First, I've done nothing but read this forum for the past few weeks.  Thank you to everyone who has participated in the hundreds of threads.  What an education!  I've probably changed my mind on my approach a half dozen times.  But, I've finally got it through my head that there isn't a perfect approach and what works for some will not work for others.  With that said, I just want to make sure my line of thinking makes sense and I'm not making any obvious mistakes.  I'm new to fishing this year and have come to love it.  Looking forward to buying some new gear and attacking next year.

 

How I fish: always from shore at local ponds and smaller lakes, mostly in Illinois.  Because I'm walking I want to limit myself to 4 setups.  I'm going to take an approach roadwarrior wrote about in the pinned 'Rod Selection: The Basics'. 

 

1.  Wacky worm, ned rig, shaky rig and other soft plastics and light lures

Fox River Lures and Rod MF, 7'.  This is a local company and I already own one of their rods.  Love them.

Shimano NASCI

8# Sunline Super FC Sniper

 

2.  Jigs, spinnerbaits, Texas rigs, lipless crankbaits, buzzbaits, soft swim baits in the 3.5" - 5" range and other single hook lures

Fox River L&R MHF, 7'

Shimano Curado or Chronarch, 7.1 (in that range) 

12# Sunline Super FC Sniper

 

3.  Crankbaits, jerkbaits, poppers, whopper ploppers and other lures with treble hooks 

Fox River L&R MM, 7'

Daiwa Laguna 100HLA, 6:3.1.  This was my first baitcaster.  Good entry level reel to use before deciding to invest in more baitcasters.

12# Sunline Super Natural Mono

 

4.  Flipping, frogs and anything larger

Fox River L&R H, 7'9"

Shimano Curado or Chronarch, 8.1 (in that range) 

40# Sufix 832 braid

 

I've been agonizing over rod and reel combos.  Well, probably more about the gear ratio.  Do these make sense????

 

Any of these baits work better with one of my proposed combinations?

 

Couple of other notes...

I only use shallow squarebill crankbaits.  Just don't have tons of deep water where I fish.  And since I'm fishing from shore it's difficult to cast to it at times.  Because of this I'm going to use my Daiwa 6:3.1 reel.  Don't think I need a 5.1 ratio, do I?  And if I ever get a deeper crankbait can I just slow down my retrieval?

 

Lots of heavy cover in the summer time.  I thought the longer heavy rod for flipping made sense.  From shore I have more spots I can flip to, I think?

 

Any thoughts, good and bad, are very much appreciated!

 

 

 

 

Welcome aboard.  

 

I am sure others will chime in, but to me - your list above looks pretty good.  

 

The only detail that sticks out to me is using a spinnerbait on a faster speed reel.  Down here in FL, the bass like the spinnerbaits slow-rolled, so I throw mine on a 5.x:1 low speed reel.  It helps me slow down...because I sure like to fish fast.  

 

Other than that - your list above is a great starting place.  Keep doing your research, get your line wet, take mental notes - then come back here and ask questions.  

 

You are definitely on the right track. 

 

Tight lines.  

 

 

everything looks fine the only things i can think of are

1) it might be hard to work a popper efficiently on a moderate action rod (personally i use a 6'6"mh/f)

2) walking a frog on a 7'9" seems like it would be a little difficult, but this is also dependent on your height.

Works for me!

I believe your in good shape and will be fine.

 

In #2 i prefer 14 or 16 lb sniper, but that’s just me.

Good luck.

I/M, on your number #1combo, I would avoid using fluorocarbon on the spinning reel set-up. Mono, copoly or braid and a leader of fluoro would be a better choice IMHO. Fluorocarbon is just too stiff and springy.

Fishingmickey

IMO, all your setups are great, but I would recommend since you are fishing heavy cover with your 7'9 rod, you should have minimum of 50lb braid. I would highly recommend 65lb braid.

Everything looks good the details others are mentioning are preference 

For for all he input.  Greatly appreciated