF, rod will be a loomis glx. And the other rod I need is a topwater rod I guess for spooks and bigger prop baits again 7' if it wouldn't be too long, I'm thinking MH or H and F or XF tip? Same rod loomis glx. And what line are you guys using for topwater not frogs? Don't care what weight cuz that depends on where u fish, I mean mono or braid, or braid mono leader. Oh and I'm in tx home lake is fork and fishing pond right now and it's 3.5 and up all day with a 6 to 8 thrown in there so maybe XH frog and H topwater and XF tip for frog but which tip for topwater? And what are you guys throwing you light topwaters/poppers on? Thanks

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I'm buying a boat this coming yr, and I'm 6' can I fish a 7' rod for frogs or will I hit the water with the tip? And should I go with H or XH and F or XF, rod will be a loomis glx. And the other rod I need is a topwater rod I guess for spooks and bigger prop baits again 7' if it wouldn't be too long, I'm thinking MH or H and F or XF tip? Same rod loomis glx. And what line are you guys using for topwater not frogs? Don't care what weight cuz that depends on where u fish, I mean mono or braid, or braid mono leader. Oh and I'm in tx home lake is fork and fishing pond right now and it's 3.5 and up all day with a 6 to 8 thrown in there so maybe XH frog and H topwater and XF tip for frog but which tip for topwater? And what are you guys throwing you light topwaters/poppers on? Thanks

Since you'll be using braid most likely a fast action will be better. A little more give to cast smoother. I think you can also work the frog a bit better with a little more tip. Up in PA I won't handle the fish size you do, but I use a rod that's more on the MH side and still has a stiff backbone 3/4 of the way up.

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Since you'll be using braid most likely a fast action will be better. A little more give to cast smoother. I think you can also work the frog a bit better with a little more tip. Up in PA I won't handle the fish size you do, but I use a rod that's more on the MH side and still has a stiff backbone 3/4 of the way up.

Were u talking about a topwater rod or the frog tod? I lived in PA for 42yrs and now Tx for 3. Lived in eastern then western PA, did a lot of trout and fly fishing and started fishing lake Erie for smallies after moving to western pa. The fish down here r giant, I can't believe how strong these fish r, even the 4lbrs. Hell the 4lb fish fight harder than my PB of 7lbs lol.

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  • 4 weeks later...
  • 4 months later...

my 4 rod collection has been put together, in an attempt to take advantage of the fishing spots that I frequent, while staying within a moderate budget.

My main rod is a 7' MXF 6.4:1 baitcaster  with #12 Fluorocarbon, This is Used mainly for Texas rigged Worms\Craws, Spinner baits, Fish head spins, Jigs and weightless Senkos, my most used techniques and lures. 

6'6" MHF 6.2:1 Baitcaster, with #40 braid, Used mainly for Topwater Frogs, Jitterbugs, Poppers,and with the addition of a fluoro leader, for bigger jigs and plastics in areas with lots of vegetation where braid is a better choice of line.

6'6"  MF 5.2:1 Spinning with #8 mono , used for weightless worms, and smaller, lighter lures.

6'6" 2-Piece MF  5.2:1 Spinning with #20 Fireline Crystal "Fused superline" this is my car rod,has worked as a great all around rod, that can stay in the car and being 2 piece it stays out of the way. 

Im planning on adding a crankbait setup, Something 7' to 7'6" MMF would work for my need, Im pretty sold on the Abu Garcia Orra Winch combo. Though some searching has lead me to the BPS pro Qualifier reels, and im wondering for shallow to mid crankbaits, if the 4.7:1 or the 5.2:1 would be better

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  • 3 months later...

My setups:

1) 7' Quantum Cranking MM Rod, Lews Speed Spool baitcaster 5.4:1 w/ 10# fluoro. I love this rod for lipless and square bills. I like to throw this early and often as a search bait setup.

2) 6'7" 13 *** Black MHF Rod, Lews Speed Spool baitcaster 6.4:1 w/ 17# mono.  I use this for topwater poppers, buzz baits, etc. Mono floats and allows the baits to sit on top of the water better than fluoro.

3) 6'7" 13 *** Black MHF Rod, Lews Speed Spool baitcaster 6.4:1 w/ 10# fluoro.  I always have a spinner or swimbait tied on to this rig.

4) 7'1" 13 *** Black HF Rod, Lews Speed Spool baitcaster 7.1:1 w/ 20# fluoro. I use this for flipping/pitching structure, etc. I use this rod the least (based on where I fish the most often), so I'm considering re-spooling with 50# braid and converting to a frog rod. 

5) 6'7" 13 *** Black MHF Spinning Rod, *on the market for a new spinning reel*, w/ 10# fluoro.  90% of the time I have a weightless senko on this setup. I'd like a second one dedicated for drop-shot fishing, but I don't neeeeed it. 

 

I never leave the house w/o #3 and #5 rigs. Those two can handle any lure I tie on. #4 is technique specific (nothing beats frog fishing). #1 and #2 are more of a luxury. They allow me to switch my approach quickly and be much more efficient with my time. *I'd rather spend more time fishing than tying on lures. Multiple rigs allow for this....it's just expensive.*

 

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When using a 7'6" for your frog, is it mainly to get distance  on you cast? And what line or line combination are you using?

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I'm looking for a new cranking rod, or two.  Currently I've been throwing them on my spinning and jig rods, but have been losing a lot of fish.

Looking for some basic advice on length, brands, models, etc.

First of all, I'm thinking two rods because I like to throw big crankbaits/swimbaits, and I also fish for musky, which big baits and a heavier rod can easily serve double duty for either big bass or musky.  I'm bit short (5'6"), and I'm thinking accuracy would be my main concern with small squarebills, jerkbaits, poppers, etc., so I was wondering if a shorter M-action rod (6'0"-6'6") might suit me a little better.  Then I could use a 7'0"-8'0" MH or H for big squarebills, deep divers, large topwaters, and most swimbaits.

I'm also going to need to pick up at least one new casting reel at some point, though not necessarily soon.  I might consider a combo, but only if I was certain that both rod and reel were quality.  I would like to get a reel with a gear ratio of 7.0:1, or higher.

Looking to spend $50-100 per rod.  Maybe $120 for the reel.  Might go a little higher for good quality. 

Any input would be appreciated.

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  • 2 months later...

Quick question going to pair a avid x with my 201hg live in south Florida what what be a good action and strength and length to look for lots of vegetation here. 

Might also go for a second 71xg with a avid x if  better suited from frog top water fishing. 

 

I will be shore fishing mostly 

thanks everyone.  

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