Ask the Anglers
BY KELLY BOSTIAN World Outdoors Writer
Sunday, May 24, 2009
5/24/09 at 5:21 AM
THE ONLY THINGS that grow larger over time than fishing tales told by anglers are their piles of gear.
Especially puzzling is why fishermen have to have so many rods and reels.
But, pick a handful of fishermen and ask them which rods and reels they would keep if they could have only two, and the puzzle solves itself.
Choosing just two means not having the right tools for the right job.
The same gear that's fine for swimming minnows for a mess of crappie isn't well suited to tight-lining shad for big striped bass.
So when a few avid anglers were polled about what kinds of rods and reels they would choose if they could have only two, it was only natural that the answers reflected the types of fishing they prefer.
Dennis Huggins
Tech at Okie Bait and Tackle, Tulsa
1: Shimano Curado E-7 baitcaster on a 6-foot, 10-inch heavy action Falcon Cara casting rod.
2: Quantum Energy 20 spinning reel on a 7-foot medium action Falcon Cara spinning rod.
Why: Because you can throw anything you want with the Cara rods and the Quantum 20 is suitable for smaller fish.
Sterling Bougher
Owner of N-D-N Baits at Mannford/Keystone Lake
1: Shimano Chronarch 50Mg baitcaster on a 7-foot 3-inch medium-heavy E21 Carrot Stix casting rod
2: Shimano Curado E-5 baitcaster on a 7-foot medium action American Eagle casting rod
Why: You'd be set for everything; throwing jigs and crankbaits or change up your line and go for sand bass or crappie.
Steve Carroll
Weekend Duty Guide Service (striped bass/hybrids), Bixby
1: Bass Pro Shops Extreme baitcast reel on a 7-foot medium action Shakespeare Ugly Stik casting rod.
2: Bass Pro Shops signature series spinning reel (size 20) on a 6
1/2
-foot medium action Ugly Stik spinning rod.
Why: Ugly Stiks are indestructible and relatively inexpensive and Bass Pro reels carry a good warranty.
Ivan Martin
Fishing guide, Grand Lake
1: Quantum Catalyst PT baitcaster on a 6
1/2
-foot medium-heavy action Quantum Energy PT casting rod.
2: Quantum Kinetic 20 spinning reel on a 6-foot medium-light action Quantum Energy PT spinning rod
Why: The baitcaster would be mostly for black bass. The spinning rod is sized for crappie and sand bass.
John Williams
Bass Pro Shops fishing department lead, Broken Arrow
1: Shimano Curado E-7 baitcaster on a 6-foot 10-inch heavy action Falcon Cara T-7 rod.
2: Pfleuger Trion spinning rod and reel combo, which has a 6
1/2
-foot medium action rod.
Why: The Falcon would be the bass rod and the Pfleuger combo is a versatile set-up for sand bass and pond fishing.
Dave Stoval
Academy Hunting and Fishing Department (41st Street) team lead, Tulsa
1: Shimano Curado E-7 baitcaster on a 7-foot medium-heavy action Falcon Low Rider casting rod.
2: Penn 950 SS bait caster on a 12-foot heavy action Shakespeare Ugly Stik casting rod.
Why: A rod with a good backbone and a fast tip for bass and something big for spoonbills and big catfish.
Barry Morrow
MRO Crappy Academy Guide, Lake Eufaula
1: Quantum Energy PT baitcaster on a 10-foot medium-heavy Quantum Meat Dragger rod.
2: Quantum Catalyst CT-10 spinning reel on a 9-foot medium action Quantum Dippin' Stick
Why: The 10-footer is good for crappie and could be rigged for catfish. The 9-footer is a little long but is all-purpose.
Associated Images:
A pair of anglers cast for bass along a steep, rocky shoreline at Skiatook Lake late Wednesday afternoon. KELLY BOSTIAN / Tulsa World
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