Jig and plastics rod

[SWVABass]

I need some input into a new rod. I fish as a back boater 90% of the time. I'm a shorter guy 5'9" and I'm looking for a good rod for fliping and pitching trigs and jigs. The idea of a 7' rod won't work for me just to long and I'm to short. So some options would be nice if you know of any. 300 dollar range would be the max I'm willing to shell out. Thanks

 

Forgot to mention most cover here is salt cedar, mesquite, cottonwood, and some willows. Not sure about line rating but I'm guessing in the 15-20lb test rating.

[Raul]

I’m shorter than you and I can fish perfectly with a 7 ft rod.

[A-Jay]

Rod length IMO is always a matter of form, fit & function; as it pertains to the user.

Also an anglers height often does not dictate what they like.

I know many guys your height & shorter who prefer longer rods (more than 7 ft) but it's what you are comfortable with that counts.  I will say that in many instances, especially as a co-angler, where your presentation angles are often not optimum, accuracy can be tricky and a somewhat shorter flipping & pitching stick may help. 

 

I'd recommend a fairly stout blank with a decent tip.  However, 'shorter' heavier rods are less abundant as the market has exploded with 7 foot plus rods.  Being a St Criox fan, I can recommend a couple from the Legend Tournament Bass line (that are all currently on sale at TW)  They're over 7 ft but like I say the option of less length are limited. 

TBC71MHF / JIGS/BAITS: 
A super rod for searching open water with big spinnerbaits. It’s also ideal for jigs, worms and working heavy cover.

TBC76MHMF / PITCHIN’ & LITE FLIPPIN’: 
This versatile rod is a great choice for pitching jigs into cover or for lighter flipping applications.

You may want to go the custom route.

btw - considering the cover you listed, I'd be throwing braided line - something in the 40-65lb range.

 

A-Jay

[CroakHunter]

As a 5'9 guy I used to find it hard to fish a 7'0 or longer rod. Experimented around with a 7'6 but settled on a 7'3 heavy. I enjoy it but it is different mechanics than when I pitch a jig with my 7ft. I'd look into a 6'10 heavy. I know falcon makes a rod with that length & power

Also daiwa tatula elite 6'9 heavy

[kschultz76]

2 hours ago, Swbass15 said:

I need some input into a new rod. I fish as a back boater 90% of the time. I'm a shorter guy 5'9" and I'm looking for a good rod for fliping and pitching trigs and jigs. The idea of a 7' rod won't work for me just to long and I'm to short. So some options would be nice if you know of any. 300 dollar range would be the max I'm willing to shell out. Thanks

 

Forgot to mention most cover here is salt cedar, mesquite, cottonwood, and some willows. Not sure about line rating but I'm guessing in the 15-20lb test rating.

Understand your discomfort with longer rods completely, I was the same way a couple years ago and have changed my view and experience. But not going to try and change your mind or comfort here. 

 

What at is max comfortable length for you?  Anything sub 7’0”? Like would a 6’10”work?

 

And what weight range of jigs and trigs are you wanting to handle with this stick?

 

Heres a few rods that may fit the bill for you. I have no hands on experience with any of them. But I’ve been very happy with my Megabass Orochi xX rods and have read some good feedback on the Orochi XXX series.  The triple XXX are JDM but when bought from the Tackle Trap my understanding is they are backed by Megabass USA’s warranty policy. 

 

http://tackletrap.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1066_2409_2410&products_id=10655

 

http://tackletrap.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1066_2409_2410&products_id=10654

 

Again no personal experience with ALX but heard lots of good reviews of them here. In their Enox series they have a couple sub 7 foot options. You can these 20 percent off on TW right now. 

 

http://www.alxrods.com/product/cyclone/

 

Any St Croix 6’6” MH/F like the Avid or Legend Elite should work for your needs as well. I have an older 6’6”LTB with cork split grips and it’s got plenty of power for your purpose. 

 

Shimano alos has an Expride 6’8” MH/F that may fit the bill as well. 

 

If if you decide to go to 7’0” then you have a lot more great options. If you can push to 7’2” a Megabass Orochi XX Perfect Pitch is a killer heavy cover xheavy powered jig rod as well as frog rod. 

 

Good luck

[LCG]

1 hour ago, kschultz76 said:

Any St Croix 6’6” MH/F like the Avid or Legend Elite should work for your needs as well.

X2

[SWVABass]

Thanks for the input everyone. Maybe my mechanics and I pretty sure I need to work on these as well. Given how many of you are suggesting the longer rod what are the benefits associated with the longer rod? If there is a major benefit there I might just go with the longer rod. Thanks again really appreciate the input.

[LCG]

I think length should be what you're comfortable with. The 6'6"-7'6" is simply a ballpark range. Longer rods help with casting distance and line pick up. Shorter rods gain you accuracy and maneuverability. I am 5'10". I have four rods ranging from 6'6"-6'10". Any longer does not feel right to me. Just preference. 

[Poolshark]

st Croix makes some phenominal shorter worm/jig rods. 

6'6 mhf avid... 6'8 mhf legend tournament bass. 

Both in your the price range. They are both powerful rods and do well fishing cover. 

[WRB]

Dee Thomas is shorter than 5’9” and flipped with 14’ rods. longer flipping or pitching rods are a big advantage.

Keep in mind the longer rods have longer handles moving the reel seat forward so the rod length in front of the reel isn’t inch to inch length increase. 

Tom

[kschultz76]

If you’re interested in the St Croixs they have the 6’6” MH/F Avid X on their online store discounted to 130. My guess is they’re discontinuing that model. They also have all the previous generation of LTBs discounted there including the 6’8” MH/F, but that reel seat on those is love it or hate it. 

[SWVABass]

5 hours ago, kschultz76 said:

If you’re interested in the St Croixs they have the 6’6” MH/F Avid X on their online store discounted to 130. My guess is they’re discontinuing that model. They also have all the previous generation of LTBs discounted there including the 6’8” MH/F, but that reel seat on those is love it or hate it. 

Do you happen to know which reel seat it is?

[kschultz76]

29 minutes ago, Swbass15 said:

Do you happen to know which reel seat it is?

I think the Fuji model is the FK, it’s that fully split casting reel seat. Same one that’s on the current Legend Xtreme line. I absolutely loathe it and personally wouldn’t take a rod built with it for free. 

[LCG]

I played with one in the stores and it was not near as comfortable as the avid x. 

 

That's a great price for a new avid x that should last you a long time. I just picked up a used one and it is very nice. Haven't fished with it yet, but can't wait. 

[SWVABass]

Ok I figured they were. I have an LTB spinning rod and actually like the reel seat. I think my local shop carries them here so I'll see if I can't try one out. Thanks again

[Angry John]

I am trying to figure out how long you have been at this game and your experience level.  Its no fun to fish equipment that your not comfortable with.  It seems as though rods are getting ever longer and there is a lot of support for this movement.  I have rods up to 8 feet but my long rods are for certain applications.  My 8 footer is for swim baits and the length is important in the rating and action when going that heavy.  My favorite rod is a 610 Mxf st croix legend.  I fish a lot of techniques with it and its supper lite and i am very accurate with it.  My le 70mhf is also very nice and i would not trade either for anything out there.  If you know that you dont want a longer rod then consider what is available or have one built.  Rod building is a little more expensive than off the shelf and the resale is not there but the satisfaction is...  If you have not spent some real time with a 7 foot rod, i would consider asking your boater to borrow one for a while to try out.  If you plan on building use as many diffrent rods as possible to find what you like and dont.  Take notes

[Drunkentigerrr]

853c nrx gloomis

[bigfruits]

d**n. im one inch from being a short guy.

 

7' is not a long rod IMO. for pitching i like 6'8"-7'. for casting moving baits i like it a little longer.

 

have you tried a 7' rod or do you just think it will be too long? give it a shot if you havent. get something light and well balanced. sensitive (or one that has low sensitivity dampening - thats for WRB) because its for jigs!

[IgotWood]

I really like my Lews Custom Speed Stick in 6'10" medium power, moderate/fast action. They rate it as a soft plastics rod, but I use it for almost everything. It's the perfect balance between moderate and fast, and the length is perfect for me, especially fishing out of a kayak. This rod handles 3/16-1/2oz very well. very sensitive....can feel a fish fart next to my jig with this rod.

[SWVABass]

I have an older 7' rod. I do not feel very coordinated with it trying to pitch. It feels out of balance. I have been using a 6'8" crowder rod currently, but it's a med fast rod and I have had trouble getting good hooksets at times. @Angry John I have been at it awhile but no means a pro. I have spent two years trying to get comfortable with a 7' rod and just never have, switching to the shorter rod improved my accuracy and saw the number of bites I got go up. I attribute that to being able to accurately place my bait where I wanted to... maybe I'm wrong.  

[kschultz76]

Fish what you’re comfortable with and what works for you. Wasn’t that long ago that 6’ and 6’6” rods were the norm. If you’ve tried 7’ and it’s not for you then don’t waste your money on something that isn’t what you want. 

[Angry John]

So you have spent time with a longer rod and it just doesn't work, that's the data I was looking for thanks.  At your point I would get a custom built at the length you like best.  I love my 610 and they have 66mf rods also.  I have an avid mhf I never use if your in need.

[WRB]

My swimbait rods are 7'10", 7'11" and 8' long, finesse spinning rods 6'10", deep diving crank bait rods 7' & 7'5". My casting jig & worm rods are 6'10" because I prefer that length. Rods should fit your needs, not anyone else's.

Tom

[RyneB]

7-1 Loomis IMX. I'm only 5'8 and use 7-11 rods. the 7-1 IMX is a perfect jig and Texas rig rod. I've even Carolina rigged with it.

[Angry John]

some good options

Daiwa Tatula Elite Casting Rod 6'9" Heavy Montgomery

St. Croix Avid X Series Cast Rod 6'8" Med Hvy

Avid Casting Rod 6'8" Medium