Upgrading My Rod Selection

[drodriguez]

I am looking into getting more bass rods. I currently have 2 spinning rods, one for drop shots, and one for Texas rigging. I also have 2 casting rods, one for flipping and pitching, and one for shallow diving crankbaits. I love power fishing, and I love plastics. I want a rod for spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, and a deep diving crankbaits and medium diving crankbaits, along with a rod for dragging jigs. What should I be looking into? I want to be set up for or any and all circumstances on the water, and now that my life permits buying what I want with no one,telling me no, it's the perfect time. Thoughts? I want brand names, actions, lengths. Get technical.

[kickerfish1]

Everything starts with price. I am sure the recommendations will be diverse but with a desired budget it narrows it down by a good margin. You can always selcet from multiple rod manufacturers or just one. Depending on the company or companies I would call and speak to an owner or one of the higher ups. Gary and Richard Dobyns are readily accessible individuals who have designed and developed their rods to match what technique specific anglers are looking for. They could help more than most people think.

Other things to consider... Weight of baits for that technique, cover present, fish size, bank or boat fishing, and preferd length of rod and to an extent the weight of the reels you plan to use in relationship to balance of the rod/reel.

[Fishes in trees]

If no one is telling you what to buy, don't stop with just one new rig.  You are probably going to want a new shaky head rod.  Don't stop there, go ahead and get a more finesse ned rig at the same time.

 

You are probably going to want a new spinnerbait rod -don't stop there, go ahead and get a new square bill rod as well.

 

You are probably going to want a new crank rod - don't stop with just one, get several so that you can cover different depths and different weight of cranks.

 

I like to fish jika rigs as opposed to tx rigged plastics & a slip sinker.   I've got a couple of different jika rigs, with different lb test lines for different cover conditions.

 

Don;t stop buying new rigs until you can't think of any fishing conditions you don't have a rod for.

[DFrench97]

MH F or XF for spinner baits.  M F for jerk baits.  Your shallow diving rod can be used for medium diving or you can go to a MH cranking rod up to a H depending on depth.  I like the St. Croix Premier for cranking.  When shopping just look for technique specific rods and go from there.  Also search the forums for the technique and chances are someone has already asked the same question.

[drodriguez]

My price range for any of the rods would be pretty wide, in the 80 to 150 dollar range. I do not like or want micro guides, as I've heard the eyes break too easy. One piece is a must, personal pref. I also prefer cork handles to foam, but this isn't necessary, as that hard to find in bass rods. lol. I realize Ill have to buy multiple rods for the same lure, just different weights, depths, etc. I just want to know, without really mentioning manufactures on my part, what you guys like. I know its a tall order, but if you guys could get your arsenal with some of the above parameters as a guide, what would you do? Open to all suggestions. Today, there is no such thing as a stupid comment. Christmas is coming up!

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

There are valid arguments against micro guides in certain applications but fragility isn't one of them. I only mention this to encourage an openind while bolstering your tackle collection. A mh/mod rod will handle mid to deep cranks, a mh/f worm n jig rod will fish spinner baits well. For jerk baits I like a med power rod with a fast but softer tip.

[OntarioFishingGuy]

Check out a St Croix Premier and Fenwick HMG.