What To Do With New Rod

[Fishing Cop]

Well, I bought a Abu 7'11" Heavy rod today while on sale and not really sure what to do with it. What do you fish with a rod with those stats?

[roadwarrior]

The Rig

[MarkH024]

Punching

[Fishing Cop]

I've never done any punching and don't know what rig roadwarrior is talking about. Any suggestions on what else to do with this rod is appreciated.

[FishTank]

Frogs and other top water, heavy jigs or weighted big soft plastic.  If nothing else, sounds like it would be great for catfish.

[new2BC4bass]

I assume "the rig" Roadwarrior is talking about is the Alabama Rig.  Never tried it.  Don't personally know anyone who has.  I read that they can be very effective.  You might want to research it now that you have that rod.

[Fishing Cop]

I haven't tried it either, but looking forward to it. 

[MarkH024]

I've never done any punching and don't know what rig roadwarrior is talking about. Any suggestions on what else to do with this rod is appreciated.

You got to start sometime. I suggest you search the topics and read thoroughly. There is virtually information about everything in bass fishing on this site.

As you advance in fishing, you may want to research rod/reel types before you purchase. Sales or not, it may not be the tool that fits your needs. My .02

[Fishing Cop]

You got to start sometime. I suggest you search the topics and read thoroughly. There is virtually information about everything in bass fishing on this site.

As you advance in fishing, you may want to research rod/reel types before you purchase. Sales or not, it may not be the tool that fits your needs. My .02

That is true. I am just thinking I may have gotten too much rod. I like the Medium 7' one I got though.

[jignfule]

you start punching through heavy slop and you will be glad you have a "heavy". Learn how to punch, it is one of the funnest ways to fish for me and this time of year it may be the only way to get to the big ones in some waters.

[EmersonFish]

Did you get the 'Veritas' on clearance? If so, is that rod Moderate/Fast action?

 

I almost bought a 'Veritas' yesterday. It was on clearance, plus 25% of the clearance price. I didn't need the rod, but almost bought it because it was so cheap. It was the 7' 6" MH. I'd have bought the 7' 11" if they would have had it. 

 

I'd use it for flipping/punching pads and heavy vegetation, where you really need to jerk them out of there, and will be pulling big piles of weeds in with them often times. I can't bring myself to invest a lot of money for a rod like that, because where I live, we don't get to fish like that as much as they do other places. If your is moderate/fast, I might even try a medium crank bait on it, or slow roll a big spinnerbait in deeper water, just to see how it felt. It should work for A-Rigs too.

 

If all else fails, you have a nice little channel cat rod

[Fishing Cop]

After thinking about it, I may take back the heavy 7'11" rod. I don't fish areas like you were describing. I will keep the 7' medium rod. It will come in handy.

[smalljaw67]

Use it as a flipping stick, I know a lot of guys like rods close to 8' to flip with and I believe Gary Klein uses an 8' flipping stick. If you aren't going to throw an A-Rig , punch or flip then there really isn't much use for the rod.

[Fishing Cop]

I may ponder over it for a couple days.

[SirSnookalot]

I think you just have received an education.  There is no reason to buy something if you don't already have a specific use in mind.  Do your homework first, decide on what techniques you wish to fish, then buy accordingly.  

[F14A-B]

Yea, you can flip with that rod, or use it in open water throwing 3/4 to 1 oz. jigs or Trigged worms in deeper water in summer, I use heavys a lot for that work, even if you don't do it a lot, you haven't invested a lot either.

[Capt.Bob]

Musky