Which Rod?

[kingkong85]

Which rod would best suit my needs?

Both are Powell Max casting rods

Specs:

- 703 CB GLASS 7' 0" lure rating: 1/4 oz - 1 oz Action: Mod-Fast Power: Med-Heavy

- 704 CB 7' 0" 1/4 oz - 3/4 oz Mod Fast Medium (this is a graphite rod)

Will be throwing mostly jerkbaits, some crankbaits and some swimbaits. No more than 1/2 oz.

Any suggestion is much appreciated.

[born2fish94]

thats basically based on whether you like glass or not. and some like some dont. if i were you id go with the 704

[Jrob78]

I like glass for a lot of my cranking but I don't like it for much else.  I wouldn't use a glass rod for jerkbaits or any kind of swimbaits.

[kingkong85]

Thanks for the replies.. I never held nor use a glass rod so I have no idea what it feels like. Well i gotta stop by the store and get a feel for them.

Jrob, if you don't mind me asking, why don't you like a glass rod for jerkbaits and swim baits?

[Jrob78]

Thanks for the replies.. I never held nor use a glass rod so I have no idea what it feels like. Well i gotta stop by the store and get a feel for them.

Jrob, if you don't mind me asking, why don't you like a glass rod for jerkbaits and swim baits?

Glass rods, at least all the ones I've ever used, are very whippy.  They are good for crankbaits because they absorb the drag of the bait and because you just reel a crankbait in.  Glass rods aren't stiff enough to properly work a jerkbait.  "Swimbait" is a very broad term.  The only "swimbaits" I might consider using a glass rod for would be the very small 3-4" jointed baits that don't weigh much, I don't throw those though.  Anything else is going to require a faster action and a much stiffer blank.  

[Bluebasser86]

I like glass for a lot of my cranking but I don't like it for much else.  I wouldn't use a glass rod for jerkbaits or any kind of swimbaits.

X2, I also prefer a shorter rod for jerkbaits to prevent slapping the water or smacking the side of my boat. A faster action with jerkbaits also makes it easier to make the bait do what I want it to do. No glass rod I've ever fished would be sufficient for all but a couple swimbaits I fish. 

 

I'd go with the graphite rod out of those two if you're really set on 1 rod to fish all those baits. 

[kingkong85]

These 2 were the choices because powell list them for cranks and jerkbaits. I am reconsidering.

Thanks to you guys I have open my eyes even more. I was so focus on the specs, I didn't even think about the rod length until now. Since I'm a short guy (5'2") I'll definitely consider shorter rods.

I'm not set on these rods and with the replies I am looking at other rods. I do want to stick with powell rods though because I have done research and it's important to stick to 1 brand of rods.

If you guys don't mind, any suggestions on rods? (Any brand is fine)

My budget is no more than $150.

[Hogsticker]

Fenwick elite tech smallmouth 6'10 med heavy, moderate fast will handle all those baits quite nicely.

[kingkong85]

Thanks I'll take a look at that

[Jrob78]

These 2 were the choices because powell list them for cranks and jerkbaits. I am reconsidering.

Thanks to you guys I have open my eyes even more. I was so focus on the specs, I didn't even think about the rod length until now. Since I'm a short guy (5'2") I'll definitely consider shorter rods.

I'm not set on these rods and with the replies I am looking at other rods. I do want to stick with powell rods though because I have done research and it's important to stick to 1 brand of rods.

If you guys don't mind, any suggestions on rods? (Any brand is fine)

My budget is no more than $150.

I think the graphite Powell you listed would be good for the stuff you want to do.  Powell makes a good rod and  a med-mh/mod fast graphite rod is pretty versatile.  As long as you don't go with glass, a cranking rod should be good.  Some people like a shorter rod for jerkbaits but that's personal preference.  

[David P]

I too can't stand a glass rod for ripbaits, faster tip rods help work a ripbait... Not sure I'd throw any swimbait on either of those rods though...

[Bluebasser86]

You can still fish longer rods, it's just the typical jerkbait retrieve is a downward twitch or snap towards the water. In that instance a 7' rod is probably going to be slapping the water a lot, plus it's going to wear you out faster. I'm 6' tall but still wouldn't want to try to fish a jerkbait on a 7' rod all day. The rod I use is a 6' 2" M/XF and I never touch the water with it. At the same time I fish rods up to 8' for other techniques without an issue because they're better suited for the technique. One of the techniques you listed, swimbaiting, I wouldn't want to do with a shorter rod. A longer rod will move more line on the hookset and allow you to control a big fish and steer it around obstacles a little easier. I don't know what size swimbait you're planning on fishing but a 7' rod built stout enough to handle the swimbaits I fish would be a pool cue with guides and a reel seat on it. There just isn't enough room to have the right taper built into the rod to handle casting a big bait very well. 

Depending on what cranks you're wanting to fish you may be better with a shorter rod or a long rod may be what you're going to want. If you fish a lot of squarebills around docks or around lots of standing timber where you're making short roll casts and have to worry about hitting obstructions with your rod then you may be happier with a 6' 6" or even a 6' rod. If you're planning on launching DD22's or 6XD's to deep rockpiles and ledges all day you'll probably be happier with something in the 7' 6" to 8' range to allow you to really sling a bait and reduce the strain on you while fishing a hard pulling deep crank all day. 

 

Obviously that's in a perfect world where you can afford to buy a different rod for each technique you described. If you only have the means to purchase one rod to do everything a 7' M or MH fast rod is a very versatile rod. It won't be perfect for everything, but it will work for a vast majority of fishing techniques. 

[David P]

These 2 were the choices because powell list them for cranks and jerkbaits. I am reconsidering.

Thanks to you guys I have open my eyes even more. I was so focus on the specs, I didn't even think about the rod length until now. Since I'm a short guy (5'2") I'll definitely consider shorter rods.

I'm not set on these rods and with the replies I am looking at other rods. I do want to stick with powell rods though because I have done research and it's important to stick to 1 brand of rods.

If you guys don't mind, any suggestions on rods? (Any brand is fine)

My budget is no more than $150.

Just something to think about... Longer rods certainly have an advantage.. I love to launch my ripbaits FAR.. The longer rods help. I'm not 5'2, but I am 5'10 and fish a 7ft and 7'6 rod for ripbait fishing, winter times I do it 8+ hours a day non stop without an issue. They key is to jerk slightly to the side not straight down in front of you. I can get a far more erratic action this way too when desired.

 

 Again, it's mostly personal preference.. I personally cannot stand short rods and even have issues with 7fters! 

 

Goodluck on your search. Go to the store and mess around with different lengths to figure out your preference.

[kingkong85]

All of your input is appreciated. I'll do some hands on experience before buying another rod.

[new2BC4bass]

Fenwick elite tech smallmouth 6'10 med heavy, moderate fast will handle all those baits quite nicely.

 

A friend likes this rod so well he bought a second one.

 

I don't understand why it is important to stick with one brand of rod.  I know a few do.  I use several different brands.  Guess I just don't have the "feel", "touch" or whatever you want to call it to make it necessary for me to stick with one brand.  My guess is that the vast majority of fishermen (and ladies) fish at least 2 or more brands of rods.

[kingkong85]

A friend likes this rod so well he bought a second one.

I don't understand why it is important to stick with one brand of rod. I know a few do. I use several different brands. Guess I just don't have the "feel", "touch" or whatever you want to call it to make it necessary for me to stick with one brand. My guess is that the vast majority of fishermen (and ladies) fish at least 2 or more brands of rods.

Copied and paste:

VanDam stresses another factor that he believes is critical to fishing success — compatibility. "Every company's rods are different. They all have different blanks, different handles, different guide spacing, different actions, different tips and a different overall feel. It's important that all your rods be from the same company.

There's more to read and I have provided the link below.

Source: http://www.bassmaster.com/node/98770

[skeletor6]

Copied and paste:

VanDam stresses another factor that he believes is critical to fishing success — compatibility. "Every company's rods are different. They all have different blanks, different handles, different guide spacing, different actions, different tips and a different overall feel. It's important that all your rods be from the same company.

There's more to read and I have provided the link below.

Source: http://www.bassmaster.com/node/98770

Was that before or after he recommended you to buy a kvd cranking stick? Im sure he uses all strike king hardbaits too. Right out of the box.

A good fisherman understands his equipment. Fishing rods from different manufacturers does not inhibit ones ability to understand the behavior and feedback of a rod. Theres a learning curve with any new rod. Practice is all it takes to learn its functionality.