What is a good rod/reel combo for catching large striper and hybrids? I mainly fish for catfish and have several rod/reel setups for that. I am looking to purchase a baitcast reel. All my current reels are spinning reels. Fish out of Tawakoni if that makes a difference.

That's a tough question to answer. Answer depends on how you fish.

I have several. Abu makes a brand nre "Striper" edition of the C3 5500 & 6500. Its just a regular C3 w power handle and a nice striper engraved on the side. Pair it with your choice of medium heavy rod and you've got a great setup. I have a C3 when deep fishing striper. I have a surf rod 10 ft and Shimano Stradic (4000) for fishing dams off the bank. I use this setup with poppers and bucktails.

I also use a Stradic 2500 and 7' medium spin rod (extra fast taper) when throwing swim jigs or spoons. This is my personal favorite. This is the most fun and least tiring setup I have.

I'm not a huge stiper guy - I fish everything from inshore to fly, so maybe some more striper specific guys can chime in. Just my 2 cents. Hope this helps

The "normal" sized bait cast reels (like a bass fisherman uses) work fine. You just don't want to go too light on the rod since the typical artificial baits (slabs and sassy shads) are too heavy to effectively cast on light action rods. I find that medium-heavy works well.

I use a 7' MH with Lews BB2 reels for throwing Sassys and dead sticking 90% of the time. I also keep a 7'ML rod with a BB2 Inshore on it in the boat for lighter lures at times. For live bait I use a 7'M with ABU 5500 C3's and 6500 C3's. There have been times I have been live bait fishing used 7'6" M Pro Angler Catfish Rods with 6500's and they worked fine. As mentioned above, pretty much any bass combo with a MH rod will be fine. Im not a rod snob, and usually buy the All Star rods or H20 Express rods at Academy, some look down on them but they work well for me and are pretty good rods for the price.

I use a 7ft to 7'6" MH rod. Pair it with any baitcast reel of your choice, I like the 6:4.1 to 7:1.1 retrieve speeds. Line choice, 15lb fluro works really well. It is not to heavy and not too light. If you are worried about hooking into a big fish, and need a little more confidence in your line choice, put on some 55lb+ braid of your liking.


Fish more....stress less

7ft MH BPS Tourney Special and Abu 6500c. Not real sensitive but good backbone and inexpensive.

Thanks for the input gents!

Easy. I like a 7' MH rod like a Falcon original or other similar quality brand all the way up to a St. Croix. For reels I prefer the Revo. Set it up with 30# PowerPro braid and you are ready to chase big fish. Just remember to keep your fingers away from the braid, because on a fast run, the braid will cut right through you!