The specific gear used by Bassmaster Elite Series rookie Caleb Sumrall depends on the lure he’s using.
When he’s punching, his foundation is a 7-foot-11-inch extra-heavy, moderate-fast Kistler KLX rod. Here’s the rest of his punching gear:
• high-speed reel (7.1:1 or higher)
• 65-pound or heavier braid
• Mustad Grip Pin flipping hook
• Pegged Kajun Boss tungsten weight (3/4 to 2 ounces)
The formula changes when he works open cover like stumps, laydowns and cypress trees:
• medium-heavy 7-3 Kistler KLX rod
• high-speed reel
• 15- to 20-pound fluorocarbon line
• unpegged Kajun Boss tungsten weight (1/4 to 1/2 ounce)
• wide-gap Owner hook
Picking up Kajun Boss spinnerbait calls for yet another change:
• 7-foot to 7-3 medium-heavy, moderate-tipped Kistler rod
• 6.4:1 reel
• 15- to 20-pound fluorocarbon
For square-bill crankbaits, he goes a little shorter with his rod and lightens up his line:
• 6-6 to 7-foot medium-action Kistler rod
• 6.4:1 reel
• 10- to 15-pound fluorocarbon