Bassin' USA - Bass Fishing Forum Archives

Hi Robert here and I'm looking for some help on rod and reel selection. I'm fairly new to tournament bass fishing and would like to get some other opinions about specialty rod and reels. Is it better to have specialty rod and reels for specialty applications. I've heard different opinions both ways. Right now I've been fishing Pflueger President baitcasters with Bass Pro XPS rods for pretty much everything. Of course different action and lengths, but I was thinking of upgrading rods and reels and getting a crankbait rod and reel rig, topwater, worm, etc. Is this the way most people prefer??? I've heard from other anglers this gets u dependant on each rod instead of reeling slower say for crankbait fishing or whatever HELP!!! Also what rod actions and reel gear ratio's for crankbait, buzzbait, jig, works, etc. Thank's for the help

Hawg Hunter,
If you have the cash it's great to have specific rods and reels for special applications. I do not put a lot of importance to types of rods and reels though. I much prefer to have reels and raods that as close to the same as possible. That way I know the rod and reels capabilities and strengths. I'd rather have eight good quality combinations that match closely, than five specialty combos, that I would have to adjust to every time I changed rods. I have gained a good deal of respect as a crankbaiter, but I don't own any special rods, I use 6'6" Lightning rods for everything coupled with Daiwa low profile reels. Each angler is different and has different styles of fishing. Some feel they need special combos for situational fishing, I don't. Good luck with your decisions. Johnnie

I do have 7 rods set up with the same reels and poles, some with different line. The other 3 are the same rods and reels for Texas Rig, Carolina Rig and Flippin.
Makes it easier for me to pick one up and not worry about settings etc.
Out of the 7 1 is CB, 2 is Floatin Worm, 3 is Jerkbait, 4th is SB, 5th is Buzzbait, 6th is diff CB and 7th is for Rat-l-Trap.

I bought the reels and rods by the case.(Pinnacles T-I Matrix 10 BB and Pinnacle Rods). Got a super deal!

Good luck,

Dave

I have a several different rods and reels tring to figure out which I like the best. I must say thought that they are all 6'6" or 7'. My cranking rod (bass pro crankin stick) and my worming rods are probably the most used. They are all 7' but have the same BUT different reels on them. Let me expain that one to you. On the cranking rod I have the 5:8-1 gears and the worming rods have the 6:3-1 gears. That whay I can get the worms in quicker to make the next pitch or flip. The cranking reel I want to be slower so that I dont overwork the crankbait. I want it working along ticking cover and bottom nice and slow.

The main thing is get rods and reels you feel comfortable with. Like Jonnie said you want them close to the same weight and set up so that you dont have to think about what you are doing it just happens. What I mean by that: If all your reels have the 6:3-1 gears in then you have to stop and think about slowing your retrieve down to slow roll a spinner bait or cranking a deep diving crankbait. Then again you dont want to try and burn a buzz bait with a 3:8-1 geared reel because it will wear you out tring to keep in on top. Match the gears to what you are doing. Hope that makes sence?? I would rather match my reels and line size to the job as I had the rod.

I dont know about yall but I started out with alot of discount store specials that were neither matched and very cheap and still caught fish with them.

Feel free to e-mail me if that does not make sence and I will try to explain it better.

Conley

Guys thanks for all the help!! Robert