Need your help with my gear!!

[RyanMac14]

So I am set on getting a bit more serious this spring so I have been shopping a bit. I am looking to set up 4 or 5 setups that each have their own specific technique to optimize effectiveness. I will lay out what I currently have and would appreciate what you think they woulf best be used for and what else I should get to cover other techniques. I will be targetting mostly bass and pickerel with chances for Pike. Here is what I have:
Reels:
Shimano Curado 201 E7
Abu Garcia Revo Toro Winch 60
Shimano Calcutta 251(might sell to get something more freshwater friendly)
Pflueger President Cabela Tourney Combo
Rods:
Abu Garcia Vendetta 6'6" MH
Abu Garcia Veritas 6'6" MH
Abu Garcia Veritas Winch 7'0 Medium

I figured the toro winch on the winch rod would be a good setup for strictly cranks. I figured the curado on the veritas would be good for my top water? The pflueger for my soft plastics? So I need a reel to put on the vendetta because the calcutta is probably too much for it. Im just looking for any advice I can get lol. Sorry this post is similar to one from a few weeks ago. Thanks guys.

[UglyStick]

A few questions:

What specific techniques are you looking to cover - you mentioned cranks and topwater but what kind of soft plastics fished in what manner (i.e. senko rigged wacky, carolina rig, swim baits, jig & craw, frog, etc?) Also what other techniques are you interested in specifically setting up for?

What rod do you have with the Tourney combo (length, weight, action)?

[RyanMac14]

I believe the pflueger combo is a 7 foot medium fast action but it might be mh. I domt have it in front of me. The only soft plastics I used last year were texas and wacky rigged senkos but as I learn more I figure ill get into some jig and trailer techniques. The techniques I will be using will be 1)topwater (mostly weedless frogs but occasionally jitterbugs and hula poppers). 2) crankbaits 3) soft plastics 4) spinner/chatter/buzz baits 5) jerk and swimbaits for larger targets. I mean i am not set on absolutely needing a seperate setup for everything, but if it is necessary I would try. My preferred technique is topwater so I would like my nicest setup to be that.

[Lard Almighty]

Just my opinion, but based on what you already have, here's how I'd set it up and what I would use with each outfit:

Pflueger combo: light soft plastics, small cranks, small jerkbaits - spool with 8 lb fluoro
Winch/Winch: heavier cranks and jerkbaits - spool with 12 to 14 lb fluoro
Curado/Veritas or Vendetta: spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, buzzbaits, topwater plugs - spool with 14 to 20 lb mono

I don't think any of your current equipment is great for frogs. If you were to buy one more setup, I would recommend a 7-0 or 7-6 heavy or even extra-heavy rod, and a reel with a gear ratio of 7:1 or higher. This would be good for frogs, heavy Texas rigs, Carolina rigs, and big jigs. Put at least 30 lb braided line on this setup.

[RyanMac14]

Thanks for the advice. Guess I am going to have a couple of rods go to waste. Would it be really that big of a difference in using a mh for frogs instead of heavy. I know you want backbone to get it out of heavy shit but is it thay much difference ?

[lennysky]

I use MH and M for frogs all the time with both bait casting and spinning setups. Just need a decent line or braid and tighten up on a drag. Setting a hook is a technique in itself, but im sure you will manage

[RyanMac14]

Ya lenny my connection percentage for frogs last year was abysmal but im going to try some braid this year and see how that works. As far as reels for topwater, shouldnt the curado with the 7.1 ratio work well? And then i could get another reel for my spinners. What type of reel or ratio is ideal for spinners chatters and buzz baits?

[Lard Almighty]

Ya lenny my connection percentage for frogs last year was abysmal but im going to try some braid this year and see how that works. As far as reels for topwater, shouldnt the curado with the 7.1 ratio work well? And then i could get another reel for my spinners. What type of reel or ratio is ideal for spinners chatters and buzz baits?The Curado should work for the frogs. You can use a lower gear ratio for the spinners/chatters/buzzers, maybe in the 6:1 range, give or take.

You can try the 6-6 MH for the frogs if you don't want to get another rod. The braid will help, but you may have an issue if you get a big fish in really thick cover; the longer, stiffer rod does make a difference. The 6-6 should be fine if you're just fishing pads or thin slop. Maybe start with that one and see if you need to upgrade down the road. I just don't want you to miss hog-zilla, that's all. :D

[RyanMac14]

Haha I dont want to miss that hog either especially since my PR is less than 2lbs. We shall see..i dont fish in any truly thick stuff so I am going to give the MH a go with the curado as my topwater. For frog in pads I shouldnt have any problems tying braid direct? And just mono for everything else?

[RyanMac14]

so the revo toro I bought is loaded up with 80# power pro. That pretty much overkill for what I am targeting right? Hate to waste it but I dont see how it is useful.

[Jigman13]

Haha I dont want to miss that hog either especially since my PR is less than 2lbs. We shall see..i dont fish in any truly thick stuff so I am going to give the MH a go with the curado as my topwater. For frog in pads I shouldnt have any problems tying braid direct? And just mono for everything else?

For braid direct knots, double up the line and consider a drop of kraZy glue. Otherwise, go Palomar.

[RyanMac14]

Palomar is the only knot i know well so that works. Any suggestions for the best braid for my curado on a mh

[Jigman13]

Double up 50-65 lb braid and do 5-6 wraps as if tying an improved clinch, follow steps of improved clinch, moisten, and pull tight paying attn that you do not over lap. Clip tag ends. KraZy glue optional... I use this knot for 80-130 lb mono when fishing offshore. No glue though...

[RyanMac14]

There is currently 80# powerpro on my toro winch which I plan to use for cranks. I know leaders seem easy to most, but I just cant get the hang of it. Would tying braid directly to cranks not work well due to the floating and the visibilty, meaning is it that huge a difference?

[Lard Almighty]

There is currently 80# powerpro on my toro winch which I plan to use for cranks. I know leaders seem easy to most, but I just cant get the hang of it. Would tying braid directly to cranks not work well due to the floating and the visibilty, meaning is it that huge a difference?I would not use braid for cranks. When a bass hits a crank, it usually tries to suck it in from behind, so the soft rod and stretch from fluoro or mono is a must. With braid, you are going to rip the lure away from the fish on a lot of hooksets. If you don’t want to waste the 80# braid, I would transfer it over to the Curado for frogs and big plastics. I would spool the toro up with 12# or 14# mono for cranks, or go with fluoro if you don’t mind spending the extra money.

[RyanMac14]

Are there any problems with taking braid from one reel and putting it on another? How exactly would I do it?

[slider]

Looks to be u have most if not all ur bases covered, now if ur going to fish shallow weedy lakes then u really don't need too much more tackle. However I mite suggest u give a light spinning outfit some consideration..Especiley if smallmouth bass become ur target and ur fishing a clear, deep lake or reservoir. Get a 7'lite action rod,a lite weight spinning real spooled with 2 spools 4lb and 6 lb. Lures small top waters #5 #7 rapalas , small spinners panther martins, mepps, rooster tails..And my favorite, jigs from 1/16 oz to 3/8oz. Curly tails, from 2 to 4 inches,also small minnow type swim baits.. Not only will that outfit come in handy for smallies, I've caught a ton of LMB, fishing deep rock piles in warm weather, also of the edges of weed beds when fish don't seem interested in big baits, they tend to suck in smaller offerings..Just my 2 cents worth..Good luck this season..Slider

[Lard Almighty]

Are there any problems with taking braid from one reel and putting it on another? How exactly would I do it?Shouldn't be a problem. Cut off the first 10-20 feet if it looks frayed, then just wind the line from the old reel onto the new one. Make sure you use a few feet of mono backing, or the braid will spin on the spool. Use a uni to uni knot, I'm sure you'd be able to find a video on Youtube about how to tie it.

[RyanMac14]

Okay. It appears that the diameter of 80 pound power pro is equivalent to that of 18# mono and I believe my setup is recommended for up to 17#. You think this should be any problem?

[Lard Almighty]

Okay. It appears that the diameter of 80 pound power pro is equivalent to that of 18# mono and I believe my setup is recommended for up to 17#. You think this should be any problem?

No, you should be fine.

[RyanMac14]

Yeah. Since this is my first time setting up baitcasters and using braid I will probably have someone help me come march. If anyone is close to old bridge and willing to help that would be great. I could buy the line for both our spools if you help me spool mine? Lol

[JoeBassNJ]

Ryan, If you are able to get up to Fairfield, NJ there is a shop there that is very hands on. I know that if you were to bring all your rods and reels to them they would be happy to set up everything for you. And also be more then willing to show you how to set up you Baitcasting reels.
Its Fairfield Fishing Tackle. They are one of the sponsors. WWW.fairfieldfishing.com.