Advice on best rod and reel combo and line....

[Hoffer]

I was wondering if any of you had any advice on the best rod and reel combo and also type of line to use when fishing scum and lillpads with something like a scumfrog etc...(when you are fishing in the heavy stuff and the bass takes it under and you have to work the bass back to the boat through thick vegeatation etc...)I have tried baitcasters in the past and havent had much luck with casting them. I guess I am just used to the good old open face - spin casters. But I would like to be able to set up one with some heavier line or something like "spiderwire" - but not sure what type of line works well for those conditions - or what works best on a spincaster. Of course, I am sure I could just go to a heavier pound test monofilament - but I was wondering what some of you have found best in this situation as far as the "superlines" - or if I should just try to go back to my baitcaster until i get used to it. Thanks alot for any advice!

[gspman]

Personally I use a 7' Shimano Compre or St. Croix Premier Medium Heavy Fast/X-Fast rod with a Shimano Curado and 50# PowerPro superbraid line, Love that PowerPro. That's for slop fishing on top. The trick for me is to get the fish to the top asap and surf it back to the open water and/or boat. I use the small sized Snagproof Tournament Frog and put one or two rattles inside it. This will add a little more weight for casting and the rattles theoretically may help the fish zero in on the bait a bit better. It's just a riot catching them in the slop when they're on the chew.

[andy j]

I personaly would go with a baitcasting also, again 7' mediem heavy, with a good low profile baitcaster. I would reccomend biting the bullet and learning how to throw a baitcaster, the nicer $70 and up are going to cast better then the entry level $40-50 reels. Everyone gets backlashs from time to time, I have been fishing a baitcaster for 15 years and still get some, I have gotten good at getting them out. But a higher end will help eliminate some problems. I also reccomend the Curado. Little spendy but worth every penny. Just remember that the key to casting a baitcaster is that you want your spool to be moving at the same speed as your bait on your cast. One trick is to tie on your bait, push the button release and let the bait hit the floor, if your spool keeps spinning when it hits the floor, it is to loose. if it stops the same time as the bait hits the floor, you are good to go. Start with heavier baits and aim higher then you would with a spinning reel. Keep that thumb close to the spool. Baitcaster are designed for heavier line and thick cover conditions. I would also go with the PowerPro, at least 30 lb. Make sure you put a little mono backing on first. Good Luck

[Granny]

Good info posted above. I switched over to baitcasters a year or two ago and I won't use anything else. Couple things to add, don't buy a cheap baitcaster to start out with. As Andy said, get a good low profile reel and get a 6.3:1 for pulling bass out of the weeds quickly. This time of year you can find good reels on sale for around $50. 30-50lb Power Pro with mono backing is a good choice. The mono backing is good for two reasons. First, you don't need to put on as much braid and second it helps prevent dig-ins if you hook inot something heavy (fish or tree). 50 maybe overkill but thats just personal preference. Backlashed are going to happen, its a fact! But with practice you can minimize them and you learn to get them out rather quickly.

Later,

Granny

[Hoffer]

Thanks for the excellent advice. I can tell you my "problem" with the baitcaster. I actually did buy the curado and have it on a very nice 6 foot medium heavy rod. With any kind of artificial that is somewhat on the lighter side like a scumfrog I cant cast it very far. If i do try to get it out there - I end up giving it too much and it gets into the backlash problem. I havent tried the Powerpro yet - and I havent tried the mono backing - i will do so this year. Also, would going up in size to a 6.5 or 7 foot rod make a difference?? Again, thank for the advice - you guys are great - and any additional advice would be appreciated!!

[andy j]

Shorter rods are usually better for acuracy but for distance a longer rod that has soft tip section that loads up well will be better. What line have you been using?

[gspman]

Larger line diameter will help reduce backlashes a little bit. Putting some rattles in the scum frog will add weight and make casting easier too. A longer rod with a little more bend will help casting as well but make sure the rod has enough backbone to reef 'em out of there.

[Granny]

Hoffer,

Do you reset your brake if you put on a new lure? As Andy mentioned release your brake until your lure just starts to drop down by itself. While getting used to it tighten up the brake just a little. Once you get used to it you can release the brake a little more and get a little more distance out of your casts. I basically just use shorter casts now that I have switched over. I think that accuracy is much more important than distance. You will love the Power Pro!

Good luck,

Granny

[LT01]

Hoffer,

As the guys have said, a 7 ft in either medium/heavy or heavy will work. My tournament partner has always used spinning reels for any application. He uses the size 30 reels and loads them powerpro for slop fishing and has never had a problem horsing the fishing out of the slop. We swear by the powerpro.

[Dan Brelje]

I am currently trying to find out what to get for a slop rod. I need some input on a reel. I am lookin at the Abu Garcia lines and am very interested. Looking to spend no more than $85. Any input will help, thanks.

[Deitz Dittrich]

dan you want a slop rod and reel for less than $85?

[Dan Brelje]

Yeah, a reel nice one at that price should do.... I may not have made it clear enough, but, i am looking for a good reel for a slop rod around $85. The Reel only... Sorry i can't right, it must be the chisago edukation or sumthing

[gotcatfish]

Dan-I personally would go with the Abu's. I have used them all my life and I am yet to find better quality for the price.I still use reals I got when I was just a little guy beggin' people to let me fish off thier docks on my home lake.Abu has a few low profile reels that are great.

Hoffer- Go with what the other guys are saying, a longer rod with a low profile reel will get you out there. One of my tricks to minimal backlashes is to stand in the back yard before the season and cast a dummy weight, it just gets you used to casting after sitting over a hole for the past few months.i've been known to cast into the neighbors yard for hours onend just to minimize backlashes, and i still get one or two every time i'm out. Good Luck hope all this info from everyone helps.