Hey Everybody,

My new Pflueger Patriarch 9530 arrived today and I was looking for a nice rod for small/medium stream trout fishing and Bass in ponds and lakes.  Mostly spinners for the trout and pitch whatever in my tackle box for bass and see what hits.  I'm more of a weekend warrior fisherman from shoreline.  Can I get away with one rod that will do both or should I buy 2 rods - 1 for trout and bass.  My budget is between $100-$200.  Will look at under $100 also.  Perhaps on sale etc etc.  Carrot Stix or St. Croix?

Thanks for the help.

Mohawk

If you're trying to decide between Carrot Stix or St. Croix, then it's St. Croix by a landslide. I'd be looking at the Avid series. Since you're going to be after trout and bass in a small stream, I'd keep it pretty short and light. Personally, I'd probably go with a 6' L/F. 

i'd steer clear of the carrot stix as well...  you can make one rod work, no doubt, but you'll limit yourself in both species as to which baits you can effectively use to target the fish.  either way, nice reel, i have one and absolutely love it.

If you're into aesthetics, the patriarch fits the color scheme of a Fenwick Aetos.

  I opened the thread figuring you were going to ask something about the reel.  Roadwarrior has a sticky on  the best rod.

If your trout are anything like those in my area, then you would best be served by 2 rods.  A Light or even UL and a Medium.  Also be aware that St. Croix rods run a little heavy.

I use pinnacle perfecta's on all my patriarch's spinning reels, though they're not a close match they're close enough for me,and they're nice rods.I usually get mine for around $125.from one of the sporting goods stores when they have one of their 20% off sales.OK i just went and checked my pfueger patriarch,and the fenwick aetos is a much closer match though I only have aetos casting rods the colors are very close to the patriarch.

  Not a spinning fan , but I have a 7ft premier ml and it has caught a ton of trout and quite a few bass on it .  Pretty good all purpose rod.

I use a nice Powell Endurance.