What Size Rod Do You Use

[Super_fluker]

I use a ulta light rod 90 percent of the time and it works pretty well and makes it a hell of a fight. However, it is flimsy and therefor makes it harder to set the hook and pull heavier lures like 1/2 oz spinner baits for example. Just wondering what everyone else uses how it works for them? What are the advantages and drawbacks?

[Super_fluker]

Also what type of rod. I only use spinners but im thinking about getting a different style.

[rockchalk06]

Kinda depends. I have lost some monster fish due to ultralight rod and light line.

Other than my ultralight, I only have one spinning rod. Its an Ugly Stick. I use a 6'6" MH rod. As for my bait casters all are 6'6" or 7' in medium to MH power. I do have one 6' rod just for top water as I need a smaller rod for getting around the docks trees etc but nothing under medium power and 6'.

That being said, other than a small crappie jig or bettle spin all of these set ups will throw anything I can find.

You need a bit more stick to fish heavy fish. Especially when it comes to hook sets. When using a heavier bait such as a spinner or crank bait that heavier rod makes for a nicer return.

[guitarkid]

shortest rod- 6'6"

longest- 8'

favorite-6'9"

-gk

[Super_fluker]

Kinda depends. I have lost some monster fish due to ultralight rod and light line.

Other than my ultralight, I only have one spinning rod. Its an Ugly Stick. I use a 6'6" MH rod. As for my bait casters all are 6'6" or 7' in medium to MH power. I do have one 6' rod just for top water as I need a smaller rod for getting around the docks trees etc but nothing under medium power and 6'.

That being said, other than a small crappie jig or bettle spin all of these set ups will throw anything I can find.

You need a bit more stick to fish heavy fish. Especially when it comes to hook sets. When using a heavier bait such as a spinner or crank bait that heavier rod makes for a nicer return.

yea thats basically true for me. However, i put 10 lb test on my UL and 1000 reel combo and it works suprisingly well without twisting up and hardly ever breaks. So the only problem for me is hook setting. But i would like a rod that can set better and spincasters are better for casting and pulling artificials i think.

[Goose52]

I have rods from 3 feet to 9.5 feet (and used to go up to 13 feet when I was still surf-casting). Rods are tools; if you want, you can have lots of tools for different tasks. There's no "one size fits all"...although, if I could ONLY have one rod and reel, it would be a 6.5 to 7 foot spinning rod, probably mxf power, with two spools for the reel, one with 6lb Yo-Zuri Hybrid, the other spool with 20 pound braid.

[rockchalk06]

yea thats basically true for me. However, i put 10 lb test on my UL and 1000 reel combo and it works suprisingly well without twisting up and hardly ever breaks. So the only problem for me is hook setting. But i would like a rod that can set better and spincasters are better for casting and pulling artificials i think.

Sounds like a medium rod would suffice then. I don't go any higher than 6# on my ultra lite for the full effect. It casts smaller jigs further too.

I used to run 10# on my medium spinning rod and found I could get further casts and better sensitivity by going down to #8 mono.

[Super_fluker]

Sounds like a medium rod would suffice then. I don't go any higher than 6# on my ultra lite for the full effect. It casts smaller jigs further too.

I used to run 10# on my medium spinning rod and found I could get further casts and better sensitivity by going down to #8 mono.

Thanks i thought a medium too.

And under normal sircumstances i wouldnt use 10 lb either, but the lakes i fish in have a good amount of weed that breaks your line if you dont have heavier line. Also i used to use 4 lb but every time i hit a big fish it would snap.

[North Ga Hillbilly]

Thanks i thought a medium too.

And under normal sircumstances i wouldnt use 10 lb either, but the lakes i fish in have a good amount of weed that breaks your line if you dont have heavier line. Also i used to use 4 lb but every time i hit a big fish it would snap.

Sounds like you need to step up the rod and the line my man. My multi purpose rod is a 7' MH F spinning rod with a 2500 sized reel. Spin it with 20 or 30 pound braid and you shouldnt have too many problems.

NGaHB

[NoBassPro]

Most of my fishing is done with 6'6 - 7' m or mh rods, but I have stuff that ranges from Ul to a rig I can cast pounders with all day if I desire. For spinnerbaits, I'm with Hillbilly, mh rod and braid. I prefer casting gear for spinnerbaits, but have used spinning and it works

[North Ga Hillbilly]

Most of my fishing is done with 6'6 - 7' m or mh rods, but I have stuff that ranges from Ul to a rig I can cast pounders with all day if I desire. For spinnerbaits, I'm with Hillbilly, mh rod and braid. I prefer casting gear for spinnerbaits, but have used spinning and it works

That set up def isnt perfect for about any style of fishing, but it'll get it done. I feel ya on the UL gear NoBassPro, I took mine out today, that 3#er was more fun than a 10#er on swimbait gear

NGaHB

[B@ssCrzy]

I prefer 7" M or MH. I don't like the wippy action of L rods.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

As much as I like using my ultra light gear, it just won't handle most of the situations I find myself bass fishing in. I'll use as heavy a rod as needed given the circumstances. Especially during this time of the year when I want to get a fish landed and back in the water as soon as possible. No need to give a fish a prolonged fight and over stress it.

[Super_fluker]

Thanks. Im gonna get a 7' MH clarus so i shouldnt run into any problems with that

[j.bruno]

I have 6ft 6in , 6ft 9in, 7ft, 7ft 6in... 7FT is my fav

[The Brim Reaper]

I've been borrowing my Dad's 6' MH Shakespeare Alpha Graphite for a few months, now. I only use it for panfishing, but I still really don't like it. It doesn't cast far enough for some of the spots we fish. Hence, I'm sticking to rods between 6'6'' and 7' from now on.

[jerzeeD]

4 out of my 5 regular use rods are 6'6"

I have a 6'8" M/XF rod for my weightless/ light bullet plastics rod as the extra few inches combined with an extra fast tip seem to greatly improve my casting distance. But I think at minimum for LM bass fishing in any vegetation you should use a medium power rod.

[dwtaylor]

Especially this time of year, fight the fish as quickly as possible. Mortality rates on fatigued fish in hot weather like this can be at or near 100%. If the fish are small, it doesn't make a difference because your equipment can handle it. However, if you hook a good 5-6lb fish on an ultralight, you will most likely wear it out and kill it now.

[Fishes in trees]

I'm in agreement with dwtaylor. Bass fishing with ultra lights might be fun, but you will put unnecessary stress on any decent fish you hook. If you catch & release there will be some delayed mortality. Plus you'll break your line from time to time.

Using ultra light still when you're targeting crappie or panfish or trout is a good idea. I don't think it is such a good idea when bass fishing. JMO

[Super_fluker]

Thanks, i got a bass pro shops extreme tournament series rod and reel with 10lb braid on it yesterday. Its a 6'10" MH rod and its pretty nice. It only took a few hours to get used to the transition from a spinning reel to a baitcaster, and i got two today on it. Dwtaylor your right and this rod really helps prevent that. They are swimming really slow and not biting much. You gotta hit it morning or late afternoon to get some agressive behavior. But yea im happy with my new rod