Help Choosing an A-Rig Rod

[ryan.v]

I'm going to purchase a rod for an A-rig soon, but I'm having trouble deciding which one to pick. I'm hoping some of you who have fished A-rigs more in the past and have had experience with different setups, could guide me in the right direction.

 

Here are links to the rods I'm looking at: 

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Dobyns_Fury_Casting_Rods/descpage-DFC.html

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/catpage-STCROIXRODS.html?from=basres

 

I'm undecided between:

• Dobyn's Fury 7'6" Med Heavy
• Dobyn's 7'9" Med Heavy Swimbait
• St. Croix Mojo Bass 7'6" Med Heavy. 

 

Differences I've noted:

• Rod Action
  • Dobyn's 
    • Both fast
  • St. Croix
    • Moderate fast
• Lure Weight
  • Dobyn's
    • 1/4 - 2 oz for 7'6"
    • 1 - 5 oz for 7'9"
  • St. Croix
    • 3/8 - 1 1/4 oz.

 

Just by looking at the numbers the Dobyn's rods seem to be more inline with throwing heavy A-rigs, but I know people who use lighter end rods and still throw A-rigs with it. 

 

I prefer using more sensitive and lighter rods, so my intuition leads towards getting the St. Croix, and I also think I would get more use out of the St. Croix since it could also be used as another jig rod. Before making a decision, I want to hear from others who have experience with A-rigs. Some of you might say the Dobyn's rods aren't as stiff as they sound, or may say that you want to sacrifice the sensitivity for power. 

[WRB]

Depends on the total weight of the A-rig, I use a swimbait rod rated 1-5 oz lures.

Tom

[dsqui]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

Depends on the total weight of the A-rig, I use a swimbait rod rated 1-5 oz lures.

Tom

Agreed.  Most people who throw a rigs on lighter set ups do it because they don't have a dedicated set up.  Between the three I would choose the dobyns swimbaits rod and a good heavy duty reel. To buy an a rig rod and use for double duty to me just don't make sense unless u plan on throwing 1.5 to 2 oz jigs on it it would be a broom stick for anything else. 

[ryan.v]

7 hours ago, dsqui said:

Agreed.  Most people who throw a rigs on lighter set ups do it because they don't have a dedicated set up.  Between the three I would choose the dobyns swimbaits rod and a good heavy duty reel. To buy an a rig rod and use for double duty to me just don't make sense unless u plan on throwing 1.5 to 2 oz jigs on it it would be a broom stick for anything else. 

With the heavier rods, can you feel the swimming action of the a-rig, or is it more stiff and you just feel the extra weight when you have a fish? 

[dsqui]

Personally I throw my a rig on a pike rod I have so I just feel the extra weight. What I was Try in to get at is most people don't realize how heavy an a rig actually is once everything is on it.  Not setting up properly to throw something of that magnitude will burn up reels and put alot of stress on a rod not to mention make it harder to fish for long periods of time.  Fishing for musky often u learn the right rod very quickly when it comes to heavier baits the wrong rod will wear you out quickly 

[Robert Riley]

I got the fury806sb. A dobyns sb rod is the way to go, especially over the 7'6, which is a flippin stick, it's meant for jigs and plastics and will be much faster than the sb rods. The 795sb is the rod you want. 

[ryan.v]

Thanks for all the input! It looks like the Dobyn's swimbait rod is the rod of choice. 

[Basseditor]

I use a 7’11” moderate fast rod rated up to 4 ounces (Kistler). Pflueger Patriarch with 65-pound braid. I just got an 8’10” rod I’m anxious to try too.