I haven't fished or posted here in quite a while, but I'm determined to get back into it. Mental health is no joke, but now I'm feeling better and want to do a bit of spring cleaning and organizing of my gear. I have my staple rods and reels, but I also have some that I've accumulated over time and don't know exactly what to use them for at this point. I'd also like input on what I should be using my staple combos for to maximize chances of success and enjoyment. Hopefully this doesn't end up being too long, but I'd appreciate the input!

 

Okay, to start off, my staple rod and reels. These are combos that I've purposefully put together and want to keep together, but also make sure I have the right idea of what I should be using them for.

 

• Spinning:
  • Daiwa Kage 6'8" medium/fast "Jerkbait" w/ Daiwa Legalis 2500
    • Jerkbaits, but what kind? Size? Hard/soft? This is a rod I haven't used much as I don't fish jerkbaits often, so I never really figured it out. Are 110s ideal on this rod? Flukes? Smaller sized hard jerkbaits? What line do you recommend?
  • Dobyns Sierra 6'9" medium/fast w/ Daiwa Regal Airbail 2500
    •  General "light/finesse" gear. Weightless t-rig/wacky worms/senkos, light weight worms (less than 1/4oz), shaky heads, drop shots.
• Casting:
  • G. Loomis IMX Pro 7' medium-heavy/fast "843 MBR" w/ Shimano Curado MGL 7.4:1
    • "Do-all" rod. If I bring just one rod it's this. Spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, t-rigs, jigs, small swimbaits/paddletails, cranks in a pinch
  • Dobyns Champion XP 7' medium-heavy/moderate-fast "705CB" w/ Shimano Curado 6.4:1
    • Cranking stick. Low/medium diving squarebill crankbaits, lipless crankbaits(?), do people use this for spinnerbaits/chatterbaits too?

  • ALX Zolo Deputy 7'1" medium-heavy/fast, Shimano SLX 8.2:1

    •  

      Jigging/texas rig rod. Up to 1/2oz, mostly 1/4, 5/16, 3/8.

  • Dobyns Champion XP 7'3" heavy/extra-fast "736C", Daiwa Tatula 8.1:1

    • Frogging/flipping/pitching/punching stick. 1/2oz up to 1.5oz weights

 

I feel like with these combos I have most of my bases covered for the bank/kayak fishing I do. The only thing I feel like I'm missing is something for big swimbaits (which I have never tried fishing) and something for real deep cranking, which I didn't previously have a use for but may now as I've moved from the east coast out west to Colorado.

 

And then I have the rods and reels that I've used at one point or another, but aren't in my general rotation. I'm considering selling them unless anyone here can put together a combo for a good purpose or use case.

 

• Rods (all casting):
  • Abu Garcia Silver Max 7' medium-heavy/fast
  • Duckett Micro Magic 7' medium/moderate "Cranking"
  • Dobyns Fury 7'3" heavy/fast "734c"
• Reels (also all casting)
  • Abu Garcia Silver Max 6.4:1
  • Daiwa Fuego 6.3:1
  • Daiwa Fuego 7.3:1
  • Daiwa Fuego 8.1:1
  • Shimano Citica 6.3:1

 

And that's everything. So like I said, I'm sort of looking for confirmation that I'm using my current combos for their ideal applications, and then possible uses for everything else. Thanks in advance!

I think your current combos are very solid and paired nicely. I have a 705cb Fury and it makes a great rod for 3/8oz chatterbaits. 1/2oz+trailer is a bit much for it. Your IMX should be good to handle those. As for the rest of your gear,

Micro Magic/Fuego or Citica 6.3:1 as another cranking combo (can never have too many lol) could have a squarebill on one, and a diver on the other, etc

 

734c Fury/Fuego 8.1 with mono for topwaters. If you have fluoro on your other setups, it’s always good to have at least one with mono for topwater. The 734c is a killer spook rod, and great for whopper ploppers. Could also put the 7.3 fuego on it to double as another do it all rod with how versatile it is.

 

Silvermax/fuego 7.3 as a rod to keep in the truck/car if it’ll fit to be an emergency do it all combo in case you drive by a pond or creek. I don’t know how many times I’ve been around water without my gear and wish I had something. Always have an ugly stik in my truck now. Something that is cheap and can take a beating

 

youll have 2 reels leftover however. Only right answer in the bait monkeys eyes is 2 more rods!

 

18 minutes ago, PBBrandon said:

I think your current combos are very solid and paired nicely. I have a 705cb Fury and it makes a great rod for 3/8oz chatterbaits. 1/2oz+trailer is a bit much for it. Your IMX should be good to handle those. As for the rest of your gear,

Micro Magic/Fuego or Citica 6.3:1 as another cranking combo (can never have too many lol) could have a squarebill on one, and a diver on the other, etc

 

734c Fury/Fuego 8.1 with mono for topwaters. If you have fluoro on your other setups, it’s always good to have at least one with mono for topwater. The 734c is a killer spook rod, and great for whopper ploppers. Could also put the 7.3 fuego on it to double as another do it all rod with how versatile it is.

 

Silvermax/fuego 7.3 as a rod to keep in the truck/car if it’ll fit to be an emergency do it all combo in case you drive by a pond or creek. I don’t know how many times I’ve been around water without my gear and wish I had something. Always have an ugly stik in my truck now. Something that is cheap and can take a beating

 

youll have 2 reels leftover however. Only right answer in the bait monkeys eyes is 2 more rods!

 

This is super helpful, thanks a ton! I like that idea of using the 743 for topwaters, and having a cheap combo in the car at all times just in case you find something that looks juicy.

Frogging bite is often a punch bite too, so carrying the extra heavy rod rigged for that could pay off if you fish grassy areas/pads/etc. 
Use the champ for bottom contact and the fury for frogs?

I could use the same help.