Hi guys,

I am just starting to get really into fishing, and ive been buying some nicer setups.  My question is, based on my setups listed below, what would be the best uses for the (worms/jigging, crank baits, etc):

St Croix avid 6' M Fast action/diawa capricorn reel

Grandt rod 6'6" MH Fast action and a shimano citica baitcaster.

What are the best uses for both?

The last question is, I am looking to buy one last nice rod in the $100 range.  Based on my setups listed above, what would be my best option to add something a little different and not buy another pole that would serve the same function as one i already have.

Thanks guys!

You are going to get a lot of answers from people that know a bunch more than me, but i'll see if I can get you started.  You need something without a fast action.  My suggestion would be a rod you like in your price range that is med. power, mod. action.  This will be your treble hook and topwater rod.  

Your avid will make a good rod for weightless plastics, light t-rigs and small spinnerbaits.  The MH will work for jigs, bigger t-rigs and spinnerbaits.

I don't throw moving baits a lot so I would probably start every trip with one rigged for weightless and the other a weighted t-rig.  Then if I wanted to throw a moving bait I would swap the one that is getting bit the least.

Great, thanks for the info.

To give a little more information, I typically fish: spinnerbaits and crankbaits.  This year my goal is to use more swimbaits, jigs and soft plastics.

Like you menioned mattm, maybe i should get something with a little slower action to use for crankbaits and swimbaits?  Maybe a MH medium action??

Anyone have any specific suggestions? links??

If you fish crankbaits a lot you need something with a slower action. The rods you have will work fine for all the baits you want to learn/use more. I personally personally prefer med. power rod for searchbait type baits(crankbait) for two reasons.

1)You can make longer cast with a med power rod than a MH. Allowing you to cover more water and have more time to get the deep divers down.

2)This one may be all in my head, but i'll throw it out there anyways. The give in a med. power rod also gives the fish a little longer to take the bait. So I prefer the med, mod b/c i have a nice crankbait stick that I can also use for other things.  However, if you throw anything that dive below 10-12ft. disregard my med. suggestion and go with the MH.

To me the first point is the real advantage, but a MH mod would help diversify your arsenal as well. I don't think any of the rods you listed are rated very high as far as lure weight so watch out on the bigger swimbaits.

With how popular "Drop shotting & Shakey head" is getting I would think about a 7' ML with a x-fast tip spinning rod.

A 7' H with fast tip for Frogs, jigs and swimbaits would also be a good set-up.