Rod/reel/line combo match game.

[RK]

Hiya -

So I was down in my lair last night starting to sort out all my gear for the upcoming season - spooling reels, matching up rod/reel combos, that sort of thing - when a friend of mine dropped by. While we were chatting he picked up a rod, looked at the heap of reels I had on the floor, and the plastic tub full of spools of line, and asked how I was going to rig up this particular rod.

When I told him, he looked at me like I had two heads. That led to a fairly long discussion about rod, reel and line preferences for different applications. Just as an experiment, I had him set up what HE would use based on the stuff I had (complete combo: rod, reel line, and what it was for). 80% of his choices were TOTALLY different than I'd make. When I got done explaining to him that he had just had 'savant' removed from his title, and he would probably be better off wrapping line around a pop can and jigging over the side if that was how he set up rods and reels, we talked about his choices and why. He's a VERY good angler, so he had some interesting takes on things.

It got me to thinking. So in the interests of finding new and creative ways for all of you to waste colossal amounts of time on this site when you should really be doing something else, I thought I'd let all of you play the same game. Here's a fictional set of rods and reels and line. Match 'em up.

So here are the rules:

1.) You have a list of rods, reels, and types of line. Match them up, and tell me what you'd use the combo for.

2.) There are uneven numbers, so you'll have some leftovers. Spool size for line is unlimited.

3.) What you have is what you have. No trips to Thorne Bros or Cabelas allowed.

4.) To keep this from getting completely insane, all rods and reels are baitcasting types.

Go nuts.

Rob

Rods: (listed by length, power, action)

7'11" Med-heavy, moderate

7'6" Med-light, mod-fast

7'6" Heavy, fast (telescoping flipping stick)

7'6" Med-heavy, fast (telescoping flipping stick)

7' heavy, fast

7' heavy, mod-fast (glass rod)

7' med-heavy, fast

6'10" heavy, fast

6'10" med-heavy, mod-fast

6'8" heavy, x-fast

6'6" medium, fast

Reels:

Abu-Garcia 5500C3

Abu-Garcia 4600C3

Abu-Garcia Revo S

Abu-Garcia Revo S

Abu-Garcia Revo HS (high speed 7.1:1 gear ratio)

Lews Speed Spool BB-19NG

Lews Speed Spool BB-19NG

Shimano Chronarch A

Shimano Chronarch A

Shimano Chronarch A

Shimano Citica 200DPV (5.0:1 gear ratio)

Shimano Scorpion 1500

Shimano Scorpion 1000

Shimano Curado 200B3.8 (3.8:1 gear ratio)

Diawa CVZ-203A (round reel much like a Luna, 5.4:1 gear ratio)

Line:

50# Stren Superbraid

30# Tuff Line XP

20# Power Pro

20# Gamma Copolymer

17# Trilene XT

15# Triple Fish Fluorocarbon

15# Berkley Big Game

15# Triple Fish X-Rated Copolymer

14# Trilene XT

14# Fireline

12# Trilene XT

12# Triple Fish Fluorocarbon

10# Trilene XT

10# Triple Fish Fluorocarbon

[polarsusd81]

Here is my list.

7'-11" Med Heavy, Mod - 5500C3 - 20# Gamma CoPoly - Swimbaits

7'-6" Med Light, Mod-fast - Revo HS - 10# XT - jerk-bait-baits, slash baits, soft plastic jerk-baits

7'-6" Heavy, Fast (flippin stick) - Chronarch A - 50# Stren Superbraid - Flipping jigs and creatures

7'-6" Med Heavy, Fast (flippin stick) - Chronarch A - 17# XT - Wormin, carolina rigging

7'-0" Heavy, Fast - Chronarch A - 20# Gamma CoPoly - Buzzbaits, prop baits

7'-0" Heavy, Mod Fast (glass rod) - Curado 200B38 - 14# Fireline - Mid to Deep cranks

7'-0" Med Heavy, Fast - Citica DPV - 14# XT- Topwaters like walk the dogs and poppers

6'-10" Heavy, Fast - Scorpion 1500 - 20# Power Pro - Jigs

6'-10" Med Heavy, Fast - Revo S - 20# Power Pro - Frogs

6'-8" Heavy, X-Fast - 4600C3 - 50# Stren - 4"-6" inline spinners (never know what your gonna get)

6'-6" Medium, Fast - Revo S - 14# Fireline - Spinnerbaits

Now can you tell me if I get the dunce cap? I don't think I wasted too much time. Just did this over my typical break period. Very interested to see what everyone else says.

[RiverBassGuy]

I'm gonna save time and say DIDO! Polarsusd81 has a great list that would be satisfactory for each application! Where's the DAIWA baitcasters????

[Fluker]

Interesting subject RK. I have all of my information in a spreadsheet, and towards the end of winter I start matching things up. For me, I take a trip to Missouri in March / April, then usually fish the river in spring, and then on to lakes the rest of the year. So you can imagine the set ups usually vary within the sesaon. So I usually set things up different for each, but try to keep things similar enough that I can re-use line choices.

I start with what I'll be doing with the set up (technique) and then work my way backwards with line, then rod, then reel. I think the biggest difference between responses will be what they usually do. Primary / Confidence baits will vary, so set up will as well.

Here is what I would do.

7'11 MH-Mod Shimano Scorpion 1500 30# Tuff Line XP Carolina Rig

7'6 ML-Mod-Fast Shimano Scorpion 1000 10# Triple Fish FC Jig Worm / Drop Shot

7'6 H-Fast Abu-Garcia 4600C3 50# Stren Superbraid Frog

7'6 MH-Fast Shimano Chronarch A 30# Tuff Line XP Jig

7' H-Fast Shimano Chronarch A 20# Gamma Copolymer Jig / Swimbait

7' H-Mod-Fast Shimano Citica 200DPV 12# Triple Fish FC Deep Crank

7' MH-Fast Abu-Garcia Revo HS 15# Triple Fish FC Texas Rig

6'10 H-Fast Shimano Chronarch A 30# Tuff Line XP Toad

6'10 MH-ModFast Abu-Garcia Revo S 30# Tuff Line XP Swim Jig

6'6 M-Fast Abu-Garcia Revo S 17# Trilene XT Spinnerbait / Trap

6'8 H-XFast No Reel No Line Protection

The other interesting thing that this shows is how equipment preferences vary. Very few of the rods you have are what I have in my arsenal. Reels are similar, but vary in brand and model. For rods, the only similar makes that I have aree the 7'6" ML, 7'6" MH, and 7' MH. Primairly mos of my rods are the latter two mentioned, with a few M actions mixed in, and a couple 6'6" MH's.

Would be interested to see how you set things up.

Chuck

(If there interest, I can post my options as well to see what others would do)

[hydrashack]

I think you guys are just bragging about how much gear you got.

I will throw my list in though it is weak compared to yours.

Falcon Cara 7'H Abu GarciaC4 4600 20#Seaguar FL- C-Rig

Falcon Cara 7'MH Abu GarciaC4 4600 15# Seaguar FL- Senko/Plastics

Falcon Cara 6'10"H Abu GarciaC4 4600 20# Seaguar FL- Jig

Falcon Cara 6'10"H Abu GarciaC4 4600 15# Seaguar FL- Jig

Falcon Cara 7'M Abu GarciaC4 12# Ande Mono- Crankbait

Falcon Org 6'6"MH Abu GarciaC4 12# Big Game Mono- Spinnerbait

Falcon Org 6'MH Abu GarciaC4 12# Big Game Mono- Spinnerbait

Falcon Org 5'6"ML Abu GarcieC4 8# Seaguar FL- Rouge/Pointer

Quantum PT 6' MH Quantum Code 12 Big Game Mono- Square Bill

Hopefully I am on fish and only have a few rods on the deck at the end of the day.

[polarsusd81]

Hydra, I think the point was to use the components RK listed and pair them up as best you could for the different situations one encounters on the water.

[hydrashack]

My fault

[Deitz Dittrich]

Fun stuff RK-- But for me, it really has a ton to do with ones fishing style. Keep in mind there are some things that are important. Some lures work better with longer rods, some need slower actions, some faster...

Any lure with small/thin hooks, also often times lures with their own actions(IE Crankbaits, jig worm/finess, topwaters.) I prefer rods that are lighter and slower actions.

Lures with larger hooks and ones I have to put the action into I like prefer faster actions..

Rod Length, has more to do with tight quarters, If I need casting accuracy I will go slightly shorter on the rod, if I need leverage, longer all the way...

I'm not going to go through all the combos.. just the ones that jump out at me.

 Quote:

7' heavy, mod-fast (glass rod)

This rod to me is a deep crank rod... DD22, DT16, POE 400+ ect.. I would put the lowest gear ratio reel with this combo Shimano Curado 200B3.8 (3.8:1 gear ratio) and spool it with 10# Triple Fish Fluorocarbon

 Quote:

7'6" Heavy, fast (telescoping flipping stick)

This rod has flipping/pitching built in... done deal... can also double as a slop/frog rod. I dont care what reel you put on it, as long as its strong.. I would probably do one of the Chronarchs... and 50# Stren Superbraid... though one could get by with the 30 lb braid. or 20 lb copoly gamma.

 Quote:

6'10" med-heavy, mod-fast

This is the rod I use for Texas rigs... love it, even use it for light carolina rig... Again probably the chronarch but this time throw the 14 XT on it.

 Quote:

6'6" medium, fast

Jerbaits.. and small cranks!!!! Throw the scorp 1500 on there or a Revo... can go either 10 lb floro or not.. if you plan on going topwater with it.. go copoly not floro...

The 7'11" is a swimbait rod through and through!!! Probably put one of the Abu on there and let er buck! 15 lb florocarbon!

[bassislife]

This looks like fun, but too much work for me. Have fun guys!

[cjac]

 Quote:

Fun stuff RK-- But for me, it really has a ton to do with ones fishing style.

Agreed on both points! Fun stuff for sure and varies a lot on one's style.

The smallmouth bias comes thru in your gear RK, as does the type of water you fish. Somewhat more finesse, and more of a preference for clear water and deeper conditions. Granted I know where you're fishing all summer, so I have a bit of an idea already.

I took a look at my rigs and there's quite a difference, of course quite the difference in angler skill and experience too. I'm more in the 6'6" to 7' range, more fast action compared to the number of mod mod/fast you have. That's a reflection on the waters fished though, and rod lockers to be totally honest. You come and hang with me in the milfoil waters of 'tonka for example and your arsenal is cut a bit. Same as if I take mine to your clear rock based lakes. I likely throw into reeds as much as you do 'foil in a given year, and vice versa. Granted both require some backbone, but different still.....

Traditionally speaking, I'd be looking at your crank reels on the mod action rods. Those Lews are the 5.3 ratio? Couple that up with the Triple Fish flouro..... Chronarchs on the fast action rods....

I'd love the Daiwa 203 on the 7'6" telescoping rod, similar to my fav cross-over muskie/bass rig. Mine is a 7'10" Avid with either the Cardiff 300 or the new Curado 300DSV.

Beyond that, a total dice-throw for me with your stuff. Almost feels like looking at another guy's wife and telling her what to wear.....

I notice you have more mono in use than many of us. I have the Trilene XT on one crank set-up for me, and on a 4600 Abu with the anti-basklash flip-up hood for the Mrs., and that's it. I do have mostly Shimano baitcasters, so there's not much mystery for me. 100s on the Meds, 200s on the MHs, and the 5.0s on the mod action rods.

I do have to say thanks though, you made me look at my rigs, and called out (I already knew...) I was lacking the heavier crank set-up. So I just ran to 'belas and got the Compre 7' MH crank rod with another Citica in the 5.0:1 ratio. 12lb Gamma flouro going on there.

I have 5 rebate checks coming from Shimano, that'll be just like the economic stimulus check!

I just want to wet a line....period!

[Slip_Bob]

Hey cjac - when we going to take that day off from work and get the new RnR set-ups?

[cjac]

Just as soon as you pick the day.....and the temp is above 50 and it's not calling for snow/sleet/hail/rain......

For the record, I charge rental fees on use of all my set-ups mentioned above!

[RK]

Hiya -

Cool stuff. A lot of you hit on exactly what I was getting at. It's so interesting how two anglers can look at the same set of tools and come up with completely different assumptions about what's what, and it's all about style and where you do your thing. The guy in the original post is a shallow water machine and fishes mainly largemouths. I make my living out to sea a lot of the time, partly because of where I fish (northern clear natural lakes) and partly because I just like it out there. Still, even at that, style and personal preference plays a HUGE role.

Admittedly, this is a little artificial, because you can't pick up the rods and feel them - specs can only tell you so much - but you guys came up with some combos that had never once crossed my mind. Really interesting that some of the things you guys describe using the rods for I do with all spinning gear. Shows how much I fish smallies. I could probably fish them the rest of my life and not use anything but spinning gear and line under 12#.

For the record, here's what I'd do.

7'11" - Lews BB-19, 12# fluoro - deep cranking rod - DT-10s, Poes 300s, DT-16s, etc.

7'6" ML - Lews BB-19, 10# Fluoro - smallie crank rod

7'6" H - Fast, Abu 4600, 50# braid (flipper - I like round reels for flipping cuz of how I hold the thing...)

7'6" MH - Fast, Revo , 20 Copoly - clear water flipping w/smaller baits

7' H - Fast, Chronarch, 17XT - heavy spinnerbait, buzzbait, spoon, frog

7' MH-Fast, Revo HS, 15 Copoly - Carolina rig/football jigs

7' H - Mod fast glass, Curado 3.8:1, 20 braid - big crankbaits in coontail (this rod stays in the barn until August for the most part...)

6'10" H - Fast, Scorpion 1500, 12# Triple Fish - jig and pig, lighter football jigs

6'10" MH - Mod-F, Chronarch, 15# Big Game - spinnerbait/buzzbait

6'8" H - X-Fast, Chronarch, 17XT - Pitching & heavy T-rigs

6'6" M - Fast, Scorpion 1000, 10XT - poppers, prop baits, walk the dog baits, small spinnerbaits and buzzbaits.

Cjac -

 Quote:

I do have to say thanks though, you made me look at my rigs, and called out (I already knew...) I was lacking the heavier crank set-up. So I just ran to 'belas and got the Compre 7' MH crank rod with another Citica in the 5.0:1 ratio. 12lb Gamma flouro going on there

Bahahaha... Always glad to help a guy spend his $$$...

Yeah, I do use mono a lot more than some do I think. Oddly enough, I probably use braid more on spinning gear than I do casting gear. I use fireline or MasterBraid for jerkbaits, soft stickbaits, skipping docks, etc...all with spinning gear. With casting gear the only time I use braid is flipping in really nasty stuff (rushes or cane), and deep cranks in thick coontail late in the summer. Otherwise, I prefer mono or fluoro. Again largely a function of fishing in lakes with clear water I suppose.

I'll take you up on the Tonka deal though

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[cjac]

RK,

A 'tonka day sounds fun, front door to launch on Gray's Bay is 15 minutes for me. I'm not too skilled out there, but a guy can pick one area like Big Island or a bay and fish it all day. Plus, lunch at Fletcher's is always an enjoyable experience!

I should mention I have you penciled in for an afternoon of tiggers on Gervais too... Call it my exercising the leverage point I have of me having my boat in town!

Regarding the mono use, what's a 300yd spool of Trilene XT, like $7-8? It's pretty darn cheap is my point. That's enough to fill a few reels, so at that price it's worth swapping line off (wrap your braid/flouro on an empty spool) and spool up with mono if the particular lake/situation would make mono a good choice for that trip or even day. Switch back to the braid and your only out a couple bucks of mono.

[moviking]

I hate to say this , but, ya'll have a lot more equipment & better equipment than I do. But, it does the job. I use Brade when fishing jerk-bait baits and spinners, & some top water baits. I also have gone to florocarbon, less stretch.