Bought A New Rod And Have A Question

[das028]

Well as I mentioned in another thread I broke my jig rod last night. A 6'6" MH fast action mojo bass. Well I had a warranty, but the problem was I had lost the receipt. So I went to dicks today after work and they where great. Not only where they able to find my receipt in there system, they issued me a gift card right then and there.

 

So I came home with a new rod for my Jig fishing. The only problem was they where out of the 6'6" jig/worm rods, so I bought the 7ft spinnerbait rod instead. The only difference between the two is being length. Why is that? I would think they call the longer one a spinnerbait rod because in theory you can cast further with the longer length. Doesn't matter to me though both got a lot of backbone, and I would think the longer rod would be better for flipping?pitching anyway.

[flyfisher]

I have a 7'MHF mojo and i like it better for jigs than my 6'6" MHF mojo i used to have.  I actually liked that rod for spinnerbaits.  Don't get caught up in the naming on the rods.

[Fish_Whisperer]

I have a 7'MHF mojo and i like it better for jigs than my 6'6" MHF mojo i used to have.  I actually liked that rod for spinnerbaits.  Don't get caught up in the naming on the rods.

I have a problem with this... Not with what you said flyfisher.  Companies such at St. Croix have massive amounts of money and time into their research and development, if they're going to give rods a label where  certain rods are designed to work best, then the labels given should be correct.  

 

Maybe I can explain my opinion better this way... Say I pull up the St. Croix website.  I go with their opinion and buy their jig rod, and find out that it is terrible for jig fishing, yet their spinnerbait rod works great for jig fishing.  Why call it a jig fishing rod if another rod can outperform it?

 

Although, one could also say different strokes for different folks, and my rant would be moot.  Carry on.

[skeletor6]

Well as I mentioned in another thread I broke my jig rod last night. A 6'6" MH fast action mojo bass. Well I had a warranty, but the problem was I had lost the receipt. So I went to dicks today after work and they where great. Not only where they able to find my receipt in there system, they issued me a gift card right then and there.

 

So I came home with a new rod for my Jig fishing. The only problem was they where out of the 6'6" jig/worm rods, so I bought the 7ft spinnerbait rod instead. The only difference between the two is being length. Why is that? I would think they call the longer one a spinnerbait rod because in theory you can cast further with the longer length. Doesn't matter to me though both got a lot of backbone, and I would think the longer rod would be better for flipping?pitching anyway.

 

They could call it a fly-fishing rod for all I care. St. Croix likes to label their rods, to point out that they have a rod for just about every technique in most of their rod series.

 

I personally would suggest you get a 7' rod over your 6'6'', but it comes down to personal preference as well. Most rods that companies consider a  spinnerbait rod will work just fine for jigging and tossing worms. Having used St. Croix rods, I would actually prefer the slower action in the rod you are using. When a rod has too much in the tip-section, it severely dampens its ability to toss a wide-range of baits and also throws the balance off. At least in my experience, not just with St. Croix either, I've had a few companies with said issue.

 

In totality, don't be worried about what is on the label. You might actually not like it for using spinnerbaits, kind of like when my Legend St. Croix said "finesse jig", I found it better for other uses. Good luck and hope she doesn't break on you again. +1 for dicks for taking care of you. Most retail stores hold you in the system if you use a Credit Card  or Debit. They can look up your receipt and should be able to issue a full refund. At least this is from my experience.

[Sam]

Very interesting debate on which rod to use.

 

Yes, companies do have research departments to create rods and they also like to "brand" a rod for specific purposes.

 

However, since we do not have any rules in bass fishing you can use any rod you want for any presentation or technique. While fishing tournaments, if I am lazy, I will take a crankbait rod and stick a hook on the snap and throw a Senko as I can do it faster than rigging up a Senko rod to throw the Senko.

 

With that being said, it is best to try to use the rods that are specific to your bait and technique as said above, the companies do have their research and development departments that try to give us their best products within different price ranges.

 

Just remember there are no" industry wide standards" in bass fishing. So one company wants you to use a medium heavy for a Senko while another says a medium is fine for Senkos.  Go figure. They both probably work for Senkos. Same fish - same presentation - different research results.

 

May I suggest visiting the various rod company's web sites and read about the different rods and what the advertising says. Very interesting reads. And be sure to visit the G. Loomis web site and read about their rods. You don't have to purchase the rods, just learn about them and what the ad hype says.

 

Now go out and do some fishing!!!

[Chris at Tech]

I have a problem with this... Not with what you said flyfisher.  Companies such at St. Croix have massive amounts of money and time into their research and development, if they're going to give rods a label where  certain rods are designed to work best, then the labels given should be correct.  

 

Maybe I can explain my opinion better this way... Say I pull up the St. Croix website.  I go with their opinion and buy their jig rod, and find out that it is terrible for jig fishing, yet their spinnerbait rod works great for jig fishing.  Why call it a jig fishing rod if another rod can outperform it?

 

Although, one could also say different strokes for different folks, and my rant would be moot.  Carry on.

Money spent on R&D can't tell St Croix how a rod would feel in my hands. You last line nails it.

[smalljaw67]

See how the rod handles the jig, for example, can you feel bottom? Can you feel light bites? Is it a fast or mod fast action? While labels are usually a moot point I find that some manufacturers actually change the way the rod behaves rather than just having a MH-F rod it may have more flex for the spinnerbait rods and less for the jig and worm rods. I never fished with the mojo series but I have owned a good bit of Loomis rods and the mag bass rods were perfect for fishing anything, true all purpose rods but the BCR jig and worm rods had much more feel and tighter actions, they behaved very differently from the mag bass or MBR series of rods. Try it out and see is it works for jigs and worms, my guess is that it probably does just fine as it is more likely a regular MH-F with the only thing making it a spinnerbait rod is the writing on the blank.

[das028]

I looked them up on St. croix website, and there are only very minor differences in each rod, and that's length. The spinnerbait rod has a longer handle, which I prefer, so some of the extra length comes in there. Given thtat, the tip of the rod is maybe 3-4 inches longer. If I would of known this I would of bought the spinnerbait rod in the first place.

Personally, I think it's a marketing technique used to sell more rods. I like my jig rod to be really stout and stiff, and that's the reason I like st. Croix for jigging. I have other rods I use for different techniques

[jaybird71]

I recently purchased the Mojo Bass "crankbait" rod, 7' MH. I have to admit, I was "lured" to it initially because of the label, but found I really liked the slightly slower tip action. I have yet to use it for cranks, but works great for spinner/buzz baits as I like a slight bow in the rod when working these and the rod still has the backbone to feel the thump & get a good hook set. I doubt I'll use this rod for plastics though because I just don't feel it is tip sensitive enough, but will be a great rod for moving baits that don't require the rod itself to provide action to the lure. Just my 2cents on the mojo crank rod and experience with it so far...

[Capt.Bob]

This is no more than a service offered to novice fisherman who haven't got a clue what they need to do whatever. You have to remember for every person buying fishing rods and knows what rod length handle type, reel seat, guide type, action, power, length of rod, # of guides, and everything else associated how a rod is built and with why and what you use it for, the are thousands that don't have a clue what half of these things even refer to, let alone what they need, or for that mater how to use it. There are some rods that are versatile and can be used for most types of fishing, but there are those that are specific and would not come close to being usefull for some other type's of technique's. 

 

I am also sure that Brauer, Huston, Parker, Alias, Martin, Lindner, all of them have a little difference in their own preference for the type and way a rod is built for each technique they use, and doubt if they each pick the same exact build as all the others. I am also sure they would do as me, and choose these same rods for the type of fishing they do buy the way and design they are built, not what they say they are for!  My LTB 6'8MXF is probably a good topwater rod and that is what it is rated for, but with the TP on it and under 10 oz., I love it for weightless finesse fishing and very light 1/8 to 1/4oz jigs in deep water or fast currents.

 

 

But these suggested uses will be a decent choice, not always perfect for some, but for others they will be. I can assure if a newbie buy's a $120.00 MXF rod and tries to run small crankbaits and braid on it, he is going to say the rod is junk when he tries the same thing on his buddies ugly stick, and finds it so much easier to keep fish on and hook more and land more, The rookie thinks it's obvious the ugly stick is better??????? What if he buy's a Legend Elite almost 400 bucks and they do this thinking they spent all that money and have a better rod, they don't know the difference in action,,,,,there both medium power?? Most won't spend that kind of money and if they do, they will get the LTB or LTW and will use the recommended usage, and I can assure you if they do this, they will find out real quick they are better than that Ugly Stick or Lightning Rod for the same tactic!! 

 

These are not set in stone, and the only thing these technique specific rods can assure is, they will simply be a reasonably good choice for anyone wanting a rod for that purpose, you are going to get a reasonably good power and action in a suitable length for the purpose you are going to fish. There are always different want's and styles for each individual. That's why we can have Eight guy's in a boat all using the same thing right down to the color of the lure, and 2 or 3 filling all the limits, I have witnessed this 100's of times on my Walleye or Yellow Perch  Charters, I don't know if different rods would matter?     But it sure makes you appreciate a good First Mate!!!   

[livetofish28]

I fish jigs on my St croix mojo bass 7 foot mh fast when im pitching into cover I will use my LTB 6"6 mh fast jig rod for flipping docks and throwing anything else I feel like throwing on it technique specifics are just words on the handle for what its recomended for.

[roadwarrior]

For enthusiasts, technique specific gear is fun
to collect. However, three rigs cover all the
basics:

#1 6 1/2' or 7' MH baitcaster for jigs, some
soft plastics and spinnerbaits

#2 6 1/2' or 7' MM baitcaster for treble hook
lures

#3 7' MF spinning rod for lighter lures and a
variety of techniques

[dodgeguy]

this whole thread proves my point that technique specific is a bunch of hot air.use whatever feels best to you.i've held the rod your talking about and agree it would probably be a great jig rod.anyway a spinnerbait is nothing but a jig with blades . I liked it a lot better when they just gave line and lure weight info and said what action the rod was.then you decide what rod to use with the technique because it feels good to you.i've gotten so I fish everything on 6-6 mh fast action rods because I like it that way.

[Koofy Smacker]

I have a 7'MHF mojo and i like it better for jigs than my 6'6" MHF mojo i used to have.  I actually liked that rod for spinnerbaits.  Don't get caught up in the naming on the rods.

LOL I actually laughed when I read this. I have the exact same 6'6" mojo and while I originally used it for jigs I preferred a 7ft over it. My 6'6" has been on the deck of my boat with either a spinnerbait or chatterbait tied on for 2 years now. The shorter length is easier to handle when whipping a spinnerbait in tighter quarters

[Koofy Smacker]

this whole thread proves my point that technique specific is a bunch of hot air.use whatever feels best to you.i've held the rod your talking about and agree it would probably be a great jig rod.anyway a spinnerbait is nothing but a jig with blades . I liked it a lot better when they just gave line and lure weight info and said what action the rod was.then you decide what rod to use with the technique because it feels good to you.i've gotten so I fish everything on 6-6 mh fast action rods because I like it that way.

It is a bunch of hot air yet it isnt in the grand scheme of things. Guys who frequent this site take their gear very seriously as Im sure we can all tell, yet the masses see a bunch of rods with numbers and letters and phrases on them and have no idea where to start. They design these rods to cover pretty much anything you could want to do, and they do them all pretty darn well. Im sure you and I both fish COMPLETELY different however and we tweak what we use on the gear we have to create a very specific presentation. Its just the name of the game. Its really just an overall guide.