SCENARIOS: Rods, Reels & Line

Discussion Points & Notes

IN T RODUC T ION
This guide has been developed to help facilitate further learning of lessons designed by
Faculty of Fishing. It serves as an additional resource and will provide a format from which
lessons learned can be discussed.

Some of the answers may be subjective and therefore provide only a recommendation that an angler may want
to consider. We recommend that anglers take the knowledge that they gain and adapt it to their own needs and
angling abilities.

PUTTING THE GUIDE TO WORK

To apply the concepts of this guide, we recommend:
A
 ssigning online lessons prior to meeting (lesson names and times are outlined at the beginning of each spe-
cific guide).
E xplaining the importance of taking the time to review the lessons prior to the meeting. Each lesson is less than 30
minuntes, and combined lessons will not exceed 2 hours.
T he person that will be facilitating the discussion should review the questions and answers from the guide and
identify 5-10 questions that they would like to present.
L imiting group discussions to 1 hour. If the time falls short, you can introduce more questions. If the time runs
long, you will have to guide the discussion along.
Ensure that you become familiar with the lesson content.
S
 tart discussion with easy questions (i.e. closed ended questions- yes/no type) then gradually build to more
open discussion type questions.

CONSIDERATIONS
Small prizes (i.e. lures) that are earned by participation in discussions can by a great motivator.
DO NOT belittle someone for not knowing an answer or providing a wrong answer.
Respect your team/members and remember the goal is to improve everyones fishing knowledge.
Please feel free to provide photo copies of the guide for each persons future reference.
Bring in samples; {i.e. a variety of rods, reels and line}.

We thank all anglers for participating in Faculty of Fishing and look forward to seeing you on the water.

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 SCENARIOS: Rods, Reels & Line
Discussion Points & Notes

FROM THE LESSONS TO THE WATER.

ROD BLANK SCENARIOS.
As read from various rod blanks, what would this information mean, and what
are some examples or situations it would be best used for?
MLF 66 1/8-5/8oz. 4-10lb
68 Med, 8-14lbs, -5/8oz
76 Hvy, 15-30llbs, 5/16-1 oz
70 Med-Hvy, 12-17, 3/8-1oz

SCENARIOS:

1 BODY OF WATER: LAKE

WATER CONDITIONS: clear to slightly stained water (12-18 clarity), Temperature 75 F
Season: end of Post Spawn into the early summer
Location: secondary point just out from a spawning bay targeting the deeper weedline
(tops between 6-10 feet) on the edge of a drop.
PRESENTATION: mid-depth crankbait ticking the tops of the grass
SPECIES: Largemouth
What should be your Rod, Reel and line setup?
1 A )W
 hat adjustment would you make if there were not any grass in the same situation, and
you decided to go with a heavier crankbait to tick the bottom?

2 BODY OF WATER: RESERVOIR

WATER CONDITIONS: clear (5+clarity), Temperature 37-40 F
SEASON: winter
LOCATION: deep cover (20-25 feet)
PRESENTATION: - oz jigging spoon
SPECIES: Largemouth
What should be your setup?

3 BODY OF WATER: LAKE

WATER CONDITIONS: slightly stained water (8- 12carity), Temperature 85 F
SEASON: late Summer
LOCATION: mixed vegetation (lilly pads and submergent grass) creating matts in some areas.
PRESENTATION: long casts with a frog
SPECIES: Largemouth
What set-up would you use?

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 SCENARIOS: Rods, Reels & Line
Discussion Points & Notes

4 BODY OF WATER: LAKE

WATER CONDITIONS: relatively clear water (4-10 clarity), Temperature 75 F
SEASON: fall
LOCATION: covering water docks, rip-rap and shallow cover
PRESENTATION: umbrella rig (Note: shad are migrating in)
SPECIES: Largemouth
What set-up would you use?

5 BODY OF WATER: LAKE

WATER CONDITIONS: clear water (10-20 clarity), Temperature 85 F
SEASON: summer
LOCATION: open water rock bars
PRESENTATION: covering water drifting tubes
SPECIES: Smallmouth
What set-up would you use?

6 BODY OF WATER: LAKE

WATER CONDITIONS: clear water (10-20 clarity), Temperature 85 F
SEASON: summer
LOCATION: brush piles
PRESENTATION: fishing vertical in and around brush piles in 30 feet.
SPECIES: Spotted Bass
What set-up would you use?

7 BODY OF WATER: RIVER

WATER CONDITIONS: Muddy (No clarity), Temperature 75 F
SEASON: Spring
LOCATION: brush piles
PRESENTATION: Pitching and Flipping Creature baits around spawning areas.
SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
What set-up would you use?

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 F A C U L T Y O F F I S H I N G
A NSW ERS :
ROD BLANK SCENARIOS.
As read from various rod blanks, what would this
information mean, and what are some examples or
situations it would be best used for?
MLF 66 1/8-5/8oz. 4-10lb A rod, most likely a spinning, Good
for dropshots, grubs, and finesse mostly, but would also be good
for light jerkbaits as well.
68 Med, 8-14lbs, -5/8oz A rod offered in both a casting and
spinning version, good for small topwater and jerkbaits. A good
length for a downward ripping motion, and also good for target
casting around cover. The spinning rod version of this would
make a good rod for skipping lures.
76 Hvy, 15-30llbs, 5/16-1 oz A Flipping stick used for
punching grass, or flipping heavy cover.
70 Med-Hvy, 12-17, 3/8-1oz The most versatile action of all
rods. You can fish a worm, spinnerbait, and make it work for a
topwater or a crankbait if needed.
SET UP SCENARIOS:
1) BODY OF WATER: LAKE
WATER CONDITIONS: clear to slightly stained water (12-
18 clarity), Temperature 75 F
Season: end of Post Spawn into the early summer
LOCATION: secondary point just out from a spawning bay
targeting the deeper weedline (tops between 6-10 feet) on the
edge of a drop.
PRESENTATION: mid-depth crankbait ticking the tops of
the grass
SPECIES: Largemouth
What should be your Rod, Reel and line setup?
ANSWER:
Since you will be cranking the reel suggested is a 5.3:1 or
slower.
A casting or a spinning rod would work in this situation,
however most often a casting rod is desired in the 70 to 76
range.
Some people prefer a Fiberglass rod, however it is not
required.
The most common action to use one that is slow to moderate,
and has a medium power rating.
The suggested line would be an 8-12 lb test line, preferably
mono to help float the lure out of the grass by slowing the
retrieve as it starts to catch.
1A) What adjustment would you make if there were
not any grass in the same situation, and you
decided to go with a heavier crankbait to tick
the bottom?
ANSWER:
- Try switching to fluorocarbon, as the line will be slightly
more abrasive to the rocks and cover, and help the crankbait
dive to stay in contact with the bottom.
S E M I N A R S E R I E S
2) BODY OF WATER: RESERVOIR
WATER CONDITIONS: clear (5+clarity), Temperature 37-40 F
SEASON: winter
LOCATION: deep cover (20-25 feet)
PRESENTATION: - oz jigging spoon
SPECIES: Largemouth
What should be your setup?
ANSWER:
- Since you are fishing clear and relatively deep water, as well
as around cover, Fluorocarbon will be a must. It will have low
stretch, be abrasive resistant, and will also be less visible.
- Most jigging spoons have treble hooks, so this can be tricky,
and a balance of a rod needed to get the fish out of the deep
cover, the ability to properly work the spoon, but also not too
heavy to rip the treble hooks out of the fishes mouth. A rod
with a Moderate action and a Medium-Heavy power rating
would be a good place to start.
- A mid speed reel of 6.3:1 would be suggested to be able to
retrieve the spoon up at a quicker speed, but not be too fast
to inadvertently add unneeded torque in the retrieve to a fish
that may be barely hooked.
- A good place to start with line would be 10-12lb test. This
will also be a balance, as you may get more bites with lighter
line, but it could result in more fish broken off around cover.
3) BODY OF WATER: LAKE
WATER CONDITIONS: slightly stained water (8- 12carity),
Temperature 85 F
SEASON: late Summer
LOCATION: mixed vegetation (lilly pads and submergent
grass) creating matts in some areas.
PRESENTATION: long casts with a frog
SPECIES: Largemouth
What set-up would you use?
ANSWER:
A reel with a speed 7.0:1 gear ration or higher is preferred,
rigged with 65lb braid or superline.
A Heavy power rod that has a fast action or greater should be
used, that is 73 or longer.
4] BODY OF WATER: LAKE
WATER CONDITIONS: relatively clear water (4-10 clarity),
Temperature 75 F
SEASON: fall
LOCATION: covering water docks, rip-rap and shallow cover
PRESENTATION: umbrella rig (Note: shad are migrating in)
SPECIES: Largemouth
What set-up would you use?
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 F A C U L T Y O F F I S H I N G
ANSWER:
The rod should be one that can handle the 1-2+oz of weight
you will be casting, as well as one that can get you some
distance. A rod that is 76 or longer, with a Heavy Power and
a Fast Action or greater should be used.
A mid speed, 6.3:1 or slower reel is suggested. As for line,
this depends on water clarity you can get away with, as well as
size of fish, and hooks you are using. This technique has the
potential of catching large fish, so you dont want to pull the
hooks out of their mouth.
In this situation with the clear water, 20-25lb Fluorocarbon
would be suggested. It will have some stretch, abrasive
resistant and some clearer properties.
You can use 25lb+ Monofilament, especially if you are using
lures with light wire hooks. This will have more stretch that
will help with keeping fish hooked up. Overall, the illusion
of multiple baits is what is believed to catch the fish with
this technique. If you can get away with 65-85lb braid, it is
suggested. However, remember, no matter the technique, you
will typically get more bites in clearer water by not using braid.
5) BODY OF WATER: LAKE
WATER CONDITIONS: clear water (10-20 clarity),
Temperature 85 F
SEASON: summer
LOCATION: open water rock bars
PRESENTATION: covering water drifting tubes
SPECIES: Smallmouth
What set-up would you use?
ANSWER:
- Since you are fishing clear and relatively deep water, as well as
potentially abrasive rock, Fluorocarbon will be a must. It will have
low stretch, be abrasive resistant, and will also be less visible.
- When dragging tubes for smallmouth. You will have could
have quite a bit of line out, so you need a rod that is stiff
enough to get a hookset at long distances, but still be able to
effectively fight a fish when closer to the boat. It is suggested
to try a rod with a Medium-Heavy power and a medium or
moderate action.
- A mid speed reel of 6.3:1 or greater would be suggested
to be able to retrieve the slack of the line in windy conditions
when getting a bite.
- A good place to start with line would be 10-12lb test. This
will also be a balance, as you may get more bites with lighter
line, but it could result in more fish broken off.
6) BODY OF WATER: LAKE
WATER CONDITIONS: clear water (10-20 clarity),
Temperature 85 F
SEASON: summer
LOCATION: brush piles
PRESENTATION: fishing vertical in and around brush piles in
30 feet.
SPECIES: Spotted Bass
S E M I N A R S E R I E S
What set-up would you use?
ANSWER:
- Since you are fishing clear and relatively deep water, as well
as around cover, Fluorocarbon will be a must. It will have low
stretch, be abrasive resistant, and will also be less visible.
- Since you will most likely be dropshotting with a smaller hook,
you will need a rod that will be able to keep the line tight, but
not pull the hook loose. A 66 70 Medium to Medium-light
Power with a moderate-slow to moderate action is suggested.
- A mid speed reel of 6.3:1 would be suggested to be able to
retrieve the dropshot up at a quicker speed, but not be too
fast to inadvertently add unneeded torque in the retrieve to a
fish that may be barely hooked.
- A good place to start with line would be 8lb test. This will
also be a balance, as you may get more bites with lighter line,
but it could result in more fish broken off around cover.
7) BODY OF WATER: RIVER
WATER CONDITIONS: Muddy (No clarity), Temperature 75 F
SEASON: Spring
LOCATION: brush piles
PRESENTATION: Pitching and Flipping Creature baits around
spawning areas.
SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
What set-up would you use?
ANSWER:
- Since you are fishing muddy water. Line visibility is not much
of a factor. Using a line that you have confidence in with
good abrasive resistance qualities is the main factor. In this
situation you can use and kind of fishing line.
- Since you will be fishing heavy cover, you will need leverage to
pull the fish out when hooked. Using a rod with a Heavy Power
and a Fast action that is 70 to 76 in length is suggested.
- A high speed reel of 7.0:1 or faster would be suggested to be
able to retrieve the lure up up at a quicker speed in between
pitches, to allow you to have more flips in a day that could
result in a few more bites.
- A good place to start with line would be 20lb test
monofilament or higher, going as high as 25lb monofilament of
Fluorocarbon, or 65lb braid.
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