Editor’s Note: Thirty-five-year-old Brandon Palaniuk of Hayden, Idaho, has been a bass pro for 11 years and the Angler-of-the-Year and has earned $1.7+ million fishing. To learn more about Brandon, visit his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/brandonpalaniuk/.

You Must Match Your Tackle:

Another big change in bass fishing in recent years has been matching the rod, the reel and the line to the lure you want to fish. In past years, anglers would go to a sporting-goods store, buy a rod, reel and line, and go fishing. Today more has been learned about matching the rod, the reel and the line to the lure you’re fishing for success.

Many have asked why that system of bass fishing has become so important. I think that this is just a natural progression in the evolution of the fishing-tackle business, based on the knowledge that tournament fishermen have acquired from years of competitive fishing. Anglers understand how much performance you can get out of each lure you fish, and how much better your landing percentages are as different rods, reels and lines become available to match with certain styles and techniques of bass fishing.

Someone once asked me, “If you only can have six rods, reels and lines to go fishing with, which ones would you choose and why?” Here goes. I like:

• A 7-foot, 6-inch Heavy-Action Alpha Angler Hitter Rod (https://www.alphaangler.com/) with a Daiwa Tatula Elite P/F Baitcasting Reel https://www.daiwa.com/us/contents/reels/tatulaelite/index.html) and 20-pound- test Seaguar Tatsu fluorocarbon line (https://seaguar.com/tatsu.html). I can use this set-up to do what I call, “heavy duty bass fishing.” I can cast big, heavy football head jigs on that set-up, pitch with it and fish spoons on it. This set-up is a good all-around big rod and rig for fishing in thick cover and/or with large lures. I’ve chosen that line because most of the lures I’ve already discussed will perform best on that line for me.
• A 7-foot, 3-inch Alpha Angler Zilla Rod with a Daiwa Tatula Elite P/F Baitcasting Reel and 15-pound-test Seaguar Invizx line (https://seaguar.com/invizx.html). This rod is more or less the little brother to the Alpha Angler Hitter and is also multipurpose. Then you can use a number of different tactics and fish various lures with it. I’ll fish with rubber frogs on this rod and use light pitching and flipping to fish Texas-rigged worms and swim jigs.
• Another 7-foot, 3-inch Alpha Angler Zilla rod with a Daiwa Steez A TWS Casting Reel
  (https://www.daiwa.com/us/contents/reels/steez_a_tw/index.html) and 50-pound-test Seaguar Smackdown braided line (https://seaguar.com/freshwater/braid). I’ll use this rod for light flipping, fishing offshore and any-other situation that requires lighter line and fluorocarbon.
• A 7-foot Medium Action Alpha Angler Wrench Spinning Rod with a Daiwa Exist 3000 Reel. I’ll also use 15-pound-test Seaguar braided line for my main multipurpose line tied to 8-pound-test Seaguar Gold Label 25 fluorocarbon line. This light spinning rod is one I’ll use to fish swimbaits, shakey-head worms, the Neko rig and wacky-style rigs.
• A 6-foot, 10-inch Medium Action Alpha Angler DSR Rod with a Daiwa Exist 3000 Reel with the same reel and line as the previous rod. I’ll usually fish small lures on this rod and utilize it for drop shotting and finesse fishing.
• A 7-foot Medium Heavy Fiberglass Alpha Angler Rebound Rod – I’ll have a Daiwa Steez A TWS reel and 15- pound-test Seaguar Invizx line. I’ll use this rod to fish square bill crankbaits and Rapala DT6 crankbaits (https://www.rapala.com/rapala/lures/dt-series/) with bladed jigs. With this rod, I’ll also throw spinner baits into open water.

Turkey season may be over, but you can become a better turkey caller for next season by listening to turkey calling experts. You’ll be able to hear 10% for free of the “Outdoor Life’s Complete Turkey” audible book at https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09Z5JHY42/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taud_p3_i4. On the right side of the page and below the offer for a free Audible trail, you can click on Buy he Audible Book. If you have any questions, please email me at [email protected]. You also can buy the Kindle version of the book at https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IXXJWOQ/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i4
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To learn more about bass fishing, check out John E. Phillips’ book, “Winning Strategies of the Bass Pros,” available in Kindle, Audible and print at https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074SWT6HR/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p2_i7.
You may have to copy and paste this click into your browser. When you click on this book, notice on the left where Amazon says you can read and hear 10% of the book for free. On the right side of the Audible page for this book and below the offer for free Audible trial, you can click on Buy the Audible with one click.

Tomorrow: More on Brandon Palaniuk’s Bassing