09-03-2008, 08:45 PM
The Saros is a great reel. My opinion would be that the reel is much better than the rod. I would go down a reel to the Symetre, which is a fantastic reel. I've had one for the entire '08 fishing season and loved it. I would also go up a rod, from an IM-7 to an IM-8. The Shimano Compre is a really nice IM-8 rod. I have 3 of them.
The only problem I see for using the same rod for Bass and Pike would be matching the action of the rod for the lure. You'd want a medium/fast (sometimes called moderately fast) action rod for throwing bucktail spinners and crankbaits for Pike, but that rod wouldn't give you the best hooksetting response for plastic worms for Bass. With that said, if you're planning on using spinnerbaits, crankbaits, swimbaits, etc... for bass, then using the same rod wouldn't be a problem. I'd probably go with a medium heavy weight so you can throw 3/8 oz and 1/2 oz lures for Bass, and something closer to 1 oz for Northerns.
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The only problem I see for using the same rod for Bass and Pike would be matching the action of the rod for the lure. You'd want a medium/fast (sometimes called moderately fast) action rod for throwing bucktail spinners and crankbaits for Pike, but that rod wouldn't give you the best hooksetting response for plastic worms for Bass. With that said, if you're planning on using spinnerbaits, crankbaits, swimbaits, etc... for bass, then using the same rod wouldn't be a problem. I'd probably go with a medium heavy weight so you can throw 3/8 oz and 1/2 oz lures for Bass, and something closer to 1 oz for Northerns.
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