Which rod and reel setup(s) should I use?
JoeD.
Thank you for all the nice replies under the heading of "Lurker out of the
closet". They certainly made me feel welcome. Now that this novice is out of
the closet, I would appreciate your opinions by helping me with my rod and reel
setups. I apologize in advance if this is considered off topic, and would
appreciate you letting me know if you think it is. It is also quite lengthy,
but I felt it was necessary to include detailed information so you could make
your best recommendations.
I currently own 4 rods and reels. Two of them are identical Abu Garcia Spinning
reels (Model C3000S3), with a 5:2:1 ratio. They are both spooled with Berkley
Fireline, 14 lb test, one smoke, and the other is flame green. They are both on
Mitchell (6', medium action, 1M6 Graphite, 6 - 14 lb test) rods. The Mitchell
Balance (Model MB60MS) is rated for 1/8 - 1/2 lure size, and the Mitchell
Fulcrum (Model FP60MS) is rated for 1/8 - 3/4 lure size.
The Christmas before last, my wife gave me an Abu Garcia baitcasting reel
(5500C3), with a 5:3:1 ratio. It was right handed, and I had a hard time with
it. Pure Fishing was very nice to me and allowed me to swap it for a left
handed model. It came on a Daiwa Triforce-X (6', medium action, 1/4 - 3/4 lure
size, 12 - 17 lb test, model TF-X601 MRB-A M) rod.
The other week, I purchased a Daiwa Procaster Z reel (PRZ103HLA), with a 6:3:1
ratio (60% off at Dick's, on a whim, couldn't resist). I also have a Abu Garcia
(6'6", Med Heavy action, 3/8 - 11/2 lure size, 12 - 17 lb test, model number
OC661MH) rod that is not in use.
My questions:
Should I use the Abu reel on the Abu rod, and the Daiwa reel with the Daiwa
rod, or visa versa?
Or are they completely mismatched, and I should purchase something more
appropriate? (I realize these aren't the Cadillac's of fishing, but for now,
I'm only at the Chevy level.)
If you only owned these 4 rods and reels, how would you set each of them up?
(Worming, pig & jig, spinner bait, crank baits, etc)
Line diameter recommendations? (No big lunkers to worry about in NJ).
Which set up would be the best for pitching?
Although I used the Abu 5500C3 last year, I can't seem to get any distance with
my casts, even with the spool tension set at zero. Your FAQ on Adjusting the
Baitcaster (thanks Craig) was extremely helpful, but I still have a couple of
questions. The article mentions that when the spool tension knob is backed
totally off, one should than start backing off on your magnets. Are the magnets
located internally on this reel? If so, how do I adjust them? I'm leery about
removing the side plates because I'm fearful of what springs might pop out on
me.
Please feel free to e-mail me if you think this is off topic for the others.
Thanks in advance.
Joe Dressel
AJH
the spool bearings (even if it's new) and re-oil with a light oil. The
reel won't fall apart if you remove the side plate.Read the instructions
that came with the reel when you put it back together, be sure the brake
blocks are pushed in when you put the side plate back on. The spool
bearing are located on each end of the spool.
Eat, sleep, fish.......<'((((((><
GL3Loomis
start with the equipment you have today and then talk about what I would
recommend for your future purchases.
Rod & Reel Combo #1: Pitching/Flipping/Carolina - Worm/Jig-n-Pig - Heavy
Cover
Your last purchase is the best for this, Daiwa Z with your AG 6'6" MH
This is you best bass fishing combo. It also is good for Vertical Jig
Spoons, Heavy Spinnerbait, big cranks etc. I would use 14 or 17-pound test
so I could use it for all the techniques I described.
Rod & Reel Combo #2: Crankbait/Slow Rolling Spinnerbait/Jerkbait/Topwater
Your Daiwa Tri-X 6' M with your AG 5500C3
The slow gear reel would be ok for crankbaits and the Medium action of the
rod will absorb the impact of the strike
Rod & Reel Combo #3: Tubebaits/soft jerkbaits/small cranks & spinners
Mitchell Fulcrum 6'M with your AG Spinning Reel
Rod & Reel Combo #4: Finesse Worm/weightless lures
Mitchell Balance and AG Reel
Ok, you now have some toys to play with so you can save the money needed to
take you into the next level. What's the next level? The next level is the
level every thing starts clicking. The level where fishing becomes so much
fun because you're going to start catching fish like you never believe was
possible.
Some don't believe equipment is all that important. I am here to tell you
equipment is everything! I am going to give you two analogies both
involving music (another one of my passions).
Analogy #1: Take the greatest musician in the world and give them a cheap
instrument. As talented as they are, they can only make that cheap
instrument sound so good. Where you can give a mediocre musician a fine
instrument and they are going to sound two to three times better. Put that
fine instrument in the hands of a very talented musician and they are going
to sound world class.
Analogy #2: Give a kid a cheap guitar to learn on and most will quit before
they reach their potential because it is difficult to play and the sound
quality is poor. Give a kid a very good guitar to learn on and their will
achieve their highest potential (which may not be good, but they will
achieve it) because the instrument is a breeze to play and the sound is
incredible.
Put a very good or great rod and reel combo in the hands of a new angler and
they will achieve their maximum potential. Why? Because the reel will allow
them to cast easier, more accurately, and give them a much better feel of
what the lure is doing. A very good/great rod transmits every thing a lure
is doing in detail. I thought I was good while using my Berkley, Fenwick
and Abu Garcia rods. But the first time I used a G.Loomis GL3 spinning rod,
it was almost magical. Well, let me take that back. My first cast went
into the water directly in front of me like a rocket. These rods are a lot
stiffer than those cheaper rods and takes a little getting use to, because I
was pissed thinking I spent all this money on a rod that is suppose to make
me cast farther and more accurately. Second cast the same thing, but after
a half dozen casts I was casting to where I want my lure to be. The real
magic takes place once your lure is in the water. I could feel everything
and I mean everything! All of a sudden I could feel strikes I never felt
before and I was catching more fish. But even more importantly because I
could feel more I started learning to learn more and put all the pieces of
the puzzle together. Each lure has a magical sound that triggers fish into
striking. Each is created at different speeds and actions or the lack of
action. With a rod like a G.Loomis you can feel that action, feel that
magical vibration where you know the lure is going to get a strike. That is
what a very good/Great rod matched with a equally good reel can do.
I learned a long time ago that all the greats in this sport have one thing
in common (Kevin VanDam, Rick Clunn, Roland Martin, Larry Nixon, Denny
Brauer, etc.) is that they find a rod and reel they like and build an
arsenal around it. All the rods come from the same series and all their
reels are the same. Whether you choose G.Loomis (which I highly recommend
GL3 is fairly priced) or St. Croix Avid/Ultimate, Lamiglas or BPS Johnny
Morris signature matched with Shimano Chronarch/Stradic (My recommendation)
or Daiwa's TD X/SS II Spin, or Quantum's Energy ACS II PT/Catalyst PTi stick
with it. 7-foot rods are best with 6-foot for topwater and 7'6" or 8' for
flipping/pitching. High speed reels are best because as Rick Clunn said,
"You can always slow down a high speed reel, but it is very difficult to
speed up a slow one without a great deal of effort."
Your next purchase should be a 7-foot MH trigger rod and baitcaster,
followed by a 7-foot MH spinning rod, followed by 7'6" Heavy Flipping Stick,
followed by a 6' or 6'6" MH casting rod for topwater. Then you can start
filling in your arsenal with more 7' MH 7 H action rods. Then go nuts
buying duplicate/triplicates for more advance action.
--
Craig Baugher
Ask, and you will receive. Search, any you will find.
Knock, and the door will be opened for you.
[Matthews7:7 - Contemporary English Version]
Ken Fortenberry
> ...
> Some don't believe equipment is all that important. I am here to tell you
I disagree with that. A good fisherman can catch fish with a Zebco 33
duct taped to a broomstick. A poor fisherman won't catch fish no matter
how much he spends on equipment.
The most important piece of fishing gear any angler has sits under his
hat and between his ears.
--
Ken Fortenberry
go-bassn
Warren2
--
TriState Bassmasters Home Page:
http://tri-statebassmasters.com/
"Ken Fortenberry" <kenfort...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:3CC1C182...@earthlink.net...
Ken Fortenberry
>
> C'mon Ken, even a blind squirrel finds an acorn now & then...
But only if he has state-of-the-art acorn finding equipment. ;-)
--
Ken Fortenberry
Dan
personal knowledge of some of the models you mention.
As far as balancing the gear, Diawa-Diawa, Abu-Abu is not balancing. The
size and type of reel are most important.
With regards to the Abu 55001C3 you now have, (5501 is the LH version) I
have several and every one is on a much larger rod than you currently own.
The 5501 is a large freshwater or light SW reel and I have used it for both.
For freshwater I use it on my Carolina rig rods, 7.5 heavy or Xheavy
baitcasters. I also use it on my "Big Bait Specials" 7.5 -8' rods I use for
throwing the big trout baits for lunker bass out here. These reel all are
loaded with 15-20# test or more.
As far as a pitching rod, my recommendation would be to use that 6.5' MH.
Most of my pitching is done with 6.5-8' rods, mostly with any rod that I
would use flippin' I use to pitch with as well. However, pitching usually
calls for a slightly softer tip but still a lot of backbone. As the cast is
so useful in bass fishing I can make it with any rod and if I am pitching
blades, I will opt for a shorter rod but if I am pitching jigs to heavy
cover, a 7.5 flippin' stick is my ticket.
Can't help you too much with the rest as I am unfamiliar with the models. If
I saw them together I could tell you in an instant but that only comes with
actual viewing and experience. Start with the line ratings of the reel and
rod. They should be in the same range. After that, the next indicator is put
the rod and reel in your hand and try to find where the balance point is
between butt and tip. Should be an 1" or two in front of the reel but
personal taste is always the last word. Hope this helps.
Dan
"JoeD." <fun2fi...@aol.commode> wrote in message
news:20020420103233...@mb-fz.aol.com...
go-bassn
Wareren2
--
TriState Bassmasters Home Page:
http://tri-statebassmasters.com/
"Ken Fortenberry" <kenfort...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:3CC1C805...@earthlink.net...
go-bassn
could be added/subtracted to the butt end of a line of rods to acheive
perfect balance. I guess it didn't go over too well, because last I saw
them they were being closed-out by BPS.
Warren2
--
TriState Bassmasters Home Page:
http://tri-statebassmasters.com/
"Dan" <Dwa...@earthlink.spamnot.net> wrote in message
news:SXjw8.21449$3z3.1...@newsread1.prod.itd.earthlink.net...
GL3Loomis
myself with a Marshall 2200 and a 1963 Les Paul would make him sound like an
amateur. Put that same guitar in Eddie's hands and I couldn't come close.
Make Kevin VanDam use his signature series rod & reel, and me with a
G.Loomis IMX and Shimano Chronarch reel fishing out of the same boat and I
would put a whooping on the boy. Let Kevin use his custom rods & reels and
it would be fun and competitive. . . . . I think I could still put a
whooping on him (smiling).
GL3Loomis
"Bass Pro Shops had introduced a neat concept about a year ago, where
weights
perfect balance. I guess it didn't go over too well, because last I saw
them they were being closed-out by BPS"
Because even though the rod is balanced and you don't necessarily feel the
weight, the physical weight is still present and you feel it after a long
day of fishing. I also believed it robs the rod of some of its sensitivity.
Steve Erwin
When suggesting someone to use "high speed" (6.3-1 or higher), please be
specific as to what brands. For example a V-spool reel with 6.3-1 gears, the
line recovery may be no better than a 5.3-1 Abu. When you use narrow spools
and especially when it has sort of a V, it will not have the capacity of an
Abu or Millionaire type and as such at the start of the retreive you are not
picking up near as much line as at the end of the retreive and as such the
lure advances a whole lot more per turn as it gets closer to the boat. The
5500 c3 Abu has a more consistent rate as you reel in cause you cannot cast
near far enough to get the spool diameter down to where it makes a
noticeable difference. In other words, if I was going to use a curado I
would have the highest retreive rate as possible. My wife uses one and when
we fish for sandbass and are making LLOONNGG casts, I can almost spool it
with a 3/8 oz. lure on it. I have a 6.3-1 Abu and I HATE it cause I am used
to turning the handle on 5.3-1 reels and with a crankbait on it, it feels
like I have a fish on already. I no I should slow down and that would solve
it but when I caught a 4.5 pound bass with it, I thought I would never get
it in. With the 5.3-1 reels an 8pounder is No problem, a simple reason for
it is you have the torque in your favor instead of the fish having it. I
know some 6.3-1 reels only have 2" more per turn than the other brand with
5.3-1 gears and then some 6.3-1 reels have the exact same line recovery per
handle turn as another brand that has the 5.3-1 gears. This comes from
experience also and is my opinion and I won't deviate from it one iota. Just
because a "pro" uses 6.3-1 doesn't make it the gospel and there are a lot of
pros that only use 5.3-1 because they want everything to be consistent. I
am NOT ragging on you or anything, so please don't take it that way, just my
2 cents.
Steve Erwin
"GL3Loomis" <GL3L...@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:v3jw8.37085$Rw2.2...@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
Al J
played CBS-era "non-collectable junk" stock Strats complete with light
gauge strings :-)))))
I agree that gear can make a difference, but I wonder if you tournament
guys and guides sometimes forget how good you are at locating and
figuring out how to catch fish on a relatively unknown lake on any given
day. I fish a half-dozen lakes regularly and I still don't know where
the bigger fish disappear to at certain times of the year. Amazes the
heck out of me how you do it.
The one piece of low-tech gear that made the most difference for me was
a book of lake maps for the lakes I fish. What the depth finder said
took on a whole new meaning and after a few years of coloring in weed
beds and hot spots with a Hi-liter I rarely get skunked anymore.
I know he's a Muskie guy, but did you ever hear Joe Bucher play
blues??????? He's pretty hot :-)
In article <9pkw8.37269$Rw2.2...@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net>,
GL3L...@worldnet.att.net says...
Dan
Love the blanks but they don't balance out worth a darned. Very tip heavy. I
finally got a piece of butt stock blank from the manufacturer and tried
pouring lead into it to create a lead insert counter weight. The balance is
a whole lot better though the blank is definitely a lot heavier. I
personally have found my rod to be more sensitive as it sits perfect in my
hand and a mere flick of the line is felt. Granted I would prefer a lighter
rig. Luckily they have just sent me a new Flipper that is a whole lot
better. Can't wait to try it out.
Dan
"GL3Loomis" <GL3L...@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:_wkw8.37283$Rw2.2...@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
GL3Loomis
"I know he's a Muskie guy, but did you ever hear Joe Bucher play
blues??????? He's pretty hot :-)"
I'm sorry I haven't, but I bet he is a pure joy to listen too. I may know
his work and not know his name. I love music, but I don't know the words,
the bands names, the title of songs or the name most of the musicians. I
heard the guitars and lock on them.
As far as locating fish: stick around, you will learn how to find all year
round and any body of water. Moe Conway is our Florida expert. Steve Huber
our expert from Wisconsin, Jack Dalzell has mastered the waters of Ohio.
Pat Goff has his finger on the pulse of Texas, Tyler Brinks - Arizona. Dan
Warme is our master of the West. Warren Wolk and RichZ our masters of the
Northeast. We are an array of anglers that know the heart of the south
(Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, Alabama, Georgia), and that's only the folks
I mentioned. We have a number of other very talented individuals here too
numerous for me to list.
Oh yeah. . . . I can help too.
The BassPro
that they continue to sell them!
"go-bassn" <don...@erols.com> wrote in message
news:a9sijj$76j$1...@bob.news.rcn.net...
GL3Loomis
it was perfectly balanced with the weight of the lure. In this way the
second a bass picked up the lure my rod would pop up because the weight of
the lure was gone. But one day the boot on my flipping stick cracked and
the weights fell off. The weight difference was incredible and I swear the
sensitivity went up a notch.
I wish I had ran an experiment before I just automatically balanced all my
rods, and once I took off the weight, I automatically took them off all of
them. Maybe you can do this if you have two identical combos and report
back to us what you find out. Do you like it with or without?
Bob Rickard
--
--
Bob Rickard
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SECRET WEAPON -- The world's finest spinnerbaits!
The next generation in spinnerbaits is finally here.
www.secretweaponlures.com
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"go-bassn" <don...@erols.com> wrote in message
news:a9sgro$1pj$1...@bob.news.rcn.net...
The BassPro
Curados. At first, I only wanted to balance my worm rod to give it that
balance sensitivity, but after switch from one rod to the other, I quickly
decided that I would balance both of them.
My other rods are without the balancing kits, but for what I use them for it
really doesn't matter. My worm rod however... I love that balance.
"GL3Loomis" <GL3L...@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
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