Glass Rods For Chatterbaits

[ZB85]

For the most part, yes.

The champ is a tad faster but its not something you would notice unless you used both.

I prefer the champ blank though

The champ is a little out of my price range so if i got one it would be the savvy

[tbone1993]

I use a 735c and I dont think it hurts at all.  As long as you have a good chatterbait you will hook the fish. The original chatterbaits work but the hooks and bait keep suck. Better off with a d&m custom baits or something similar. 

[ZB85]

I use a 735c and I dont think it hurts at all. As long as you have a good chatterbait you will hook the fish. The original chatterbaits work but the hooks and bait keep suck. Better off with a d&m custom baits or something similar.

Yea i really like the d&m piranhas. I don't have a problem with zman's hooks but i wish they would put bait keepers on them. I have a savvy 735 but its spooled with braid for frogs. Right now im using a 7'mh veritas for my chatterbaits. The rod works but its pretty stiff. I'm thinking about getting a savvy 734 but then i heard the interview with Hite and how he likes a heavy action glass rod. His is imported though and is crazy expensive.

[JGBassinAL]

I would use whatever you feel comfortable with. I have always used a graphite rod and not had much trouble losing fish, but I have also not caught a fish over 4 lbs on a chatterbait until last night. I had caught several already, then right before dark I hooked up with a lmb between 9-10 lbs. He jumped up and stayed hooked, surged under the boat and stayed hook, then surged under the boat again and finally came off. I was using a 7'4" heavy/fast rod. Never again will I use a graphite rod for chatterbaits. Sure, a fast tip will drive the hook in the fishes lip, but when you get a big fish on and they surge under the boat you are more than likely going to lost that fish. I know for a fact that the more forgiving tip of a glass rod would have kept that fish pinned when he surged the second time. I am now having a 7'3" heavy glass rod made as we speak specifically for chatterbaits. BTW, my personal best is 6 lbs 6 oz, I wanted to cry. I 100% believe what Brett Hite says about using glass rods for chatterbaits, but I also understand that some people have never had a problem using graphite so why fix something that's not broken? But it's broken for me so now I'm fixing it. And ZB85, I can get one made for you at an incredible price!

[ZB85]

I would use whatever you feel comfortable with. I have always used a graphite rod and not had much trouble losing fish, but I have also not caught a fish over 4 lbs on a chatterbait until last night. I had caught several already, then right before dark I hooked up with a lmb between 9-10 lbs. He jumped up and stayed hooked, surged under the boat and stayed hook, then surged under the boat again and finally came off. I was using a 7'4" heavy/fast rod. Never again will I use a graphite rod for chatterbaits. Sure, a fast tip will drive the hook in the fishes lip, but when you get a big fish on and they surge under the boat you are more than likely going to lost that fish. I know for a fact that the more forgiving tip of a glass rod would have kept that fish pinned when he surged the second time. I am now having a 7'3" heavy glass rod made as we speak specifically for chatterbaits. BTW, my personal best is 6 lbs 6 oz, I wanted to cry. I 100% believe what Brett Hite says about using glass rods for chatterbaits, but I also understand that some people have never had a problem using graphite so why fix something that's not broken? But it's broken for me so now I'm fixing it. And ZB85, I can get one made for you at an incredible price!

Can you PM me a price?

[JGBassinAL]

PM sent ZB85!

[shanksmare]

A rod is just basically a lever. I'm sure practically any rod will work. If you or I miss a fish or lose a fish its no big deal. On to the next one ... right! But for pros that lost or missed fish can cost them thousands of dollars.

 

I found a few glass rods online. W&M makes a Skeet Reese model, Lamiglass has an Excel, St Croix has a Mojo rod. Old time pro Tommy Martin endorses a Seeker glass rod. Shimano makes a composite rod using the TC4 technology found in the SW Teramar series. Mosat of those rods are in the $100 range. Some are listed as MH but have the same specs as the discontinued  H action Rick Clunn W&M rod I have. I certainly won't be spending $800 anytime soon on a fiberglass rod (or any rod for that matter). Neither will I spend the money on the Sunline FC that Hite uses. Its one thing if someone is giving it to you and another if you have to pay for it yourself.

[DTack]

I would use whatever you feel comfortable with. I have always used a graphite rod and not had much trouble losing fish, but I have also not caught a fish over 4 lbs on a chatterbait until last night. I had caught several already, then right before dark I hooked up with a lmb between 9-10 lbs. He jumped up and stayed hooked, surged under the boat and stayed hook, then surged under the boat again and finally came off. I was using a 7'4" heavy/fast rod. Never again will I use a graphite rod for chatterbaits. Sure, a fast tip will drive the hook in the fishes lip, but when you get a big fish on and they surge under the boat you are more than likely going to lost that fish. I know for a fact that the more forgiving tip of a glass rod would have kept that fish pinned when he surged the second time. I am now having a 7'3" heavy glass rod made as we speak specifically for chatterbaits. BTW, my personal best is 6 lbs 6 oz, I wanted to cry. I 100% believe what Brett Hite says about using glass rods for chatterbaits, but I also understand that some people have never had a problem using graphite so why fix something that's not broken? But it's broken for me so now I'm fixing it. And ZB85, I can get one made for you at an incredible price!

 

Awesome post, exactly right no reason to fix something that's not broken.  Couldn't agree more though, someone with Hite's success with a particular bait, when he talks, I'm listening. Another thing I noticed about him with his bait is he doesn't set the hook, just reels into them.  Cool to watch!

[DTack]

Gotta give me credit in that he has at least been consistent in what he likes. He must really let them eat it before setting the hook.

I've thrown them on the 734c with heavy mono/fluoro, dx 704 with 40lb braid and a custom 7'3MhM with 30lb braid.

I prefer the 734 most of the time as it is a rod with a very forgiving tip but a heck of amount of power. Combine that with some forgiving line and you can really let them eat it and still have the power to move them. In weeds, the dx704 and braid has less of a tip and the braid helps me rip them through easier.

I listened to Hite on the western bass podcast and he mentioned that guys on flw where throwing them on flipping sticks with 80lb braid in Florida and losing tons of fish. I think he goes glass because he wants the forgiveness in the rod as compared to guys who throw them like a jig and just wanna haul them in. Hence the heavy glass rod as opposed to a heavy flipping stick. I feel like the 734 is a good blend of both these attributes, heavy powe but forgiving enough. That's why it's so good for spinnerbaits and even large spooks.

Paul mueller used the 734 of chatterbaits at the classic and he had no problem catching the biggest day in classic history on it. Different strokes for different folks.

 

Great post, exactly right, different strokes for different folks!  All depends on the overall system you're using I believe.  Did you ever use your 7'3 custom with heavy mono/fluoro or just with the braid?

Definitely hard to argue with Mueller's success as well, what a stud.  I haven't handled the rod Hite uses (probably never will)  But I wonder how the action compares to the 734?  Maybe they're actually really close, I really wouldn't be surprised.

[DTack]

Is the 734 savvy the same as the 734 champion in regards to action, taper, etc?

 

As was already answered, the Savvy is a bit slower in action.  In this situation I believe it may actually make the rod closer to what you are looking for.  In my opinion that rod would be a great choice and very versatile.  The 735 Savvy may also be a good choice! 

Either way, enjoy your new rod you choose, hope it helps you land more fish!  And thanks for igniting the cool discussion.

[JGBassinAL]

Great post, exactly right, different strokes for different folks!  All depends on the overall system you're using I believe.  Did you ever use your 7'3 custom with heavy mono/fluoro or just with the braid?

Definitely hard to argue with Mueller's success as well, what a stud.  I haven't handled the rod Hite uses (probably never will)  But I wonder how the action compares to the 734?  Maybe they're actually really close, I really wouldn't be surprised.

I know this post was not directed towards me but I have a 7'3" heavy glass rod being made right now so I will get it next week and take it out. I have used a champion 734 before so I will have a basis for comparison and I can let you know. I have 4 medium heavy glass rods already, all made by Scott Dobbins at Tigerodz, and the medium heavys are a good bit more moderate in action than the 734. I have two 7'10" for deep crankin and I actually use a 7'4" medium heavy glass rod for hollow bodied swimbaits with 20lb fluoro and have never had a problem setting the hook on them! I use glass for any kind of moving bait such as crankbaits, spinnerbats, swimbaits, topwaters, and now with chatterbaits. I use graphite for all bottom contact presentations. If anyone is interested in these custom rods give me a shout and I'll hook you up!

[DTack]

I know this post was not directed towards me but I have a 7'3" heavy glass rod being made right now so I will get it next week and take it out. I have used a champion 734 before so I will have a basis for comparison and I can let you know. I have 4 medium heavy glass rods already, all made by Scott Dobbins at Tigerodz, and the medium heavys are a good bit more moderate in action than the 734. I have two 7'10" for deep crankin and I actually use a 7'4" medium heavy glass rod for hollow bodied swimbaits with 20lb fluoro and have never had a problem setting the hook on them! I use glass for any kind of moving bait such as crankbaits, spinnerbats, swimbaits, topwaters, and now with chatterbaits. I use graphite for all bottom contact presentations. If anyone is interested in these custom rods give me a shout and I'll hook you up!

I think that would be helpful to some folks reading the thread.  Thanks for posting! 

[hatrix]

I guess I am not the only one who like glass rods for things like chatterbaits. It all depends on the situation for me though. I really like throwing things like hollow bellies and swim jigs with them also. Maybe it is just a mental thing for me but I feel as if I don't end up thinking oh well it was a short strike and he never had the bait like I use to. They just seem to get it every time. I almost forgot it works great for me personally on buzzfrogs also like a Stanley Ribbit ect. Again I just feel like I stick a lot more fish and I don't need insane power to hook them.

To each there own I suppose.

[frogflogger]

I will use a glass rod for a lot of jig hook type baits. The only stipulation is I have to be also using braided line. With sharp hooks and no stretch line I have no issues sticking fish. I made the switch a few years back because I would get super fast hard strike and no one would be home when I went for a hook set. I personally feel like when they slam into a moving bait on a F/XF graphite rod they feel it and spit it out right away.

Maybe it's just me be there is certain baits I prefer to use glass with that does not include treble hooks. If I am fishing grass I still use graphite so I can rip it free.

I use to have big issues with hook sets on grass minnows and weedless shads. I made the switch to glass spinning and braided line and I get them all now. Everything kind of went from there. I am just trying to give them more flex to really inhale the bait with little resistance while having no stretch line and still being able to drive a hook home with no issues.

[gulfcaptain]

I believe the use of the glass rod is to let the fish eat it a bit longer before driving the hook home.  I did the same thing for the A-rig, went to a MH crankbait rod as to let the fish eat the bait a bit longer and increased my hook up ratio quite a bit.  Glass composite or straight glass just gives the fish a bit more time to close their mouths before hooking themselves.  But everyone has their own techniques and ideas.  Another issue is does everyone have the budget to have a rod for each technique, so a lot of rods serve double duty.

[catch anything]

so do you use these composite rods for worms/senkos and stuff as well?