Specialty Rods For General Purpose

[CalebWVU]

I was out at Academy today looking to buy a saltwater setup for reds/specks when I stumbled upon a St. Croix Bass Mojo Rod (model MBC70MHF) on sale for like $69. I've been in desperate need of a new casting rod for my bass setup, so I picked it up without a second thought. It wasn't until I got home that I realized I bought a technique specific rod, specifically the bass mojo spinnerbait model. I wanted to buy an all purpose casting rod, not a spinnerbait specific rod. I'm naive, I know.

 

How much do spinnerbait specific rods differ from general rods, and would it be okay to use this rod as a multipurpose rod anyway? I rarely throw spinnerbaits, as I'm move of a soft plastic or jig type of guy with occasional cranking. Would this rod be adequate for those purposes, or should I return it?

 

 

Thanks!

[flyfisher]

I have that exact rod and like it.  Keep in mind the spinnerbait is just the name they throw on it and it is by no means a technique specific rod.  I actually prefer a little shorter rod for spinnerbaits myself.

 

I use that rod for jigs, frogs, texas rigs etc....i don't think you get to much more versatile than a 7' MHF rod.

[wnybassman]

A 7' MH Fast rod is the most versatile rod you have.     I use all mine (six of them maybe) for nearly everything..................except spinnerbaits.    lol   

[TNBassin']

I have that exact rod and like it.  Keep in mind the spinnerbait is just the name they throw on it and it is by no means a technique specific rod.  I actually prefer a little shorter rod for spinnerbaits myself.

 

I use that rod for jigs, frogs, texas rigs etc....i don't think you get to much more versatile than a 7' MHF rod.

This. The 7' MH is the "Swiss Army Knife" of fishing rods. It can do it all.

[Jrob78]

Rod companies have started putting techniques on rods so that people will think they need a rod for every technique. It's mostly a sales pitch. In general, any rod that says "spinnerbait", "worm", "jig", "frog", "soft swimbait" is a general purpose rod. The only differences will be the length and the power. A spinnerbait rod isn't going to be as powerful or as long as a frog rod. The rod doesn't care what bait you use it for.

[CalebWVU]

Okay seems the consensus is it's more of a marketing ploy than anything else. Thanks for the advice everyone!

[skeletor6]

I had a St. Croix labeled "finesse jig". Not sure what their idea of finesse was, but it was far from fulfilling those duties. Point being, what the rod is labeled is not always in tune with what its good at. Or what it is good at for you the individual. Most spinnerbait rods are in the mh/f variety which is a good all purpose power and action. You should be fine.

Just be glad you didn't get a cranking rod.

[wnybassman]

I had a St. Croix labeled "finesse jig". Not sure what their idea of finesse was, but it was far from fulfilling those duties. Point being, what the rod is labeled is not always in tune with what its good at. Or what it is good at for you the individual.

 

 

Is that the rod you sold me?    lol    That got turned into my Silver Buddy/Bubba Shot rod.     

[Jrob78]

Skeletor is right, cranking rods are the exception, they do not usually make good general purpose rods. Their actions are too slow for a lot of techniques.

[BradGuenette]

I find a drop shot rod is also super specific! Other rods will do it, but not nearly as good as a ds specific rod will.

[SirSnookalot]

I fish nothing but general purpose rods for every single style and lure type in both fresh and saltwater.  The power, length and lure weight parameters vary as to the species, the amount of cover, the actually distance I'm from the water. Jetties, sea walls and high banked freshwater canals I go with heavier rod, pond and beach fishing I can go lighter as I'm right next to my work.  None of my rods are technique specific.

[skeletor6]

Is that the rod you sold me? lol That got turned into my Silver Buddy/Bubba Shot rod.

Yes. That rod could launch 3/8oz jigs with trailer (totalling over 1/2oz) and it was great at it. But throwing jigs that were true 1/4oz did not yield similar results. Its really fast and stiff tipsection just did not make it a rod great for what I would consider finesse jigging.

The term itself is ambiguous to the person and there isn't a specific guideline to what a finesse jig is so I give it a pass. Point is, rods can be named anything. Do not get caught up in what its named to do, because the rod might be excellent at some abstract technique that you might have otherwise not tried.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Yes. That rod could launch 3/8oz jigs with trailer (totalling over 1/2oz) and it was great at it. But throwing jigs that were true 1/4oz did not yield similar results. Its really fast and stiff tipsection just did not make it a rod great for what I would consider finesse jigging.

The term itself is ambiguous to the person and there isn't a specific guideline to what a finesse jig is so I give it a pass. Point is, rods can be named anything. Do not get caught up in what its named to do, because the rod might be excellent at some abstract technique that you might have otherwise not tried.

 

I agree with this.

My favorite rod to use with wacky senko is an 8' ML Moderate rod and I dont think one person would have suggested this rod for this purpose but I think its great.

[.RM.]

I build custom systems on it all the time.
MBC70MHF  =  Mojo Bass Casting 7' Med Hvy/Fast Tip

Heck I use this blank for T-rigging worms/jigs, not for spinner baits.
I'd build on a med/fast for spinnerbaits...

Good Luck Tight Lines!