Where's that perfect medium size Bucktail rod?

[Hawg]

Why are all the rods out today either heavy action with fast or extra fast tips(pool cues)or Med Heavy buggy whips? Where is the heavy action good backbone rod with a medium/moderate tip for good casting distance? I like micro guides too but that probably won't happen unless it's a Thorne custom or similar.

[delmuts]

How big of buck tails do you plan to throw? How long of a rod do you prefer? Yes the micro guides by be hard to come by in a production rod, but many good choices out there.

[Hawg]

Size 8's probably or other med heavy baits. Stiff rods don't cast, and whimpy rods don't set the hooks. 7ft-?. This is a rod application thats getting harder to find on the shelves. My price range is anywhere from about $75-$150. No overpriced, ultra heavy St Croix responses please. I know others love SC but I've never been a fan.

[Deet]

Try a Shimano Compre Extra Heavy 8'-0". I think it's exactly what you're asking for. It loads up on the cast - not too stiff. They have 7'-0" and 7'-6" lengths, too, but not in Extra Heavy; only Medium Heavy. You could mess around with those, too, if you really want the 7 ft length range, because their specs say the medium heavies are good for 2 - 6 oz lures, which covers your bucktails.

These rods are in the low 100s price range.

[20lbSloughShark]

Gander mountain brand rods has a 7' medium-heavy with a moderate action. I've never been disappointed by a gander rod, and they seem to last. I'm guessing a majority of the rod guides are size 10 or 12 on mine. They usually run about $40.

[delmuts]

I've been using BP bionic blades for years and very happy with them. They were on sale a while back for $60.(normally $80) The 7 ft. fit my use nicely, but also have a 7 ft. 6 in. telescoping(heavy) for flipping and heavier lures, but I haven't tried anything over 1 oz. I also have a BP 8 ft. (extra heavy) that is used for lighter muskie lures and serious frogging. The bionic blade rods are fairly light in hand and balance well with different reels.

[tolle141]

Tackle industries makes some great rods that fall well within your budget. They have a slower action than you'll find in a St Croix.

For the record, action and power often get confused.

Action - where the rod bends/stiffness/Sensitivity

Fast: bends at tip, generally very stiff

Medium: loads further down the blank

Slow: bends even further down the blank then medium

Power: basically what sort of backbone a rod has/what it can handle

Ultra light: panfish jigs

Light: your typical walleye rod

Medium

Heavy

XH: I prefer for bucktails

XXH

XXXH: pounders for muskies

Keep in mind that these definitions vary by manufacturer. An XH, fast action can be entirely different between companies.

[mainbutter]

Your higher priced rods will have a faster action. Look for something cheaper for a more moderate rod, and really who will say no to more savings?? There are plenty of MH rods out there that aren't limp noodles but aren't super fast tip either. I like the gander mountain rods a ton.

[RK]

I would actually look at some of the bass rods designed for large swimbaits. I use a couple of them (Shimano Crucials) for small to medium-sized bucktails and topwaters, and they're great.

I also have a Powell Max I like a lot - 7'6", med-heavy mod-fast, rated for 1/4 to 3 oz. They make 3 models on the Max line, from med-heavy to x-heavy.

What's nice about swimbait rods vs. typical bass rods is they usually have longer butts, which make two-handed casting easier, and the butt is long enough to tuck under your forearm when you palm the reel.

[Mike_Bennewitz]

I have a Scheels 7'6" Heavy action rod that is PERFECT for bucktails! It has a feel that is hard to describe but it is unlike the other rods I have used. This one has that initial pool cue stiffness for a solid hook set, but once you get it to flex a bit it will really have some room to load up. I can toss an 8" Harasser willow-blade bucktail just as far as my buddy can throw his Hellhounds on the same rod, and those Hellhounds are heavy lures! I found the main advantage was to have a good working reel and start with a medium spool tension setting, adjust as necessary for the lure weight. I got the rod with an Abu Garcia 6500 C3 fully loaded with 65lb Power Pro for $175 two years ago in St.Cloud.

[RumRiverRat]

I will second the Shimano Crucial Swimbait Rods.

I own both the 7'11" MH and 7'11" H

I use the MH quite a bit throwing big swimbaits for bass.

Works great for bigger bucktails, spinnerbaits and cranks for Pike.

The H is great for bigger lures.

[TMF89]

Swimbait rods work pretty well for what you're thinking. I would say a 7'+ Heavy rod would do you well. At Gander we have the GSX Tournament rods, normally $99.99, they're down to $59.99 right now. A 7'6 heavy rod would work perfect for you, and I plan on picking up one for heavy pike fishing myself.