Christmas was good to me this year and I’m headed out for my second year of fishing with the following set ups. I’m hoping to get some suggestions and corrections on my thinking.

 

1st set up:

Reel: Abu Garcia Revo SX 6.4:1 baitcaster

Rod: Cabela’s 7’1” MH Tournament ZX

Line: Trilene Transoptic 15 lb

Uses: I’ve been using this for a little of everything but mostly spinnerbaits, swimbaits, jigs, senkos, and some drop shot, Texas rig, and shaky head stuff.

 

2nd set up:

Reel: Abu Garcia Revo X HS 7.3:1 baitcaster

Rod: TFO 7’6” Heavy Professional series

Line: Power Pro Slick 8 50# braid with big game 12# backing

Uses: I’m flipping and pitching with this ... Texas rigs, frogs, jigs, really anything in cover

 

3rd set up:

Reel: Lew’s LRX30 6.2:1 spinning

Rod: Lew’s Laser RZ Carbon speed spin IM7 7’0” Medium (Lew’s combo from Cabela’s)

Line: 8# Trilene Transoptic mono

Uses: drop shot, shaky head, weightless fluke, light cranks, and crappie jig rod... ... ... this is my only spinning rig and I really don’t like it all that much

 

4th set up: 

Reel: Abu Garcia Black Max 6.4:1

Rod: Berkley Cherrywood HD 7’ MH

Line: Trilene 15# Transoptic

Uses: everything ... decent backup for the 1st set up I got for Father’s Day 

 

New to the aresenal from Christmas:

 

5th set up:

Reel: Abu Garcia Revo X W 5.4:1

Rod: Cabela’s 7’1” M Tournament ZX (Crankbait)

Line: Trilene 12# Transoptic

Uses: this will be my crankbait rod

 

6th set up:

Reel: Abu Garcia Revo SX HS 7.3:1

Rod: Cabela’s 7’ H XML Bass (Killer Stick)

Line: thinking of putting the 50# braid on this as well

 

I’m most confused about how to use the Killer Stick. I think it may be my go between the 1st and 2nd set ups and make the 4th between the 1st and 5th. I could use the Killer Stick with the 50# braid for everything from frogging, punching, Texas Rigs, jigs, and some spinnerbaits and chatterbaits. Anyone have this rod or do you think this is the best use?

 

Considering putting 30# braid on the first rod... thoughts?

 

fish, have fun, repeat....

 

My only thoughts with the spinning setup are that you should try using 10-20lb braid tied to a length of fluorocarbon leader.  I can’t speak to the quality on that particular rod and reel, but I know that if I was using straight 8lb monofilament on my spinning setups for dropshot and shakey head techniques I’d probably pull my hair out over lost fish, never mind the missed bites that you’re probably never feeling.  

#4 - I would make this my whopper plopper/buzzbait rod

#6 - I'd use it for frogs, but could also work for heavy t-rigs.

I broke the tip off my 7’ MH, so I started throwing pretty much all but the tiniest jigs and Texas rigs on my flippin stick. Ended up being a much better rod for it for me. So if you’ve got a frog tied on your flippin stick, keep a jig tied on your new 7’ heavy. Or vice versa, if you’re pitching, use your flippin rod and keep a frog tied on the other.