Mix & Match. Who wants to play?

SamSteele · #1 03-09-2017, 03:14 PM

Hi all,

I'm starting to get gear set up for the open water season and I have picked up some deals over the winter months. I'm now starting to look at how I want to piece it all together and figured it might be fun to do a little "mix & match" on here for my rods & reels. Here goes:

Rods:
Rod 1 - G Loomis GL2 SJR 722, 6' Medium, Fast
Rod 2 - G Loomis GL2 822S DSR, 6' 10", Medium, Ex- Fast
Rod 3 - St. Croix Premier PS66MF, 6' 6", Medium, Fast
Rod 4 - Okuma Deadeye DE-S-662ML, 6' 6", Medium - Light, Fast
Rod 5 - BPS Carbon Black 7', Medium Heavy, Fast

Reels:
Reel 1 - Abu Garcia Soron STX 40
Reel 2 - Shimano Stradic Ci4+ 2500FA
Reel 3 - Shimano Saros 3000FA
Reel 4 - Shimano Symetre 3000FL
Reel 5 - Pflueger Supreme XT 30

So, how would you pair these units up? For the record, Rod 1 and Reel 1 were my go to combo the last couple of years but I picked up Reel 2, 3, & 5 over the winter and knocked out a few old Spirex reels that were 15+ years old.

Looking forward to seeing your thoughts!

SS

sns2 · #2 03-09-2017, 09:14 PM

First thing I'd do is get rid of the rods and replace them with Ugly Sticks. Then get rid of the reels and replace with Mitchell 300s. Then you're good to go

RavYak · #3 03-09-2017, 09:56 PM

Have you ever used a longer rod(7'0" to 7'6")? I don't like using 6'6 and shorter rods anymore.

How I would pair them

Rod 2, Reel 2: Rod 2 appears to be the rod I would use most and reel 2 the best reel.
Rod 5, Reel 1: Soron is the heaviest and highest capacity so MH rod makes sense.
Rod 4, Reel 5: Lightest lowest capacity yet good reel on lightest rod.
Rod 1, Reel 3: Higher quality reel on higher quality rod.
Rod 3, Reel 4: What is left over.

SamSteele · #4 03-10-2017, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RavYak

Have you ever used a longer rod(7'0" to 7'6")? I don't like using 6'6 and shorter rods anymore.

I had a 7' 11" Cumara for a while as well as a 7' Crucial. I liked the Crucial, but didn't care for the Cumara. Mostly a feel thing. Both of them had durability issues though and were returned under the (formerly) lifetime warranty. I went with a couple G Loomis rods listed after that (the SJR listed and an IMX for my baitcaster). They have been good so far. I don't know how the new ones are since Shimano bought them.

I do have a couple 9' trolling rods with line counters on them, but those are a different animal all together.

SS

wildwoods · #5 03-10-2017, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sns2

First thing I'd do is get rid of the rods and replace them with Ugly Sticks. Then get rid of the reels and replace with Mitchell 300s. Then you're good to go

Good to go...... Catfish fishing

Fenwick for me for highest performance per dollar walleye rod.

SS- what application are you looking to employ these rigs? i.e. target species...

SamSteele · #6 03-10-2017, 09:23 AM

We fish pretty much only for walleye and pike. Techniques used are casting cranks/spoons/swimbaits (use my baitcaster setup for this mostly), trolling cranks (usually use line counters for this though), bottom bouncing, occasionally jigging for walleye.

I'm considering going after some lakers this summer if I get some downriggers on the new rig. If that's the case I would again likely be using the line counter set ups.

SS

Lowrance Fishburn · #7 03-10-2017, 12:41 PM

Looks like you may have too many rods/reels for the same type of fishing. (If thats possible) Some good quality stuff but only subtle differences ultimately. I personally would prep the reels differently and go from there. Different lb test, different types of line - mono/braid/flouro etc. That way you'll have similar set ups but with different presentation etc. depending on what and how you are fishing. Rod/reel pairings based on what you have is personal preference and thats about it.

SamSteele · #8 03-10-2017, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lowrance Fishburn

Looks like you may have too many rods/reels for the same type of fishing. (If thats possible) Some good quality stuff but only subtle differences ultimately. I personally would prep the reels differently and go from there. Different lb test, different types of line - mono/braid/flouro etc. That way you'll have similar set ups but with different presentation etc. depending on what and how you are fishing. Rod/reel pairings based on what you have is personal preference and thats about it.

I'll admit that there are some quite similar in the mix, but I also have a family of 5 that use my stuff too so I justify it that way. I have some differences in the lines used on each reel. Some are different diameters, some are braid, some are fluoro.

SS

Bushleague · #9 04-10-2017, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sns2

First thing I'd do is get rid of the rods and replace them with Ugly Sticks. Then get rid of the reels and replace with Mitchell 300s. Then you're good to go

Lol, I literally just did this. Well, its been a gradual degeneration to be precise, but as of this spring every combination that I personally use involves either a Mitchell 300, an Ugly Stick, or both. Just got tired of spending $90 or more on new a reel and having it wore out in 2-3 seasons.