So I have come to the conclusion that I can work with about 4 setups max.  My boat, my mind, and my budget don't allow me to have more than that.

 

I've got 3 medium heavy casting setups and 1 medium spinning setup.  Of the 3 casting setups, I'd say one is true to spec, one is a bit more moderate, and one is closer to a heavy action.

 

With all that considered, how would you deploy this system?  Is there something you'd always have tied on?  Are there baits you might think of using in place of another 2-3 baits to make things easier?  The thing I think the most about, are there bait combinations you'd avoid simply because it would feel like overkill?  Along those lines, my mindset is to avoid having a chatterbait and spinnerbait tied on at the same time, or a crankbait and a chatterbait, or a jig/craw and a tube.

 

Thoughts?

 

This is my initial plan:

 

MH1- Crankbait, Frog, Jerkbait, Swimbait

MH2- Jig

MH3- Chatterbait/Spinnerbait

S1- Ned, Tube, worm

For the casting rods:

Put the moderate as the crank/jerk rod - also topwaters (spooks, WPs, etc)...pretty much any treble-hook lure.

Put the 'true' one as the jig rod - T-Rigs and C-Rigs also work here.

Put the last one as your moving-baits rod - do the frogs on that one too as you need more 'oomph' to set the hooks on a frog.

 

Spinning rod - drop-shot, wacky, neko, shakey.

19 minutes ago, ajschn06 said:

I've got 3 medium heavy casting setups and 1 medium spinning setup.  Of the 3 casting setups, I'd say one is true to spec, one is a bit more moderate, and one is closer to a heavy action.

 

Considering you seem to favor the following baits;

 

19 minutes ago, ajschn06 said:

MH1- Crankbait, Frog, Jerkbait, Swimbait

MH2- Jig

MH3- Chatterbait/Spinnerbait

S1- Ned, Tube, worm

 

"True to spec" MH : Jig, chatterbaits, and spinnerbaits all tend to favor heavier lines, 12-20# fluorocarbon or monofilament.  I'd run my single hooks on it.  I'd worm on this rod as well.

 

"Moderate" MH: Crankbaits, jerkbaits, and swimbaits.  I'd run my smaller hooks on the most forgiving rod.  10-12# fluorocarbon or monofilament. 

 

"Heavy" MH: Straight braid this fellow and run your frogs off of it.  Also pitch and flip jigs and Texas rigs from it.

 

Spinning Rod : The Ned and Tube designation works for me.  Also keep in mind smaller swimbaits will fish well on a Medium spinning rod as well as jerkbaits.  Spool it up with some 10# braid and apply leaders from 6-10# in monofilament or fluorocarbon. 

36 minutes ago, Hook2Jaw said:

 

Considering you seem to favor the following baits;

 

 

"True to spec" MH : Jig, chatterbaits, and spinnerbaits all tend to favor heavier lines, 12-20# fluorocarbon or monofilament.  I'd run my single hooks on it.  I'd worm on this rod as well.

 

"Moderate" MH: Crankbaits, jerkbaits, and swimbaits.  I'd run my smaller hooks on the most forgiving rod.  10-12# fluorocarbon or monofilament. 

 

"Heavy" MH: Straight braid this fellow and run your frogs off of it.  Also pitch and flip jigs and Texas rigs from it.

 

Spinning Rod : The Ned and Tube designation works for me.  Also keep in mind smaller swimbaits will fish well on a Medium spinning rod as well as jerkbaits.  Spool it up with some 10# braid and apply leaders from 6-10# in monofilament or fluorocarbon. 

 

Yeah, that's the problem I'm running into.  I basically want a jig and chatterbait in my hand at all times, with a finesse option and a "seasonal" option.  It's tough putting a jerkbait and a frog in the same spot- and I understand it's a long ways from an optimal setup for jerkbaits but I guess I'd prefer that setup to be able to handle the frog and anything else is just a bonus..