Rods

[Craigums]

So we've talked about reels now lets try rods.....Ive got a 6'0'' Medium Heavy Guide Series and love it...Works well in most weeds and well enough to pick up subtle hits elsewhere. What do you guys like?

[Central Bassman]

I have a lot of rods... It all depends on what I’m throwing, Most of my rods are 6'6" or longer. I have a 7'6" flipping stick that I like a lot when I’m flipping slop and grass. It helps me get the fish out of the slop faster and keep leverage on the fish. A 7’ rod is perfect for lot of techniques!!!!

[Sproguy]

It depends on the technique but my brand is almost always a Falcon Cara Series. The almost is a few Falcon Cendari Saltwater rods to fill in some actions.

[Fluker]

I've started building my own. The good news is it's awesome cuz I can build exactly what I want and there are a lot of benefits to custom. The bad news? I now have 54 rods and I seem to have a specific rod for about every application. ) If I get time today, I'll list the ones I use the most.

The above is right on, 7' MH is my standard go to for most normal applications.

[Craigums]

What advantage would a 7' have over the 6' I use?

[cjac]

In most applications, everything is an advantage. The longer rod will increase your casting distance and accuracy, and the added length allows for the same backbone but increased length and sensitivity in the last couple feet of the rod. You'll feel a lot more fish than with the 6. Even going to 6'6" you'll see/feel a difference. I prefer a shorter rod for skippin' docks (because I'm not that good at it), but overall I like the longer rods. Regarding brands, I have a lot of Croix's but I plan on adding a couple custom Diamondbacks to the arsenal. For $150, there's not a better stick in my opinion.

I go up to a 7'10" Avid that a heavy casting, use that for flippin' the thick stuff and as a lighter muskie rod. My muskie rods go to 8'6", so that may lead to my preference for the longer sticks.

Borrow one from a partner and give it a go, you'll like it.

Chris

[Fluker]

They both can have there advantages.

7' gives you the extra length which helps (1 casting distance and 2) with more hook setting power.

6', or shorter rods, are beneficial in tight quarters. For example roll casting to structure / docks. You can be more accurate if your not comfy with a 7'er.

The problem with trying to use both is consistency in the "feel". Rotating between a 7' and 6' rod can "feel" odd as the rods feel different. Rick Clunn claims he uses the same rod for each and every application so the feel is always the same.

I know I've taught myself to manuver a 7' rod in scenarios where a shorter rod would benefit, this way I can stick with a 7' most of the time.

Note that I'm also 6'6" tall. 6' might work best for shorter folks, 6'6" might be the right for those "in the middle".

[Fluker]

Here is a list of the rods that I use most often. Hopefully it formats right.

Casting

"6'6" MH G Loomis IMX MBR783C Jerkbait

"7'0" MM G Loomis Mahogany CB845 Small Crankbait

"7'0" HM G Loomis Mahogany CB847 Med Crank / Trap

"7'0" MH G Loomis IMX MBR843C Senko / Fluke

"7'0" MH G Loomis GLX MBR843C Senko / Fluke

"6'6" MH Shikari SHX PMB664 Spinnerbait

"7'0" MH Shikari SHIII IMB704F Frog / C-Rig

"7'0" MH Shikari SHX PMB704 Tube

"7'0" MH Shikari SHX PMB704 Smaller Jig

"7'6" MH Shikari SHIII IFS764 Football Jig / Swim Bait

"7'6" MH Shikari SHX PFS764X Flip / Pitch

"7'9" MH Shikari SHIII IMB794F C Rig

"6'6" M St Croix Avid AC66MF Buzzbait

"7'0" HM St Croix Avid 3C70HM Deep Crank

"7'0" M St Croix Avid AC70MF Swim Jig

"7'0" MH St Croix Avid AC70MHF Misc

"7'0" MH St Croix Legend Elite EC70MHF Misc

Spinning

"7'0" M Shikari SHIII ISJ703 Shaky / Jig Worm

"7'0" M St Croix Legend Elite 5C70MF Skipping

"7'10" M St Croix LT 4S76MXF Drop Shot

[JP Z]

Whole lot of 7' MH's there FLuker

[Deitz Dittrich]

I like Fluke have too many to list... and change them up regularly to fit the application. I do however, reach for my 6'10" MH quite a bit for a lot of different jobs... I do love my 7'2" dropshot rod and my 7'6" one piece flipping rod!

[Craigums]

Wonderful Info Fluker, Thanks a bunch

[Central Bassman]

Fluker i also have a 7'0" MH G Loomis IMX MBR843 and love it. That is the rod i used the most in a baitcaster. I love my 6'8" M St Croix Legend Tournament spinning rod.

Fluker what are some of them benefits about custom??

Deitz is that 7'6" one price a shimano?

[Fluker]

My IMX version is older and has the Weibe reel seat. My GLX is newer as has the normal Fuji reelseat. I don't care for it much. Been meaning to sell it, just haven't got around to it.

Benefits of custom:

1) Custom Handles. Why all of the cork? No fore grip needed, no full handle needed (split grip). 5 rings behind the handle, 4 rings and a rubberized butt cap on the end. Cuts down on wieght and improve sensitivy as you can put a finger directly on the blank in front of the reel seat. Note that there are some manufactures producing stock rods with these options now.

2) Choos your own blank. So many options. Spinning blanks as casting rods and vice versa. Extend a 7 foot blank to 7'2", or cut to 6'10", etc. Shikari blanks were awesome, but have now been bought out by ATC and they are a little heavy.

3) Roberts wraps. Basically twisted guides. Start on top and end up on bottom at the tip. Lessens torque which lessens fatigue and increase positive hook sets. (but they are a beetch to get in the rod tubes ) And course the fun of someone like Deitzy grabbing your rod while you're out on the lake and saying "What the heck is up with this rod?"

4) The bling factor if you're into that kind of thing. Colors, designs, logos, endless options. Doesn't make the rod any better, but again, if you're in to that kind of thing. Black guides, black thread for me... simple and to the point.

5) Really an addition to #1, but you can make a fat handle, or a skinng handle, etc. Comfort.

6) Balance. You can internal balance the rod if needed. No bulky add ons.

Probably more that I'm just not thinking of.

The only detriments are

1) time to do it, but it's fun

2) cost if you're paying someone else to do it

Hope this helps.

Chuck

[Deitz Dittrich]

Quote:

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Deitz is that 7'6" one price a shimano?

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Uhhh YEAH!!! Crucial CRCX76MH

[Central Bassman]

Great Information Fluker... Maybe this winter i'll have you make me one!!!

Oh SORRY Dietz... I should of known better!!!

[Fluker]

I've only made a few rods for folks other than myself. With a 2 year old, it's a time thing. However, I built a BUNCH for myself last winter, so I shouldn't have to many to build just for me this winter, which should free up some time. Hit me up winter time and I can let you know. Otherwise, I can recommend you to a top notch builder that I used before I started twisting my own.

[Craigums]

Ok, I just picked up a 7'0'' Medium St. Croix based on some of the info from various people...Should work better for finesse fishing soft plastics than my current 6'0'' Medium Heavy. What do you think

[Deitz Dittrich]

yeppers craig- sounds like a winner to me!

[luckycrank]

I HAVE THE 7'6" SHIMANO FLIPPING ROD AND LOVE IT ALSO I BOUGHT THE 6'8" SHIMANO CRUCIAL MH DROPSHOT ROD BUT BEEN USING IT MORE FOR JIG WORMS AND LOVE IT AS WELL.

[RK]

Hiya -

A carry probably a dozen rods but it's pretty rare to use even half of them in a day. It's a mish-mash of brands. Never been overly conscious of brands in the past, although I do have a bunch of All Stars since I used to do some work w/the company. That having been said, I absolutely love my Diamondbacks. Hard to get me to buy anything else anymore.

Here's the basic load out:

2 7'6" flipping sticks, one an All Star and one a Fenwick Techna AV. I carry two because one has 50# braid, the other 20# fluoro

A 7'11" All Star crankbait rod. It's a moderate action rod, lots of backbone, works really well throwing cranks on braid, though I use Fluoro more often these days.

A 6'10" All Star medium power fast action for jig and pig

A 6'10" Shimano for spinnerbaits and buzzbaits

A 6'8" fast action medium-heavy All Star for texas rigs and pitching

For spinning rods:

A 7'6" fast action medium light power Diamondback for grubs and jigworms for smallies

A 7' fast action medium light power Diamondback - same as above, plus for small cranks like #5 shad raps

A 6'9" fast medium light Diamondback drop-shot rod (no foregrip, split rear grip)

A 6'9" X-fast medium power All Star for soft or hard jerkbaits and skipping

A 6'6" fast action medium heavy power Diamondback for jigworms

A 6' fast action medium power All Star for jigworms and tubes

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[cableguy031]

There you guys go again, talking about Shimano rods. What did I tell you, you gotta warn me first so I can get a bucket and mop. Geeez!!! LOL!!!!