Applications of a Moderate Rod

[PennBass]

Recently bought a Lucky Craft Casting Rod in moderate action for all around cranking/spinnerbait use, but I want to see if there are more applications it could be used for. 

Does anyone have experience using topwaters (not frogs, of course) on a moderate action rod? I'm talking buzzbaits, walking baits, poppers, etc. Does the slower action effect the action of lures and are there any problems with hooksets? Any tips/suggestions are welcome. 

 

Thanks

[Molay1292]

I use a moderate action rod for baits with treble hooks that are worked with the reel.  Any bait that requires being worked with the rod I use something with a faster action.  Too much flex in the rod for spinner baits and buzz baits [IMO] , you have to set a large single hook with a heavier bait that may be out a good distance, I don't want to have to deal with a slow action rod.   Same deal with top water baits and jerkbaits for me, when I want to impart action on the bait I do not want a slow action rod.   

Everyone has their own preferences as you will soon see, you will need to figure out what works for you.

 

[HoosierHawgs]

What power is it?

[roadwarrior]

 

[OkobojiEagle]

9 hours ago, PennBass said:

 

Does anyone have experience using topwaters (not frogs, of course) on a moderate action rod?

 

 

Yes,  I use 15lb PE line/ 10lb nylon leader with it.

 

oe

[Dwight Hottle]

I use a moderate action rod for all treble hook applications. 

[Team9nine]

Just depends on who you talk to. Lots of opinions on the matter depending upon your own experiences or preferences. Elite Series pro Gary Klein has long argued for using parabolic (moderate action) rods for just about everything, including flipping. Here's a short video of him explaining why (you can ignore the specific promo aspects).

Gary Klein on parabolic/moderate action rods

-T9 

[Raul]

Moderate rods are not  the best for spinnerbaiting, the rod is too flexible for that single heavy duty & quite thick hook, top waters like poppers and walkers ? of course they got treble hooks, buzz baits ? read spinnerbaiting.

[Missourifishin]

9 hours ago, HoosierHawgs said:

What power is it?

I was wondering too.

[BrianinMD]

For popper and walking baits you may have some difficulty with getting a good pop with a moderate rods flex. Would get better action on a faster action setup.

 

[Jigfishn10]

10 hours ago, HoosierHawgs said:

What power is it?

Would the power of the rod affect the application of a topwater bait? Just asking, I'm dumb with rods.

[SMITTY0045]

Personally I like using a moderate action rod for my top water baits and jerk baits. I feel like I can keep the bait in the water longer when I am twitching because I am not ripping the bait back to the boat with every twitch. It seems to still put plenty of action on the lure

[HoosierHawgs]

1 hour ago, Jigfishn10 said:

Would the power of the rod affect the application of a topwater bait? Just asking, I'm dumb with rods.

Well I would usually only use a fast action rod for treble hooked topwaters so I could work the bait effectively with the rod. The powers would effect whether or not I would throw a spinner or buzzbait on it though. I typically throw them on a medium heavy moderate fast rod so I have enough power to drive home a single hook. Honestly it all comes doe to personal preference. Take recommendations from others, but not as the end all be all. Start with their advice, and tweak it from there to get what you find works best for you.

[Jigfishn10]

58 minutes ago, HoosierHawgs said:

Well I would usually only use a fast action rod for treble hooked topwaters so I could work the bait effectively with the rod. The powers would effect whether or not I would throw a spinner or buzzbait on it though. I typically throw them on a medium heavy moderate fast rod so I have enough power to drive home a single hook. Honestly it all comes doe to personal preference. Take recommendations from others, but not as the end all be all. Start with their advice, and tweak it from there to get what you find works best for you.

Thx...I just didn't understand why the power of the rod was important in this thread.

Thx for your clarification 

[smallie.mike]

Call me crazy but I prefer moderate action rods for buzzbaits. Never had a problem with getting a good hookset. 

[Molay1292]

3 minutes ago, smallie.mike said:

Call me crazy but I prefer moderate action rods for buzzbaits. Never had a problem with getting a good hookset. 

Not crazy if it works for you.  but I am interested in why you prefer the moderate action with the buzzbait.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Power is important as moderate only refers to where the Rod initially bends, not how easily it bends. I like a fast action but soft tip for top water and suspending jerk baits but the mod can be made to work if that's what you have. 

[PennBass]

I also have a Daiwa Tatula MHF 7' casting rod (with braid) and a St. Croix Avid X MF 7' spinning rod (also w/braid). Which of my three rods would (from your experiences) be best for buzzbaits/spinnerbaits? Just trying to get some information for Spring.

[Jigfishn10]

7 hours ago, smallie.mike said:

Call me crazy but I prefer moderate action rods for buzzbaits. Never had a problem with getting a good hookset. 

[WIGuide]

10 hours ago, PennBass said:

I also have a Daiwa Tatula MHF 7' casting rod (with braid) and a St. Croix Avid X MF 7' spinning rod (also w/braid). Which of my three rods would (from your experiences) be best for buzzbaits/spinnerbaits? Just trying to get some information for Spring.

Of those three, I'd probably throw spinnerbaits on the 7' MH/F

[fishballer06]

I prefer a fast action for any application that uses a single hook (I.E. Spinner/buzz/chatter bait). 

I have used buzz baits on my Avid H-Mod rod and it worked fine, but the fact that it was a heavy power rod probably made up for me. 

[smallie.mike]

17 hours ago, Molay1292 said:

Not crazy if it works for you.  but I am interested in why you prefer the moderate action with the buzzbait.

It's probably all in my head but I just feel like I miss less fish using a moderate action with buzzbaits.  I can really launch a buzzbait with a moderate action rod too. 

[Dwight Hottle]

I think moderate actions rods differ based on the modulus of the blank. A high end moderate rod has a more crisp action than a low end modulus blank. Not all moderate action rods are the same.  

[Ads7633]

I'm sure if you put some low stretch braid on it you could get away with topwater. The moderate action may even allow you keep from pulling a buzzbait out of a the fishes mouth too quickly.

[Blake K]

Hey guys I have a couple questions about my rods. Here’s the rods I have:

 

Lews Mach 1 combo 6’10” MH Fast Taper action 

 

Abu Garcia Black Maxx combo 6’6” M 

Viridian Combo 7’ MH 

 

Abu Garcia Ike Delay rod 6’6” MH Moderate action 

 

What kind of baits would you throw with these type rods? Thanks in advance for any advice.