Things a 7'2 Med Heavy - Extra Fast Action Rod Can Do?

[kayaking_kev]

I just got a Shimano SLX Reel combo that came with a 7'2 Med Heavy Extra Fast Action SLX Rod and I'm wondering what all it would be suited for. I already have a Dobyns Fury 703, that is 7 ft Med Heavy Fast Action for Senkos, Jigs, Flukes, Texas Rigs, and Spinners. I imagine they will throw a lot of the same stuff, and with the Dobyns I should be able to throw lighter stuff better with a little more flex in the tip. I'm considering using the SLX for frog fishing as one of it's applications, but I don't frog fish a whole lot. So, I'm just wondering if it's different enough to keep around or not, I would like to hear what you guys think it will be good for, thanks.

[Hewhospeaksmuchbull]

Quick bait change!

 

I'm finding that having a couple of rods that are similar is a good thing for me, Stick bait on one and a jig on the other, ect. Simpler for me, I don't have to think about it, brakes are set for the bait on the rod.

 

Even having both set up with the same bait is something I would do after missing an opportunity the other day. Had some bass feeding on a small school of shad, I was broken off on a fish and by the time I tied on a new bait they were gone.

[roadwarrior]

Well, the rod can be used for every lure class weighing at least 3/8 ounce.

More specifically, this would be the perfect set-up for jigs and weighted

soft plastics.

 

 

 

 

[Deleted account]

Put the SLX reel on the 703, and one a bit larger if you have one on the SLX rod. Those 2 rods complement well, they are not similar. The 703 is a medium rod, though its labeled MH, and the SLX is a true MH, maybe a tad stiffer, and considerably faster than the 703 to boot. It will frog ok in all but the heaviest cover, and will do alright with lures in the 1/4-3/4 range. 

[Shimano_1]

Honestly I could use that rod for most things. I've fished jigs and t rigs, spinnerbaits,  chatterbaits, frogs, small swim baits, rattle baits and even square bills around grass on that action of rod. I would definitely keep it! Very versatile rod

[keagbassr]

I have a 7-2 mh/xf rod ( not an slx) that has fallen into the role as my do-all(almost) rod. This year I've done everything from jerkbait from shore in March to toads in July and a couple of weeks ago poppers and sz. 90 ploppers for smallies. In between I've thrown spinnerbaits buzzbaits shallow cranks  bladed jigs and t rigs. The only thing i won't do is punch or frog or anything over 1/2 ounce. 

[kayaking_kev]

3 hours ago, keagbassr said:

I have a 7-2 mh/xf rod ( not an slx) that has fallen into the role as my do-all(almost) rod. This year I've done everything from jerkbait from shore in March to toads in July and a couple of weeks ago poppers and sz. 90 ploppers for smallies. In between I've thrown spinnerbaits buzzbaits shallow cranks  bladed jigs and t rigs. The only thing i won't do is punch or frog or anything over 1/2 ounce. 

Thanks for the reply. I do throw the 90 whopper plopper a lot for smallmouth, but it's usually on the river in depth less than 2 feet. I've mostly used a 6 ft ugly stik gx2 for it, but I have tried my Lews 6'10 MF with it a few times that actually feels more like a xtra fast and it seemed they were able to shake the treble hooks more often with the faster tip. With it being so shallow they have end up jumping up a lot. I thought treble hook lures need more a moderate/moderate fast tip, but I'm still pretty new to fishing. The Dobyns 703 actually seems like it would handle treble hook baits better cuz it has more flex in the tip. I'm hoping to get the Dobyns Glass rod for treble hook lures in a few months though, but right now I still like to use my GX2 for trebles, the glass tip gives it a lot of flex. But, I can always try the plopper on it sometime.

 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDx8tyMibBa5ypTXPBfI63g/videos?view_as=subscriber

23 hours ago, BassWhole! said:

Put the SLX reel on the 703, and one a bit larger if you have one on the SLX rod. Those 2 rods complement well, they are not similar. The 703 is a medium rod, though its labeled MH, and the SLX is a true MH, maybe a tad stiffer, and considerably faster than the 703 to boot. It will frog ok in all but the heaviest cover, and will do alright with lures in the 1/4-3/4 range. 

Thanks for the reply. I just did that last night. I put the Abu Garcia Pro Max I had on the SLX rod, and the SLX reel on the 703.

[keagbassr]

@kayaking_kev, you're probably right about the softer top for treble baits. I should have prefaced my post with a warning; 'kids don't try this at home' or something. ?. I'll.say that i probably have lost as many if not more on softer spinning tackle than the rod mentioned most likely due to my horsing fish.