About the only time a reel isn't on a rod I am cleaning it.

7 hours ago, padlin said:

I have 2 BC rods and reels, no need to swap.

You have the ratio of spinning to casting rods reversed. 🤣

6 hours ago, swhit140 said:

About the only time a reel isn't on a rod I am cleaning it.

Probably the best answer on this thread … haha … can’t agree more

I’m in the bluebasser86 camp. I have a reel for each rod and the reel balances with the rod as does the line. I have a few reels with braid on the side in case the line type will be needed.

I only remove a reel from the rod it's paired with. Retirement or cleaning.

I swap around the reels and rods until I get a rig that feels right to me. When I buy a new reel or a new rod, I start the process all over again.

In a perfect world, I would have a rod reel line combo for every cast I make. Unfortunately I do not live in a perfect world, so I switch reels to different rods depending on what line and lures I think I'm going to need for the day. One of many examples, is I have a 7.6 heavy rod that I use for punching. On the days I use if for punching I have a reel with 65 pound braid I put on that rod. If I'm fishing another lake where I never punch, the same rod gets a reel with Floro on it. If my planning is off, I may have a spare reel in my bag and can switch, or many times I simply use what rod reel I have while adjusting my presentation to somehow make it work. I remember when I was a kid and had one rod reel line combo. I fished baits, that were way to heavy, and way to light for the rod, with a variety of techniques. Not an ideal situation, but I was fishing often, landing more bass than I do now, with multiple combos spending most of the time in my closet at home.

8 hours ago, king fisher said:

I remember when I was a kid and had one rod reel line combo. I fished baits, that were way to heavy, and way to light for the rod, with a variety of techniques. Not an ideal situation, but I was fishing often, landing more bass than I do now, with multiple combos spending most of the time in my closet at home.

I for one couldn’t agree more with this. I’m sure like a lot of us on here it was a Zebco or other push button reel. I still remember catching panfish, bullheads and northern pike on my one rod throwing everything from a bobber and worm to a daredevil spoon.

I will add a ps to this in that I was just thinking I have 3 “heavy” rods that I really don’t need and unfortunately I don’t fish the reels as I’m a set and don’t move kind of guy but this thread has me rethinking my needs and that it’s ok to have a few rods that I can move some reels around on. I’m also thinking buying some spare spools that I can swap line types/pound test on will help my wallet a lot more than adding more rods/reels that I’ll probably not fish during the season as well. I know I’ll be shamed from a few members as well as the bait monkey for this but I’m willing to take it🤣😂

I have 5 more rods than I have reels -- so I will switch the reels around as needed

On 2/20/2026 at 6:16 AM, FryDog62 said:

The less messing around prior to a trip the better IMO. Create efficiency. Much easier (but obviously more expensive) to have a rod reel combo for the primary techniques I plan to use. Worst thing for me is restringing multiple rod/reels each time before I go out. I have 15 rods and each has a set reel.

On 2/20/2026 at 8:10 AM, ike8120 said:

I have approx 30 different rods and reels for each one. Also have a few spare reels. Each one is ready to go, Since I am a bank fisherman I usually take about 3-4 with me on any trip to the pond or lake. Each one is setup for a different technique.

As previously stated, I don't like having to re-string a rod. I set up a rod for specific lures and keep it that way. I don't fish a lot of different techniques. I mostly stay with what has worked for me over the years but am not against trying something new. In fact I have a few new lures to try since moving.

I spent 15 years accumulating my gear. New gear kept me from quitting. Wound up with quite a few more than 30 rods. Have about 20 more reels than rods. Always took at least one spare reel when I used to visit Florida. Rods stayed in Florida. Reels didn't.

I'm also a bank fisherman (except when I visited B-I-L in Florida). Now I live in Florida, but can no longer fish with my B-I-L (he has a Gheenoe). I've taken as few as 2 rods and as many as 10 while fishing from shore although I never did get to use them all when taking more than 3 rods.

You might be able to guess that I like casting reels.

I have more reels than rods. Generally it’s in case I need to service a reel.

I do have one bait caster that I change out depending if I want braid or flouro.

I also have my once a year “Lake Chautauqua special” spinning combo setup. I switch out a 3000 size reel for a 4000 penn conflict reel for skipping docks on Lake C with a spinning rod.

The rod is a 7 foot MF st croix LTB . The rod is severely overpowered for a medium and it has pulled many 5 lb+ bass from under docks and boat slips.

I have a reel dedicated for each rod. Too OCD I guess to have a rod sitting in the rack without a reel. I try to cover all of my bases from UL to XXH.

I, at times feel guilty for having combos that I don’t fish, mainly from being replaced by “newer” models and technology. I think I need to sell/donate some then I read through this thread and think

“ I DON’T HAVE ENOUGH RIGS” !

…….is this thread secretly sponsored by the bait-monkey 🐵

No swapping here. Rod/reel combos are "tuned". One reel would not work on another due to either the line, gear ratio/retrieval rate, the size/weight of the reel, casting/braking profile, etc. or a combination thereof.

they need partners ...each one get pair up.

Keep them together, Don’t want them getting lonely. Plus I match em up how I want them

The ones for home are combo rods and reels, the one in the RV is separate. Keep the reels in the reel bag and rods all together. My saltwater rods are separate when not in season, but once deep sea starts, they stay on the rods for the whole season.