I fish about twice a week with my wife and we share just about all the rods on the boat. We have a 7'1" Medium Fast action spinning rod that we use for our finesse work (drop shots and ned rigs). My question is, if I am going to buy a second spinning rod, should I go with the same setup being that it is pretty versatile, or should I take this opportunity to buy a 'different' spinning setup to allow me to fish other finesse techniques more effectively. 

 

I love the setup that we have, but if there is diversity I'm missing out on, I don't want to buy the same exact thing. 

 

Thanks!

Dillon

The only thing you might want to consider is a ML setup for

lighter baits. Otherwise, probably what you have is just fine

for what you're doing.

 

My "finesse" setups span from 5'9" - 6'6" rods (prefer shorter)

and Shimano Stradic 1000 reels. The "go to" is probably my

5'9" (shortened from 6') St. Croix Premier MLF spinning rod

paired with at 1000 CI4+ reel.

I agree with Darren; a shorter rod, perhaps a ML, is probably the way to go. Shorter so it is more accurate, plus you could use jerkbaits too. If you don't have many pike or larger game fish that may eat your bait, that might demand more backbone, then ML sounds good. I almost bought a ML spinning rod the other day but ended up going with the M (St. Croix Premier 6' MF) because we have a lot of pike up here in Minnesota, and I intend to use the rod for lake trout and walleye as well. A ML rod would work, but I want to be able to get them to the boat faster so I can release them fast. Lake trout are particularly sensitive so you want to get them up quickly and let them get back to deep water quickly, if you're not going to eat them. I think I will eventually get a ML spinning rod when I have a kayak, but right now I want to keep my rod collection to a minimum, and a M rod is, for me, a better option for its versatility.

I have a 6'3 L rod that throws 1/16-3/8oz lures and creek adventures, and a 7' ML rod for 1/8-1/2oz lures and drop shotting. Like other said, I like the shorter rod for pin point targetting and fitting into tight spaces such as creeks.

My drop shot rod is a 7' ML fenwick. I dont remember the model. It's a $80 rod, nothing crazy. I have an abu garcia revo sx(sp?), something like that on it. It's a 2000 size.  I use 6lb mono most of the time. I've brought in a lot of 4-6lb smallies and walleyes on that set up. It's the rod I use the most. Except maybe the rod i use for t rigs and stuff.

     I also have a 7'6" L in the boat most of the time. that is one of my crappie sticks. I'll tie ned rigs or tubes on it sometimes when I'm bass fishing. It's a fenwick also. I have a lews 2000 size reel on it also.

I just ordered a new finesse set up and I can’t wait to use it!!   I throw a lot of Ned rigs and light plastics.  

 

daiwa em-ms jdm spinning reel -$150.   I love these reels.   They are amazing for the price and that’s coming from a Shimano guy.  

 

Kistler helium ml rod that I got at the recent sale for $180 (40% off as me and a couple friends ordered 3 rods). Huge kistler fan and they always have sales.....sign up for their mailing list and you will see!!!   

 

 

Nothing too fancy here. A 6’6” Lews Xfinity combo M/F spooled with 6lb fluoro. Mainly just use it for Ned Rigs. Gets the job done.

Nrx 852s paired with a diawa tatula LT 3000. Sunline sx1 12lb high vis line paired with the appropriate flouro leader 

My finesse outfit is a GLoomis IMX 781 spinning rod with a Shimano Stradic Ci4 spanning reel with Daiwa Samurai  15# braid and a 6' leader of Vicious Pro Elite 4# fluorocarbon.