Higher end rods that fish like a lightning rod?

[Jaderose]

6 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

What's wrong with wanting a higher end rod?  You might not catch more fish with one (although a high end rod should be more sensitive allowing you to catch more fish), but catching more fish isn't the end all.  Not many people on this forum fish for meat.  We mainly fish for enjoyment.  I know I get a lot of pleasure using better gear.  My old Trion is fairly smooth, casts great, and is backlash free if I do my part, but I enjoy using my new-2-me Steez, more.  They both accomplish the same thing.  My Lightning is over 40 years old and I will never get rid of it, but I much prefer using one of my Smallmouth, Tatula, Falcon, Hammer or Dobyns rods.  The Lightning has caught more fish than the others combined....mostly due to the fact I used to live in an area where fishing was excellent.

What's wrong with it?  Nothing.  I'm not arguing with anyone and I agree with everything you said.  I was also just trying to reassure a guy that there is nothing wrong with liking and using less expensive equipment.  He preferred the action of the Berkley so what's wrong with the Berk?  In the end, I don't care, in any way, what he or anyone else is using.  They happy, I'm happy.

[Mike F]

6 minutes ago, Jaderose said:

What's wrong with it?  Nothing.  I'm not arguing with anyone and I agree with everything you said.  I was also just trying to reassure a guy that there is nothing wrong with liking and using less expensive equipment.  He preferred the action of the Berkley so what's wrong with the Berk?  In the end, I don't care, in any way, what he or anyone else is using.  They happy, I'm happy.

I know what ya meant. And I’m not ashamed of my stuff or anything. Nor do I think any rod will make me a better fisherman, But when I upgraded from lews reels they sell @ DSG and abu black max’s To the lews tournament it was like a eureka moment. Like ahhh, that’s how a reel is supposed to feel, that’s what all these guys are talking about. And I’ve been seeking that same experience with Rods now is all. But when i occasionally get to witness an old timer crushing them on the same ponds as me on their usually cheap and certainly old gear, I get out my notepad for sure!

[Jaderose]

1 hour ago, Mike F said:

I know what ya meant. And I’m not ashamed of my stuff or anything. Nor do I think any rod will make me a better fisherman, But when I upgraded from lews reels they sell @ DSG and abu black max’s To the lews tournament it was like a eureka moment. Like ahhh, that’s how a reel is supposed to feel, that’s what all these guys are talking about. And I’ve been seeking that same experience with Rods now is all. But when i occasionally get to witness an old timer crushing them on the same ponds as me on their usually cheap and certainly old gear, I get out my notepad for sure!

Rock on, Brother.  May you find the exact thing you are looking for.  Just as an FYI.....I bought a Mojo Cranking rod a few years ago without first holding one.  Have never liked that rod.  I mostly throw cranks on an old BPS Extreme rod.  It is NOT the "right" rod for the job but it sure feels good to me.

[Bluebasser86]

They did just revamp the Lightning Rod, maybe take a look at the new versions?

 

I'd throw the Okuma TCS into the mix. I have a 7' 3" that is supposed to be for frogs but I use it for jigs. It has a little softer tip that is supposed to be so it loads well when casting the frog, but it just feels really nice with a jig, helps me feel those dead weight bites without pulling it away from the fish. Plenty of backbone once I swing on them too. 

[Catt]

It's called personal preference! 

 

Sensitivity starts in the hands & continues up to the brain.

 

Let me explain it this way!

 

I could put any high end reel on any high end rod, spool it with braid for maximum sensitivity, tie on a Texas rig & then give it to my wife. She could not "feel" any difference if I had rigged it up on a Berkley Lightening rod!

 

Why? Cause what is transmitted up the line, down the rod, through the hands will be lost in the brain. She doesn't fish & would not be able to interpret what she is feeling.

 

Even for the average angler a certain amount of "sensitivity" is lost in the brain!

[Mike F]

I think it was you Catt who advises people to go night fishing to train your mind to detect bites, I think that’s a fantastic idea. It’d be interesting to compare the St. Croix vs lightning rod at night, where casting is a crap shoot anyways (for me at least) and see if I notice a difference in what is transmitted to my hands via each stick.  

 

And bluebasser, I’d totally forgotten about Okuma, Do you use the Tcs in heavy power for jigs? 

[Bluebasser86]

9 minutes ago, Mike F said:

 And bluebasser, I’d totally forgotten about Okuma, Do you use the Tcs in heavy power for jigs? 

Yes I do, 7' 3" H/F. It's their frog and small swimbait rod I believe, but I use it almost exclusively for jigs. I have a few of the TCS rods and really like them. Don't pay full price though, you can find them for around $100 pretty easily. 

[LCG]

36 minutes ago, Mike F said:

I think it was you Catt who advises people to go night fishing to train your mind to detect bites, I think that’s a fantastic idea. It’d be interesting to compare the St. Croix vs lightning rod at ***ht

Next time you go fishing, bring both rods and after you cast, close your eyes and drag the bait in the bottom. Keeping your eyes closed you will notice your other senses increase. Don't have to wait for night time. It works. 

[NYWayfarer]

13 hours ago, Mike F said:

But when I upgraded from lews reels they sell @ DSG and abu black max’s To the lews tournament it was like a eureka moment. Like ahhh, that’s how a reel is supposed to feel, that’s what all these guys are talking about.

I am not ashamed to say I had that exact same moment, with the exact same reel.

 

You might want to take a look at the Denali AttaX 7' Medium Casting rod. It reminds me a lot of my old lightning rods. Soft tip and plenty of backbone.

[Junger]

20 minutes ago, NYWayfarer said:

I am not ashamed to say I had that exact same moment, with the exact same reel.

I guarantee you're not the only one. I started with the Lew's combo that usually goes on sale for $50 at DSG too. When I got my first Tatula rod and reel, I was like wowwwwww! 

[NYWayfarer]

12 minutes ago, Junger said:

I guarantee you're not the only one. I started with the Lew's combo that usually goes on sale for $50 at DSG too. When I got my first Tatula rod and reel, I was like wowwwwww! 

The Lew's Tournament MB that the OP and I are referring to is a great reel to upgrade to from beginner baitcasters. Aluminum frame, dual brakes, casts like a dream, smooth and silent.