Rod Help

[Mccallister25]

Im new to the forum, and Im on my phone at the time of posting so I hope im posting this in the right place.

I prefer spinning reels. Iv tried to fish casting reels plenty, and just cant get used to them. With that said, im gonna list my equipment (its not much) and hopefully have you guys help me with my dillema.

Iv been fishing with 3 setups lately.

I have a Shimano Sedona on a Berkley lightning rod M power,F action that I use for soft plastics

I use a Pflueger president on a Berkley cherrywood rod that just recently broke, also for worms, etc.

Lastly, a buddy gave me a quantum KVD casting reel on a cherrywood rod i use only for jigs.

So, finally getting around to my question.. Im in the market for a new setup that I wanna use as an all purpose hard baits rig. Pretty much anything thats not plastics. What kind of rod would you guys suggest as far as power and action are concerned? Is it a big deal to throw cranks, spinners, topwater, etc. all on one rig?

[BadContrakt]

Well first of all no, you're not posting this in the right place. But that's ok with me. I'm sure a mod will move it when he sees it.

As far as the rod... I too prefer spinning reels. Baitcasters can be very picky as to what you have on them.

 

My go-to rod is a 6'6" Limited Edition UglyStik Lite* medium action rod rated at 8-15 lb line and I love the rod. Only unfortunate part about the rod is that it was handed down to me years ago and it's a 2 piece. It loses some sensitivity being it's a 2-piece. 

Long story short I throw heavy lures on this rod (heavy spinner baits with the trailer hook, heavy spoons when I'm on the river looking for Northerns) and I've never had a problem with it. I also throw Texas Rigs and Wacky Rigs and small buzz baits, even top-water frogs on it. The rod has good bend but feels solid as can be.

Not that I'm saying you should get this exact rod, because if it were up to me I would dump it for a better quality single piece rod, but the 6'6" rod with Medium maybe even medium-heavy action could be a good choice for your "go-to" rod for heavier lures, braided line, and a spinning reel.

The type of rod you should be using also depends on the kind of fishing you're doing. Open water, heavy cover, submerged timber all have an impact on which type of rod, bait, and line you should be using. But for me personally, a fisherman on a budget, my go-to rod is this one. Works well and never had any issues with big or small fish, light or heavy cover.

[Jrob78]

I would recommend a med hvy/moderate fast action casting rod for those techniques. I would also want a reel with a gear ratio in the low 6's. I wouldn't use spinning gear for any of those techniques but the rod power and action shouldn't change.

[Arv]

Depending on the power of your jig rod you could throw spinners on there, unless you are no longer going to use the casting set up. I like to throw my treble hooks on a MH/M rod. Everything else is on a F or XF action rod (I don't have a punching rod). I suppose you could try but I want a faster tip when setting a single hook lure like a spinnerbait.

 

Personally, I would prefer bc rigs for those set ups as well, but thats not saying you can't stick with whats comfortable for you. There are plenty of guys out there that use only spinning reels.

[Mccallister25]

Thanks for the responses guys. Choosing new equipment is a love, hate thing for me lol. I may just end up going with a casting setup for jigging, and using my other two spinning reels for my hard baits and plastics.

[CDMeyer]

My best guess for you would be to use any of the ABU GARCIA rods.  I fish tournaments and these rods provided me with all the power and flexibility I ever need for hard baits.  I personally use the Abu Garcia Veritas Medium action rod when I throw crank baits.  But I would suggest also giving the medium heavy a look too... and see which one will better fit your style.  As for the rod that you said recently broke... I would use the Abu Garcia vendetta.... I have the 6' 9" medium light for when I use soft plastics and I think it is the best rod I have ever owned.

[s freud]

H2O rods from academy are also pretty nice from what I have read on here.

[NWBasslover]

7' med/heavy, fast action, solid one piece. As for what brand, my first question would be how much do you want to spend? There are a lot of great rods out there for less then a bill. I listed some of my favorites with links.

 

Less then $50 - Save more money

 

$50 - Abu Garcia Vengeance

http://www.***.com/Abu_Garcia_Vengeance_Spinning_Rods/descpage-AVS.html

 

$50-$100 - Shimano Convergence and Clarius, St. Croix Mojo Bass, Abu Garcia Vendetta and Veritas

http://www.***.com/Abu_Garcia_Veritas_Spinning_Rods/descpage-AGVS.html

http://www.***.com/Abu_Garcia_Vendetta2_Spinning_Rods/descpage-AGVNS.html

http://www.***.com/Shimano_Clarus_Spinning_Rods/descpage-CLR.html

http://www.***.com/Shimano_Convergence_Spinning_Rods/descpage-SVS.html

http://www.***.com/St_Croix_Mojo_Bass_Spinning_Rods/descpage-SCMJSR.html

 

And please stay away from Ugly Sticks!

 

I prefer the Abu Garcias, all of my rods are being changed over, slowly, to those. Hey, if it's good enough for Ike, it's good enough for me!

 

Might I also suggest that you switch up your soft plastic gear to a stiffer rod, unless you only throw them in open water.  I use a med/heavy or a heavy when I throw soft plastic, unless it's drop shot.

 

Tight lines brothers.

Matthew