Spinning Rod / Reel setup

[KING]

so looking to get a spinning rod / reel for this up coming season to handle some of the lighter presentations. All of my current spinning gear is aimed at walleye fishing (jigging) and i tend to prefer smaller reels that do not cast well.

So what are you using? Rod / Reel / Line. What techniques do you see where a spinning setup is the best option? And...is one combo enough to handle bass duties? Hoping this combo will also double as a jig casting walleye rod.

[Craigums]

I only have 2 spinning set-ups, primarily only use one. It's a 7'M/F St. Croix Premier w/ a Shimano Stradic, spooled with 8# Flouro. I use it for grubs and senkos.

The other is a 6' MH that I usually spool with 30# braid. I use this for skipping docks and some topwaters like poppers and spooks.

If your going to go with just one I'd definately recommend the 7'M/F

[Deitz Dittrich]

That is a pretty open ended question. Most of the guys here on the boards will say that one rod will not do all the duties. A rod/reel is a tool.. Can you fix everything with a hammer... maybe.. but is it best? Probably not. I know I personally would never survive with only one spinning rod. Could it be done though? Sure.

If I had to pick one and only one. 6'6" M, extra fast tip. Brand and price is up to you.. My current fave spinning rod is a G'loomis 7'2" NRX, but in no way is it best at many things.. but its a darn good jig worm rod. Stinks at skipping docks, cant throw a spinnerbait to save its life.. But pretty darn nice at jig worms.

[RK]

Hiya -

If you're going to go with one bass combo, I'd say a 6'10" to 7' medium power fast or x-fast will cover you most of the time, especially if you have a spare spool for your reel so you can switch lines from mono/fluoro to braid if you want.

I use a Powell Endurance 6103 which is a med power ex-fast, but really, pretty much every rod manufacturer out there makes something comparable, so it comes down to budget and which brands you like.

Same kind of goes for reels. I like 2500-size reels, but sometimes, especially with fluoro, larger can be better as the line handles better.

Line? For almost all of my spinning rod uses for bass - jigworms, drop shotting, etc. - I've switched to fluorocarbon. I use either 6# or 8# Sunline Sniper. A high quality mono can work too of course - caught all kinds of bass before we had fluoro. I do use braid now and then, usually with a fluoro leader. If you have a spare spool, some 20# braid is nice to have around docks, etc.

Really, this should be a pretty simple order to fill. Many, many good options to choose from. Your only problem might be deciding from all your choices.

[KING]

That is a pretty open ended question. Most of the guys here on the boards will say that one rod will not do all the duties. A rod/reel is a tool.. Can you fix everything with a hammer... maybe.. but is it best? Probably not. I know I personally would never survive with only one spinning rod. Could it be done though? Sure.

It is open ended...but sometimes having a cresent / pipe wrench is a great tool to have. I guess growing up musky fishing on LOTW i kind of suscribed to the Dick Pearson / Doug Johnson theory of keeping it simple and having tools that do multiple things can often times make you more efficient. And there are times when you want to fine tune a technique that you can get more specific.

When you look at rod manufactures list of rods it is usually 3-5 Bass Specific Spinning rods compared to a dozen bait casters. I dont need 5 spinning rods on the deck, but i do need one for when i do use some light jig casting or whatever.

I used to carry a deck full of musky rods too, now that is usually just one or two as many of the new rods are much more versitile.

So looking a 7 foot M power fast action. Looks like most every manufacturer has one. Pair that with a 25-30 series reel and should cover most bases.

Anyone have a thought on mid priced spinning reels?

I have quite a few different St. Croix rods: and was looking at Mojo Bass vs. Premier seem to be the same?

[Superduty]

If you are a st. croix fan, get a 6'6" mh avid paired with a 3000 series spinning reel. The mh is going to be more versatile. It's beefy enough to set the hook with a texas rig stickbait and not too heavy to fish a jigworm or tube jig. It will be too much rod for a dropshot rig however.

[dan z]

If I were to use one rod it would be 6'9" with a Medium action with a moderate fast tip. I would keep a close eye on how big of a lure you can use with it. I like being above the middle part spectrum. Ie: 1/4 - 3/4 is the lure rating I would not use a lure smaller than 1/2 once. The reel I would like to use would hold 6# - 10# line. And hopefully I can have a spare aluminum spool with different line on it. My favorite reel lately has been the president made by pflueger. In the 25 or 30 size.

Hope this helps. Good luck

[delmuts]

I been using a 7 ft med. fast tip rods paired with a president 6730( with 2/10 braid and 6 lb flouro) as a walleye rod, for lighter jigs, or flutes and tubes. Also one with a symetre 2000 that gets used for pike,bass,( with 8/30 braid or 10lb. mono) as a loner if i'm taking someone out that has little fishing experience. I do have baitcastering rods, but these two set ups can handle most types of fishing.

[MN BassFisher]

If you're looking for a pretty universal combo, I would agree with previous posts. A 7ft, Medium power rod could be used for many different applications. And I would most likely put 20-30lb Power Pro on my reel. I'm a little biased to Shimano reels but I think the $30 Sienna reel is great, if you have some extra money - I'd bump up to the Sedona or Sahara class.