thick cover

[rage2blade]

When you guys are flipping or pitching into heavy cover like milfoil or other mid to shallow thick weeds, how heavy of a rod are you using? a medium heavy, heavy, or even a extra heavy? I want to start fishing more of this thick cover and was curious as to what kind of rod i need. I personally have never used over a medium heavy but am willing to buy a heavy if it would work best. Seems like alot of rod for 3-5 lb bass but i want your opinions on this. Also would you use a fast or extra fast action rod?

[Cecil]

7-6 Med/Hvy fast w/50lb braid.

[Katman]

I use my 7'2 med/hvy fast action with just 20lb braid. Depending on the jig size.. I sometimes would love to have a 7'6 hvy fast action.

[Craigums]

Ive got a 7' Heavy/Fast custom built rod with 50lb Braid, I use it for frogs, topwater slop, and pitching jigs into the nasty stuff. Works well for me because alot of the time you arent just fighting the 3lb fish but also 15lb of weeds

[Deitz Dittrich]

7'6" MH, 65 braid.

[bassfshin24]

7' M/H Fast, 30lb braid

[rage2blade]

So if i was to buy a heavy action rod and was wanting to use it also for dock fishing is that a bit to much? Im guessing so.

[Cecil]

Could be a lil too much. But if you loosen drag you should be ok.

[Katman]

So if i was to buy a heavy action rod and was wanting to use it also for dock fishing is that a bit to much? Im guessing so.

I'd use it for the docks, frogs, jigs, etc. It only doesn't work if you don't think it will. I remember there was a time when I had 1 medium 6'6 fast action rod that did EVERYTHING!

[TonkaBass]

7'6" H 50lb. braid and a nice quality, sharp, heavy wire hook.

[rage2blade]

so tonka how often do you use that big heavy power stick of yours? is it just for flipping in milfoil or does it serve you for other techniques? Also if i was to buy a heavy and ended up fishing in places that weren't as heavily covered with weeds could i switch to a mono and possibly help with not having to much power?

thanks guys i appreciate all your input.

[TonkaBass]

I use that rod for just about any heavy cover application. Most people will go with either a H or a MH, either one will work. IMO I would say the more important thing is the length of the rod. I would never try fishing heavy matted milfoil with a 6'6" H, it just doesn't make sense. I wouldn't worry too much about the braid thing... the only time I would consider switching to a floro is if I wanted my line to become less visible.

[chief]

Rage,

I'll second those recommending a medium heavy 7'6" rod with 50# braid.

The choice of a telescoping vs. one piece is up to you, as both work well.

Please note that rod action descriptions are highly subjective. One man's medium action is another man's heavy action. However, if you choose a stick rated for 5/8 to 1.5 oz lures (or so)you'll be fine.

50# test is a compelling combination of fishability and strength. There's no sense getting bit in the nasty stuff if you can't get 'em out. 50# braid gives you the confidence and capability to do both.

This rig is also dandy for most plastic frogs, and it works great for a wide range of pike applications. As an additional bonus, this setup works well for cats and sturgeon. Don't tell the musky guys I said this, but it also makes a fine light bucktail/topwater rod.

If I was fishing docks--not pitching, but fishing docks-I'd personally use spinning tackle.

[Basseyes]

One rod company sent me after the 3rd time of breaking a MH a 7'6" Heavy. I love that rod for the slop, jigs and even docks. Put a rod balancer on it and the sensitivity matched with a powerful very quick hook set is great. Learning that hook set is a big key with the heavy braided on a fast tipped heavy back boned rod. The bite is right there with no delay with that rod and line combo. Too quick a set and you're pulling a bail of slop back to the boat with no fish. Get it just right and a good percentage of the time you can get that hook set quick and lift even fat fish out of heavy cover.

[olski]

If you have the luxury of 2 rods I would use a 7'6" heavy for bigger jigs and a 7'6" MH for flipping tubes and lighter jigs. If you could only have 1 I would go with the MH. Much more vercitile. Flipping, docks, frogs, carolina rig,etc. I would use 50 - 65 pound braid on either.

[TonkaBass]

Rage,

I'll second those recommending a medium heavy 7'6" rod with 50# braid.

The choice of a telescoping vs. one piece is up to you, as both work well.

Please note that rod action descriptions are highly subjective. One man's medium action is another man's heavy action. However, if you choose a stick rated for 5/8 to 1.5 oz lures (or so)you'll be fine.

50# test is a compelling combination of fishability and strength. There's no sense getting bit in the nasty stuff if you can't get 'em out. 50# braid gives you the confidence and capability to do both.

This rig is also dandy for most plastic frogs, and it works great for a wide range of pike applications. As an additional bonus, this setup works well for cats and sturgeon. Don't tell the musky guys I said this, but it also makes a fine light bucktail/topwater rod.

If I was fishing docks--not pitching, but fishing docks-I'd personally use spinning tackle.

Chief pretty much hit the nail on the head, and he is right on with the versatility of the flipping stick being a great multi-species rod.

[rage2blade]

thanks for all the info guys you've really helped me out. Just out of curiousity is a heavy action rod going to be less sensative then a med/hvy? Im talking if the both have a fast tip and are about the same length.

[TonkaBass]

I think the heavy is a little less because is weighs more,if you are in the same rod bracket, but you wont notice it if you fish it a lot.

Steps 'I' would take before buying a flipping stick:

-Is it the right length and action (at least 7'6" and heavy, mod fast or fast)

-how does it feel with a reel on it in my hand (low-profile=better)

-how is the backbone when flexed on the floor (stiffer=better)

-how is the weight of the rod (light=better)

-components (nice guides, nice reel seat, split grip is not for me on this application)

My favorite flipping sticks that I have used.

St.Croix Avid 7'11"

Loomis IMX 7'6" H

Falcon Expert 7'6" H

and the premier 7'6" H although a little on the heavier side.

[chief]

Rage,

If you're using a braid, much of your sensitivity will come from that. If you're flipping and pitching, line movement (ya gotta pay attention)will communicate a lot of bite/strike info.

Having said this........ no, there shouldn't be much sensitivity difference between a MH a H action rod. The heavy action rod, though, will likely weigh more, and it's likely to have a more distinct "heaviness" toward its tip.

Personally, all the slop, pitchin', and flippin' rods I use max out at "recommended" lure weights of 1.5 oz., and all are rated as MH. I use them extensively for heavy bass and big pike applications, and I've never felt the need or want for anything heavier or stiffer. Much of this is due to the fact that superlines have really changed the bass/pike rod landscape, and have greatly reduced the need for "HEAVY" action rods.

My next step up from here is exclusively musky-specific tackle.

[chief]

TonkaBass is right on. Be sure to touch, flex, and put a reel on every rod you're evaluating (if possible). Your own personal assessment, and sense of feel is the only guide that matters.

[rage2blade]

Again thanks guys i appreciate the info, and thanks for giving some tips and suggestions tonka it really helped me out.