Spinnerbait Rod

[MN BassFisher]

I was wanting to hear from some of the more experienced and knowledgeable anglers here about what makes a good spinnerbait rod in your opinion. I have to two baitcasters, both St. Croix's, one is a 6'6" Medium Heavy with a Fast action. The other is a 7' Medium with a Fast action, I've read a few tests on the St. Croixs and it's been said that their Medium Heavy is like most rod makers Heavy's. I'm curious as to which would be better for throwing spinners and cranks. I have yet to test out the 7' so I figured I would ask around here.

[Gardiner14]

I have a st.croix mojo bass 7ft medium heavy and it is very stiff and it is like other companys heavys i have not got to use it yet but i think it will handle large spinnerbaits very well.

[Deitz Dittrich]

I like a softer rod than most people. I use the same rod to throw deep cranks. Its quite slow and MH at best.. probably closer to a M... Though its listed as a MH.

[Superduty]

I run all st croix's and find myself using a 7MH for most of my spinnerbaiting. Will use a 66MH at times also. I find the 7'M a tad too light for spinnerbaits. It makes a great swimjig rod!

[KickNBass]

7' MH St. Croix for me.

[MN BassFisher]

Alright, thanks for the insight guys. I was thinking of using my MH for a spinner/crank rod and the M for a swimbait/swimjig rod.

[Larson15]

I would be using those the other way around.

[Fever]

I agree with Larson. Use your Medium for your spinner bait as the rod will be softer and slower allowing the bass that hit a horizontal presentation to basically set the hook on itself as the rod loads. A stiffer rod with a horizontal presentation can result in too quick of a reaction time for the angler thus a quicker hook set which pulls spinnerbait or crank out of mouth. I use a 7 foot Med. with a 6:1 ratio for my spinner baiting also consider using a shock absorbing line. I use 14 lb mono rather than the Power pro I use on most of my other set ups. I'll use a medium rod for shallow cranks and a MH for deep cranks. Also a MH for large swimbaits, jigs, wormin... pretty much most of my fishing.

[kt]

I think the type of rod you use with a spinnerbait is also dependent on where you are fishing that spinnerbait. If you are using it over weed flats by all means go with the medium power rod. However, I do most of my spinnerbait fishing in Pencil reeds earlier in the year and for that situation I like a rod with a little more back bone, like a 7 MH. Thats just my personal preference. When you get in those pencil reeds, that extra power helps you get their heads turned up and out quicker so you decrease their chances of wrapping you up in the stalks. Just my opinion though

[Fever]

Thats is a good point. I think if you are fishing in areas where you need more leverage you have to compare your pros and cons of the forgiving rod to the rod that will give you more power. I guess I was just responding to hook up ratio and not loosing the fish after it bites without thinkingo of weeds and or docks.

[blakjack23]

I would be using those the other way around.

I agree. I used a 7MF Croix Avid last year for my spinnerbaits, 3/8 and 1/2, and it was absolutely perfect. Like you mentioned, Croix M is like others companys MH. Of course, that was mostly open water fishing. If fishing spinners in heavy cover, then yeah...Croixs MH might suit you better.

[Cecil]

I used a croix 7' Heavy Moderate. Worked very well for spinnerbaits. And I just happen to have it for sale

[MN BassFisher]

That's why I love this site, so many people with good advice, knowledge, tips, etc. Well when the water opens up I think I'm going to try using my 7' Medium, Fast action St. Croix with some PowerPro and see if I like it for spinners and maybe some shallow cranks. I know it's nice to use mono for the stretch in the set but I am thinking the Medium power and fast action tip with be enough give. Hard for me to say until I can actually get out and use it!

[Deitz Dittrich]

Yup.. thats the key.. find what works for you.. We are a family here, all we can do is suggest. One of my best friends Ray Esboldt and I have shared the boat many days.. but our fishing styles differ quite a bit as does what we feel works best for us. it all comes down to what you feel works best for you..