Gear guide
St. Croix Mojo Bass spinning and casting sticks with Abu Garcia and Lew’s baitcast reels for Minnesota largemouth salad and smallmouth rock.
Minnesota bass do not need a press agent. Largemouth live in the salad. Smallmouth live on the granite a glacier installed like it was proud of the work. You can fish both on spinning or baitcast — the lake does not check your Instagram handle.
This tray stays St. Croix on the rods: Mojo Bass spinning for plastics and a medium-heavy casting stick for spinnerbaits and cover. The glass cranking spinner and the old jig-and-worm caster are not for sale on Amazon right now, so they are off the page instead of living as museum pieces. Reels lean baitcast for the casting rod (Abu Garcia Revo SX and Lew’s Classic Pro SLP); keep a mid-size spinning reel on the plastics stick if that is how you already fish. Line: 8–12 lb fluoro or braid+leader for spinning finesse, 12–17 mono or 30–50 braid for casting cover work.
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Typical lengths sit around 6’8”–7’2”. Spinning for lighter plastics and open-water work; baitcast when you are flipping wood or skipping docks like you mean it. We will not invent a dock that “always has one.” We will tell you to buy a rod that still feels good after a long Tuesday on a lake that looks like a rumor.
St. Croix
Spinning Mojo for soft plastics around docks, reeds, and the kind of lily pads that have opinions. Medium fast tip for Minnesota largemouth salad without needing a tournament trailer.
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St. Croix
Casting stick with medium-heavy backbone for sweeping spinnerbaits and covering wood. The old 6'8" jig-and-worm listing went dark; this 7-footer is the Mojo Bass caster we can actually buy today.
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Abu Garcia
Smooth low-profile baitcast for Minnesota bass days that involve wood, docks, and the occasional northern surprise. Carbon Matrix drag and casting brakes that forgive a hopeful afternoon.
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Lew's
Left-hand Classic Pro with Speed Lube and a zirconia line guide that does not pick a fight with your thumb. Tournament manners without requiring a sponsor hat.
View on Amazon (affiliate)CastMN is an Amazon Associate. We may earn a commission if you buy through this link. See the affiliate disclosure.
CastMN is an Amazon Associate and earns from qualifying purchases. Read the affiliate disclosure.