I recently just purchased a 7'5" and 7'0" MH rods along with a 6:8:1 reel, still needing to buy another reel for one of the rods. My question to ya'll is a few things:

1. What rod should should I pair the 6:8:1 up with?

2. Within spending no more than $150, what are some good suggestions for another reel to match the other rod.

3. With suggestions one and two, how should I set my rods up (type of line for certain lures)

 

I some ideas in my head but I'd like to get some others as well.

 

Thanks

I would put the 6:8.1 on the 7' rod spooled with 16lb Suline Sniper FC. I would use this rod for spinnerbaits, bladed jigs, and worm fishing. I would buy a Lew's Super Duty for the 7'5", spooled with 50lb braid Power Pro and use this for pitching, flipping, frog fishing and possible Carolina rig.

I would match the 6.8 to1 reel on the 7 foot rod as well.  It would be better to know what rods we are talking about. Some MH rods are softer tipped and can handle spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and even treble hook baits. Some are much faster action and are better for bottom bouncing lures only. My Abu Veritas 7 foot MH is much stiffer tipped than my BPS Extreme 7 ft MH. If it is a bit softer and can handle the baits I mentioned than load it with either a high quality mono like Stren, Suffix Trilene Big Game etc in say 14 pound test just to be very versatile. I would also fish some topwater baits like Zara Spooks or Pop Rs if the rod can cast them.

For rod two I would purchase a Daiwa Tatula CT 7.3-1 and load it with the same 50 or 65 pound test Power Pro Spectra braid or Suffix 832 braid. Flip, pitch, punch, and fish big texas rigs, carolina rigs etc. 

7' on the 6.8 easy to manage for accuracy. good luck on make and model.  read on ideas and get what feel good to you. tight lines.. show pics of the hogs you catch.

I did a little digging but had a hard time finding any rod specs. What I was trying to figure out was the rods characteristics. For example if you look at a Abu Garcia Veritas 7 foot MH micro guide rod, it says it covers baits weighing 1/4 to 1 ounce.  Most Abu rods run at least 1/2 to1 power heavier than they say they will. It also specs for 12 to 20 pound line. I originally thought it would be too light to fish frogs and pitch a heavy jig in matted grass or lily pads.  So I purchased the heavy version first. It was too stiff, so I next purchased the MH and it works great for what I wanted to throw. I use the heavy rod for punching bid 1 to 2 ounce tungsten weights and a creature bait.  If you look at my 6'6 Bass Pro Extreme MH rod it says 3/8 to 1 ounce baits. In no way is the action or power the same as the MH Veritas rod . It is at least 1 to 1 1/2 power lighter.  This means the tip bends much further on the blank. It makes a great spinnerbait, chatterbait, small to mid sized cranks or rattle traps rod. No way would it handle digging a heavy bass and a frog out of a big grass or lily pad field.  

Unfortunately I have no experience with those rods so it would be difficult to help you further. It will require you to set them up as suggested, then tie on lures, one style at a time and see how well it handles them.

On 1/21/2017 at 9:04 PM, fishnkamp said:

I did a little digging but had a hard time finding any rod specs. What I was trying to figure out was the rods characteristics. For example if you look at a Abu Garcia Veritas 7 foot MH micro guide rod, it says it covers baits weighing 1/4 to 1 ounce.  Most Abu rods run at least 1/2 to1 power heavier than they say they will. It also specs for 12 to 20 pound line. I originally thought it would be too light to fish frogs and pitch a heavy jig in matted grass or lily pads.  So I purchased the heavy version first. It was too stiff, so I next purchased the MH and it works great for what I wanted to throw. I use the heavy rod for punching bid 1 to 2 ounce tungsten weights and a creature bait.  If you look at my 6'6 Bass Pro Extreme MH rod it says 3/8 to 1 ounce baits. In no way is the action or power the same as the MH Veritas rod . It is at least 1 to 1 1/2 power lighter.  This means the tip bends much further on the blank. It makes a great spinnerbait, chatterbait, small to mid sized cranks or rattle traps rod. No way would it handle digging a heavy bass and a frog out of a big grass or lily pad field.  

Unfortunately I have no experience with those rods so it would be difficult to help you further. It will require you to set them up as suggested, then tie on lures, one style at a time and see how well it handles them.

Appreciate all your input sir. Thank you. After research I'll be purchasing that Daiwa Tatula next!

That is one reel I have not had my hands on. I have heard 1 guy give it a good review on another board.  I love love love the Daiwa Exceler, Tatulas Type Rs and Tatula CT baitcasting reels. If they build the spinning reels as well then you should be happy.  Please stop back and give us an update after you get some use on it.