Help with first casting rod

[GreenGhostMan]

A few weeks ago I posted asking for input on purchasing my first baitcaster (always used spinning gear) and received some great advice from several people. The majority of people suggested spending a little more money and getting a quality reel over a cheap one. I didn't splurge, but I spent more than I was originally intending to and went for the BPS Pro Qualifier in 6:4:1.

Now I need to get a rod. I like the reviews on the Abu Garcia rods, (Vendetta and Veritas). I'm leaning towards Veritas based on the reviews, but am torn between 6'6" or 7' for length and MF or MHF for power/action. I fish from a kayak in small to medium sized lakes, small rivers and ponds. I'm right at 6' tall. I plan on using the baitcaster for texas rig plastics, jigs and heavier cranks. Plan to continue using my spinning for lighter cranks, topwaters, spinners, jerks and dropshot (unless a baitcaster would be better for one of these).

What setup would you guys suggest?
Any advice is appreciated! Thanks guys.

[Eades]

Pro qualifier reels are pretty good value at right around $100, i've had mine for 4 or 5 years now and its still holding up well. I really like the veritas rods, sportsmans has them 10 bucks cheaper than everywhere else at $89, and the vendetta are pretty nice too. i had a vendetta i used for jigs and it was a pretty good rod until i crunched it in the back window of my explorer and then got a veritas.
A great all around baitcaster rod is 7' medium heavy fast. It's ideal for your jigs and texas rigs and will work pretty well with spinnerbaits and small swimbaits. Although a slower action would be better to use on your cranks, because it wont pull the bait out of their mouth when they strike, if you only can take 1 rod it should be the 7' mhf.

[jkelley1487]

That's a quality reel you purchased. I would look at buying a Johnny Morris CarbonLite rod. I prefer a heavy action or a medium heavy action. I would buy a 7 foot rod just because it is ideal for long accurate casts and gives you the backbone to drive home hooksets. You'll be sitting down in a kayak so you are going to want to a rod with enough backbone to set the hook. I'm 6'5 and almost all my rods are 6'6-7'6. I think you would be pretty happy with that set up.

[GreenGhostMan]

Thanks Eades. I'm pumped to start practicing on the pro qualifier. The dual braking system and just the total number of reviews on it sold me.

You're probably right on keeping cranks off a MHF rod... Never had anything over medium on my spinning rods. Everything ranging from UL to M. Just this season I've started experimenting with jigging and more finesse plastics and I feel like I'm missing a lot of fish. Main reason I'm wanting to give baitcasting a go... For all I know, it could just be due to slow reaction by me.

Also never have had anything over 6'6", I guess because I fish from a kayak and sometimes in smaller rivers the trees or branches can get in the way so I'm afraid of going longer than 6'6", but i feel like 7' is the standard for most people. Does 6 inches make that big of a difference in casting distance, hook sets, etc.?

[GreenGhostMan]

JKelley1487... mind reading powers. Was typing out that previous post not knowing you had just answered it basically. Thanks.
I'll have to give that rod a look. Hoping to swing by BPS tonight and get a feel for some of them.

[nitro929]

Amazon has them on sale with free shipping .I have 4 so far and love them .

[kevinb2035]

I'm not a fan of abu rods, they all feel so stiff to me. I'd say look at 13 omen, powell diesel or inferno, duckett ghost, lews tp-1, or falcon bucoo. The 13 omen is my favorite of the group though. As for length, I am much more accurate with a 6'6 rod than I am with a 7 footer but I only use under 7ft when I'm throwing topwater or spinnerbait. All that said, just get what feels comfortable

[findingem]

I agree that Pro Qualifier is a nice reel for the price. Keep a look out during BPS Fishing Classic Sale in the Spring, you can get them for a better price. The reel does everything I need out of one. As for a rod, I’m a firm believer in the Shamano Compre and Crucial rods. These rods offer a stiff backbone and a fast tip. Do your research first, but I’ve been told these are built on G Loomis technology. Mine came with the lifetime warranty. Not bad for a $99 to $150 rod. Good luck in your search.

[nitro929]

I agree that Pro Qualifier is a nice reel for the price. Keep a look out during BPS Fishing Classic Sale in the Spring, you can get them for a better price. The reel does everything I need out of one. As for a rod, I’m a firm believer in the Shamano Compre and Crucial rods. These rods offer a stiff backbone and a fast tip. Do your research first, but I’ve been told these are built on G Loomis technology. Mine came with the lifetime warranty. Not bad for a $99 to $150 rod. Good luck in your search.

Shimano no longer honors the lifetime warranty.

[Drew1233]

I agree 100% with what you said kevinb about the Abu Garcia rods. I have a 7ft medium heavy vendetta and it's very stiff. It's perfect for something like a vibrating jig and I even have used it for flippin as well if I need more than one on the deck at once. I would definitely not go with that rod for an all around rod. I do not own a veritas but have heard good things about them other than they break a lot. I personally use almost all Denali Rods as a I affiliated with them and absolutely love their products. Their J2 series rod would be perfect for you, as its $100 and I'd put it up against some $200 rods I've used in the past. You can order their rods online or go to A2O marine in Clarksville Indiana no more than 5 minutes from bass pro. The guys in there are awesome and will set you up with what you need. I'm not trying to force you into their products but I think you'd be really happy with them, and if you're going to Bass Pro there's no reason to not stop in A2O and give Denali a try. But I'd definitely go with a 7ft medium heavy! Hope I could help!

[GreenGhostMan]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I ordered a 6'6" Veritas in Med-Fast a few days ago and it delivered last night. Feels light and awesome. Ready to give it a go this weekend. Like you guys mentioned, I also read on other sites that Abu rods run heavier than their rating, so that's why I went with the medium. I found it online for $77 and free shipping at Amazon. Hopefully I don't regret it... didn't know they had breaking problems.

I also swapped out the pro qualifier for a carbonlite since BPS had the carbonlite on sale for father's day. Hope I don't regret that either. Couldn't find as much feedback online as the pro qualifier, but I was told it is basically the same design as PQ but lighter. Should be delivering today.

Do I need to lube it up before using it, or does it already come greased up?
And thru all my research, I read that braid can cut grooves into the eyes of your rod. Is this true? Started using braid on a couple of my spinning rods this year, so I don't have long term experience with it. I plan on using 30lb braid on the veritas.

Thanks guys!

[kevinb2035]

I'd put a few drops of oil on some of the gears but that's about it. As for line choice, I'd go with flourocarbon instead of braid. Especially if you want to throw crankbaits on the rod.