Do Fiberglass Rods Have Less Feel Then Graphite?

[mattk22]

I am looking at cranking rods and there are graphite ones that have great parabolic flex. So I was wondering if fiberglass rods have any less feel then graphite. Also are there any other benefits to fiberglass then the good parabolic bend?

[Teal]

Yes they do have less sensitivity. But quality fiberglass rods do have good "feel" to them. Fiberglass acts like a shock absorber when a fish strikes and allows the trebles to take hold and stay put especially when I fish I shaking hard. There are graphite,rods,with slower taper,that manage the sure less well. Some say that they can cast a bit further with fiberglass,rods, however I can't personally attest to that. I do have two graphite/glass composite,rods,that I am really pleased with. But either way you go, make sure,you buy a quality rod.

[Teal]

Manage the trebles just as well. stupid auto correct on iPad

[retiredbosn]

IMO the biggest benefit of graphite over glass is weight. A graphite rod weighs less, however even the newest graphite rods aren't as springy as glass but do a good job. For my money I typically go with a composite graphite and glass, better sensitivity than straight glass and better parabolic action than straight graphite.

[kickerfish1]

Typically graphite will have more sensitivity than glass. However good quality glass rods can match them from a feel standpoint. A great example is the dobyns champion glass cranking rods. They aren't as heavy as most cheaper glass rods are and have very good sensitivity for a glass based rod. I believe I have read that the rods are manufactured with a fiberglass midsection and a graphite/composite top 1/3 section of the blank up to the tip.

[flippin and pitchin]

Glass rods have a different kind of feel. The transmission of vibration is, for lack of a better term, delayed. Good glass rods transmit what the bait is doing better than you would think. The Lamiglas SR705R is a great example. The Dobyns Champion 705CB Glass is a composite rod. Lower 2/3 graphite and transitions to glass in the upper third. You would do well with either rod albeit the Dobyns is quite a bit lighter. Just like some guys say braid makes them better jig fisherman, glass or composite rods make me a better crankbait fisherman.

[SirSnookalot]

Learning to fish with the unsophisticated equipment of the 50's my muscle memory is pretty well trained into feeling bites and setting the hook using any kind of rod and lines.  I do prefer graphite for all of my freshwater and inshore fishing where I'm only using artificial lures, the entire combo just feels better to me.  Offshore I have a few composite rods, they may be better suited for trolling and drift fishing, most are probably heavier than their graphite counterparts.  I have been thinking about a Shimano Terez, it's appealing to me.

[BassThumb]

I do not believe that glass rods have any advantages over graphite crankin' sticks.  They are certainly less sensitive, as well.  I went through a bunch of rods for cranks before finally settling on the Dobyns 705 graphite rod.  I'm very happy with it, and the extra sensitivity that graphite offers has made me a more effective crankbait angler.