Hello Everyone,

Here's a question for those of you who like optimizing things :-) Heading up to the BWCA and Quetico this June and looking for some advice on the optimal setup of my motley crew of old and new rods and reels. Here's the deal:
* Four rods, four reels
* Want to set up two separate pairs with each pair having one rigged for jigging/bobber fishing and one rigged for casting/trolling.
* one pair is for me, one pair is for my brother-in-law ;-D

Here's what's in the inventory (from oldest to newest):

Rods:
1. Berkley Lightning Rod, 6'0" medium spinning (LR601MS)
2. Shakespeare Ugly Stick Lite, 6'6" medium spinning (SP1166-2M)
3. Same as (2)
4. St. Croix Eyecon 6'6"Med-Lite, fast action (EYS66MLF2)

Reels:
a. Shimano 2000
b. Shimano Syncopate 2500FG
c. Same as (a)
d. Shimano Stradic 2500HG

What would be the optimal setup to help me outfish my brother-in-law? :-D
Also, would a plan to use 8lb mono on the jigging rigs and 8lb braided for the casting/trolling be a good one? We will be targeting smallies and walleye primarily, possibly going after some lakers as well.

Thank for any advice and especially to all of you who post regularly on these boards - I've learned alot reading over the winter.

Cheers

The clear champ is gonna be the stradic on the eyecon.

I’d give him the syncopate (hated mine due to lack of instant anti-reverse) on the lightning rod and then each take a 2000 on an ugly stik.

If jigging for lakers, especially in summer, or any jigging in water deeper than 25’ I’d use braid with a mono leader to increase the feel of strikes. But you’ll get lots of opinions on this one.

To out-fish your BIL, this would be my strategy.

Put the two matching reels on the two matching rods for yourself and put 8lb mono on both. Give your BIL the mis-matched rods and reels, one with braid and one with mono.

When jig fishing, set up both your rods with jigs. When slip-bobbering, set both up with bobbers. Lose a jig or hook, switch to your identical second rod and keep fishing.

Sit in the front of the boat. Put your BIL in charge of final positioning, anchoring, locator, etc. You can get in extra casts while he is messing around. Continue fishing while he pulls the anchor when you decide to move. Retie any lost hooks while he paddles toward the next spot. You can paddle once your hooks are re-tied. If you need to switch out from bobbers to jigs, make this a shore break to give yourself the time needed and stop him from fishing while you change over.

The guy who keeps his bait in the water the most generally catches the most fish. It's not too much which rod or reel you are holding.

Thanks all. Your replies made me chuckle at the end of a long day - appreciate it.

Looks like my BIL will be getting the Lightning Rod and an Ugly Stick with the two Syncopates (can't bear to give him the Eyecon as I just got it and want that one for myself). He'll also be getting the anchor, Garmin, stringer, net, map, snack and suntan lotion duties.

I'll show him this post at the end of our Quetico trip and I'll let you know who had the last laugh!

Cheers