Matching Equipment 2024

tbassfd reply :

OK, so I have been plannin to upgrade my current equipment, and have been doing quite a lot of research. I have seen a lot of recommendatios that you should buy all your rods from the same manufacturer and all reels from same manuf. Do ya'll ( yes I'm from the south) think thatthis is important and if so why. Also what is the consensus on the rods from Wright and McGill made for Skeet Reese. While he is not my favorite fisherman I do like the look and feel of those yeller rods. Thanks for any input

zachb34 reply :

I wouldn't worry about matching it looks cool but you could be missing out on better deals by matching products and for the skeet Reese rods and reels I don't care for them

Jig Man reply :

I am a firm believer in matching the equipment. That way I don't have to adjust to the feel of a different rod every time I change especially at night. The only non matching setup for me is cranking. All of the other bc rods are from the same mfg and have Shimano Curado E7s mounted on them.

Gone_Phishin reply :

Not at all. Balance and performance is everything. I have Shimano reels on Daiwa and Megabass rods, as well as Daiwa reels on Loomis rods, and my face hasn't melted off.

Now color is a different story. Lol.

The Next KVD reply :

I have a big mixture of rods mainly because I like the actions better or the power from one manufacture to the next. The only thing I really buy from the same manufacture is my reels mainly because in my opinion Shimano reels are just built right. I do have different models within Shimano but thats because of great deals I could not pass up.

kylek reply :

Eventually all my rods will be the Veritas rods and all my reels will be the Lews models. I like the idea of picking up each rod and have them all feeling the same. Plus i like the white rod with the black reel. It just looks cool to me.

LgMouthGambler reply :

Of coarse, I fish all Shimano reels. I like them naturally, but as well as they provide me with a similar feel and performance. All my reels are different models and sizes, and are used for a specific purpose. As far as rods, all Shimano except for one Abu Vendetta.

Darren. reply :

I just happened to go that way when I bought my Shimano Stradics and Compre rods to match, but before that, I was mix/match. I have other spinning setups that are not Shimano/Shimano, but I don't use them, my kids do.

And before I bought my first Compre, I went in to BPS to buy an Avid. But the BPS dudes convinced me after a lot of back-n-forth to go with Shimano. The primary reason was the over-the-counter warranty.

All that said, I'd like to go St. Croix (Premier or Avid, depends on available $$) for my new Daiwa Lexa 100. Currently mounted on a Field & Stream IM 7 rod.

I know exactly what I'm getting when I pick up my Stradic combos. And likewise, since I have no Compre casting rods, I know what I'm missing when I pick up my baitcasters. Conversely, if I had Avid or Crucial casting rods, I'd probably say the reverse is true.

Long Mike reply :

I have an eclectic assortment of anything but Shimano rods and reels. I always try to match them to the outfit I will be wearing on any particular day.

11justin22 reply :

I mix and match. I do seem to go towards pure fishing reels though be it whatever label they have on them. I don't think I have any two of the same rod. Bought them specific for whatever technique I use it for.

tbassfd reply :

Thanks for the input guys, I can't believe there were no suthen jokes. Boy these guys like those Shimano's, The Dick's near me has the Shimano Sahara2500 for $49 is this a good deal.

Darren. reply :

On 11/9/2012 at 11:05 AM, tbassfd said:

Thanks for the input guys, I can't believe there were no suthen jokes. Boy these guys like those Shimano's, The Dick's near me has the Shimano Sahara2500 for $49 is this a good deal.

Yup, that's a good deal, assuming it is for the FD model? The FE is newest and $79.

Stingray23 reply :

All my rods and reels are from the same manufacture. Its easier to go from one setup to the next. There is no adjustment. Just fish.

tomustang reply :

On 11/9/2012 at 11:05 AM, tbassfd said:

Thanks for the input guys, I can't believe there were no suthen jokes. Boy these guys like those Shimano's, The Dick's near me has the Shimano Sahara2500 for $49 is this a good deal.

Happy?

SirSnookalot reply :

Nope. As long as my combos are comfortable to fish with, I don't need to upgrade or match for my bass fishing. I don't know about any one else, but my bass don't average 5-10#, I land them within in seconds, how much rod and reel do I really need, imo not very much. I'd be jumping all over a sahara for $49, that is if I needed a reel which I don't, looks like I may have several more years of use added to the 3 years already, a drop of oil every 6 months is as much service as I needed, I'm having plenty of fun catching bass with them too. I do not own a shimano for freshwater, I've worn a few out in the past, I do own 4 of them for saltwater and they are excellent for that purpose, but for me spending anything more than $100 for a freshwater reel is overkill.

Goose52 reply :

I'm a big believer in matching - every rod should have a reel on it...

Like some have said above - I buy equipment for the performance, and value, that it offers. Most of my rods are BPS, Shimano, St. Croix, and Loomis. Most of my reels are BPS, Pflueger, Abu, Shimano, and Daiwa.

While some of my combos have rods and reels from the same manufacturer, it is mostly by happenstance...not by plan...

*Hootie reply :

On 11/9/2012 at 12:11 PM, tomustang said:

Happy?

Now I got to go find my old VCR tape of "Deliverance" and take a break.

Hootie

TNBassin' reply :

The only combo I have matched up is the Gen 3 Revo S and the Veritas. They look great together, but more importantly it's a lightweight balanced combo that fishes great. Some manufacturers balance their rods to go with some of their reels, but that's not the norm.

JaxBasser reply :

Performance and value are more important for me. I have a Lews Speed Spool Tournament, a Revo S, and a BPS PQ. All different reels all matched on different brand rods because I got good deals on them and they perform well.

Delaware Valley Tackle reply :

Any manufacturer claims that their rod & reels need to be paired together for top or enhanced performance is pure marketing. Each brand of reel has models that may excel in a certain application. This is definetely the case in rod blanks. IMO I'd mix and match according to personal preference and available deals.

Sam reply :

On 11/10/2012 at 1:40 AM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Any manufacturer claims that their rod & reels need to be paired together for top or enhanced performance is pure marketing. Each brand of reel has models that may excel in a certain application. This is definetely the case in rod blanks. IMO I'd mix and match according to personal preference and available deals.

Mike is correct.

The major factors to consider include:

1. Confidence in the manufacturer's product.

2,. Balance the reel with the rod's specifications.

I use Shimano reels on different rod manufacturers rods and no problems.

Just be sure to match the rod's specs with those of the reel.

tbassfd reply :

Thanks guys for all the input, and yes I'm happy Tom that was awesome, would have never thought about that one. Really appreciate the help.

Raul reply :

You don´t have to match rod to reel, what you do is check for compatibility issues, X brand´s reel foot doen´t sit/tightens properly on Y´s brand reel seat ( has happened to me several times ).

On the other hand, there´s something kinda unholy abot sitting a Daiwa reel on a Shimano rod .......

K_Mac reply :

Rod, reel, and line should match the technique and bait being used. Brand, color, or any other characteristic that does not effect performance of a particular combo doesn't matter much to me.

Diggy reply :

On 11/9/2012 at 10:59 AM, Long Mike said:

I have an eclectic assortment of anything but Shimano rods and reels. I always try to match them to the outfit I will be wearing on any particular day.

me too

Seems that we have both learned from

RyneB reply :

All my reels are Abu Garcia. My rods consist of 4 skeet rods, 2 Abu Veritas, 2 Abu Vendettas, 1 St croix Rage, 1 St croix mojo bass, 1 bps Pro Lite finesse,1 Cabelas 3 piece travel rod for when i surf fish on vacation. I dont really care what they look like, but the new Gen 3 Revo S looks amazing on the Veritas,and my Revo SX looks amazing on the Vendetta rod.

roadwarrior reply :

On 11/9/2012 at 10:59 AM, Long Mike said:

I have an eclectic assortment of anything but Shimano rods and reels. I always try to match them to the outfit I will be wearing on any particular day.

You are such a girl!

Silas reply :

Never gave it a thought!

But, when I put a Daiwa Sol on an orange Lamiglas custom rod, with matching Fireline Tracer Braid in yellow/black.....I was stunned at what a nice looking rig it was!! And, the great part.....it CAST well also, so that will be a permanent set-up

Another perfect set up....by accident, is a Dobyns Champion Extreme 702C Finesse with a Curado 50E and green Yozuri Hybrid line. What a casting machine! And....STYLISH too!!

Always fun trying different manufactured reels on different manufactured rods.

Is that the REAL definition of MULTICULTURALISM?

Arv reply :

As long as it is reliable quality and helps me catch fish, I couldn't care less if it matches. Fish don't care what my rod and reel look like together, but I do have to admit, if they do wind up looking good together, I get a little happy

unionman reply :

I love how all the shimano groupies jump at any chance they can to mention shimano. Makes me laugh.... :-D

central.PA.bass reply :

For the most part I try to keep all of my reels the same. Baitcasters I use all Abu Revos... I do have 2 older shimano greenie curado and bantam citica that I picked up to try out...

All of my spinning reels MUST be either a Pfleuger President or Shimano Stradic... I just like how the two down right perform..

As for rods... I use primarily Powell.. I have an assortment of Max, Endurance, and Diesel rods with a couple Loomis, Kistler, and St. Croix Avids picking up the slack

LgMouthGambler reply :

On 11/12/2012 at 11:10 AM, unionman said:

I love how all the shimano groupies jump at any chance they can to mention shimano. Makes me laugh.... :-D

SHIMANO!

unionman reply :

Lol

OK Bass Hunter reply :

On 11/9/2012 at 10:59 AM, Long Mike said:

I have an eclectic assortment of anything but Shimano rods and reels. I always try to match them to the outfit I will be wearing on any particular day.

I think I'm gonna go that route. The matching outfit thing kinda like Tiger wearing red on Sundays, lol.

J Francho reply :

None of the rods I own are from companies that make reels. Well, I guess the G. Loomis and Shimano are a match. Other than that, they're all Dobyns and St. Croix. Reels are all Daiwas and Shimanos.

ChrisAW reply :

I have two brand matched is all. A 1st gen Revo SX on a 7'6" MH Veritas, and the same reel on a 6'6" M Vendetta.

For color matches, the SX and Veritas is somewhat.. But the one that I find to match perfectly in fit and feel, as well as color, is my Okuma Trio HS that I swapped to a low speed gearset, and a Carrot Stick Wild 7' ML dropshot rig.

SAC2 reply :

On 11/15/2012 at 4:09 AM, ChrisAW said:

I have two brand matched is all. A 1st gen Revo SX on a 7'6" MH Veritas, and the same reel on a 6'6" M Vendetta.

For color matches, the SX and Veritas is somewhat.. But the one that I find to match perfectly in fit and feel, as well as color, is my Okuma Trio HS that I swapped to a low speed gearset, and a Carrot Stick Wild 7' ML dropshot rig.

HUBBA HUBBA

SirSnookalot reply :

I had only 1 matching combo, 8000 Shimano spheros on a Shimano tallus rod, hated the rod and replaced it with a redbone 30# boat rod. I have only 1 other Shimano rod, an older clarus which I love. All my other rods are Stars and Hurricane redbones, with various Shimano reels, Pfluegers, Penns, Abus and an Avet, no matches.

LgMouthGambler reply :

On 11/15/2012 at 4:09 AM, ChrisAW said:

I have two brand matched is all. A 1st gen Revo SX on a 7'6" MH Veritas, and the same reel on a 6'6" M Vendetta.

For color matches, the SX and Veritas is somewhat.. But the one that I find to match perfectly in fit and feel, as well as color, is my Okuma Trio HS that I swapped to a low speed gearset, and a Carrot Stick Wild 7' ML dropshot rig.

Is that a broken rod in your profile pic?

ChrisAW reply :

On 11/15/2012 at 7:34 PM, LgMouthGambler said:

Is that a broken rod in your profile pic?

Yep. I hooked that 5-1/2 and was reaching for the net, she took a charge under the boat and I couldn't fight her with the one hand. She pinned my rod against the side of the boat and it snapped. I was impatient, should have fought her a little more before going for the net, but when I set the hook she was only about 8 feet from the boat. 50# braid and a stout rod, thought I could just horse it but she proved to be stronger than my wrist, lol

LgMouthGambler reply :

On 11/15/2012 at 10:07 PM, ChrisAW said:

Yep. I hooked that 5-1/2 and was reaching for the net, she took a charge under the boat and I couldn't fight her with the one hand. She pinned my rod against the side of the boat and it snapped. I was impatient, should have fought her a little more before going for the net, but when I set the hook she was only about 8 feet from the boat. 50# braid and a stout rod, thought I could just horse it but she proved to be stronger than my wrist, lol

Thats pretty killer right there.

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