2020 Rods and Reels!

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With new sponsors Strike King and Lew’s, the equipment manifest is going to be top of the line for this year. Lets take a look at the breakdown and discuss where equipment and strategy intersect.

I plan to throw the swim jig and spinnerbait regularly these techniques being my go to strategies. Yet having fished from Florida to New York last year, I am pleased to have really sharpened my skills in a number of other techniques that come in handy when my preferred approach is running lean. One area where I have to work hard this year is fishing crankbaits. With this in mind, I believe I put together a great equipment list for the coming year. Lets begin with Rods.

Lew’s Rods

Team Lew’s Custom Pro Speed Stick, Casting (6’8″ M) x1
Team Lew’s Custom Pro Speed Stick, Casting (6’10” MH) x2
Team Lew’s Custom Pro Speed Stick, Casting (7’0″ M) x1
Team Lew’s Custom Pro Speed Stick, Casting (7’4″ H) x1
Team Lew’s Custom Pro Speed Stick, Casting (7’6″ H) x1
Team Lew’s Custom Pro Speed Stick, Spinning (6’11” M) x1
Team Lew’s Custom Pro Speed Stick, Spinning (7’0″ M) x1

Team Lew’s Pro TI Speed Stick, Casting (6’10” MH) x1
Team Lew’s Pro TI Speed Stick, Casting (6’10” MH) x1
Team Lew’s Pro TI Speed Stick, Casting (7’0″ MH) x1
Team Lew’s Pro TI Speed Stick, Casting (7’3″ MH) x1

Team Lew’s Pro TI Speed Stick, Spinning (6’10” M, Extra Fast) x1
Lews Custom Speed Stick Lite, Casting (7’2″ H, Magnum Grass) x1
Lews Custom Speed Stick Lite, Spinning (6’10” ML, Dropshot) x1
Lews Custom Speed Stick Lite, Spinning (7’0″ M, Shakey Head) x1

Lews Custom Plus SuperGrip Speed Stick (7’10” H, LedgeRaider) x1
Lews Custom Plus Speed Stick, Casting (5’9″ MH Target) x1
Lews Custom Plus Speed Stick, Casting (6’8″ ML Topwater) x1

Lews Custom Speed Stick, Casting (6’10”, M Plastic Special) x1
Lews Custom Speed Stick, Casting (7’0″, MH Worm Rod) x1

David Fritts Perfect Crankbait Speed Stick, Casting (6’8″ MH) x1
David Fritts Perfect Crankbait Speed Stick, Casting (7’0″ MH) x1
David Fritts Perfect Crankbait Speed Stick, Casting (7’11” MH) x1

Now there is no question that this is a lot of rods, and it highlights an interesting dilemma I have entertained for some time. It revolves around the number of rods I keep on the deck during a session. Of course, if I am up in New York or Vermont, or somewhere else that has a dominant technique its not relevant. But when I am fishing a lake with a lot of different options, rod count can get out of control. I have tried everything from 2 or 3 to as many as 18 rods. For years I tried to minimize the number of rods because I did not want to feel like I was shifting between baits and techniques too quickly. Of late, however, I have reversed this position and intentionally move rapidly through techniques, and baits within that technique. The result is that I nearly always have at least 15 rods on the deck. Only time will tell what the right number is, but I believe it is a very personal question. Whatever feels right to you, and matches your fishing plan is the right number. Because I carry so many rods at the ready, I need a lot of reels to be ready to correspond to the conditions and my plan. Lets take a look at the reels that made the team for 2020.