Why do people use the same rod/reel combos fishing??

The title is lame but the question I have is after seeing so many people, in my various tourney's using 5 to 10 of the same exact set-ups to fish with. What benefit is there to using the same rod/reel combo on all your poles? I have seen a few that use 5 each of 2 different (1 set baitcaster and 1 set open faced) set-ups and I "sort of" get that, I think.
I am asking because as I get more into the tournaments I would like to start doing things more efficently, and I can see no better place to start than with the equipment. If it would be beneficial to me to work with the same set-ups, then I would like to try it, but I wanted to ask the experienced people I trust here on the board for their thoughts on the subject since I am really still a novice.

I would also love to hear some thoughts on the "set-ups" of choice for a mid-range price person. Is it better to put more into a rod, or reel? What is a good COMPLETE set-up (my prices range would have to stay under $125 to 150 per set at this point, and even then it will take a few years to collect a "set")? I have a bit of trouble with the "feel" of the med/hvy, and I have heard SO MANY times that this is the best type, so I would prefer to use the med action, unless this is a TOTAL mistake and I just need to **** it up and learn to work with the med/hvy. Thanks again to everyone who will offer their advice, as I trust your opinions of this board more than any I would get elsewhere. God Bless you all, your families, and the US of A!!

Rob Appleby

I think personally its more of a feel kinda thing. You get comfortable using a certain set up, and a medium heavy rod is so versatile. So having six or eight of the same set ups, you can use one for worms, one for jigs, etc. etc. etc. Keeps from wasting time tying on one bait to another. Just my two cents worth.

cra97...you have to use what feels right to you. i've tried what your talking about only to end up back with what i started with. why? because it feels right to me. you can get ideas from other people, but their set up may not be right for you. "stick with what you've got confidence in".

Unfortunately, part of getting there and getting to the point of what feels right to you requires spending money, trial and error. I have usually researched things through, followed by asking people's opinions, then making an "executive" decision and throwing down some cash for whatever it is.

One reason for guy's having multiple sets of the same rig is because: a) That's their equipment of choice and b) They like to keep a couple of different lures tied on, using a search bait to get a fish to reveal itself, and if they don't hook up to it then then all they have to do is reach down and pick up their other rig and cast to it again, thus eliminating the need to tie on another lure, thus wasting time, etc.

I guess all in all, don't rush into anything, do your homework, ask around and always remember, you get what you pay for.

[quote=cra97;344392]The title is lame but the question I have is after seeing so many people, in my various tourney's using 5 to 10 of the same exact set-ups to fish with. What benefit is there to using the same rod/reel combo on all your poles?
I have seen a few that use 5 each of 2 different (1 set baitcaster and 1 set open faced) set-ups and I "sort of" get that, I think.
I am asking because as I get more into the tournaments I would like to start doing things more efficently, and I can see no better place to start than with the equipment. If it would be beneficial to me to work with the same set-ups, then I would like to try it, but I wanted to ask the experienced people I trust here on the board for their thoughts on the subject since I am really still a novice.
I would also love to hear some thoughts on the "set-ups" of choice for a mid-range price person. Is it better to put more into a rod, or reel? What is a good COMPLETE set-up (my prices range would have to stay under $125 to 150 per set at this point, and even then it will take a few years to collect a "set")?
I have a bit of trouble with the "feel" of the med/hvy, and I have heard SO MANY times that this is the best type, so I would prefer to use the med action, unless this is a TOTAL mistake and I just need to **** it up and learn to work with the med/hvy.
Thanks again to everyone who will offer their advice, as I trust your opinions of this board more than any I would get elsewhere. God Bless you all, your families, and the US of A!!

Rob Appleby[/quote]
Once you find a balanced rod and reel you will love to fish with it. It's nice to know how hard or soft to cast a lure with a rod of a comfortable action. By using same or similiar combo's you get that feel. Thats why I keep most of my rods very close in setups. 7ft rods are my choice and fast-extra/fast actions (med/hvy) has proven to be my rod action of choice.
I would look at Shimano for setups but that's just my preference. I don't know what the latest stuff costs but spend more on the rod and less on the reel. I would say a good rod and good line and then a decent reel.
I would think that a medium would require a harder hookset and more missed fish if fishing plastics and jigs. Crankbaits and maybe spinnerbaits would work well with mediums but I just don't use that action except for Crankbaits. It's all preference and one guy swears his way is right over the other. I think you will and have found that med/hvy is the most common choice out there.
Good Luck

I'm mostly striper fishing, but I'm sure some of this will apply too. Personally, I like to match the rod/reel/line to what I want to throw with it. I'll keep a few rods rigged and ready to throw with different plugs/jigs tied on. I like a different set up for throwing a bucktail than I do a for waking a plug on top as the bait I am throwing requires different specs. Could I throw either bait on any of the rods I have? Sure, but to really get the best out of what I'm throwing I like to have them matched up for optimal performance. If you are throwing a lot of the same types of lures for bass, it might make sense to have a bunch of the same set ups. If you are throwing something very different, say a pig and jig versus a float and fly, then you'll probably want different set ups.

Andrew

i like to use two diffrent actions i will use med action rods for smaller baits such as shakey heads or finess type fishing also for when i use crankbaits because it has more give and play so it is harder for the fish to throw the bait. then i will use a med/heavy for worm, jig, spinnerbaits, soft jerk baits. because most of those baits are heavyer, i use 1/4 oz as my divider on worms, jigs, and shakey heads any thing 1/4 oz or less i use a med. action any thing heavyer i use med/heavy. as far as set up for your money i like the pflueger president spinning reel / with the bass pro shop extreem rod you can get this set up at bass pro shop for $120.00 i have 3 of these 2 in med action and 1 in med/heavy and i love them. but that is just my 2cents. but with the way you like to fish you will like that set up. i know how you love to throw that shakey ;)

CRA97
I just saw on Craigs list(Lexington) alot of reel/rod combo's for sale. Check to see if any are yours. If not yours, they may a good buy for you.
Redranger

The best fisherman in the world told his secrets many times to anyone who would listen (No, it is not me.) Rick Clunn said that if you keep the same reel and the same length rods that it would make you more effecient on the water. When you pick up another outfit it will be the same as the one you just laid down thus you have to make NO adjustments to a totally different weight and length difference causing backlashes and inaccurate cast.
The actions of the rods do not have to be the same mind you. Each has a job, med, med heavy, and heavy. Also the reels can have different gear raito's.
Personally I took the mans advice and it helped my tourny and fun fishin by leaps and bounds. I have 7 baitcasting outfits, all are identical to look at, but each has its own job.
Great question and thread.

Ditto on what dmase said. I heard Rick Clunn say the same speech at a boat show a few years back. Have you ever went from throwing a big spinnerbait on a heavy action rod the pick up a small crankbait with a med action rod. The first few cast usually dont go where you want them to. If all your setups are the same this wont happen as much. Just my 2 cents.

im a believer in getting a good reel rather than a good rod if you can only afford one or the other. a good smooth reel will help ur casting rather than a good rod. your feel may be diminished by a cheaper rod, but if you keep your finger on your line, you will still feel most bites.

[QUOTE=CATCHEMALL;344610]Ditto on what dmase said. I heard Rick Clunn say the same speech at a boat show a few years back. Have you ever went from throwing a big spinnerbait on a heavy action rod the pick up a small crankbait with a med action rod. The first few cast usually dont go where you want them to. If all your setups are the same this wont happen as much. Just my 2 cents.[/QUOTE]

In fact Rick Clunn went so far as to say he uses "heavy" action rods only, he said in a recent bassin or bassmasters magazine that "it's not the rod that will give better results in throwing lighter lures it's the reel" he said "many will argue, but since i started using nothing but the heavy action I miss fewer fish" and he also said the one thing he cannot tolerate is losing fish. Now this comes from one of the best ever, but.... I don't spend enough time throwing anything but heay action, so I throw what every one else says - whatever is comfortable to you. And I agree Medium and Medium Heavy is great all around actions. Medium for the lighter stuff/crank baits, medium heavy for the rest. JMO