Help with putting the proper reel on specific rod for different purposes?

[SAR5]

Im gather up the gear for the trip with dad and have some questions about what reel to put with which rod. I am enclosing a list of reels and rods that we already have. For walleye it sounds like you need one for jigging, one for casting cranks and live bait, and one for trolling? If so besides which one you would put on the rod which would you use for the purposes given. I am also looking at a combo for northern, bass. Thank you. Its a long post with lots of stuff.

Spincast Reels

Abu Garcia Cardinal 502 8 bearing

Abu Garcia Cardinal 500 U

Shimano Sonora 1000F

Shimano Solstace 2000RG with quick fire

Shimano Symetre 2000FH

Baitcast reel Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 5600 D5

Now the Spincast rods

Cabelas XML 6'6" 1/4-5/8 oz 6-12 line med?

Galayans IM8 6'6" 1/4-3/4 8-20 line med.

Galyans HMG54 6'6" 1/4-3/4 8-20

Baitcast/ closed face spin rods

Galyans Titanium IM8 6'6" 1/4-11/4 10-25 med hvy we have 2

Galyans GPS HMG30 6'6" 1/4-3/4 med

Galyans HM40 6'6" 1/4-3/4 8-20 med

Berkley Lightning Rod 6' 3/8-3/4 10-25 med hvy cast

Shakepseare Ugly Stik 5'6" 6-12 med

Berkley Stinger IM6 6'6" 3/8-3/4 10-25 med hvy cast

Shakespeare Durango 5'6" 6-12 med

Musky large northern set up is

Shimano CVC F704 7' 1/2-3 oz Hvy fast w/ Abu Ambasssaduer 6600ab

My father only fishes closed face so I need to partner up a set up for him as well using these reels..

Diawa GC80

Diawa GC100 we have 3

Diawa Silvercast 170 we have 2

Abu Abumatic 875

Wow thats it, I have another rod of my choice and reel that is a gift. So any other choice would be welcomed. Thanks again for you time.

[Captain B.R.K]

Are you asking us to match rods to your reels OR are you asking us to give you recommendations to a bass/pike rod you are wanting??

Looks like you have a pretty long list of rods and reels to outfit an army

[SAR5]

Thanks for the reply I would like to know how you would match what we have available and how you would use them for what type of fishing. I would also like to know of recommendations of other combos. Some of the rods and reels here are borrowed, inherited, and purchased by my family. Thanks Captain B.R.K.

[Deitz Dittrich]

O.K... I'll give this a shot... take it for what its worth!

However, first, the reels you have marked as Spincast are just spinning reels, spincast are like the zebco 33...just an FYI.

I would put the Shimano Symetry on either of the 2 galayans rods.. you could use this rod for just about anything. Jigging bass, walleye, and would probably even be an alright light pike rod. Rig it with 8 or 10 lb line. I would then put the solstace on the other galayans rod.

I would then put the sonora on the Cabelas rod... 6lb line.. good for light lindy rigging maybe some panfish...

Your still 2 spinning rods short. If I were you I might step up into a 7' rod for bottom bouncers or whatever? I dont really know what you normally fish for.. If we knew that we coudl suggest some other rods for those last 2 reels?

As for your baitcast rods and your fathers spincast reels.. .They all would work togeather. All of your rods are pretty much alike in lenght and action. You only have 2 MH, I would take the 2 heaviest reels you have and put them on these 2.. then do your best to match up the rest.

I'm sure it will be fine! and hey, if they dont feel right, you can switch them up! I do it all the time!

[SAR5]

Thank you Dietz for your response, I am going for walleye mostly with northern as a second. I am also greatly interested in bass. I have caught some small and large by chance and enjoyed the experience. Thank you. I hope you get back to me soon. Tomm. Sunday I am going out to get the last of the gear I need. What action do you recommend for the 7' rod. Thanks

[Deitz Dittrich]

Sar-For walleye 7 foot rods are nice..., I would get a med action for running lindy rigs, could also be a decent crank bait rod... and maybe also for slip bobber rod.. Maybe a Med/Hevy for running spinner rigs and bottom bouncers, bass rod and some northerns!

Best of luck with the new gear!

[SAR5]

Thank you for getting back to me so quick, one last thing before I go tomm. what kind of tackle should I get to have a basic bass tackle box. Lures, spinners?, line weight. I got a great response for walleye gear and think I now have a pretty well rounded tackle box for them. The only thing I need to research for walleye is the use of plastics. Do you use them alot in bass fishing as well. Thanks again, it feels like a guy has relatives he can learn from here.

[Captain B.R.K]

Tuning into Dietz's seminar down at the Forest Lake seminar a few weeks ago, you can't go wrong with a mix of rapalas (floating, husky jerks, DT's, new X-raps) for the early season. Don't be afraid to experiment with colors as well. Favorites of mine are the S,SB,FT, and TSD (guide is located on rapalas HSOforum).

Even try some spinner baits as well in colors of white and chartuese.

Once the weather warms, start with jig and pigs and other plastic presentations too (tubes/jigs, texas/carolina rigs). For starters I'd go with any green pumpkinseed, red fleck, and maybe white for plastics you'll use. For size of jigs start with 1/4 to 3/8 oz. Again experiment- seems the uglier the better!

I think with what I've mention above will get you going for the time being.

Good Luck!

[EYEHUNTER10]

I could talk all night on that subject thats exactly why you'll only see 1 rod in my boat after opener. A 6.6 medium/heavy berley pro select IM-6 but i think they are extinct now I'm sure I broke the original and had to get the next years model and the cork handle wasn't quite as long that was a great feature and I'd buy 1 from anybody who has one they'd be willing to part with(ya right) matched it with a shimano 4000 spirex with the dual rear drag its the only combo I own worthy of entering my boat and with less rods I have more room and break a few less now. I've also learned how to tie a palmor knot in the dark in like 4 seconds with no head lamp. I find I switch up rigs so much for each situation It dont pay to have all the other rods to babysit and makes me try more stuff. I tie all my lindys and spinner rigs on the fly now too and wouldn't have it any other way. Just my 2 cents sorry kinda got off topic there but some good advice I think

[Deitz Dittrich]

Sar-

For bass, 8 lb to 12 lb line is common, spinnerbaits, plastic worms, crankbaits are all good lures. Its knowing when to throw them is key.. Just like fishing for any other species of fish in MN.

Plastics are probably what a bass fisherman uses most. I litteraly have probably close to 5,000 pieces of plastic in my boat at any given time.. I could be wrong on this.. I guess I have never botherd to count. Just say its a lot! Again, the key will be knowing when to use what shape and color, at what depth!

There is a bass fishing forum on FishingMinnesota.com, I suggest you check it out and read a bunch of the stuff there and ask questions.. we have a lot of local great anglers that visit often!

http://www.fishingminnesota.com/forum/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=UBB57

[SAR5]

Well I got my new rod, my wife surprised me by getting it for me based on my ramblings from things I learned from all of you. She got me a St. Croix Premier/PS70MLF2 which is a 7' med-lite power fast action graphite rod. She really gave me a double whammy with a Shimano Stradic 2500FH reel to boot!! I was surprised to say the least. Is this a good combo for what we talked about? I am very lucky to have such a great wife. I still have two reels without rods so possible shopping trip in the future. Thanks again. I will check out the site you recommended as well.

[The Yeti]

This is just one humble mans opinion. I'm a shimano guy. Basically, 6 - 6 1/2 rods, you can match with a Shimano 1500 series. (formerly the 1000 series). 7 foot and over, you can go with the 2500 series (formerly the 2000 series).