WANT a new rod, Any suggestions?

[Dan Brelje]

Here is the situation. I currently have 2 spinning and two casting setups. I am at the point where i think i need (but mostly want) a new rod. I have limited it down to a new casting rod combo.

I currently have these 2 setups. A MH rod that was originally bought for slop fishing but is used for a variety of things. And a M action that i use for spinners/cranks/jerk baits etc.

I am thinking of something to use for carolina rigs/ jigs/ tubes/ etc. Keep the MH for slop, and the medium for what it is now.

So what would some of you suggest? Action and length are the most important.....thanks in advance...

[st.crioxfishin]

There are so many options out there that it is hard to narrow it down. IMO if you are looking for a rod for tubes, carolina rigs and jigs I would go with a 7' MH rod. I will be getting a 7' MH St.Croix in the near future mainly used for those applications as well.

[YUM]

I'd suggest using the MH (assuming it's 6'6 to 7') for c-riggin/tubes/jigs/etc, and then buy a heavy flippin stick for slop

[grab the net]

I would suggest looking ata rod from the St. Croix Avid Series. They are light, well balanced and have several models that would fit what you are looking for. Anything from a 6-10 MH to a 7-3 MH would handle a multitude of different applications. Pair it with a good reel and your set. I have a AC70MH and a AC68M XF custom made with the spiral under guides. Love em both. The 6-8 is awsome for cranks, chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, light jigs, top waters, tubes, very versatile.

[Cabela10]

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There are so many options out there that it is hard to narrow it down. IMO if you are looking for a rod for tubes, carolina rigs and jigs I would go with a 7' MH rod. I will be getting a 7' MH St.Croix in the near future mainly used for those applications as well.

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I have a bass tournament on the St. Croix June 10 through the ABA, if your interested. All my other invites are pretty much just across the border except the last 3 events, with 2 of those on the same weekend as part of the 2-day division championship.

[st.crioxfishin]

Bobby,

Are these partner tournaments? Singles? Is this an invite to fish with you in a tournament? I'm a little confused.

Also, I have never fished the St.Croix River even though its in my user name (I know, I spelled it wrong when I made the username "st.criox" instead of "st.croix" - still bugs me). The reason I made that name is because those are the rods I use.

[Cabela10]

individual tournament, 1 day event. If you bring a boat, you fish out of it, if your a co-angler, you draw a random boater. Only reason I told you about the St. Croix tourney is because of your name but since it has nothing to do with the river, forget it. ha ha.

[luckycrank]

google midwest rod and reel tactical series

[Ray Esboldt]

I too would say a 7'0" MH would be the right rod for this situation, Dan. St. Croix are very nice rods. I bought a couple Fig Rig (a Minnesota rod maker) rods last year that are pretty exceptional rods for the price. I like them enough that I am going to buy a couple more this year, including 7'0" MH Carbon Classic. Shimano does make some nice rods as well.

[Deitz Dittrich]

O.K. Dano- here is my take on the whole thing...

Take the rod you have and make it into a caroilina rig, texas rig, whatever you want rod.. you said its a MH, but didn't tell us length.. assuming its at least a 6'6" it would do fine with that... If its a 7' all the better!

If you are all set up to buy a new rod, in my opinion I would get a 7"6 teliscoping rod ,to use for slop/flipping... A 7'6", MH whatever? If you already have a MH rod and its a 7' or a 6'6" will have a much different action than a flipping stick.. no reason to double up unless you want to.. and at this point(only having 2 baitcasting combos) I would worry about building your combos up before I bought duplicats...

[fishfearme]

I second your opinion Deitz. 7'6" shimano clarus. I can use that rod for everything from deep cranking, carolina rig, burnin traps to flipin 1/2 oz jigs. At under $80 you can't beat it.

[Cabela10]

Deitz, I've never heard of someone recommend a telescopic rod over a one piece. Why wouldn't you tell him to purchase a one piece 7'6" rod?

[Deitz Dittrich]

Bobby, I know Dan.. And he is a college kid just building up his rod collection. This would be rod #5 for him, yet he is a very good angler. Unless you have a boat that can handle a 7'6" non-teliscoping rod, its kind of hard to get. Also, all the non-tele rods are quite a bit more expensive. The disadvatage of a tele rod is that theya re a tad bit heavier, yet in today world, I really dont think you loose a noticable amount of sesitivity. Years ago I would say you lost sensitivity.. but not any more. To me weight is the major issue if choosing a 1 piece over a 2 piece.

[Ray Esboldt]

I use a 7'6" telescopic for fishing Carolina rigs, roller jigs, and other heavy bait, high contact operations. I like the longer rod in this application for a couple reasons. One, I fish with the rod tip down near the surface of the water to keep as much line as possible out of the wind - better feel. Two, lot's of hook set power with minimal movement. You'd think fish would just smash big, heavy baits. Well they usually don't. So, I like to keep high contact and be ready for a spur-of-the-moment hook set. A 7'6" has just worked better for me over the years. And, like Deitz said, they're so dang light nowadays that it is not uncomfortable to fish with them.

[Dan Brelje]

Thanks a lot guys. I was going to ask deitz a couple questions about the telescopic rod but was beat to the punch. It sounds like a very good option.

Now its time for the reel. I have an ABU C4 on my 6'6 MH right now, i am thinking i should throw that on the flippin stick and get a low pro for the MH?

[Deitz Dittrich]

If you can afford it dano..look at the Shimano Citica 200D, best reel for the money in my opinion.. $120

Okkk and e-mail sent back at you!

[Bushwacker]

I am really a fan of the Pflueger Presidents for $130 or so. Definitely pick one up and try it before buying something. Most people are amazed at how smooth they are for that price range. I have five of them and use them for everything from my Senko rod to my heavy flipping rod. Very versatile reels that can cast heavy lures all the way to 1/8oz lures.

If you are a Abu man, I would look at the new Revo's too. I have only heard GREAT things about them. They have three different series of them that cover all the price ranges.

[st.crioxfishin]

Anyone know where I can get a Pflueger fixed? My president reel button won't pop back up anymore after its pushed down. Kinda mad about this, I had a lot of faith in Pflueger reels. Thinking I might be going with a citica on my next rod.

[Ralph Wiggum]

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Anyone know where I can get a Pflueger fixed? My president reel button won't pop back up anymore after its pushed down. Kinda mad about this, I had a lot of faith in Pflueger reels. Thinking I might be going with a citica on my next rod.

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Send it to them. I sent in a Trion spinning reel 2 years ago because it was grinding a bit--got a brand new one for free a week later. And that reel was way beyond it's warranty.

[st.crioxfishin]

Thanks Ralph I'll hafta try that

[Cabela10]

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Bobby, I know Dan.. And he is a college kid just building up his rod collection. This would be rod #5 for him, yet he is a very good angler. Unless you have a boat that can handle a 7'6" non-teliscoping rod, its kind of hard to get. Also, all the non-tele rods are quite a bit more expensive. The disadvatage of a tele rod is that theya re a tad bit heavier, yet in today world, I really dont think you loose a noticable amount of sesitivity. Years ago I would say you lost sensitivity.. but not any more. To me weight is the major issue if choosing a 1 piece over a 2 piece.

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Sounds good. I suppose it would be easier to tote around a telescopic rod in a vehicle than a long 7'+ rod.

[Dan Brelje]

Went to gander and i have to admit that the feel of the telescopic rod was pretty good. It still was light for a 7'6. I am going to go with the 7'6 MH extra fast Clarus from shimano. Thanks for all your help guys . Now its time to go reel shopping

[Cabela10]

I'd go with FAST action, not Extra Fast. That's just me.