Finding the right combination

TheBadGuy · Post by **TheBadGuy** » Tue Mar 23, 2004 12:33 am

I have 2 st. croix rods. One is 7'0 meduim power, fast action and the other is 6'6 medium-heavy, fast action. I also have a quantum pt600 baitcast reel, with a 6.2:1 ratio. And I also have a shimano calcutta 250 baitcast reel, with a 5.2:1 ratio. Which reel should go on which rod?

Also can someone tell me what techniques these rods would be best suited to?

sh03z · Post by **sh03z** » Tue Mar 23, 2004 2:03 am

If it were my choice, I would put the lower speed reel with the bigger rod...simply because it has more cranking power...

johnnie crain outdoors · Tue Mar 23, 2004 5:28 am

Hey, Bad Guy, welcome to the site.
I would team the St.Croix 7' with the Calcutta. Longer rod and slower speed would be ideal for flippin' and pitchin' worms and jig and pigs. The higher speed PT600 matches well with the 6'6" St. Croix which I would use for spinnerbaiting, crankbaiting and long distance top water baits.
The Calcutta rig would also work for Carolina rigging and drop shotting or vertical jigging spoons. The PT600 will cover all other situations. Good luck. Johnnie

JOE D. · Post by **JOE D.** » Tue Mar 23, 2004 10:29 pm

Bad Guy,I would use the 6'6" rod with the slower reel for my crankbaits.I don't like the faster reel with crank baits because you pull the bait out of the fish's mouth.With the slower reel you can always crank faster if you need to,like with a rattle trap.I would also use this combo for spinnerbaits,topwater etc.The 7' rod and faster reel I would use for LITE flipping jigs,worms,tubes,If you go into heavy cover with a med.action rod you will lose more fish then you think.To be good at flipping you MUST be a line watcher.When you see that line move or jump you must react with a fast hook set.Thats the reason behind the faster reel when pitching and flipping.I also use the 6.2 for a carolina rig,again the reason is a fast hookup.To me the ideal rod for flipping is a heavy or med heavy and the 6.2 reel.Hope I helped,goood luck. JOE D.WWW.RETRIEVERLURES.COM NJ-PROSTAFF

TheBadGuy · Post by **TheBadGuy** » Wed Mar 24, 2004 4:47 am

thanks for the advice. I was planning on putting the fast real with the long rod, but I switched it up to what you told me.