Worm And Jig Rod Sensitivity

[Arv]

I think most people agree that bottom contact presentations require more sensitive rods than most other presentations. However, what do you guys think about the difference between the different bottom contact presentations? Jigs (skirted jig and craw)? Texas Rigs? Carolina Rigs? Shakey Heads? Personally I feel like jigs would require the most out of all of them because of how quickly bass will spit them back out. To me, bass will usually hold on to worms and other creature baits fished on a Texas and Carolina Rig a bit longer, probably because they feel more plastic and less lead. 

[Shane J]

Yeah, I think you're probably right, but for myself personally, I use the same caliber rod for all that stuff. I want to feel everything, so I use the best available to me for everything I do. 

[jbsoonerfan]

I think sensitivity of a rod can be relative and each person will "feel" different things. For example, we fished a tourney yesterday and we were fishing a weed line. My partner and I were both fishing a Texas rigged baby brush hog. At times, as you would pull your bait through the weeds, the weed would pull back so to speak. This lead to a number of hook sets on weeds, lol.

[Arv]

Yeah, I think you're probably right, but for myself personally, I use the same caliber rod for all that stuff. I want to feel everything, so I use the best available to me for everything I do. 

I try to do the same. It was just a thought as I was thinking about which rod I would put a worm and which rod I would put a jig on between my Dobyns Champion and Dobyns Champion Extreme

[Raul]

There is one aspect you are not taking in consideration, your line type is as important as your rod. Nothing beats braided line when it comes to sensitivity.

[Arv]

There is one aspect you are not taking in consideration, your line type is as important as your rod. Nothing beats braided line when it comes to sensitivity.

Great point! I have braid on all my set ups though, haha. If need be, I will tie on an FC leader if I'm around rocks/gravel. I do think this is often an overlooked factor when compared to rods and reels.

[ww2farmer]

Depends on the person. Some people "need" $400 rods to feel bites, I get by just fine with $100 rods. Do I feel as much as they do? Who knows....I do know that they and there $400 rods generally do not out fish me when money is on the line.....at least on my home lake............take me off this lake, and all bets are off LOL.

[TrippyJai]

For me, they all require the most sensitivity if you want to feel the bottom not because of how long the bass will hold onto the bait, but feeling the change in bottom composition. I'm not a big fan of braid and will use it because it turns a $100 rod into a $300 rod.

[aavery2]

For me, they all require the most sensitivity if you want to feel the bottom not because of how long the bass will hold onto the bait, but feeling the change in bottom composition. I'm not a big fan of braid and will use it because it turns a $100 rod into a $300 rod.

With that same theory, imagine what a 300 dollar rod with braid on it feels like.

[aavery2]

There is one aspect you are not taking in consideration, your line type is as important as your rod. Nothing beats braided line when it comes to sensitivity.

I think this statement is only partially true, braid transmits no vibration on slack line. If your line is tight it is very good, in my fishing I prefer FC, I think it offers more versatility than braid and also transmits vibration very well.

[iabass8]

Yeah, I think you're probably right, but for myself personally, I use the same caliber rod for all that stuff. I want to feel everything, so I use the best available to me for everything I do. 

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[Mr. Bassin II]

Sounds like it's time to get a second Champion Extreme.....Problem solved! 

[donk]

There is one aspect you are not taking in consideration, your line type is as important as your rod. Nothing beats braided line when it comes to sensitivity.

Absolutely, I remember many years ago the first time I fished braid and a 3/8 oz jig . I was setting the hook like crazy thinking every rock was a bite, my tourney partner thought I was nuts until he picked up my rod and fished it.

[Teal]

Im not prepared to say that any one presentation would require more sensitivity than the next. But I will second WW2 when I say that a 400+ rod isn't required to acheive the sensitivity to catch a bass with a bottom contact presentation. Is there a difference between jig fishing with a Champ rod versus a Lightning Shock rod, certainly there is... But once you get to a certain level, I feel that comparing sensitivity is like splitting hairs. It kills me when I see guys comparing sensitivity in two rods that exceed the 350-400 mark. Like the threads comparing the Dx to the GLX, NRX, MegaBass, Legend Xtreme... At that point sensitivity is the last thing I would compare... Because they are all sensitive rods..they all will most certainly aid on catching fish.

Little bit of a rant that got off track.. sometimes I really think that sensitivity is over rated. ( is say that, but I am spoiled by Powell and a new Dx). There are few things that will aid in sensitivity and will result in more fish for bottom contact presentations, whether you are fishing a Vengeance Rod or a NRX.

Correct line selection - braid is great and helps a ton for sensitivity, but if you are using slack like presentations that require the lure to freefall, I prefer a floro

Tungsten weights- more dense

Paying attention - focusing ans mentally pictuing what your are feeling as you hop a jig or pull a lure through grass will result in more bites DETECTED.

EXPERIENCE- this one is huge, the more a guy practices, focuses, and fishes the more cognizant he is going to be to detecting bites in what ever water or cover.

Sorry for the long rant

[F14A-B]

I have also thought like how much sensitivity is enough? I want to feel... But I want strength and tuffness.... I will gladly give up some extreme sense of feel... For strength and durability, whatever the cost of the rod.

[WRB]

If you rely on the rod to determine what is going on with your lure....you are missing multiple strikes.

Today's rod blanks may be lighter or may not, having lighter weight guides and less handle materials.

A typical 7' jig/ worm rod in 4 power or med-hy rating may weigh over 4 oz., few weigh less than 3.5 oz.

Scrimless or Scrim double wall construction...how is your rod made? Makes a big difference in detecting line movement and line movement is what everyone thinks of as sensitivity.

Your brain translates line movement as vibration through the rod, it's far better to keep your finger on the line so the movement is translated faster.

Tom

[Diggy]

Sounds like a job for the NRX

[gulfcaptain]

I agree with Tom.  Fishing a worm or a jig, I line watch just as much as I fish by feel.  Many times with a jig it's just heavy, no bite to detect, other times punching thru grass you get a tick with a line pop. Having finger contact on the line gives you more sense of what is going on as opposed to completely relying on the rod in your hand.

[Teal]

I forgot to mention being a line watcher. I do this

[frogflogger]

I watch my line - I'm in contact with my line - I spiral wrapped my mh avid and used a recoil tip guide - it's a very sensitive jig and worm outfit - but as in all bass fishing it's how you use what's between your ears and time on the water that makes for success.

[Hyrule Bass]

I am of the thinking sensitivity is one of the most overrated things in bass fishing that gets throw around. i believe sensitivity comes more from your hands than any rod or line. afterall, a rod has no sense of feeling, but your hands do...

[Grantman83]

I err on the side of caution and use the most sensitive rods I can all the time so they can double for bottom baits when need be. For example, I'm going to be using a DX 746 mostly for frogging. Way overkill for a non sensitivity presentation BUT I want the option to punch or use heavy jigs and that is when I will appreciate the sensitivity

[Grizzn N Bassin]

I fish fluro a lot but have been thinking about switching to braid. If your letting say a 3/8 jig fall on slack line, if you line watch i dont think using braid for better sensitivity would be a problem.

[ChrisD46]

Remember to keep a index finger under or in contact with your line as you are dragging a jig , worm , etc. along the bottom or hopping it ...Just another receptor to work in your favor to detect a strike or something abnormal with your lure movement .

[mjseverson24]

I think sensitivity in a rod is extremely important for bottom contact presentations... i personally like to fish the same caliber of rods for all of my bottom contact rods. I dont use braid unless i have to (ie. punching , frogs, jigs in the slop etc...) i much prefer floro, a hybrid, or even mono. I have not used rods over the 250.00 mark, but i can say that for the ones under this that i have fished, the biggest difference is balance and warranty, the performance has not been a large increase. they are more fun to fish with though...(i might have to check out the dobyns someday...)

 

Mitch