Rod action old vs.new

[BAMster]

As an old guy (in my 60’s) my buddy and I were discussing while bass fishing today that it seems all of the new rods on the market lack the lively tip that graphic rods of the 80’s and 90’s had/have.  Making them require much more effort to cast, and also more difficult to cast accurately in the wind and in tight places, ie: under low hanging limbs, docks etc.

Is anyone currently manufacturing rods that still have those lively tips?

[Catt]

First ya need to understand there are no industry standards concerning heavy, medium heavy, medium, or light rods. There isn't any industry standards concerning extra fast, fast, or moderate.

 

If ya want rods that are pretty much the same as they were during the 80-90s I would suggest Falcon Lowrider Series. 

[Fishes in trees]

We're close enough, age wise, that I remember those "lively tips", that were kinda common on 80's & 90's graphite rods.   What I remember most is that I broke several of them, all in the same place, at the lower bend of the "lively tip".

My attitude towards that particular style of rod is goodbye - seaya later - NOT.  I got tired of breaking tips.  I'm pretty sure that the companies involved got tired of replacing rods.  I don't know that - just a guess.

 

My only advice, especially concerning spinnerbait rods, is keep looking til you find the action you like and if you find one buy several.   I remember in the 80's -early 90's, 6'6" was, to my mind, a long rod.  These days, I carry 20 to 23 rigs in my fishing truck and out of those only 3 or 4 are less than 6'6".   I know I can cast both for more distance and better accuracy with my current spinner bait favorite (6'8" Fenwick AETOS), casting 2 handed most of the time than I ever could with my old pistol grip 5'6" Berkley Lightning Rod.

 

Echoing the previous post, Falcon rods are good rods, even if they don't make the Eakins Jig Special anymore.

[A-Jay]

18 hours ago, BAMster said:

As an old guy (in my 60’s) my buddy and I were discussing while bass fishing today that it seems all of the new rods on the market lack the lively tip that graphic rods of the 80’s and 90’s had/have.  Making them require much more effort to cast, and also more difficult to cast accurately in the wind and in tight places, ie: under low hanging limbs, docks etc.

Is anyone currently manufacturing rods that still have those lively tips?

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~

I can relate to your plight.

As I also prefer a stick that actually bends both during a cast and while fighting a fish.

The majority of my moving bait presentations are currently being done with composite sticks; quite effectively I might add.  

While not everyone's preference, I am a big fan.

Clearly not the lightest or most sensitive blanks out there, which seems to be a deal breaker for some anglers.   However, what they do offer suits this old basshead just fine.

A-Jay 

 

[CrankFate]

I prefer a stick that bends. You can’t get the Same type of casting difference with a stiff rod. And you can’t keep a hook in a fish with a lot of line out using braid unless the rod bends enough.

[WRB]

When Loomis came out with the NRX series rods about 8 years ago it was a game changer regarding rod action. The NRX was lighter weight high modulus blank combining power and stiffness increasing what anglers call sensitivity. Today most bottom contact jig & worm rods replicate the NRX action.

If you want a more flexible rod blank for ease of casting a moderate-fast action rod built for top water or jerk bait applications may work for you. I use Don Iovino Major Craft Splash-It rod for lures up to 5/8 oz. This rod is light weight and in Don's words is very similar to his 90's doddling rod with flexible tip for shaking finnese worms and marketed for poppers and smaller size top water, jerk baits etc. 

Tom

[Spankey]

2 hours ago, Catt said:

First ya need to understand there are no industry standards concerning heavy, medium heavy, medium, or light rods. There isn't any industry standards concerning extra fast, fast, or moderate.

 

If ya want rods that are pretty much the same as they were during the 80-90s I would suggest Falcon Lowrider Series. 

I agree 100% on the standards. I own one Falcon Rod and happen to like it. I find it hard to find them so I can’t go on and on about them. 

 

I recently went on that ultimate search for just that right crankbait rod. I had a power in mind and a certain length. And the action/tip was going to be of my liking and have just the right feel. I can’t buy a rod sight untouched. 

 

After pondering and touching I   settled on a Abu Garcia Veritas. I feel good about this rod. I feel good about the whole setup. I put my reel on virtually ever rod I considered. I hope my results with it are as good as the warm fuzzy feeling. They will. 

 

 

[smalljaw67]

The rods you are talking about still exist but you need to look at both power and action. Phenix rods with a fast action tend to be closer to a moderate fast action. The tip sections are a little softer which will load up easily during a cast but they tend to feel about 1/2 power lighter than what they are rated. For example a medium heavy will feel more like a stout medium rod or what Kistler calls a light medium heavy. Hammer rods that aren't cranking rods are all moderate fast actions and will feel like the rods you once used. Falcon rods also have more moderate fast actions but again, it will depend on what rods you used back in the day. 

[Catt]

3 hours ago, A-Jay said:

vomposite sticks

 

Where ya find them at?

 

Academy don't got em ?

[A-Jay]

2 hours ago, Catt said:

 

Where ya find them at?

 

Academy don't got em ?

Thank you my friend. 

Can't be having no typos in dem dern postes.

A-Jay 

[The Maestro]

Don't the Mag Bass tapers have a softer tip? I've never used one but from my research in trying to understand what "Mag Bass" means I've come to understand that it's a rod with a softer action, especially in the tip section.

[ResoKP]

Was going to mention Loomis but Tom (WSB) got to it first and I agree.

 

I could go on but better to listen from the master himself (from 4:43 mark):

 

 

That diving board analogy is right on the money.

[The Maestro]

1 minute ago, ResoKP said:

Was going to mention Loomis but Tom (WSB) got to it first and I agree.

 

I could go on but better to listen from the master himself:

 

 

Personally, I love jig/flipping rods with a blank that completely "shuts off" when it gets to the "meat" of the blank. Love setting the hook and feeling that snap/shock of a hookset on a short line with heavy braid. 

[Boomstick]

On 4/17/2019 at 10:40 AM, A-Jay said:

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~

I can relate to your plight.

As I also prefer a stick that actually bends both during a cast and while fighting a fish.

The majority of my moving bait presentations are currently being done with composite sticks; quite effectively I might add.  

While not everyone's preference, I am a big fan.

Clearly not the lightest or most sensitive blanks out there, which seems to be a deal breaker for some anglers.   However, what they do offer suits this old basshead just fine.

A-Jay 

 

I use a MH/MF "glass" rod for spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, swim jigs and crankbaits in grass or around stumps. It casts great and I've had no issues with getting a decent hookset. My theory is that since I'm either keeping the bait moving or fishing it on a stop and go, I'm always waiting to reel so I'm always ready to give it a quick hookset, and in turn the extra bend helps me from pulling the lure out of the fish's mouth. The weight doesn't bother me personally.

 

I will use a fast action rod for soft plastics, other jigs and frogs, but for moving baits I find I don't need a fast action unless I'm using the california hooks.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Look for “popping “ rods in inshore series’s. They are typically fast or mod-fast action but soft tipped. 

[Mobasser]

On 4/17/2019 at 7:23 AM, Catt said:

First ya need to understand there are no industry standards concerning heavy, medium heavy, medium, or light rods. There isn't any industry standards concerning extra fast, fast, or moderate.

 

If ya want rods that are pretty much the same as they were during the 80-90s I would suggest Falcon Lowrider Series. 

Catt, I've looked at the Falcon Lowrider rods. These are about the only rods I've seen that have much tip flex. Most newer rods don't have this. Xfast has always been good for worm/jig fishing, but not always the best for spinnerbait, traps and other moving baits. I've even thought about an all glass rod too. Heavier of course, but they load up and cast really well, and as others have said, your not as apt to jerk these baits away from fish, which can happen easily with a stiff fast action rod

[Catt]

@Mobasser Falcon rods are overlooked by many because they don't have the advertising campaigns of other companies. Their advertisement campaign is word of mouth...this rods work & work extremely well.

 

Some companies need to learn if it aint broke quit trying to fix it!

 

[rangerjockey]

The Eakins rod is now the finesse jig rod . I think the Cara version is a bit  crisper than the original lowrider. 

Some people tried to drag 1/2 oz football heads on the thing and complained about the lack of power but it was designed for pitching a 5/16 finesse jig.

Jewell no longer uses Eakins name either and simply calls it a finesse jig.

[Mobasser]

On 4/17/2019 at 9:40 AM, A-Jay said:

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~

I can relate to your plight.

As I also prefer a stick that actually bends both during a cast and while fighting a fish.

The majority of my moving bait presentations are currently being done with composite sticks; quite effectively I might add.  

While not everyone's preference, I am a big fan.

Clearly not the lightest or most sensitive blanks out there, which seems to be a deal breaker for some anglers.   However, what they do offer suits this old basshead just fine.

A-Jay 

 

A-Jay, I too like a rod for moving baits with a little tip flex. Probably not the most popular these days. Also, I thought those Lamiglass rods you modified were really nice. I've thought about bringing back an older Fenwick glass rod I have. The composite and glass rods have an old school feel- they load and cast so smoothly. Makes them fun to fish with- and effective on moving baits too

[MickD]

On 4/17/2019 at 10:40 AM, A-Jay said:

As I also prefer a stick that actually bends both during a cast and while fighting a fish.

Which means, A-Jay, that you prefer a more moderate action than the current trend toward X-fast , right?  The moderate actions are also, IMHO, easier to cast accurately, just plain easier to cast.  Of course for any rod to cast well it has to be used with the right weight lure or it won't be loaded properly.  Plus more tolerant when fighting and landing fish.