Please help me pick a rod (I'm going nuts)

[FL_Basshole]

12 hours ago, Mikeltee said:

20 years ago there were no technique specific rods and people caught just as many fish as today. The lightest you want is a M-MH and it will shine for weightless however if you are going to add weights you want a MH which will also be fine for weightless. I'd suggest a bait casting rig for any senko presentation. I assure you if you enjoy bass fishing you will upgrade to a baitcaster by next season and the purchase you make now will collect dust.

 

Dicks had a champion 734 which is a great rod for $160 and it retails at $250. You can do just about any presentation with that rod. It's by far the best bang for the buck.

 

Learn to throw a baitcaster and you will enjoy your time on the water much more.

 

Adding on... For non-moving baits you want the most sensitive rod you can afford. Stay clear of the Fury series and the like. You can afford the Champion line and you will have a much better chance to feel fish flirting with your bait. Anything less pretty much guarantees a broomstick in the MH power range. With medium you can go cheap because they are all super sensitive, even an Ugly Stick. That would be for finesse/light wire presentations and you would want more power to drive those EWG and whacky hooks home. Dropshot, neko, mushrooms heads are usually light wire.

I have baitcasters. Maybe I'm in the minority but I much prefer to fish senkos with spinning gear. I personally feel I make it move better and feel it better. I like baitcasters for jigging and top water

[FL_Basshole]

On 8/26/2019 at 12:19 AM, WRB said:

I will offer you some advice based on where you are located and what presentations you plan to use. Major Craft NAS WJ 701 MH is the rod for your application.

I realize everyone else is suggesting a different rod but none of them are hall of fame bass anglers and this is the rod Don Iovino uses for 5" to 6" Senko's and the rod I use.

Tom

I think I'm going to go with this rod. all the reviews I've read have been encouraging. I'm looking at the 7ft medium worm and jig. or should i got ML finesse? Some people said there mediums are more like medium light already. Just don't want to worry about hooking a 8lb+ fish

[WRB]

35 minutes ago, FL_Basshole said:

I think I'm going to go with this rod. all the reviews I've read have been encouraging. I'm looking at the 7ft medium worm and jig. or should i got ML finesse? Some people said there mediums are more like medium light already. Just don't want to worry about hooking a 8lb+ fish

I wouldn't go lighter then medium with this rod, the MH is more like a M+, good tip action for drop shot and enough backbone for finesse 1/4 to 3/8 oz jigs and 5"-6" Senko's. I use Owner 5172 size 2/0 Wacky hook with 7 lb Sniper getting good solid hook sets. The rod doesn't over power size 1 Mosquitos drop shot hooks with finesse worms.

Tom

 

[haggard]

AVS70MF (6-12 lb line, 3/16-5/8 lure) $210

 

PS70MF (6-12 lb line, 1/4-5/8 lure) $150

 

 

[Mikeltee]

1 hour ago, FL_Basshole said:

I think I'm going to go with this rod. all the reviews I've read have been encouraging. I'm looking at the 7ft medium worm and jig. or should i got ML finesse? Some people said there mediums are more like medium light already. Just don't want to worry about hooking a 8lb+ fish

Tom forgot more about bass fishing than I will ever know. He is very wise in this sport and posts interesting comments. Hes a true hero to this forum in my eyes.

 

A medium will do you fine. You can also do all the lightweight stuff with it too. Heck you can catch a bass on ultralight gear if you need to. It just might not be the best gear to choose.

 

That's cool you like BCs for moving baits and spinning for bottom contact. You are in the minority there but I respect your decision. I let peer pressure talk me into getting spinning gear for finesse and I regret it. Waste of $600. Lol

 

By asking about spinning gear I assumed you were new to bass fishing. When I was new to bass fishing, I immediately bought a $260 spinning rod. I took it out once and was hooked and spent about $2k the next day on casting  gear. That rig has collected dust every since. I was trying to save you from the same mistake.

[FL_Basshole]

15 minutes ago, Mikeltee said:

Tom forgot more about bass fishing than I will ever know. He is very wise in this sport and posts interesting comments. Hes a true hero to this forum in my eyes.

 

A medium will do you fine. You can also do all the lightweight stuff with it too. Heck you can catch a bass on ultralight gear if you need to. It just might not be the best gear to choose.

 

That's cool you like BCs for moving baits and spinning for bottom contact. You are in the minority there but I respect your decision. I let peer pressure talk me into getting spinning gear for finesse and I regret it. Waste of $600. Lol

 

By asking about spinning gear I assumed you were new to bass fishing. When I was new to bass fishing, I immediately bought a $260 spinning rod. I took it out once and was hooked and spent about $2k the next day on casting  gear. That rig has collected dust every since. I was trying to save you from the same mistake.

yea not sure why I prefer them for senkos but they have always been my preference

[FLAGATOR49]

Dobyns Sierra/Champion 704 SF is great for 5" senkos T-rigged weightless. Typically use it with 30lb braid to a 16lb leader

[FL_Basshole]

On 8/27/2019 at 8:12 PM, WRB said:

I wouldn't go lighter then medium with this rod, the MH is more like a M+, good tip action for drop shot and enough backbone for finesse 1/4 to 3/8 oz jigs and 5"-6" Senko's. I use Owner 5172 size 2/0 Wacky hook with 7 lb Sniper getting good solid hook sets. The rod doesn't over power size 1 Mosquitos drop shot hooks with finesse worms.

Tom

 

I ordered one. tacklewarehouse had a sale so i got it for $100. Thanks for the recommendation.

[Matt_3479]

Everyone has there own opinion which is why it makes it so far choosing a rod lol. He’s my experience. Buy once and buy right. If you were debating on “biting the bullet” and stepping up in the budget then do it cause I promise you’ll regret it if you don’t. 

 

As far as budget, the fury is fantastic and so is the mojo from what I hear. I’ve only fished the mojo once and was pretty impressed with it compared too my avid x. 

 

I haven’t fished the imx but own a few imx pro’s and love these rods. They are light, sensitive and fish very good! To be honest for that price though I’d actually lean towards an expride. I love the 845c cbr but other then that I prefer the expride to the imx pro by a little and it’s a smidge cheaper! The 7’ medium expride or even the 6’10” medium light expride would make a nice universal spinning set up

[DanielG]

I've got a Dobyn's fury medium. I like it. Then again everyone else likes their brand too. When I bought it I too looked at all the recommendations. Then with 57 options to choose from I bought the Dobyn's. No particular reason... at $119 it was just a choice. You'll probably be in that situation too.

[Zippyduck Krimm]

Dobyns Sierra 703sf is a great all around spinning rod. Sensitive with a good tip. I love mine when my wife lets me use it.