GaterB Posted October 17, 2013 Posted October 17, 2013 Okay, I have a gap in my rod arsenal that I'm looking to fill. I need a rod that will throw square bills and medium diving crankbaits, along with weightless plastics and topwater baits such as spooks and poppers. I'm not too concerned about price, because I'll be saving up for the rod and can make do for the time being. The new rod will be paired with a Lew's BB1 baitcaster. I am looking for a medium action rod with a faster tip so I can make casts into the tight places I get into in the kayak. For this purpose I'm leaning more towards a rod 7' or shorter. If you guys could provide suggestions as to what brands make the type of rod I'm describing I'd appreciate it. I've looked around the net and found some that interest me, but I haven't had the chance to actually handle a lot of different rods in person, so I'm hoping you guys have some hands on experience. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide. Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted October 17, 2013 Super User Posted October 17, 2013 Don't you mean "medium power rod"? Faster tip refers to the action of a rod. I can highly recommend the Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth 6'9" MXF. That is Medium power, Extra Fast tip. Just what you are looking for. For the most part, Fenwick is the Rodney Dangerfield of rods...they don't get any respect. Smalljaw and a few others on here feel they are great rods for the money. I have to agree. Prefer them to my *** Black. Quote
GaterB Posted October 17, 2013 Author Posted October 17, 2013 Don't you mean "medium power rod"? Faster tip refers to the action of a rod. I can highly recommend the Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth 6'9" MXF. That is Medium power, Extra Fast tip. Just what you are looking for. For the most part, Fenwick is the Rodney Dangerfield of rods...they don't get any respect. Smalljaw and a few others on here feel they are great rods for the money. I have to agree. Prefer them to my *** Black. Yes medium power, with a fast action tip. Thanks for the clarification, I was mistaken. Just checked it out on TW. Looks great! Thanks! Quote
GaterB Posted October 17, 2013 Author Posted October 17, 2013 Any opinions on the St. Croix Rage Rods? Looking at the 6'10" Medium Extra Fast Quote
Arv Posted October 18, 2013 Posted October 18, 2013 I use a Powell Endurance 695cb for those applications, except for weightless plastics. They don't make this specific rod anymore but there is a Powell Max TW Squarebill crankbait rod on sale at TW now. My guess is its virtually the same rod, just different looks. I used to have it paired with a Lews Tournament SS and I liked the combo a lot. I've since switched that reel to another rod and use a gen 2 stx to put the TSS on another rod. I feel comfortable throwing other things on this rod like spinnerbaits, although its not my first choice. TT did a review if you're interested. Quote
fishguy613 Posted October 18, 2013 Posted October 18, 2013 im still very new to setting up rods so forgive me for asking but, cranks and weightless plastics require much different rods? Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted October 18, 2013 Posted October 18, 2013 Generally speaking, a moderate action rod helps keep fish hooked up on treble-hook baits. For shallow cranks I compromise and go with a graphite mod-fast. Extra fast is over kill for this purpose. A plastics rod needs to be as light and sensitive as possible with a fast action to feel bites and get the hook set. Quote
Super User lmbfisherman Posted October 18, 2013 Super User Posted October 18, 2013 Any opinions on the St. Croix Rage Rods? Looking at the 6'10" Medium Extra Fast GaterB - I use to own a St. Croix Avids and I will say this, it would be too stiff for what you are asking for. As suggested earlier about the Fenwick Elite Tech M/XF powered rod can do all of what you are asking, has a softer tip than a St Croix. I am one of the big fans of the Fenwick sticks, they are are just awesome. Please note that I'm not knocking St. Croix as a whole though, they are good rods, but for the techniques you are asking for I think the Fenwick would fit the bill better. Quote
Super User WRB Posted October 18, 2013 Super User Posted October 18, 2013 I agree with DVT on this, slower action rod for crankbaits will cast easier, more accurately than a fast or X fast graphite rod design for soft plastics using a bait casting reel. Fully realize you are in a kayak and number of rods are limited. My suggestion is focus on the crankbait rod, it will work good for smaller crankbaits, top water poppers, spooks and flukes, lighter weight spinnerbaits. I use Loomis PR845C, GL2 series. Tom PS; this is also good spoon rod! Quote
Super User ww2farmer Posted October 19, 2013 Super User Posted October 19, 2013 Any opinions on the St. Croix Rage Rods? Looking at the 6'10" Medium Extra Fast Not on that exact rod, but the Rage in general, mine is a 7'1" MH/F casting Likes: reel seat, and the blank in general is nice, light and sensitive dis-likes: micro guides, the old school hook keeper, and the handle Quote
skeletor6 Posted October 19, 2013 Posted October 19, 2013 I think you're going to have to sacrifice a bit. Weightless plastic rods aren't usually synonymous with cranking rods especially medium diving cranks. And weightless plastics is a special technique in what I do. There are some good suggestions, but perhaps go cheap and get a cheap crank/topwater rod and a decent weightless plastic rod. Just my .02 anyways if I had to do this I would be looking at a medium to medium heavy fast action rod with a soft tip that loads little weight well. 1 Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted October 19, 2013 Super User Posted October 19, 2013 Meium Power/ Moderate Action Pinnacle DHC5-701CAMB http://www.pinnaclefishing.com/shop/p-87-perfecta-dhc5.aspx#page=page-1 Avid AVC70MM 1 Quote
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