Spinning Rod Help

[trwoh]

I just picked up a Pflueger Supreme XT 30x on a great deal and need some help on what rod to pair it with.  I am still a novice and probably shouldn't have splurged for a reel like this one, but i got it for nearly 50% off on Amazons prime day.  I basically fish ponds and am just using it as my all around pole until i pull the trigger on a BC setup. I have read a lot of these forums as a lurker and have gotten some great advice by just utilizing other peoples questions,  but i am kinda looking for personalized advice on what is a good pole to match with the Supreme XT 30x for all around pond bass fishing.  I have gathered that i should use an 8 pound mono line with a MF rod (maybe even a MH/F??), but whats a good medium rod to fit the supreme that wont run me 150$? 

 

Any and all advice helps, i'm still new to the game but really enjoy it thus far.  I didn't realize how complex this sport is until i really took the plunge into it.

[kenmitch]

Welcome aboard. It's a fun place to hang out and brush up on your fishing skills.

 

I'm on the hunt for a spinning rod as I picked up a Lews TSS200 the other day on sale. I've been looking around at the offerings and debating back and forth between choices in my budget. No rush as I just need to find the one before my September vacation. I'm looking to get into the finesse style fishing so I'm kind of teeter totting back and forth between ML and M with xf or f myself.

 

What's the lightest/heaviest baits you plan on throwing with your rig? 1pc or 2pc? Length?

 

Have you looked at the Dobyns Fury FR 703sf yet? MF 7' (8-17 lb line, 3/16-5/8 oz) looks to be highly recommended and it's budget friendly @ $109 retail priced.

 

Here's a short list of some of the budget friendly series of rods that look to have good quality and bang for the buck that I've come across while researching my choices. There's probably a couple more lines that I haven't come across yet.

 

St Croix Triumph

St Croix BassX

Lew's Speed Stick TP-1 

Falcon BuCoo 

Dobyns Fury

BPS Carbonlite 2.0 I'm forever tainted on this as I picked up the $120 BC combo deal in Feb. Wouldn't buy at retail.

 

Not sure if a 2pc MF would work for you. If you think it would then Cabelas has the St Croix split handle Premier series on sale for $99 available for backorder currently. Good bang for the buck if your in no hurry to try out your new toy.

 

Good luck on your quest!

 

I wound up going for the Dobyns Fury FR 703sf. Picked it up on eBay today with the 20% code (PRIMO) and free shipping. I wound up paying $88 for it.

 

 

 

 

 

[trwoh]

I plan on fishing Plastics, Wacky worms, some spinners, top water and maybe some jerk bait. I was thinking about doing 8lb mono and i am looking at 7ft rod. 

 

Basically, i want a good rod to match the Pflueger supreme and is able to withstand a 6-8 pound bass (assuming i may nab the king in the pond on a lucky day).  I'm not hunting big lake trophy fish or anything like that.  Just trying to hone my skills before i start really investing money on situational rigs.

 

I have been doing a lot of research on Abu Garcias Veritas.. but i have concerns over the rod breaking from many reviews.  I have also checked out the mojo bass / Daiwa Tatula XT / St Croix premier.  I know it doesn't matter but ive been trying to match the reel color to the rod, and the reel is orange and black/charcoal.  

 

Ill check out those other rods you suggested as well, there are so many options to choose from and i jsut wantto make sure i get the best bag for my buck between 100-120$.  Thanks for the tips!

[kenmitch]

3 minutes ago, trwoh said:

Ill check out those other rods you suggested as well, there are so many options to choose from and i jsut wantto make sure i get the best bag for my buck between 100-120$.  Thanks for the tips!

Search eBay if you can narrow it down to a choice or two. They have the 20% code (PRIMO) code available that may apply to your choice. The code is valid thru today it looks like. Not a whole lot of time to decide but the if you can find one your happy with and the code is valid on it you should have no issues keeping to or going below your budget.

[new2BC4bass]

I'd add the Fenwick HMG 7' MF to that list.  1/4-3/4 oz. makes it very versatile.  Although I've never used a Tatula spinning rod, I have several of the casting models.  Great rods.  You can find them for less than $120.  The 7' MF is rated 1/8-3/4 oz.  This was the best deal I could find right now.

 

  https://shop.opticsplanet.com/daiwa-tatula-rod.html?_iv_code=DAI-F3-TRIGGERRODT-190509&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=plusbox-beta&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzc6E1p2x3AIVkksNCh0OUQ6YEAQYASABEgKBCfD_BwE

 

I managed to snag all my Tatula casting rods for $100 or less.

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard!

 

If you have a Bass Pro or Cabelas near you, take your reel in

and ask to pair it with several different rods you fancy in the

$100 range. I can tell you from experience that Bass Pro

Carbonlite rods are fantastic, extremely light, and versatile.

 

They can often be found on sale there, too. Just some food for

thought. If they have your reel in-store, you don't have to 

bring yours in, just ask them if you can pair one they have with

one of the rods, or several of the rods.

[burrows]

Mojo bass spinning 

 

[trwoh]

I was in field and stream yesterday but their rod selection was poor (even the employee said it was a joke).  There was a mojo bass there but was for bait caster.  I have kinda narrowed it down to a st croix premier/avid, mojo bass and i have read a lot about the tatula being ok.  I need to check out the fenwick to see what its all about.

 

Quick side question... IF i were to go 6'6 in length, does that sacrifice feel or power?  From what little i know, i have gathered the length is more related to cast distance?  Do smaller guide rods improve feel and casting accuracy?

 

Thanks for all the feedback as always.

[Beetlebz]

Some folks match the rod length to the particular technique so they don't smack the water with the rod tip when fishing tip-down. I fish from the bank and primarily from a kayak, I much prefer longer rods for the extra reach. My two spinning rods are a 7'3" medium light and a 7' medium, both fast. They have never been too long for me. 

 

As for guides, the smaller guides supposedly help with accuracy, I've been told. The real benefit is smaller guides weigh less so the rod balances easier. Really doesn't make THAT much of a difference.

 

My personal preference in rods are from favorite USA. I have Balance and Dedender rods I absolutely love... but any of the rods these guys have suggested are fine. Fenwick makes a great rod, so are the dobyns fury and st croix. There are some solid options if you wanted to go a little cheaper too.

 

I almost sprang on that prime day president deal. I grabbed a Daiwa BG off Ebay during the primo code, but that pfluger deal was awfully tempting!

[Brad in Texas]

27 minutes ago, trwoh said:

I was in field and stream yesterday but their rod selection was poor (even the employee said it was a joke).  There was a mojo bass there but was for bait caster.  I have kinda narrowed it down to a st croix premier/avid, mojo bass and i have read a lot about the tatula being ok.  I need to check out the fenwick to see what its all about.

 

Quick side question... IF i were to go 6'6 in length, does that sacrifice feel or power?  From what little i know, i have gathered the length is more related to cast distance?  Do smaller guide rods improve feel and casting accuracy?

 

Thanks for all the feedback as always.

All other things being equal, a shorter rod will be more "powerful" as its lever is shorter, its lifting point closer to your hands. But, with spinning rods used the way they were intended, this is rarely an issue so I wouldn't over-emphasize length as regards power.

 

I prefer short rods when I am fishing from my kayak where I rarely make long casts. For fishing from the bank, I typically use a 7 footer because I am often trying to make longer casts to cover more water from a stationary point. If I fished with lots of overhanging limbs? I'd revert to my shorter rod. Situational.

 

I think most of us, if we are choosing one spinning rod, try to find one with a power and a tip that will accommodate what we catch most in terms of size. If you use a rod that is too stiff, it won't flex enough to pin the fish really well once it is on the hook. With spinning rods, we really want and need that full bend. It isn't uncommon for us to select a power that is a step lower than what a casting rod in the same circumstances would be preferable. If a MH casting rod is called for, an M with a spinning rod will normally be better. 

 

Anyway, if your average day finds you catching 2 lbs. bass, dial in for that. The best rod power and length for that will easily handle a 6 lbs. bass, even a 10 pounder. 

 

Brad

[trwoh]

That makes sense.. I am pretty much pond bound and from what i have caught so far, they are 1-2 pounds (i am sure there are some big gals in the ponds i just haven't caught them yet).  I may lean for a shorter rod then, some of the ponds are larger and wide open but some are tucked in woods with only a few banks to wiggle into that really restricts my movement. I am relatively new to the game so i really can't buy all the stuff i need right away (i still want a BC and a third rod/reel but this stuff gets pricey as you all very well know). 

 

Todd

[new2BC4bass]

1 hour ago, trwoh said:

Do smaller guide rods improve feel and casting accuracy?

 

Thanks for all the feedback as always.

I don't know about accuracy, but have read they are supposed to increase sensitivity and distance.  I am not good enough to tell the difference in sensitivity.  Nor can I see a difference in distance.  Could be my lack of abilities there, too.

 

I don't mind micro guides (prefer regular) on a baitcast rod, but the one time I tried them on a spinning rod I hated them.  I hope to overcome that feeling as I recently purchased 2 used spinning rods for finesse, and both have smaller guides than I like.

 

EDIT:  I take part of that back.  The only reason I disliked the micro spinning rod was because I felt distance was no where near what it should have been.

[trwoh]

Hmm...  Interesting, so its kind of preference to each user.  I have read a lot on this forum about the material of guide rods.  Is there a standard for what a minimum quality should be?  I have seen guideswith zirconium, AO, microwave guides etc etc. 

[Largemouth21]

22 hours ago, trwoh said:

I have been doing a lot of research on Abu Garcias Veritas.. but i have concerns over the rod breaking from many reviews. 

Before I bought my veritas, I read a lot of negative reviews as well. However I still ended up buying 2 of them. (Although mine were 2.0s I’m not sure about the new ones,I’ve handled them in stores they don’t seem too much different and are supposed to be much stronger than the previous model)I’ve never had a problem. I’ve used mine (7’ MF) for all the applications you listed here...

My theory is it’s many beginning anglers first “good” rod and therefore they have no idea how to take care of it. They think it can just be thrown in the back of the truck like an ugly stick or something. The graphite will weaken under prolonged abuse causing premature rod failure. Same goes for any graphite rod. If you treat the rod right it will treat you right. Also people tend to only write reviews if they have an issue, there are many satisfied Abu Veritas owners (such as myself) that have never felt the need to write a review... Good Luck and update us to whichever rod you decide to buy.

[trwoh]

8 minutes ago, Largemouth21 said:

Before I bought my veritas, I read a lot of negative reviews as well. However I still ended up buying 2 of them. (Although mine were 2.0s I’m not sure about the new ones,I’ve handled them in stores they don’t seem too much different and are supposed to be much stronger than the previous model)I’ve never had a problem. I’ve used mine (7’ MF) for all the applications you listed here...

That's a good point.  I will be pulling the trigger Monday and will be testing my completely new rig that evening (weather permitting, its been rainy all weekend in central ohio), i will definitely let you all know what i decide on! 

 

Thanks for all the advice!

[trwoh]

Well I ended up buying the Dobyns Sierra Series 6’9 M/F.  I tried the st croix premier and the mojo bass.   But the Dobyns and my supreme xt just felt so good together.  It was above my price point but it just felt good in my hand.  Thanks for all the help, I can’t wait to try the new rig out this evening.