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The Perfect Small Creek Combo? (Guest Review)
by Harry Gray

Imagine, if you will, the perfect rod-reel-line combination. The one-size-fits all that is the first thing you grab as you head to the creek. You have entered the smallmouth fishing perfection zone. (My apologies to Rod Serling.)

Like all the RS.com readers, I have searched for this elusive combination. Like searchers for the mythical Northwest Passage, I may have found this dream.

The combination is: rod - Bass Pro Shops Billy Westmoreland Signature Crankbait spinning rod, reel - Daiwa US80XA, and line - Berkley 8-pound test Vanish. Now, lets look deeper.

The Billy Westmoreland rod is only 5'8" long, thus allowing for ease of handling in tight, narrow, tree covered creeks. It has good action in the tip to allow controlled, yet long, casting power when needed. However, unlike some cranking poles, this one has a strong backbone in its midsection. This allows for excellent hooksets when using plastics that are Texas rigged. Its cork handle is not too small, so as to have to grip it tightly, but neither is it is too large. Like Goldilocks would say "its just right."

The Daiwa reel is an underspin (a.k.a.: triggerspin). Although not favored by many fishermen, this type of reel, and this one in particular, has a lot going for it. First, the trigger allows for great control. How many times have you cast a spinning reel, but just couldn't stop the lure from ending up in a tree? With the trigger feature, you simply stop the line with a squeeze. It has smooth line release with seldom, if ever, any line problems within its casing. The reel handles up to 10-pound test without any problems. It has a rear drag, but for those that like to "backreel," a small clip on the gears inside the reel can be removed to allow for this. For those that want more excitement, the US40XA is a smaller version of the 80.

The Vanish line completes the ensemble. Although I am a true blue Stren fan, I have to say that Vanish is something else. (Note that I have not tried Stren's new fluorocarbon line, so I cannot speak for it.) It is very abrasion and break resistant. With its super low visibility, the 8-pound test seems like regular, clear 6-pound to me. Combined with the Westmoreland rod, it has excellent "play-ability" for both crankbaits and plastics. (Although Berkley recommends using the Trilene knot on this line, I have previously used the Palomar with no noticeable problems.) In using this combo, I have had very few smallies throw the lure, even when they come out of the water to "dance."

The kicker comes at the checkout line: Rod - $40; reel - $14; line - $10. Total - $64. On sale, even less. Low cost and a great -- no, perfect -- combination. Grab it and hang on!