If you had to get by with 4 rod/reel combinations....

[Lookin4Bass]

I'm joining a club in a couple of weeks and plan to start fishing club tournaments as a non-boater.

That said, I'd like to keep the amount of equipment I bring to a minimum.

I'm looking for input as to the 4 rod/reel combos that will cover the majority of conditions.

In addition, I'd like to know which technique (top water, drop shot, jigs etc) each rod/reel combo would be used for.

I know similar articles have been posted to this forum in the past but I wasn't able to locate them.

Thanks,

Peter

[MrSkeeter]

Depending on whether you are fishing lakes or the delta, here's what I would have:

Lakes:
1) darthead/dropshot rod
- 6'6" ~ 7' med-lite action rod (like the shimano dropshot rod, CRS-DX68ML) w/ a spinning reel of your choice (I prefer the Diawa 2500 size)
2) texas rig rod
- This could either be a spinning (like the shimano dropshot rod, CRS-DX68M or CRS-DX68MH) or casting rod, but for lakes, I'd recommend a 6'6" medium action spinning rod
3) jig rod
- a 7' MH casting rod with a decent reel such as a Shimano Clarus CSC-70MH or the Crucial CRC-70MH with the Curado Reel
4) cranking/topwater/ripbait rod
- a 7' M casting rod (shimano Clarus CSC-70M) w/ a Shimano Curado 5:1 reel would work well here.

Delta:
1) cranking/topwater/ripbait rod
2) texas rig/blade rod
3) jig rod
4) Flipping stick

[jbsteels]

There is so much to be said on this topic, and you are going to hear so many different answers that you are going to probably going to have a brain overload, but my 4 choices on this would be:

1 - St Croix AC70MF with a Pflueger president reel with 15LB. yo-zuri Hybrid line with a TNT jig and a smallie beaver trailer.

2 - St.Croix AC70MM crankbait rod with a pflueger president reel topped with 12LB. maxima moss green line and a yo-zuri hardcore crankbait. This rod could be used as topwater as well as spinnerbaits.....

3 - AS70MLF spinning rod topped with a president spinning reel with 8 LB. yo-zuri hybrid line with a texas rigged brush hog. Rod could be used for dragging worms small poppers top water, etc.

4 - AS69MLXF topped with president spinning reel and 8LB. yo-zuri hybrid line and a drop shot. Drop shot rod is a must...

You could also utilize your worming rod as a drop shot rod and bring along a swimbait rod, but that is just preference. Lets see how many different answers there are for this question.....

Justin

[basspro@15]

I hear you on trying to keep it at a minimum. I'm a non-boater and this is what I generally bring along.

1. Shimano Curado 200B on a Shimano Compre MH 10-20 lb. rod. This does me pretty good for fishing 10-12-14 lb. mono and stuff like Senkos, Ikas, hula grubs, T-rig, C-rig, blades, some light pitching, creature baits, spooning, bigger rip baits, 3-4" swimbaits, and Spooks. It might not be ideal for all that stuff, but it works for me.

2. Shimano Curado 200B5 on a Setyr Medium-Light 8-17 lb. cranking rod. This gets all my cranking duties done. I fish a crank bait alot under alot of conditions because it's a huge confidence bait for me. I really like this setup. I usually have it spooled up with 10 lb. mono.

3. Shimano Curado 100B on a Shimano Compre M 8-17 lb. rod. This is my lighter baitcasting setup. I use this combo for smaller ripbaits, smaller topwaters like Pop-R's, underspins, heavier dartheads and shaky heads, 1/4 oz. jigs, and light T-rig.

4. Shimano Symetre 1500 on a Shimano Compre M 6-12 lb. rod. This is my main spinning rod. I use it for dropshot, 1/8 oz. dartheads and shaky heads, flylining plastic worms, 3" and 4" senkos, flukes, and really light T-rig.

This list might change if I know there is a swimbait bite or a frog bite or something along those lines, but this is just the stuff that is with me all the time.

Hope this helps. I'm not affiliated with Shimano, I just like their stuff LOL. It's durable, it fishes well, and I can afford it. This list might be a little different depending on the water you fish, but this is just what I use. Tight lines.

[scsiman411]

Brand and model not included, I would suggest a nice spinning rig, 6 to 6.5' for finesse/lt line/drop shotting, a worm/jig, baitcasting rig, 7' and appropriate action with a std ratio baitcasting reel, a baitcasting rig for crankbaits, whichever lntgh you prefer with a non std ratio, and a 7.5' hvy actn flipping setup.

[Lookin4Bass]

Thanks for all the great information! Looks like buying 15 rod/reel combos will just about cover it.

Actually it sounds like a couple of spinning setups and a couple of baitcasters will satisfy most situations.

Reading the responses makes me realize I've got a lot to learn. Glad this forum provides such of a wealth of information.

Thanks again,

Peter

[Lancer]

Well peter just a tad bit of advise since i was at your point not too long ago. I fished the pro am circuit last year for 100% and learned alot about my tackle choices.
As was said it depends on where you are fishing. Delta and clear lake you prob only need 1 spinning rod maybe 6'6" - 7'0" med extra fast action your other 3 will be comprised of baitcasting gear.
Long ago i looked into the shimano reels from Japan and found that i could get away with 12-17# test on a smaller lighter setup so i use a smaller baitcaster like a curado100 series but in japan its a scorpion. I typically throw it on a 6'8" med extra fast st croix AVID series rod.
I can use that for rippin crankin small baits, or any worm setup- tex rig, small carolina rig, shakey head, drop shot. I find that i fatigue alot less with the smaller reel not to mention its easier to change my line cause it holds less.
i usually always have a pitchin rod 7' MH for jigs and tex rigged creature baits or tubes.
The last rod depends on the bite i say if reaction is good you may want a bigger crankbait rod if top water is good maybe u could use one to do both of those. Maybe you want to throw a swimbait or big spinnerbait or big Jig so maybe another med hvy or heavy rod is required. I usually took about 6-7 setups and it all depended on my partners for how many different setups i could bring or that i really needed most the time i took about 4 but don't only buy 4 cause in a 2 day event you will be pissed if you don't have that extra rod that the other guy is throwing hope i didn't confuse you more let me know by PM if you want some pointers GOOD LUCK - Lancer

[ash]

First off no more then 5 rods are needed as during the day you will probably only use two.

I would not change a thing for now, go to your club meetings meet the guys get your draw discuss what type of fishing you will be doing and go from there.

As a non boater you are really purchasing rods to do double duty most of the time. My senko rod is also my jerkbait rod. My Jig stick is always my jig stick Darthead/splitshot a crankbait/blade rod etc... So i choose line sizes that fish toward my strengths. A small tackle bag is all that is required, bring your highest level confidence stuff. If you dont have the "right baits" most of the time your boater will hook you up or you will put it in your notes and have the bait ready next time.

Take it slow, dont go out and buy a mess of stuff right now. Even if it means you only have three rods that are your confidence rods and baits. Being with the club you will develope a better feel for what is needed, talk to the successfull non-boaters etc...

It is hard to say what 5 rods as it is very lake and time dependent, as a non boater I probably owned 12-13 rods about 7 reels and would mix and match with the seasons or lakes.

Regards,