Perfect Rod To Cover Numerous Heavy Techniques?

[Janderson45]

So I know there's going to have to be some compromise here, as obviously all different lengths powers tapers etc are meant for different techniques.. but basically what I'm looking for is a MH/H action rod that I can use for a few different techniques.. 

 

I fish from a kayak, so having multipurpose rods becomes more important.  I don't have the luxury of being able to use all technique specific gear and bring 20 rods along with me..

 

so with that in mind, I'll explain what I'm looking for and what techniques I'd like to use it for..

 

I'm looking for a rod that I can use to fish the following:

-flipping/pitching jigs and plastics 

-carolina rigs

-possibly frogging

-possibly lighter swimsbaits

 

looking for a rod ideally between 7'-7'4 but I'd consider a 7'6 stick if you guys feel the extra length will really make a difference.  Obviously with the techniques listed this rod needs to have some serious backbone... ideally I'd like to be able to toss lures at least 1 1/2 oz,  2oz would be cool as well... but clearly c rigging and pitching jigs/plastics generally call for slightly different rods, they both may be longer rods with some backbone, but generally I see people fishing 7'6 sticks with a MH action for c rigging.. where as people typically use heavy or extra heavy rods for flipping/pitching.  Frogging becomes less important, as any rod with a bit of length and backbone typically serves well as a frog rod... as far as swimbaits go??? I'm totally clueless, where as most of them have treble hooks I assume people usually fish them on long a rod with a softer tip, but I truly have no idea.  They just look interesting and I'd like to start to get into them a bit if I could, but I don't currently own a rod that is really even capable of throwing them.

 

What do you think, any recommendations?  I fish all st croix rods currently, but am open to trying other brands, especially if it fits the bill well.

[WRB]

iRod's Fred's magic stick comes to mind.

Tom

[Angry John]

I also fish from a yak and am looking at getting the megabass XX perfect pitch.  It is only 7'2" and fits the requirements your looking for,  I planed to use it for jigs frogs and small swim baits.  I fish and like Croix as well and mix in some dobyns as well.

[kickerfish1]

^{Probably depends on how much you want to spend? The 5 powered dobyns rods like the 735 Savvy and Champion would be good choices for heavier apps. If you could swing it financially the Champion 735 would be a good choice.}

[Kidflex]

Loomis mbr 844 in imx flavor is the perfect kayak rod IMO. So versatile and can handle those techniques just fine. Has the back bone and tip action to accomplish a lot of things. Matter of fact when I fish out on my yak I use the 844 and 783 and can use any lure I bring. Some people use meat sticks for frogging but in a yak your gonna end up pulling yourself to the fish if wrapped up in grass(unless you anchor). As far as chunking 1&1/2-2oz lures. I'd be careful to not flip out of the yak lol. Punching I can see, but I don't see the stability and the ability to cast that much weight very far without the risk of falling in. Ymmv

[kschultz76]

Look at the Megabass Orochi XX Tour Versatile... I think it's worth a look for your. I find it to be a comfortable versatile heavy powered rod and have used it for many techniques you have listed. I haven't used it to its full potential yet, but it also is supposed to handle big spinnerbaits, big cranks as well.

I also fish a lot of St Croix and love them, but find I like the heavier powered Orochi XX rods more then heavy powered St Croix's.

[tomustang]

Within your brand, the LT Carolina Rig rod is an excellent for pitching frogs jigs swim baits within that rods range

[Janderson45]

thanks for the recommendations everyone, I'll start doing some research into the megabass, irod, and loomis flavors you've all described.  The dobyns 735c was already on my radar, I've heard great things about dobyns but have yet to fish one.  

 

as far as pitching/flipping heavier baits in the yak goes... I haven't done much of it as i described in my first post, but I don't see it being too much of a problem.  I fish a WS ride 115x that is just about as stable as I could ever imagine.. I stand and pitch 3/4oz and 1oz lures to cover without any issues.. perhaps launching a heavier swimbait may present more of an issue though, guess I won't know until I give it a shot.  

 

That Irod looks mighty interesting as well, I don't know much about the company but have seen them getting more and more mentions lately..

[masterbass]

I use my megabass xx perfect pitch for a lot of those same techniques in my kayak.

[Janderson45]

Within your brand, the LT Carolina Rig rod is an excellent for pitching frogs jigs swim baits within that rods range

within the St Croix lineup I've given lots of consideration to the LT rod you mention along with the newer model Avid X 7'4 H/F rod.  

 

As for a reels- I suppose it's all preference but would you guys fish a 7:1 or something more like a 6:4?  I'm leaning towards the 7:1 lews tournament pro.

[masterbass]

I'd prefer the 7.1 for sure.  I like faster reels in a yak to pick up slack line quickly when I'm drifting around to get better hook sets.

[Angry John]

I use daiwas and have all but one in the 6.3.  Never had any issue and they work just fine.  Everyone has there preference but I use my steez 100hl for pitching on my ledged elite.

[everythingthatswims]

Loomis mbr 844 in imx flavor is the perfect kayak rod IMO. So versatile and can handle those techniques just fine. Has the back bone and tip action to accomplish a lot of things. Matter of fact when I fish out on my yak I use the 844 and 783 and can use any lure I bring. Some people use meat sticks for frogging but in a yak your gonna end up pulling yourself to the fish if wrapped up in grass(unless you anchor). As far as chunking 1&1/2-2oz lures. I'd be careful to not flip out of the yak lol. Punching I can see, but I don't see the stability and the ability to cast that much weight very far without the risk of falling in. Ymmv

I throw my 9" glide from my kayak. A 10' sit in. While standing. It can be done.

[livetofish28]

I throw my 9" glide from my kayak. A 10' sit in. While standing. It can be done.

Yes He does and I use my swimbait stick a 7'8 h fast action St Croix Mojo bass I use my LTB jig rod for frogging and such and anything up to one ounce, then the swimbait stick takes over. I flip with it when I need the extra backbone. It handles big jigs really well.

 

    Tight lines

 

     Andrew

[IAY]

MB F6-72X4

[SJex]

I use a Daiwa Tatula 7'2" HF for a general purpose heavy action rod.

[Bank4Bass]

Dobyns 735c

[WRB]

So far rods from $150 to $450 have been suggested, what is your budget?

I would think a kayak might limit the use of high end rod/reel combo's.

Tom

[Raul]

Perfect Rod To Cover Numerous Heavy Techniques?

 

GLoomix MBR785IMX, ´nuff said !

[bigfruits]

loomis mbr 844 or sjr 844!

[benthinkin]

So far rods from $150 to $450 have been suggested, what is your budget?

I would think a kayak might limit the use of high end rod/reel combo's.

Tom

this would really help narrow it down thank you

[Janderson45]

So far rods from $150 to $450 have been suggested, what is your budget?

I would think a kayak might limit the use of high end rod/reel combo's.

Tom

 

 

Good question, I don't really have a budget per say, but for a rod and reel combo I typically like to keep it between 300-400.  I've never spent 450 dollars on a rod, nor do I really plan to on this one.. I would say the megabass perfect pitch would be at the top end of my price range.  

 

Dobyns champion or savvy series have gotten a lot of consideration, as has the IROD you mentioned, along with the LTB stick and the Avid/Avid X series I'm familiar with.  The megabass "perfect pitch" looks really attractive as well, but as I mentioned that would be the top of my price range probably.  I had looked at the tatula rods one guy mentioned as well..

 

150.00-300.00 Is ideally what I'm looking at, most of the rods I fish are between 100-200 dollars with a couple exceptions.  Obviously I'd like to get the most "bang for my buck" but that doesn't necessarily mean the lower end of my price range, just that if I'm spending a bit more on a rod I really better love it

[Janderson45]

also- as far as the super expensive top of the line rods go-  Durability is a big factor for me as well.. I tend to beat on my rods a bit more than some anglers probably would..  This hasn't been an issue for me so far with any of my rods, but I know some of those super sensitive high modulus blanks are more prone to breakage, and I would really hate to break a 450.00 loomis.  

[bigfruits]

if you have $100, you will have a new rod if you break a loomis.

 

http://www.gloomis.com/content/g-loomis/us/en/home/conventional/support/xpeditor-program-details.html

[WRB]

If you want a durable rod popular with the ocean kayakers out west, take a look at Okuma Guide Special 7'6" MH rod. Fits your needs at a good price.

Tom