Help me build a new rig(rod/reel)

[Achiro]

My wife is getting me two new rigs for our anniversary(she will find out when they get here :D ). I'm pretty sure I'm going with huckabee rods but not sure which ones. Need reel suggestions and even line that would fit well with the combo. Whatever I decide I want to get it all before my trip to Lake of the Ozarks next weekend.
Most of my fishing is flipping, dipping, and long lining.

[IkenI]

I just chose the 10' meat draga over the 11' for flipping and dipping which is my favorite way to fish. The 11' might be a little better for long lining. I use some older Wally Marshall rods for that. If you like to flip and dip tho' I would highly recommend a baitcaster with a flipping switch. I have several older Quantums and a couple newer Abu Garcias with them. For flipping, dipping, and pitching they save many wasted movements during the course of a day. I was weaned on them in Bass tournaments a few decades ago and it's still my favorite way to fish (for anything.) The reels I have work well with 6 lb up line. I have 10 lb AN 40 on the meat draga reel right now. I have 6 lb Viscious on my Pro Angler rods. I had used Golden Stren for awhile but had several breakoffs so no longer use it except on my spider rigs (and then, only to use up the line I have - then it will be Viscious.) I have used the AN40 and Viscious yellow so long and it has worked fine so I see no need to change. I prefer the Vicious in the lighter weights tho'. When you get to 10 lb I prefer the AN 40 Silver Thread. The balance on the 10' Huckabee is great with a baitcaster. It reminds me of a favorite All Star Stanley Jig 1 rod I used many years ago for pitching, flipping and dipping.

[okchunter]

You can't go wrong with a Pro Angler also. Just got my new 14' in mail today. His new rod formulations are very light. You could heave a 3lb'r in the boat with this thing no problem!

[Fishers]

My wife is getting me two new rigs for our anniversary(she will find out when they get here :D ). I'm pretty sure I'm going with huckabee rods but not sure which ones. Need reel suggestions and even line that would fit well with the combo. Whatever I decide I want to get it all before my trip to Lake of the Ozarks next weekend.
Most of my fishing is flipping, dipping, and long lining.

I bought two meat draggas from starfish at the Eufaula tournament, very nice rods. I mounted two abu garcia silver max bait casters on them. I have been very happy with the set up.

[IkenI]

Fishers, you might watch the Silver Max reels. I really like the feel of the Max series. I have one Black max (older one with flipping switch) and one Silver Max. The Silver Max thumbar has recently been sticking in the flipping mode. I goggled it and found that has been a consistent problem with them. So far, my Black Max is okay. The Silver Max works fine when the flipping switch is not engaged but I keep mine on all the time. It's gonna go in a garage sale coming up.

I decided to order 2 of the Huckabee Pulling Rods and I have 2 older Quantum Accurist reels waiting on them. I was going to go with the Silver Max until reading about the flipping switch thumbar problems. I hope yours hold up.

[Ranger09]

I have 4 10' Meat Dragas and 2 of the 11' Pulling Rods. I like the 11' rod very well and it's not any heavier than the 10's that you would notice. The 10's are Med Heavy and the 11' is a med action. As far as a reel you don't need much cause you're not casting them. Just need a line holder is all. I have both the BnM small reels and the Wally Marshall composite reel with star drag. Both work well and cut down on weight. You don't need an expensive reel to hold 30ydsvof line.....Ranger

[IkenI]

I tried the little reels a few years ago and could never get used to the balance. Although I don't cast, I do adjust the line out frequently and my reels must have a flipping switch. Saves countless numbers of re-engaging the reel throughout the day. I agree you don't need an expensive reel to hold a few yards of line but I have a bunch of older reels with flipping switches lying around so they are cheap and they balance the longer rods better for me. I know lots of guys use the little reels but they just didn't work for me. When one of the guys fished the Gaines Creek challenge with me he must have made a motion to re-engage his reel several hundred times that day. I just lifted my thumb off the thumbar. Goes back to my Bass tournament days - us old geezers are hard to change.