Looking for a soft plastic bass rod/reel

[Chris Roberts]

I know it's not bluegill related, but I know you guys fish more than just bluegill like me.

I couldn't be any happier with my panfish rods and reels so I'm ready to upgrade my worm rod for bass.  I don't carry a ton of rods, so I'm looking for something to cast anything from rage craws, texas rigs, wacky rigs, drop shots, shaky heads to flukes.

I know that's a lot of stuff, but I'm really thinking there has to be a general setup that'd work.  From the reading I've done I think I'm looking for a 6'6 to 7' medium or medium heavy, fast action rod.  

Help me out guys!

[Slip Sinker]

are you considering baitcaster as well as spinning?

[Chris Roberts]

Just spinning

[Slip Sinker]

i have two setups that i put together last year and did very well on the bass with them

1- Mitchell 300 with 20lb Power Pro Vermillion braid attached to a medium action 7' Berkley Amp rod

2- for the lighter worm rigs  Mitchell 308 with 20lb Power pro braid attached to a medium light Berkley Lightning Rod

a little lighter fast action tip should be used if exercising the braid. i yanked a lot of large bass out of cover with these rigs.

[Slip Sinker]

... however ... heavy cover is reserved for a couple setups i have with 30lb plus braid on bait casting equipment.

[Chris Roberts]

I keep going back and forth in my mind between a medium and a MH.  I don't own any Mitchell reels, but I looked at em real quick online and they seem nice.

[Slip Sinker]

if you plan on dropshotting with it... wouldn't recommend a heavy action rod.  typically your using very thin hooks.

[Mark Stine]

with half a dozen bait casting rigs hanging in the garage I would still agree with slip sinker on the "berkley amp" mine is six foot six inch and paired with an okuma avenger reel with 20 lb power pro braid.  I use it for drop shot worms to crank baits and it handles it all.

[Ron Kruger]

Trust me...

No, I better tell you why: My whole life has been devoted to fishing as a guide, outdoor writer and photographer. I've fished a lot of rods, and the best by far are Carbon X. You've got to cast them to realize how special they are. You can't get them at WalMart, or even Bass Pro Shops. Here's a link:http://www.carbonxfishingrods.com/

Other than these, most any IM rod will have the sensitivity you need for finesse fishing plastics.

[Chris Roberts]

are those Pfluegers on them?  

I'll have to look into these.  I can truly appreciate a nicer rod.  I bought my first St Croix last year and there certainly is a sensitivity difference compared to say my BP rods

[Chris Roberts]

So I went with a 7' MH/F St Croix Premier.  I paired it up with a Daiwa Procyon EX.  I had a few BP dollars saved up, plus they have a rod/reel trade in going on.  On top of all of that, they had a Daiwa sales guy there who I worked to my advantage. 

It's funny when they don't have their full line up of reels available, you can easily play them.  "Well I'd really like the avid, but since you don't have one, I'm going to get the abu garcia at the same price point."  So I ended up getting a Procyon for the price of an Avid.  Good day for me.