Different Fishing Rods

[bigbill]

I been browsing for a fishing rod. I'm thinking of a heavier rspinning rod with the mid to upper being stiffer for stronger hooksets.  Without trying it out in the store it's hard to purchase a rod off the net not knowing

what it feels like. Maybe what I want isn't made in a bass rod. Maybe I should be looking into a salmon

or steelhead rod. I'm looking for more backbone with more upper strength. Fishing from shore

is challenging. When these bigger gals hit I can't get there head up on the longer casts. Because of the upper part of the rod being too flexible and weak. I need to keep there heads up somehow.

So what do you rod experts think? Do I need a light saltwater rod?

Do I need a stronger baitcasting rod for topwater?

 

Btw,  What makes a rod so special  It's for small mouth , bronze backs? 

 

My point is what the difference between a small mouth rod and a large mouth rod???

Is this diffrrent labeling true or false, have I been out of the buying and information loop this long?

I know I'm outdated somewhat but one rod for small mouth only?

I'm confused because I have a rod marked BASS is it small mouth or large mouth? (Kidding)

Times have changed for sure.

 

I'm understanding the different action rods rods and line test for different lure performance. I do this myself too.

[MichiganFishing1997]

If we had some info on what your using now, and what you plan on throwing would be helpful. If your using a M rod now, stepping up to a MH might fix your problem. It sounds like you just need a rod with a little more backbone.

[bigbill]

I'm using a 7' MH spinning rod now for topwater.

[SirSnookalot]

You are confused because the manufacturers want you to be, they mean to sell you as many technique specif rods as you think you need.  

I personally think there is little difference between an freshwater and saltwater inshore rod, I use nothing but general purpose inshore rods for my bass fishing too, I also have light action 6'6'' that I use in ponds.  My heaviest that I use for bass fishing is a med spin 8/17, 3/4 oz rod, it handles everything in freshwater for me.

 

 

I'm using a 7' MH spinning rod now for topwater.

 

I think you have what need already.

[roadwarrior]

G.Loomis PR844S

 

http://www.gloomis.com/publish/content/gloomis_2010/us/en/conventional/rods/classic_saltwater/popping_rods.html

[Topwaterspook]

This thread caused me to think of much simpler times. Recently I took stock of the rods I have accumulated over the years. (Waaaaay too many)........I can remember when a green ,two piece, True Temper, solid fiberglass rod with a Johnson Century reel filled all my fishing needs. It's ironic how we can complicate things. That being said,I agree with Michigan Fishing, MH may be the way to go.

[*Hootie]

This thread caused me to think of much simpler times. Recently I took stock of the rods I have accumulated over the years. (Waaaaay too many)........I can remember when a green ,two piece, True Temper, solid fiberglass rod with a Johnson Century reel filled all my fishing needs.

AHH!! The good ole' days. I had a Zebco 606 combo that did it all, and I had a great time every Saturday. Used it three seasons until I got my first Mitchell 300 in 1969.

Hootie

[MichiganFishing1997]

You must remember too, everyone's "MH" is different. There is a chance too that a longer MH rod will fix the issue. My frog rod is 7'6 so that I can drive those frog hooks through the fish when they are wayyyy out there. A longer rod allows you to pick up more slack line faster, which imo gives you a better distant hookset.

[bigbill]

My problem is I set the hook on my topwater lure when she strikes and down she goes

into the weeds on faster than I can lift her with the weak upper rod section. I hope it's not a combination of me being slow too?

 

It's funny on one side of the low bridge I lose rapalas to very violent strikes. On the other side me and my buddy lose topwater lures. My buddy broke his new rod trying to get the same fish up out of the weeds. She is a porker. I'm willing to be shes a new state record. I seen her upper section out of the eater and it's a big bass.

 

With the fish that rips the rapalas off my line it does it to everybody. This fish has a box of our stolen baits.

I never seen a strike so violent. It seems to strike full steam ahead from the side not head on. But it keeps it speed up and stays going? I may try using a steel leader. I just hope it's not an otter with my rapalas.

[MichiganFishing1997]

Straight braid would be a good option too. It will give youe less stretch, therefore most likely a stronger hookset. And you'll also have a better chance of straightening out your hook before you break the line. #30 braid would probably do.

[Jigs 4 Pigs]

Loomis GL2 854 7'1" heavy or Croix LTB 7'1" med/heavy - both are rated up to 3/4oz, not bad for spinning. There are others rated up to an ounce and up like Pinnacle but I have never used those brands before.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Being shore-bound on top of fishing heavy cover does present some challenges and targeting big fish to boot. I'd step up to a MH/F or at least a M/F that leans toward the heavier side like St Croix models. Spooling with braid will give you strength, 0 stretch and better line management. Just don't high stick your rod thinking you're going to lift a bass' head at a distance. You're just asking for a broken rod that way.

[tomustang]

My problem is I set the hook on my topwater lure when she strikes and down she goes

into the weeds on faster than I can lift her with the weak upper rod section. I hope it's not a combination of me being slow too?

 

It's funny on one side of the low bridge I lose rapalas to very violent strikes. On the other side me and my buddy lose topwater lures. My buddy broke his new rod trying to get the same fish up out of the weeds. She is a porker. I'm willing to be shes a new state record. I seen her upper section out of the eater and it's a big bass.

 

With the fish that rips the rapalas off my line it does it to everybody. This fish has a box of our stolen baits.

I never seen a strike so violent. It seems to strike full steam ahead from the side not head on. But it keeps it speed up and stays going? I may try using a steel leader. I just hope it's not an otter with my rapalas.

It seems like you need a MH rod, tighten your drag done more and when they strike you need to reel in fast. Having them dive into thick cover is the last thing you need so you have to think quickly and keep them out.

[SirSnookalot]

Loomis GL2 854 7'1" heavy or Croix LTB 7'1" med/heavy - both are rated up to 3/4oz, not bad for spinning. There are others rated up to an ounce and up like Pinnacle but I have never used those brands before.

What the rod is rated for is only for the benefit of throwing lures, I have mh rods that max at 1 oz, other mh that max and 1.5 and some that max at 2 oz.  The power is still med heavy on those rods and do not handle a larger fish any better, all it means is I can throw heavier lures more comfortably.

[new2BC4bass]

What the rod is rated for is only for the benefit of throwing lures, I have mh rods that max at 1 oz, other mh that max and 1.5 and some that max at 2 oz.  The power is still med heavy on those rods and do not handle a larger fish any better, all it means is I can throw heavier lures more comfortably.

 

 

That is good to know.  I always assumed if it could handle heavier lures, then it could handle heavier fish.  I picked up 2 of Cabela's 6'6" MH XMLTi rods on sale a couple years ago.  The newer model is rated 1/4-1 oz. while the older model is rated 3/8-2 oz.  Because of the rating, I haven't used the older model figuring it would be a "Heavy" where I fish, and the only place I need a Heavy is throwing frogs or Texas rigged worms into the lily pads.  It is shorter than I like for frogs, and rated too high for weightless worms.

 

Now I will have to give it a shot with some 3/4 oz. spinnerbaits.  Maybe see how it works with a couple of my heavier crankbaits.  I hate letting gear sit if I can find a use for it.  Thanks.

 

EDIT:  It is easy to see that the heavier rated rod also has a larger diameter all the way out to the tip.  Another reason for thinking it would be better rated as a Heavy.

[SirSnookalot]

The way I see it the lure is casted with the flex of the tip.  If there is a difference in being able to handle fish I haven't noticed it, so if there is I'd say only a little bit.

[.RM.]

I'm using a 7' MH spinning rod now for topwater.

Hey bigbill,

Might not be the rod (MedHvy/Fast tip), but the line uptake from the reel.

The line uptake might not be fast enough to turn the head after a long distance hookset.

I would check the GR's of your spinning reels and adjust to using the fastest.

Unless your rod happens to be a MedHvy/Moderate tip, that tip would be to sluggish for long distance hooksets.

Just another angle...

 

 

Good Luck & Tight Lines!  

[Khong]

My problem is I set the hook on my topwater lure when she strikes and down she goes

into the weeds on faster than I can lift her with the weak upper rod section. I hope it's not a combination of me being slow too?

 

It's funny on one side of the low bridge I lose rapalas to very violent strikes. On the other side me and my buddy lose topwater lures. My buddy broke his new rod trying to get the same fish up out of the weeds. She is a porker. I'm willing to be shes a new state record. I seen her upper section out of the eater and it's a big bass.

 

With the fish that rips the rapalas off my line it does it to everybody. This fish has a box of our stolen baits.

I never seen a strike so violent. It seems to strike full steam ahead from the side not head on. But it keeps it speed up and stays going? I may try using a steel leader. I just hope it's not an otter with my rapalas.

 

Here's what to get.  Get yourself a Heavy fast action Rod.  If you want to cast far, the longer the rod the farther the cast.  Good reel will also help the cast go farther too.   As for line, set yourself up with Braided line because you are fishing in weeds.  I would go with at least 60lb braid.  Make sure your reel has a drag system that is at least 20lb or more too.  

 

This is how you pull that porker out of all that crap hole she's been hiding and snatching all your goodies.