A good 'crossover' rod / reel combo?

[Limits]

Originally Posted by BrokeLoser

I'd like to put together something that will work well for calicos and spotted bass and also work out for some freshwater fishing I do. Stripers, large and small mouth bass and cats.
I'm not real particular with rods, maybe something in the 8-15 or 10-20 range. I would like a killer reel though...maybe a Curado, Calcutta or Luna.
But what size? Which one would work best for this situation?

Thanks!

That's a wide range of species, that usually require a wide range of gear. Its like saying you want one club to use for a pitch n' putt AND for the enter 18 holes at Pebble Beach.

For spotties - I use up to 8 lb test. My favorite is a Curado 200E7, loaded with 8 lb izorline on my Phenix MBX606L. If I go down to 6# test, I use my Curado 100B or Citica.

For calicos - its 40# (or higher) braided backing with a short top shot of 20-25# mono on my Curado 300E, strapped to my Cumara 72MH or my custom Phenix 7 footer (rated 10-25#). I fish tight to structure, so I always want plenty of backbone to pull them fish from cover.


My spottie set up is what I use for fishing Barrett Lake for LMB, but then again, my biggest fish there was only around 2 lbs (embarrassing when you figure there are plenty of 5+ lb fish there). You'd probably want another 10 or 12# test outfit for the bruisers.

For catfish, its usually sit and soak, plus you never know how big a cat you're going to get. Local regional lakes, you can get away with 6# test. But if you get into the big boys, you might want 20# test and plenty of it. And this on a rod long enough to cover distance depending on if you're fishing from the banks.