If I Only Had One Rod and Reel . . 
By Mike Frisch

One question that anglers, especially those new to the sport, will ask is, “If I buy only one rod and reel, what should it be?” That’s a good question, but one that is very hard to answer. After all, there are lots of fish species to fish for here in the Midwest and lots of ways to catch them. 

Because our area offers lots of different angling opportunities, narrowing a rod and reel selection down to one is tough. However, after plenty of thought I came up with an answer. Actually, since this answer offers two options, I didn’t completely answer the question. At least, however, the following gives anglers what I think is some good advice as they try to decide on a rod and reel.

My two options start with a spinning rod and reel combination. A spinning rod and reel is a very versatile combination. In fact, if I had to choose only one rod and reel (I guess I am answering the posed question after all) for lots of different kinds of fishing it would be this combination.

A spinning combination can be spooled with light line, say six- or eight-pound test XL, and used efficiently to catch panfish, walleyes and large and small mouth bass. Panfish anglers can cast light jigs or fish jigs under bobbers with this set-up. Walleye anglers can use it to fish jigs and live bait rigs and it’s also good for slip-bobber presentations and casting crank baits. Bass anglers can also cast cranks baits as well as use it to fish small jigs tipped with plastic worms or tubes.

As for the particulars of the spinning rod and reel, I would recommend a 6’6” medium light-action rod paired with a mid-sized spinning reel. My rod choice would come from the Lightning Rod series, as these are quality rods at a price most anglers can afford. I would pair it with a Cardinal 600 series reel, as this is one of the smoothest, most dependable spinning reels I’ve used and, again, it comes at an affordable price.

Now on to option number two. This combination would be a 7’0” medium-action baitcasting rod and reel. This set-up could be spooled with ten-pound test monofilament line (XT would be a good choice) and used by walleye anglers to troll crank baits and also to fish bottom bouncers. It could also be used with heavier line, either monofilament or a superline, to fish bass holding in heavy cover with jigs and Texas-rigged plastics. In addition, this combination would also work well for fishing northern pike with spinner baits or crank baits.

For my baitcasting combo, I would again choose a rod from the Lightning Rod series and pair it with a mid-sized baitcasting reel. My reel choice would an Ambassadeur C3 series reel. These are long-lasting, dependable reels that come in both left- and right-handed models, and once again, they are affordable. 

There you have them, my recommendations on rod and reel combinations. Anglers can hopefully use these suggestions to make a good choice when purchasing a rod and reel combination. Good luck with that decision and, as always, good luck on the water!