Reaction Bait Rod

[Blindskill]

Hey guys I am looking for some rod recommendations to fish reaction baits on. I'd prefer it if the rod could be general purpose(ish), as I plan on throwing squarebills, jerkbaits, slash baits and lipless cranks on it. Please include model, length, power and action if you could.

 

Also, some background info. I fish mostly in central Florida so most of the lakes are shallow with heavy vegetation. I am going to be putting my Citica 201E on the rod, its already spooled up with 17lb Suffix Siege mono. My budget is around $150.

 

Thanks

[roadwarrior]

Over time you will want to build your collection:  http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/130634-rod-selection-the-basics/

 

For now, an all-around rod for your location is probably 7' Medium Heavy Power/ Fast Action.

Every brand has a competative rod at your pricing point.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

RWs suggestions for a starting arsenal are spot on. For the specific baits you're asking about I'd go with a Med/Fast spinning setup even though they are treble hook lures. Presentation wise the fast action will give you better control than the Mod. imo. If I were to build a rod just for those baits, I'd probably go with a Mod-fast action in  a 6'6" as I'm not tall.  

[Blindskill]

Over time you will want to build your collection:  http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/130634-rod-selection-the-basics/

 

For now, an all-around rod for your location is probably 7' Medium Heavy Power/ Fast Action.

Every brand has a competative rod at your pricing point.

 

Thanks for the reply,  I have most of the basic collection you've suggested so far.

What I have so far is:

1) 7' H Fast with a 7.1 ratio reel with 50lb braid for frogs/flipping

2) 6'8" M/H Fast with a 6.5 ratio reel with 17lb flouro for jigs/T-rigs

3) 6'9" M Fast spinning rod with a 2500 size reel and 20 lb braid for weightless plastics and light stuff

4) and the Citica mentioned above on a less then great 7' Medium Mod rod for reaction baits, which works fine for the square bills but definitely leaves something to be desired with the jerks baits and ripping the lipless cranks, which has me leery of any of the technique specific cranking glass rods.

 

 

RWs suggestions for a starting arsenal are spot on. For the specific baits you're asking about I'd go with a Med/Fast spinning setup even though they are treble hook lures. Presentation wise the fast action will give you better control than the Mod. imo. If I were to build a rod just for those baits, I'd probably go with a Mod-fast action in  a 6'6" as I'm not tall.  

The rod you suggest seems to be the holy grail lol, nearly all of the mod-fast rods I've found seem to be Med/Heavy or Heavy and 7'6"+ in length, maybe I'll have to dig through the spec's of some of the technique specific rods to find one.

[stkbassn]

I'm considering trying the Lamiglas Excell II for my thundersticks this season and some medium to shallow cranks,it's the 7 foot MH/Glass...I think it might be a good option for you. It's a moderate fast action rod , 1/4oz-1oz ...$99 at Tackle Warehouse. I'm pretty excited to try it at that price. I doubt I'll hate it.

[FlipSide]

I use a Powell diesel 705cb for squarebills and I love it. They can be had for around 50 bucks. IMO you can't beat that price.

Rod also has plenty of backbone. Caught a 15+ lb grass carp foul hooked on it the other day. Rod was stout enough to bring that beast in lol

[smalljaw67]

There is one rod that I use and I've said it was the best reaction bait rod I ever used, it is the Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth casting rod, 6'10" MH-MF, it is exactly what you are looking for. I was disappointed when I first got it because I was hoping for a cranking rod but after I used it I fell in love with it to the point of needing two of them. I have 1 as my dedicated jerkbait rod and then I have one for fishing square bills, lipless cranks, and topwaters and it fishes them all fantastically!!! I even used it for spinnerbaits and chatterbaits and it that good as well but I do prefer a rod that is a little more stiff for those baits. What makes this rod so good is that it gives you control of the lure like a fast action rod and it is a medium heavy so it is stout but when you are fighting a fish, the rod will flex further down the blank almost like a medium power rod enabling you to land the fish instead of having the hooks pull out. I always used to use a medium power, fast action rod for those techniques and I would just go over the recommended lure weight but this rod is a medium heavy, it is light, if I round up it is 3.8oz and it allows me to rip lipless out of the weeds yet fight the fish and when the fish surges at the boat, all of a sudden the rod gives when you didn't think it would, like I said, it is the best reaction bait rod I ever used, and the best way I can describe it is that the rod is a medium heavy with a moderate fast action that makes it behave like a medium power, fast action rod, this is what you need. The only problem is some don't like the short grip behind the reel seat, to me it wasn't a problem and I like how the rod feels in hand but not everyone is the same but if you don't think it will bother you then it is in your budget, $129.99 but may be found for less, this rod should sell for $200+ but that is just my opinion.

[WIGuide]

I'd probably go with a 6'6" M/F for what your looking to throw with it. I'd check out the St. Croix Premier while you're on your search. 

[FlipSide]

I'd probably go with a 6'6" M/F for what your looking to throw with it. I'd check out the St. Croix Premier while you're on your search.

If you end up looking at the premiers I have one I'd sell you for pretty cheap

[Amarley]

For squarebills and spinnerbaits, I like a 6'9 or 6'10 rod in MH. I recommend the Big Bear 6'9 MH-F or I also like the Powell Endurance 695CB. The Powell is my squarebill rod and it is awesome. Both are extremely light and easy to handle. The Big Bear grips are unique and are great for sweaty hands in the summer time. I like the shorter rods and handles because they are easier to handle for long periods of time and very accurate to cast. I fish a lot of laydowns in my area, so this is my preferred setup.

[Coopdog72]

Seeker rods has a reaction bait rod ( Paul Elias edition ) it's about 169 it is super great and American made