Just starting hybrid fishing on Lake Belton. My wife doesn't need to see this, but none of my current rod and reels seem to be ideal for hybrids. Thought I would get some ideas from the experts. Will be using live bait, fishing pretty much straight down. What about line counters? Price is important so I probably will not be buying the top of the line, but do want quality rigs.

I use ugly sticks or a bass medium action rod that accidentally had the tip broken off for live bait. Put the rod in a rod holder and don't let anyone pick it up until the rod tip is bowed over into water. For reels, a good drag is about all that matters. I have an old ABU Garcia C3, a Daiwa Accudepth, and another crappy ABU reel that doesn't cast very well that I use for three rods in the water.

I also keep a good setup on the boat with a slab tied on.

Sounds like to me you are right on track. If you are live bait fishing, stick w/ your glass rods like your ugly stick.

Two different Ugly Sticks, make sure you are using the right one. Go with the CAL 1100, it is the medium action rod w/ the soft tip. The CAL 1101 is their stiffer model and doesn't have the soft tip.

As far as reels, the C3 is good. I have switched to the lower profile reels that hold less line. We are using the Revo's and the Shimano Citica's on our glass rods for live bait. Both have excellent drag systems.

**don't forget** set the drag light and HAVE FUN!

**NOTE** Academy has their snot green line of glass rods w/ EVA long handles for $9.99 that are great live bait rods. We have a couple and they are a hoot for catching 6-11lb hybrids coupled w/ a good drag system.

What ive been using lately is the academy special from fathers day sale. H20 Mettle reel and a 7' carolina rig all star rod. Cost me $60 for both and its a great set up for hybrids and sandies when im not using it for bass fishing.

My personal preference is 7' or 7"6 Medium Heavy with a fast tip. Any reel should do the job, I am a big believer for the H20 Mettles, cheap and it gets the job done well!

I've got about 20 of the Mettles and they're great.

the snoopy combo with 200 lb braid works well. If the rod or reel breaks just tie the line to a cleat and drag it to shore.

What's the issue with the Abu that doesn't cast well? What model is it? If it's a legacy Abu, it can be easily restored.
Steven

For live bait and trolling I like a ABU 6500 bait caster with greased carbon drags, and a power handle with 15lb BigGame on a 7' MH Uglystick Light or BassPro "Graphite Series".

For casting 3/4oz to 3oz a ABU 6500 CT (no level wind) with greased carbon drag, and a power handle, with 10lb XL on a 8' 6" MH Shimano Scimitar.

For casting 1/4oz to 3/4oz a Penn Battle 4000 spinning reel with 10lb XL on a BassPro 7' 2" M Signature Series II

I bought two Abu Garcia Ambassadeur D 5600 7 years ago. They are absolutely awful but work ok for fishing live bait straight down. I emailed ABU customer service several years ago about some gears on both reels breaking teeth. They sent me replacements which was nice, but the magnetic breaking system on the reels is still terrible.