What Do You Use A Heavy Rod For?

[Blues19]

I do a lot of fishing with plastics and getting bigger into jigs. A MH rod has always done fine for me. I typically fish my spinnerbaits and smaller plastics on medium rods.  I throw a ML spinning rod in there too. Anyway, a MH has done fine for me so far. I dont throw anything bigger than a 1/2oz jig but may do a little of that. Sometimes I feel like the 1/2oz jig is a little heavy but it has been ok so far and the rod says it can handle well over that. Would you suggest a Heavy action rod for 1/2 oz jigs? What else do you use a heavy action for? I think I am mostly asking to feed my rod addiciton.

[tomustang]

Depends what you mean heavy. My Croix mh's are practically heavy's compared to others.

[Jrob78]

Heavy is a power, not an action.  I use H's for c-rigs, heavier jigs, pitching/flipping/punching heavy cover, frogs in heavy cover, larger hollow belly swimbaits, etc.  Don't get too hung up on power labels though, most brands fish differently and the rods action comes in to play also.

[Bluebasser86]

Frogs, flipping vegetation, jigs from 3/4oz and up, small swimbaits. 

[MIbassyaker]

I don't use any heavy power rods either. But if I did, I would use them for some of the same things Jrob78 and Bluebasser mentioned, especially frogs, punching, and swimbaits; that is, heavy lures and/or heavy cover. I don't throw anything over about 3/4oz, and my MH rods have been good enough for the cover I usually deal with. I'll look into a heavy rod probably eventually, but I haven't felt the need for one yet where I fish most often. 

[Robert Riley]

As most have said, non-finesse jigs and frogs generally. The heavier cover, and the heavier the bait, the heavier the rod.

 

EDIT: I also use a heavy rod for my big spinnerbaits and 8/10XDs.

[Angry John]

I fish Croix legend series and i never felt underpowered until I started punching. 3/4 and over weights with plastic and 5/0 flipping hooks require a heavy rod. I just stopped trying to punch and stick with my my rods. If I move south I will have to bite the heavy bullet.

[rippin-lips]

It all varies from each company. Since there is no set standard things can get a bit tricky when it comes to a rods power. I have a Falcon Bucoo that is labeled as a heavy but they're known to overrate their rods. It fishes like a medium heavy and with the mod/fast action it makes a great squarebill rod. Dobyns is another one that leans on the overrated side of things. Then you have rods like the Veritas and the Tatula which fish heavier then their rated powers. Now for the couple heavy powered rods that I have that are true to their heavy power ratings I use them for the same things mentioned above.

C rigs

1/2oz jigs with trailer

Frogs in pads or thick grass

Pitching into cover

Big worms with 3/8+ weight

[jbw252]

Frogs.

[Montanaro]

As stated heavy is a power. Simply the lure weight the rod can handle. Some heavy rods are good for cranking deep and some are good for frogging.

I have 2 heavy. 1 is a frog rod rated to 1.5 ounce lures. It has extra fast tip which helps punch frog hooks into roof of mouth. I also use it for jigs.

The other is rated to 2 ounces and is a fast action. I use it for punching and throwing small swimbaits.

[WIGuide]

I use a heavy power rod for a few applications. Frogging in pads or grass, flippin in heavy cover, punching, big crankbaits (10xd), and hollow bodied swim baits around thick grass, and A-rig. You might be able to get away with a MH with some of these applications if they aren't around heavy cover, but there are just some you have to step it up to be efficient. 

[roadwarrior]

The Rig

 

 

 

[gulfcaptain]

Frogs, flipping vegetation, jigs from 3/4oz and up, small swimbaits. 

This 

 

The Rig

 

 

 

And this (refering to the A-rig I assume).

[WRB]

What does heavy mean? A heavy or 5 power 6'10" jig/worm rod is standard use for me, in fact I also use a 6 power 6"10" heavy jig/ worm rod, a heavy and X heavy swimbait rod, can't compare a heavy 7' jig rod to a heavy 8' swimbait rod,very different heavy.

Tom

[Cgrinder]

Frogs and 1/2 oz+ swim jigs.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

You see the common thread that "heavy" is a subjective term. Choose rods that load appropriately to cast well (lure weight rating) and with enough backbone to land fish in the cover you'll fish. A little trial and error is inevitable but part of the fun. Posting inquiries on specific rods here will likely get multiple replies.

[SMITTY0045]

I like to throw my 1/2 oz jigs on a Heavy rod. You could just as easily throw them on a MH rod, but it just comes down to preference. I also use Heavy rods for frogging, flipping/pitching, and some heavier swimbaits and umbrella rigs.

[carlm01]

All my Gloomis rods are "hvy" except my jerk bait rod it's a "med hvy"     

[Bankbeater]

I use to use H rods for jigs and plastics.  I have changed over to MH now.  About the only thing I use the heavys for is punching through matted vegetation, or fishing in sunken timber.

[A-Jay]

Frogging

 

Flipping & Punching Super Heavy Cover

 

Magnum Cranking

 

A-Jay

[Felix77]

Heavy is relative. So far the only reason. I use my heavy is for the Alabama Rig.

[tander]

Carolina Rig, jigs, frogging, use with 50# braid.

[desmobob]

I use a 7'3" HF for frogging, fishing in thick lily pads/weed cover, and for heavier jigs.

 

Tight lines,

Bob

 

Edit to add: I forgot to mention I just picked up a Kistler KLX 7'3" HMF "Frog, Jig, Creature, Worm" rated for lures 3/8 to 1-1/4 oz.  The moderate-fast action should make it an excellent big crank rod as well...

[Catt]

Frogging

Flipping & Punching Super Heavy Cover

Magnum Cranking

A-Jay

Yelp!

[Bass_Fanatic]

Out of the 40 or so rods in my rod locker, I'd say 30 are either heavy or XH. I throw most everything on them except dropshots, shaky heads, small crankbaits, and poppers.