Gents, I'm in the process of selling some of my gear as I normally do from time to time. However, I would like to get down to a good 3-4 rod setup. I'm starting to spend more time fishing out of my Kayak and tagging along with several buddies outside of using my boat the rest of the time. So I'm thinking of moving more towards a minimal approach. I am after a good 3-4 setups to cover 90% of what is out there.

 

So my question, if you had to choose 3-4 rods to do this, what would you choose? As of right now, I am considering 842, 843, and 844 MBRs with the JDM metaniums. I'd like to see what you guys think on this topic.

It's nice to have a 5 or 6 power stick in the mix in addition to what you've listed. Lotsa fun heavier baits out there to play with.

6'9 M

7' M

7'2 MH

7'2 H

 

Spend as much as you want.

For four Loomis rods I would pick these:

1-852c JWR

1-853C JWR

1-843c MBR

1-844c MBR

 

You can get a lot done with these 4! This is my rig , plus I add a spinning setup too.

1 H/F 6 power 

1 H/F 5 power 

2 MH/F 3 &4 power 

Maybe 1 spinning if you’re into those. 

 

Mike

7”M

7.5”MH

6.8”H

 

I would change that Medium/Fast to a Medium/Moderate or Medium/Moderate-Fast for topwaters and crankbaits.  If you're going to limit yourself to just three rods, they don't need to all have the same taper.  

 

Also, I'm guessing you don't do much finesse or light baits?  Because I'd rather have a ML/F than a H/F.  I find that I can get by with my MH/F in most cases where a heavy rod would be more desirable.  It just takes a bit more effort to horse the fish around.  Though if you don't do much finesse fishing, or you throw a lot of big swimbaits and A-rigs, you're probably better off with the heavy.  

For me it would be:

 

Dobyns 702SF

2500 sized reel

 

Dobyns 703C

7 gear ratio

 

Dobyns 704C

7 gear ratio

 

Dobyns 735C

8 gear ratio

 

If I cranked outside of lipless and squarebills, I'd cut the mag heavy for a cranking rod. Some might be better served with a 3 power spinning rod.

 

I use a 3 combo system and I am primarily a kayak and bank angler. 

 

6'8" M-Xf spinning rod paired with a Shimano stradic fl 2500 used for finness 

 

6'9 MH-XF casting rod paired with a Shimano Curado K used for texas rigs, jigs, chatterbaits

 

7'0 MH-F casting rod paired with a Shimano SLX MGL for squarebills, spinnerbaits, unweighted plastics, light texas rigs. This combo is more of a strong medium, moderate fast. Has some overlap with the spinning set up, but can't skip with a baitcaster to save my life. 

One medium/moderate

Two medium heavy/fast's

One Heavy/fast

Finesse - 7' ML/F Spinning

 

Cranks/Treble Baits - 7' MH/MF Casting 

 

Frogs/Thick Cover/Heavy Jigs - 7'2" H/F Casting 

 

Everything else - 7' MH/F Casting

 

When kayak fishing I'm most comfortable with rods in the 6'6"-7'2" range, but that's just my preference. I typically carry 3 - 6 rods. I listed 4 but I could easily swap or add a couple depending on conditions and time of year. 

Maybe I could do 4 rods if I was just getting into bass fishing, but I have become spoiled.  Just no way I could do it now.  If I had to select 4 from my rods, I would definitely include my Toadface.  I think the ALX owner posted that he carries 5 on his boat because they are that versatile.

 

#2 Deputy or Techna AV 7' MF (more in line with a MH)

#3 Dream or 7' MF Helios

#4 Smallmouth 6'10" MF or OG Tatula 7' MLR

 

I wouldn't be afraid to throw a crankbait on either #4 rods.

 

I know finesse isn't covered very well, but I prefer baitcast reels.  One of my Pixys or SV spooled reels on the Smallmouth could handle down to 1/8 oz.  Provided my casting skill was up to snuff. 

 

6'8" MF Wacky Rigs, Jerkbaits, Flukes, Topwater, Shaky Heads, Flukes, Finesse Jig, weightless senkos-worms, Mojo Rig, small Texas Rigs, Tubes

 

7' MHMF Crankbaits, Chatterbaits, Spinnerbaits, Swimjigs 

 

7' MHF Texas rigs, jighead swimbait, 3/8oz  to 1/2oz Casting Jig

7'3 HF Football Jig, Pitching and Flipping Jigs - Mag Texas Rigs w/ 3/4 and over weights and 5/0 flipping hooks, Frogs 

20 hours ago, Bankc said:

I would change that Medium/Fast to a Medium/Moderate or Medium/Moderate-Fast for topwaters and crankbaits.  If you're going to limit yourself to just three rods, they don't need to all have the same taper.  

 

Also, I'm guessing you don't do much finesse or light baits?  Because I'd rather have a ML/F than a H/F.  I find that I can get by with my MH/F in most cases where a heavy rod would be more desirable.  It just takes a bit more effort to horse the fish around.  Though if you don't do much finesse fishing, or you throw a lot of big swimbaits and A-rigs, you're probably better off with the heavy.  

 

That is a good point. Do you have any recommendations on a ML/F?

4 rod setup:

M/F or ML/XF spinning rod for finesse

M/F or MH/MF casting rod for moving baits. M/F for weightless soft plastics, MH/MF for deep divers or heavier chatterbaits or spinnerbaits

MH/F casting rod for trigs/jigs

H/F rod for jigs in cover and frogs.

 

MH/F casting for jigs.

M/F casting for moving baits.

M/F spinning for weightless or finesse. 

MH/F casting for weighted plastics.

 

Everyone's needs, tastes, and home waters are a bit different, but I can cover the vast majority of my needs with...

 

6'9" ML/F or ML/XF spinning for weightless finesse worms, floating worms, dropshot, and small inline spinners

7' M/F spinning for light T-rigs and small creatures

7' MH/F casting for heavier T-rigs and small jigs

6'8" MH/MF casting for spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, lipless, squarebills, and jerks

 

I don't do any deep cranking or pitching into really heavy crap, so I don't own rods for those techniques. The only "specialty" rod I own at the moment is my 7'11" float & fly rod, and I could probably get by with my 6'9" ML/F for that, if I had to.

First thing I would do is cut 6 rod holders from PVC, strap 2 each on 3 sides of my milk crate, and carry 6 rods ?.  I think I would have withdrawals if I only had 3-4 rods.  When I see other guys with 2,3,4 rods, I get the shakes.

nevermind