Is rod sensitivity more about feeling bites or feeling bottom/structure?

[Sam]

11 hours ago, Catt said:

 

Exactly! 

 

And be able to distinguish between the two.

 

Catt, I have missed so many rocks, trees, bushes, etc. when setting the hook that I have lost count.

[TBAG]

5 hours ago, Tennessee Boy said:

I am willing to pay a premium for a product that engineered and made in the US by craftsmen who care about the product. St Croix makes the case on their website about America made craftsmanship.  They also give pretty detailed specs on their rods and what they are made of.  I don't see this for gloomis.  There is a five year old video tour of their US factory on youttube.  Are their rods still made there?  If it says so on their website, I can't find it.

Pretty sure they still build them in Washington state. 

 

Do you fish with ALL American made rods/reels/lures? Just curious. 

[Catt]

5 minutes ago, Sam said:

Catt, I have missed so many rocks, trees, bushes, etc. when setting the hook that I have lost count.

 

I knows the feeling quite well ?

 

There's the feel of a bite & there's the feel of the bottom & then there's the awe ****!

[Tennessee Boy]

1 minute ago, TBAG said:

Pretty sure they still build them in Washington state. 

 

Do you fish with ALL American made rods/reels/lures? Just curious. 

No but I am willing to pay extra for American made all things being equal.  Most of my rods are American made. All of my reels are made in Japan.

[punch]

32 minutes ago, Catt said:

 

G. Loomis was bought out by Shimano ?

 

 

There are Pros at the bottom of the pack that have to look for sponsorships.

 

There are Pros at the top of the pack that can choose their sponsors.

 

Keep in mind Pros are bass heads like us & are constantly looking for that little advantage.

Yes, everyone knows Shimano owns Gloomis. This happened like way back in 1995? Not sure why it's relevant when they own and operate their own factory in Washington. 

23 minutes ago, TBAG said:

Pretty sure they still build them in Washington state. 

 

Do you fish with ALL American made rods/reels/lures? Just curious. 

I don't think their are any Bass reels manufacturered in the USA. They all come from Asian companies. I know there's USA made fly reels, but I can't think of any baitcasters. Is Penn USA made? 

[LegendaryBassin]

10 minutes ago, punch said:

Yes, everyone knows Shimano owns Gloomis. This happened like way back in 1995? Not sure why it's relevant when they own and operate their own factory in Georgia. 

I don't think their are any Bass reels manufacturered in the USA. They all come from Asian companies. I know there's USA made fly reels, but I can't think of any bbaitcastes. Is Penn USA made? 

I'm almost certain Shimano/G Loomis has a fishing facility in California and South Carolina, not Georgia. As it's in Charleston. They may have one for cycling in Georgia though. 

[punch]

7 minutes ago, LegendaryBassin said:

I'm almost certain Shimano/G Loomis has a fishing facility in California and South Carolina, not Georgia. As it's in Charleston. They may have one for cycling in Georgia though. 

I meant Washington, brain fart in my part. The Gloomis factory is in Woodland WA. 

[LegendaryBassin]

1 minute ago, punch said:

I meant Washington, brain fart in my part. The Gloomis factory is in Woodland WA. 

No problem buddy. ?

[Mobasser]

I really don't think there is any one rod brand that is the best. When you get in to high end rods, they all have their good points. Loomis is one. It may be the best for some, but not all. Too many choices these days. I think Shimano makes an excellent bass rod, for less than Loomis.All the tackle companies make some very good rods. Pick one that works for you. It may not be what others like, but it may fit your style of fishing better.Ive set the hook on many a rock, weed, branch and whatever else is down there. But, I've also set the hook into many a bass with my Shimano. It's proved itself 

[rod snapper]

really, what it comes down to is how much money you have on hand. Use common sense, a more expensive item will be nearly always superior in some way. i love American made equipment but my checking account doesn't. unfortunately, my checking account wins. find the best rod you can get with your budget, and stop worrying about it. if you have faith in a certain company, then go with that company. all i'm trying to say is be confident. doubt is a fisherman's worst enemy.

[LegendaryBassin]

10 minutes ago, rod snapper said:

really, what it comes down to is how much money you have on hand. Use common sense, a more expensive item will be nearly always superior in some way. i love American made equipment but my checking account doesn't. unfortunately, my checking account wins. find the best rod you can get with your budget, and stop worrying about it. if you have faith in a certain company, then go with that company. all i'm trying to say is be confident. doubt is a fisherman's worst enemy.

Great outlook as well as legendary name haha 

[A-Jay]

What interesting thread.

 

To the OP @The Maestro

"Is rod sensitivity more about feeling bites or feeling bottom/structure?"

"I guess my question is do you think I'd detect more bites with the most sensitive rods available?"

 

Fairly difficult to know what You can detect regardless of what price point stick you happen to be fishing.

That's one you'll have to answer yourself; no way around it. 

Interestingly enough, I have no idea how many bites I'm missing, because I never "detected" them in the first place.

 

What I do know is this;

 When it comes to gear, I use middle of the road (mostly) as far as price point goes.

Many of the bites/strikes I feel, I get.  But I still miss at least my share.  Can't speak for others.

I'm usually pretty happy to be able to feel & decipher most of whatever I happened to be fishing.

Finally, I Really Hate it when I get a little snagged on something on the bottom, and then it pulls back ! 

A-Jay

 

 

 

 

[WRB]

There is one snag I haven't been able to solve, line! I feel the slight tension and see the my line movement as the hook slides on someone discarded or broken off line on the bottom. When setting hook the snagged line moves like a fish for a moment until the ahh *#% relealization it's snagged line.

Tom

[Heartland]

Both

[Catt]

10 hours ago, punch said:

Yes, everyone knows Shimano owns Gloomis. This happened like way back in 1995? Not sure why it's relevant when they own and operate their own factory in Washington. 

 

Because I'm a big time Shimano fan & was on the Loomis wagon for years. I actually switched from Loomis to Shimano rods.

 

To answer the original question for me it's about feeling the bottom/structure, cause if it feels any different than that I set hook!

[Dirtyeggroll]

1 hour ago, Catt said:

To answer the original question for me it's about feeling the bottom/structure, cause if it feels any different than that I set hook!

This is it! I was trying to come up with my own description for what I feel makes a rod sensitive and this description nails it.

 

Its about DIFFERENTATING bites from bottom and bottom from bites.

[jrwerner310]

I have always had a hard time detecting bites. The four main fishing rods that i use are all medium action and medium sensitivity, with either a moderate or fast action tip.  i have two with 8-10LB fluorocarbon or 10-15lb braid with a 10lb fluorocarbon leader.  that setup seems to work but im still always struggling it seems. i am guessing that i need to do a better job at matching up some of my equipment better before i decide to splurge on yet another fishing rod lol, especially since i dont get to fish as much as i would like and im mostly fishing from the bank or the kayak. im wondering if a brighter main line would help with some of those detecting some more bites tho? 

[Team9nine]

Yes, feeling bites and yes, feeling bottom, but just as important as both of those is a third factor, maybe a hybrid of the two above points - feeling your bait. Often termed as "weighing your bait." The better in touch you are with your bait, the better your ability to interpret both bottom and bites.

[roadwarrior]

58 minutes ago, Team9nine said:

Yes, feeling bites and yes, feeling bottom, but just as important as both of those is a third factor, maybe a hybrid of the two above points - feeling your bait. Often termed as "weighing your bait." The better in touch you are with your bait, the better your ability to interpret both bottom and bites.