20 years out of fishing, getting back in again, need advise.

So I have started getting back into fishing. All my gear from when I was younger is long gone so I am buying all new stuff.

But I have a question about switching line. I currently have a 4 f 8in rod running 6lb that I use for smaller fish, but I also have a 6 f 6in rod that I am using for bigger fish.

The bigger rod has 8lb line on it right now, but with a huge variety of fish in my area that can take my bait I want to be able to swap my line strength pretty fast without having to bring more than 2 rods with me.

We can go from 12 lb bass to 30-40 lb catfish to 25-30 lb northern pike to little sunfish.

I dont really want to reline my rods each time I go to a different lake or river, and I cant carry more than 2 rods (physical limitiations). So, would just buying a couple extra reels and just keeping them in my bag be a good idea for swapping line quickly?

 

Some spinning reel manufacturers offer extra spools for just this purpose.

 

I would just spool with braid and use a flouro leader. Buy a couple different sizes of flouro and change out the leader when needed. Easy and cheaper than buying extra reels imo.

 

On that 6.5 ft put some 14lb mono on it can handle all that ,From your bass to ur cats

 

15-20lb spiderwire stealth braid to a 15lb seagear invizx fluorocarbon leader. You will be good to go for any adventure and just have to adjust your drag.

 

That 4ft rod is more of a trout rod. If your fishing for bass and bigger fish, I would carry the 6'6 and add another rod like a 7' - 7'4 med to MH fast action. It's a more versatile rod that you can use for those bigger fish especially since you can only carry 2 rods. My $.02

 

OK, Ill put the bigger line on the 6 footer and just call it good.

I use the smaller rod for pan fish and the smaller bass. The lake I like to go to has tons of under 3lb bass in the shallows plus the pan fish are everywhere. Some days there are no bites from the bigger fish, so I like to catch the little pan fish so at least I get something.

 

Braided line is awesome 8lb braid is equivalent to 30lb monofilament. Plus your line always lays flat.

 

I use a 6” and 7” pole with 30lb braid and just use a 8-12lb mono for for leader when fishing for bass.

 

Good lawn chair and a cooler of beer. If you don’t catch any fish at least you caught a buzz.

 

10lb line

 

So I ended up getting another rod.
I got a 7 foot medium heavy with a 50 size reel, I have it lined up with 20lb and a pretty long leader. It will be used for river fishing(catfish and carp), and for some of the larger pike and musky in the area.
My 6 foot for bass and general fishing thats running on 8lb line
My 4 footer for hanging out on the docks and picking up little panfish when nothing else is biting
I also have a ice fishing rod that my son will end up using off the docks since you dont have to cast, you can just reel it down into the water. Then I will take it over in the winter.


Going out this thursday night, not sure if we are doing river or if we are going to take the kayaks out, but I will end up taking the 7 foot and 6 foot rods either way. Im hoping to go out to one of the lakes about 10 minutes away with pike, bass, and musky. See if I can get something good with some of the new swim baits I got.