Spinning Rod Selection Help

[zildjian]

Hey guys,

I'm in the market for a new spinning rod. I want to make it a mutiple use rod for three styles of fishing. So I guess I'm looking for the best possible fit for all three of these styles of fishing.

1. Hard Jerk Baits

2. Poppers

3. Tube baits

I want to be able to use this one rod for all three techniques for when the time calls for it. I also want to go with only one line, most likely monofiliment because i really don't want to back it with mono to run braid to run fluorocarbon leader. Still undecided, but want to narrow down my search for a spinning rod first, then Reel selection, then line selection.

I'm already running my absolute favorite spinning setup for strictly drop shoting.

Dobyns: Champion Extreme DX 702SF (7' medium light, fast)

Shimano: Stradic FJ 1000 series.

Power Pro: Super Slick Braid 10lb (main line)

Sunline: FC Sniper Fluorocarbon 8lb (leader)

Any help deciding or narrowing down the right rod as for size, power, and tip would be awesome.

Thank you in advance,

-Zildjian

[Mike2841]

St croix mf or mxf.

[MasonV]

I like rods with a little more backbone so I'd say a 6'6 MH MF or F. I only say 6'6 since your rod will probably be pointed right at the water a lot with the jerkbaits and poppers. Don't wanna be cramped with a 7'...

[zildjian]

I was thinking medium with fast tip as well.

Would a medium/light not be enough for hard jerkbaits? True about the 6'6", I was thinking about staying with a 7' just for casting distance and b letterhook up ratio for further out bites.

[Mike2841]

If your going croix I would go medium instead of ml, maybe the ml xfast would be good but I haven't used one.

[kschultz76]

St Croix 6'8" M/XF, works very well for all the techniques you've listed.

[kschultz76]

I just saw some one has a St Croix Legend Xtreme 6'8" M/XF for sale in the flea market. Looks like a great deal and in nearly new condition. If I could justify owning a second one I'd be all over it.

[FinCulture]

well all those presentations require a fast tip so you're good there. What's your price range? Maybe look into a St. Croix Mojo Bass in an MF.

[SirSnookalot]

I use spinning rods for everything.  I prefer mf  or fast tipped, my individual choice.

[zildjian]

Thanks for the comments so far guys. Price range for rod would be $300 max.

[Turkey sandwich]

Most of my rods are St. Croix, so I might be a bit partial...

Their MH has a lot of backbone and throwing poppers and jerk baits on it wouldn't feel right (to me). I have a 6'9 or so medium fast Rage that throws all of those lures well (mine is a baitcaster) and a 7' MF Premier spinning rod that I still really like as an "all around" type rod.

If you are going to go St Croix, a few suggestions. The SCII blanks in the Triumph, Premier, and current Mojo lines (rumor is the Mojo lines will be ugraded to SCIII soon) are solid blanks for the $100-$120 range. However, the SCIII blank is a huge upgrade.

If you check the St Croix website, the Rage series may still be on sale for $89 (nearly 50% off). If not, the Avid (full cork grip) and Avid X (exposed blank w/ cork grip and microguides) are great rods in the $200 range.

Legend tournament/elite/extreme are all great higher end options, but the biggest jump in quality is from the SCII to SCIII blanks.

[kschultz76]

Thanks for the comments so far guys. Price range for rod would be $300 max.

Go grab that Legend Xtreme from the flea market. That is a beautiful high performing rod. That's the exact rod I use for smaller lighter poppers and jerkbaits that are too light for my casting gear. I also love it and fish it with great success using weightless Senkos, shakeyheads, etc.

[zildjian]

Most of my rods are St. Croix, so I might be a bit partial...

Their MH has a lot of backbone and throwing poppers and jerk baits on it wouldn't feel right (to me). I have a 6'9 or so medium fast Rage that throws all of those lures well (mine is a baitcaster) and a 7' MF Premier spinning rod that I still really like as an "all around" type rod.

If you are going to go St Croix, a few suggestions. The SCII blanks in the Triumph, Premier, and current Mojo lines (rumor is the Mojo lines will be ugraded to SCIII soon) are solid blanks for the $100-$120 range. However, the SCIII blank is a huge upgrade.

If you check the St Croix website, the Rage series may still be on sale for $89 (nearly 50% off). If not, the Avid (full cork grip) and Avid X (exposed blank w/ cork grip and microguides) are great rods in the $200 range.

Legend tournament/elite/extreme are all great higher end options, but the biggest jump in quality is from the SCII to SCIII blanks.

Thank you for commenting, I'm going to look into the St. Croix line of rods as well, yeah I don't want a medium-heavy spinning rod. I have a G-Loomis MH worm & jig rod with an extra fast tip. It's just to stiff for what I want to use it for as of now.

So it's between medium-light and medium with both a fast tip. I don't know how I really feel about the extra fast tips. Would I regret going with a medium light and wishing I had more backbone? same with regretting going with a medium and wishing I went with something a little less backbone.

I'll be fishing tubes and hard jerkbaits most of the time with this rod. I just want to find the middle ground and best overall power and tip. Then go onto rod selection, and line. As for reel selection, I'm obsessed with my Shimano Stradic FJ 1000 series. Think I'll just pick up another one for whatever spinning rod I choose.

Thanks again!

[kschultz76]

Don't get hung up on trying to compare med light, med, med heavy or fast vs ex fast. Look at the line and lure ratings. Consider feedback from users, and if you can check out the rods in person to how they handle. In St Croix in my experience I prefer the M over ML for your listed techniques unless you're fishing really light lures below 3/16 oz. I find the M/XF of my Legend Xtreme works a top water and Jerkbait very well. The XF tip is light, allowing accurate well controlled twitches/pops of jerkbaits and top waters. With soft plastics like tacky rigs and weightless Senkos it lets you feel your bait, and shake it and pop it without pulling it away from your target. The Med power gives a great backbone to handle pulling fish away from cover, and get a good hookset with soft plastics. I've not had issues with the rod being too stiff or too powerful for treble hooks, and fish a Rapala Floating Minnow F11 on it regularly in the spring.

Second choice for me for your listed techniques would be a St Croix M/F if you're really unsure about the XF action. The M/F will be extremely versatile and handle a lot of techniques.

[Turkey sandwich]

I have an Avid X ML XF that I use for drop shots/really finesse plastics, light poppers (less than 1/4 oz), etc. For what you've mentioned, Kschultz is spot on. Anything MF/MXF Rage series or above would be a good fit. Feel them at a good tackle shop if possible.

[zildjian]

Thank both of you guys for taking your time to post for me. I'm going to go with a Medium/XF rod. I usually fish 1/4oz most of the time for tubes/drop shots. But as you mentioned hard jerkbaits and poppers the medium with extra fast tip would be better suited for me. As for line what would you recommend? I'll be fishing tubes and jerkbaits more than top water poppers. Appreciate the tips guys.

[Turkey sandwich]

I'm a fan of braid with leaders. The sensitivity rocks, makes casting simple, and for finesse stuff, I like high vis line for line watching. You do, however, have to remember that you're using braid when it comes time to set the hook.

As for brands - my casting reels are all spooled with 30-40lb 832, and I use 20lb Power Pro high vis yellow on my spinning rods.

Leaders - I'm also a big advocate of longer leaders, not only to improve lure action and reduce visibility, but also to add a little stretch. To me, that's using 5-10' leaders. Finesse/drop shot has been FC Sniper 7lb, my MF Premier is typically 6-10lb XL (depends on conditions, what I plan on using it for that day, etc), and my casting rods are either 12lb Invisx (no heavy cover/rocks), 12lb Yozuri Hybrid (heavy cover, rocks. Also, it's much stronger and heavier than it's rated. Think 15lb diameter with 17lb abrasion resistance/knot strength), or 12lb XL.

[Pettis]

well all those presentations require a fast tip so you're good there. What's your price range? Maybe look into a St. Croix Mojo Bass in an MF.

I have one, the tube/grub 7'. I find it tip heavy and sensitivity is poor.

[zildjian]

What's everyone's take on Dobyn's Champion Series Spinning rod 683SF? 6'8" Medium/Fast. I'm interested in the 6'8" for shorter handle so I can have a little more comfort for hard jerkbait fishing, otherwise I'd go with a 7' rod. I'm mostly going to be fishing hard jerkbaits and tube jigs 1/8oz+. Is this ideal for both techniques in one rod?

[Pettis]

What's everyone's take on Dobyn's Champion Series Spinning rod 683SF? 6'8" Medium/Fast. I'm interested in the 6'8" for shorter handle so I can have a little more comfort for hard jerkbait fishing, otherwise I'd go with a 7' rod. I'm mostly going to be fishing hard jerkbaits and tube jigs 1/8oz+. Is this ideal for both techniques in one rod?

I think you would be in good shape with that champion, it is a great rod. I would also check out the megabass orochi XX Ronin. It is a perfect fit for your jerkbaits and would handle your light tubing as well. I own rods from both the champion and orochi xx lines and absolutely love them both.

[zildjian]

Good stuff! I'll give them a look as well, Thank you man.

[zildjian]

Megabass Orochi XX Ronin.( F4-68XXS )

6'8" rod, Power: Medium, Action: Fast

This rod looks pretty good for what I'm looking for as well, Anyone have any thoughts Pros vs Cons about this specific rod? Or comparison to the Dobyns rod I mentioned above?

Thanks Pettis for the help again as well!

[Pettis]

It's essentially medium power.

I think you would be very pleased with it.

[Pettis]

..just an FYI the handle is a couple inches longer on the Megabass than the Dobyns. Not sure if that matters to you at all.

[zildjian]

I noticed that, 12" vs 14.5".

What's your thoughts knowing you own both these lines of rods? I own a handgull of Dobyns Champion Series, two Dobyns Chanpion Extreme rods and a handful of Duckket micro magic rods all casting and few spinning of each company. I've never owned a Megabass line of rods, but that rod does seem temping. I'm just unsure on the extra 2.5" of handle and also with the price being closer to $300 I feel like I should be comparing the Chmapion Extreme line vs this Megabass OrochinXX line. Ugh the decisions!