Best Rod For Great Lakes Smallmouth

[Squali]

I am looking to purchase a new Rod and reel combo for smallmouth on Lake St Clair and Lake Erie . In the past I always used a 5'6" medium action spinning Rod . I recently purchased a Bionic Blade 6'6" ML paired with a Stradic 1000FH, which I plan to use in my local creeks . I have 6' M Bionic Blade paired with a Stradic 1000FH that I use for crappie fishing and I like it 100% .

I am leaning toward the St Croix rods . I'm interested in the Avid 6'6" M or the Eyecon 6'6" M  spinning rods for large bodies of water . I would pair either Rod with a Stradic 2500FK . I'm looking for opinions on both these rods (or any other Rod ) in M or ML  action that would be a all purpose go to Rod . 

[1BADAIR]

I would get a 7' medium avid.  I also like 3000 size reels better f

[Fishin' Fool]

Get a longer rod.  @1BADAIR would know because he fishes out there.  I like a 7'3" rod personally but those can be hard to find depending on manufacturer.  My longest rod is a 7'7".  I like the longer rod for those last minute surges smallmouth make at the boat.  The Stradic 2500FK is a perfect reel for out there.  I have 4 FH/FJ's.

[Zippyduck Krimm]

The stradic 2500 is perfect for them. I would use a 7' to 7'3" rod with a medium action and moderate tip to keep the big fish from pulling off or breaking the line.

[Dwight Hottle]

All good advice so far. I would suggest the 7' Avid medium as a good all purpose great lakes smallie rod. 

[Squali]

3 minutes ago, Dwight Hottle said:

All good advice so far. I would suggest the 7' Avid medium as a good all purpose great lakes smallie rod. 

I appreciate the feedback. Longer Rod does make sense for large bodies of water and strong fish . I use a 10' fly rod for steelhead on the Erie tribs and it has the backbone plus the   Shock absorption for those big fish . Just never used long rods in the creeks  for smallmouth. Always felt I had more casting control with the shorter rods . Is there a big difference between a fast tip and moderate tip ? 

I want to process all possibilities .. Lol !

[Dwight Hottle]

The longer rod helps moderate the tip action. The regular Avid line doesn't offer a moderate action spinning rod. 

You can get a 7' medium moderate in the Avid inshore model listed under saltwater rods. 

[PatrickKnight]

As a general rule the longer the rod the more moderate the tip section. Most rods are a percentage of backbone to tip. So lets take my Dobyns Sierra 703 for example this rod will flex about 40% of the way down the blank so about 3 feet of flex. Now take that exact same blank but make it 6 foot long now its bending only about 2 feet into the blank. I hope this explains why longer rods have a more forgiving tip even while still being "fast" action rods.

[Squali]

1 minute ago, PatrickKnight said:

As a general rule the longer the rod the more moderate the tip section. Most rods are a percentage of backbone to tip. So lets take my Dobyns Sierra 703 for example this rod will flex about 40% of the way down the blank so about 3 feet of flex. Now take that exact same blank but make it 6 foot long now its bending only about 2 feet into the blank. I hope this explains why longer rods have a more forgiving tip even while still being "fast" action rods.

This is  great feedback and also makes perfect sense . Thanks !

[Loomis13]

Personally I don't think you want to go with a moderate rod, especially if you are fishing grubs jigs like many smallmouth people do. A 7'0" MF action would be my choice.

[Fishin' Fool]

5 minutes ago, Loomis13 said:

Personally I don't think you want to go with a moderate rod, especially if you are fishing grubs jigs like many smallmouth people do. A 7'0" MF action would be my choice.

 

I agree. Moderate action more for crankbaits and jerkbaits.

[1BADAIR]

I use a 7ml avid in the spring when catching  a bunch of smaller fish 2-3lb or when shallow.  I prefer a 7m when deeper or around bigger fsh and would be a better universal rod.  I use a 7' legend or dobyns 743 most of the time. My dropshot rods are both Avids and I feel they are very good for the price.

The dobyns 703 743 fast actions feel and look more moderate than other brand fasts

[J Francho]

I use Avid AVS63MLXF AND AVS63MXF paired with Stradic 2500 CI4. 

[Squali]

41 minutes ago, J Francho said:

I use Avid AVS63MLXF AND AVS63MXF paired with Stradic 2500 CI4. 

Just think .... All this knowledge is free !!!

i appreciate it so much guys ! 

Now l'll  cypher whether to go with 1 or 2 piece Rod . Always favored a 1 piece , but never went longer than 6' , until a used a 10' Scott steelhead Rod . Never had issues . For want ever reason , I thought it might create a weak spot .....

 

 

[Zippyduck Krimm]

I use the  7' moderate action for spinners and jerkbaits, use a mhf 7'3" for jigs and swimbaits and mf 6'6" -7' for dropshots.

[Hulkster]

2 hours ago, PatrickKnight said:

As a general rule the longer the rod the more moderate the tip section. Most rods are a percentage of backbone to tip. So lets take my Dobyns Sierra 703 for example this rod will flex about 40% of the way down the blank so about 3 feet of flex. Now take that exact same blank but make it 6 foot long now its bending only about 2 feet into the blank. I hope this explains why longer rods have a more forgiving tip even while still being "fast" action rods.

 This depends on the manufacturer though. some, like G. Loomis, offer different lengths of the same taper (action) and power and they literally fish like carbon copies of each other despite being different lengths. I actually prefer this because I know that I can get a longer rod (7 foot) and have it behave the same as a shorter rod because the tapers are (proportionally) the same. ie. if the rod begins to flex 1/4 the way down the blank, it will do so whether the rod is 6, 6,6 or 7 feet or longer.

 

that being said, I too agree that the Avid 7 foot med power fast action is awesome!

[Nscheele]

My dropshot and shakey head rod is a 6'6" st croix eyecon, medium light fast action. The reel is a 2500 shimano stradic fk and it's the most comfortable, sensitive rod I've ever used. I agree with you that a shorter rod is better for casting accuracy and that's why I went with the 6'6". It's been an excellent combo so far and I don't think you could go wrong with it. I use it for everything from small panther Martin's to what I listed above, up to 3/8 ounce. The rod seems to be more a moderate action, but that's compared to my pflueger president combo and it's a 6' medium fast. 

[MickD]

Two piece rods have fine action and are not  more fragile than one piece; you just won't find as many to choose from.  I agree with those recommending a 7 foot rod in medium power, fast action.  St Croix willl be a little more powerful than other brands described as medium power, and that's fine.  You may find yourself fishing deep tubes and jigs, even drop shot, and a faster action is better for that.  I use 15 pound braid with about 5 feet of FC leader.  The leader provides a little "give," but I don't want a moderate action rod because, especially deep or with long casts, hook sets are more problematic.

[offsidewing]

7' Medium with a fast tip.  Stay away from medium medium rods in the Great Lakes / St Lawrence for smallies.  

[Squali]

What's the difference between the Avid and the Avid X 7' M spinning rods . Is one better than the other . 

7 hours ago, 1BADAIR said:

I would get a 7' medium avid.  I also like 3000 size reels better f

What's the difference between Avid and Avid X  besides the eye size and fighting butt . Is one better than the other . 

[uncle reddog]

I'd also suggest something in the 7 foot range medium, fast/extra fast action. You'll get a longer cast with that set up. I usually pitch my drop shots rather then cast. Less tendency to get your hook/bait crossed up with the sinker. Especially on windy days. Which are a constant on erie. I fish erie almost exclusively, mainly the islands (all 3 bass islands, Kelly's and pelee). I usually throw tubes on 6'6"-6'9" m/mh baitcasting gear and med and deep cranks on a 7'-7'3" mh  moderate fast action casting rod. Hope that helps in your decision making. 

[BassThumb]

Go with a longer rod in the 7' to 7' 3" range. The extra length offers far more pros than cons, especially if you're fishing big water rather than tight quarters. 

[1BADAIR]

13 hours ago, Squali said:

What's the difference between the Avid and the Avid X 7' M spinning rods . Is one better than the other . 

What's the difference between Avid and Avid X  besides the eye size and fighting butt . Is one better than the other . 

I don't have any X spinning rods but I do have a avid and X crankbait rod.  I think it's just the guides and grip. If your gonna do braid/flouro leader the avid would probably be better

[Squali]

15 minutes ago, 1BADAIR said:

I don't have any X spinning rods but I do have a avid and X crankbait rod.  I think it's just the guides and grip. If your gonna do braid/flouro leader the avid would probably be better

Gotcha 

[WRB]

 Zona show fishing Erie and recommending longer rods to make casts and better control of big smallies in open water, 7'3" med fast seemed to his choice.

Tom