Soft Plastic Texas Rigging Rods?

[stiko97]

I usually fish with a 7' MH action rod (baitcast), I had to send it in for repairs, so I've been fishing with a 6'6" M action rod (spinning), have missed 7 fish in the past 2 days on senkos. I've very rarely missed a fish on a senko before making the switch to this other rod that I usually use for snapper blue fishing. Does this rod not have enough backbone? Is it the # line I'm using? I usually use 12-20lb fluorocarbon, but have been using 10lb mono on this one because of the real I have on it. Is it me? I personally don't think so, I'm usually right on with my hooksets when it comes to soft plastic fishing, or could it be the rod? What should I do? I don't get my other rod back for a couple of weeks and I love to fish soft plastics more than anything else. If I were to go pick up a rod tomorrow, what's a good baitcasting rod that I can get from Dick's Sporting Goods?

[Raul]

Part of the problem is you, the other part is something not working right, your hook may not be as sharp as you think it is, the other is you may not be rigging the bait properly like the hook burried too deep in the bait. Sorry if it makes you feel bad and for using myself as an example but I have absolutely no problem hooking a fish with a senko on lighter gear.

[nascar2428]

I use the same rod&reel for senko's, fast tip on the rod, braid/flouro line combination. Absolutely no problems hooking them. You might want to consider a line change to flouro or braid, unless you really want to buy a new rod.

[Arv]

The Dicks I've been too usually have Shimano and St. Croix rods. Not sure what your price range is but those are quality brands that would probably do well with whatever price point you choose.

[gulfcaptain]

going from a 7'MH casting rod to a 6'6"M spinning rod, the tapers may not be the same as well as the difference in length can affect the your hook set.  The amount of power you used on the MH may not be enough on the spinning rod especially if one is a fast action and the other a moderate action. You may need to switch to a lighter wire hook for an easier hook set where you don't have to drive the hook home as hard.  

[WIGuide]

I'd check your hook first. Try giving a Trokar EWG a shot as they take very little power to penetrate. You don't usually miss a lot of fish with a senko but they can occasionally get finicky and maybe not fully commit to it. Maybe try a color change too and see if that helps. 

[livetofish28]

My senko rod is a 6'8 m xfast and I have no problem setting the hook I would check the sharpness of the hook

[Raul]

Forgot to add, aside from the hook sharpness it's the hook thickness, you may be not using the right hook thickness for your setup. Trying to drive a superline thick hook with a M power rod with 10 lb test is going to be quite tricky.

[NathanW]

X2 on the hook thickness. This is always a factor.

 

Also, you are not going to be sucking line up as quickly with the spinning setup so you may be setting the hook a tad early.

 

I like a medium action casting rod for senkos thats pretty fast and a little on the stiff side. Not all Meduim, Fast action rods are created equal so maybe it is your rod. I own one rod labeled M Fast casting rod that I would dream of fishing plastics with.

[Alpha Male]

I usually fish with a 7' MH action rod (baitcast), I had to send it in for repairs, so I've been fishing with a 6'6" M action rod (spinning), have missed 7 fish in the past 2 days on senkos. I've very rarely missed a fish on a senko before making the switch to this other rod that I usually use for snapper blue fishing. Does this rod not have enough backbone? Is it the # line I'm using? I usually use 12-20lb fluorocarbon, but have been using 10lb mono on this one because of the real I have on it. Is it me? I personally don't think so, I'm usually right on with my hooksets when it comes to soft plastic fishing, or could it be the rod? What should I do? I don't get my other rod back for a couple of weeks and I love to fish soft plastics more than anything else. If I were to go pick up a rod tomorrow, what's a good baitcasting rod that I can get from Dick's Sporting Goods?

 

 

Im curious "how" you were missing them? did you set the hook and they came off later? did you miss setting the hook while they had it in their mouth?

 

If your missing the set I would say that maybe your medium rod may not be as sensitive as your rod or maybe you're not used to it. I choose to fish all my plastics on medium rods, both casting and spinning. I can say that the power of your rod isnt the problem. whether you're not noticing the bite in time or the stretch is getting you is you're call.

 

Im curious what brand/model are the rods you're talking about. but to answer your question I would look at a veritas, St. Croix rod, or even a pinnacle if you can afford it.

[stiko97]

Thank you to all for the help. i'm going to try buying new hooks. I usually fish with a #5 Offset Shank EWG, just because I like the bit of extra control. I'll go down to a #3 straight shank or a #3 offset wg, which is what most people like to fish with right? And I'll stop reusing my hooks all the time. How many times does everyone else use their hooks for? I usually use mine for as long as possible, until I loose it in a tree or some underwater structure.

[stiko97]

The Dicks I've been too usually have Shimano and St. Croix rods. Not sure what your price range is but those are quality brands that would probably do well with whatever price point you choose.

My rod that's being repaired is a St. Croix. I love that rod, my personal favorite, (not that I've fished with a ton of rods). Someone stepped on one of the d**n guides somehow somewhere

[Raul]

Thank you to all for the help. i'm going to try buying new hooks. I usually fish with a #5 Offset Shank EWG, just because I like the bit of extra control. I'll go down to a #3 straight shank or a #3 offset wg, which is what most people like to fish with right? And I'll stop reusing my hooks all the time. How many times does everyone else use their hooks for? I usually use mine for as long as possible, until I loose it in a tree or some underwater structure.

 

It´s not the size, it´s the width of the wire, hooks come in three widths:

 

1.- Light made with thin wire

2.- Regular thicker than light

3.- Superline, much thicker than the others

 

I use a hook many times until it ceases to be razor sharp, the moment it no longer "sticks" to my finger when I touch the point  becomes trash, also, I prefer cutting edge hooks. For example, light wire sharp hooks really don´t need hookset, the reduced diameter of the hook wire and the sharp point penetrate very easy, the fish literally hooks itself.

[Catt]

Adjust you hook set for the slower rod by speeding up your hook set.

Timing: feel the bite as early as possible

Speed: set hook as fast as possible atfer detection

Solid: set hook like you mean it