Bottom Contact Rod Specs

[Tizi]

I am in the market for a bottom contact rod for worms/jigs.  I am looking in the 7 foot range.  My question is this:  do you normally go MH or H for this technique?

[jbsoonerfan]

Depends on what weight you plan to throw. I prefer a MH for 90% of what I do. I use a 6'10" MH for anything up to 3/16 with a 2/0 hook, usually more like 1/8 oz T-Rigs which when a hook and bait is added comes out to about 3/16 or a touch more. I use a 7'2" MH for 1/4 to 1/2 oz T-Rigs or Carolina rigs with a 3/0 hook, usually using a 3/16 oz weight. I use a 7'2" H rod for 1/2 oz and up T-Rigs and Jigs, I also use this rod for a frog rod, small swimbait rod, A-rig rod, etc. 

 

I have a ML rod that I use for finesse applications as well, but I don't use it nearly as often as I do my MH rods. 

[Hammer 4]

32 minutes ago, Tizi said:

I am in the market for a bottom contact rod for worms/jigs.  I am looking in the 7 foot range.  My question is this:  do you normally go MH or H for this technique?

 

Depends on what weight lures you intend to use. For me, up to 1/2oz, 7' mh, 3/4 and up I use a 7'2" H.

[fishballer06]

I like anything in the 6'10" to 7'4" length, and then I'll base M, MH, or H powered depending on the weight or structure I am fishing around. 

[Dens228]

I use a MH/Fast for weighted plastics and jigs.

 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Disregard the power rating for a second and look at the lure weight range. The sweet spot is usually near the mid range. Then think about the cover and how much power you’ll want in the butt. Look for something that’s fills both requirements regardless of the subjective label. 

[Tizi]

1 hour ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Depends on what weight you plan to throw. I prefer a MH for 90% of what I do. I use a 6'10" MH for anything up to 3/16 with a 2/0 hook, usually more like 1/8 oz T-Rigs which when a hook and bait is added comes out to about 3/16 or a touch more. I use a 7'2" MH for 1/4 to 1/2 oz T-Rigs or Carolina rigs with a 3/0 hook, usually using a 3/16 oz weight. I use a 7'2" H rod for 1/2 oz and up T-Rigs and Jigs, I also use this rod for a frog rod, small swimbait rod, A-rig rod, etc. 

 

I have a ML rod that I use for finesse applications as well, but I don't use it nearly as often as I do my MH rods. 

I am going to be using this for 1/2 and up.  T-rigs and jigs.

[Hammer 4]

8 minutes ago, Tizi said:

I am going to be using this for 1/2 and up.  T-rigs and jigs.

 

Up to what weight..? As DVT said, make sure the rod will handle the weight of the lure, and the conditions your fishing in..My 7'2" H is rated up to 2 ozs..

[jbsoonerfan]

7 minutes ago, Tizi said:

I am going to be using this for 1/2 and up.  T-rigs and jigs.

That would be a H for me, especially if it is around any cover at all. I might throw it on a MH out in open water but would opt for the H. That's just me though.

[Tizi]

OK excellent!  I currently have a few heavy rods:  7'4" Tatula Frog, 7'6" Carbon Lite Flipping, and 7'2" Exage.  The Exage is rated up to 1.5 onces.  I was using the Exage for frogging, until I got the 7'4" Tatula.  I am thinking I can repurpose the Exage for bottom contact.  Or, get a new rod!  Likely the latter, knowing the monkey.  

[WRB]

There isn't a standard to make judgements and the reason DVT made a good suggestion.

All my jig rods are the same length 6'10" custom. Jig and worm rods lure weights usually fall into 1/4 oz- 1 oz and 3/8 oz- 1 1/4 oz lure weight, fast or Xfast action.

Todays 7' jig and worm rods should not weigh more then 4 oz for state of the rods.

My suggestion is out the trailer on the 1/2 oz jig of your choice and weigh it on a scale in grams. Use the total jig weight evaluating rod power.

Tom

PS, 28.35 grams per oz, 1/2 oz about 14 grams, 3/4 oz about 21 grams.

The concept you need longer rods to cast longer distance is just that and concept. My average cast is 40 yards, long cast is 50 yards using 6'10" rods. 99.9% of the anglers using 7'3"-7'4" jig and worm rods never cast over 40 yards.

[Tizi]

I have:

6'10" Tatula MH rated 1/4 to 1

7' Dobyns Fury H rated 1/4 to 1 (I consider this rod MH)

7'3" Cronos MH rated 1/4 to 1

 

And then I have the Exage H rated 3/8 to 1.5

 

 

[Firetiger17]

On 11/22/2019 at 7:50 PM, jbsoonerfan said:

Depends on what weight you plan to throw. I prefer a MH for 90% of what I do. I use a 6'10" MH for anything up to 3/16 with a 2/0 hook, usually more like 1/8 oz T-Rigs which when a hook and bait is added comes out to about 3/16 or a touch more. I use a 7'2" MH for 1/4 to 1/2 oz T-Rigs or Carolina rigs with a 3/0 hook, usually using a 3/16 oz weight. I use a 7'2" H rod for 1/2 oz and up T-Rigs and Jigs, I also use this rod for a frog rod, small swimbait rod, A-rig rod, etc. 

 

I have a ML rod that I use for finesse applications as well, but I don't use it nearly as often as I do my MH rods. 

Hey, so you fish A-Rigs on a MH Setup? What casting weight is your 7'2 rod rated?

[Fishydishy]

On 11/22/2019 at 12:49 PM, WRB said:

Todays 7' jig and worm rods should not weigh more then 4 oz for state of the rods.

Can you name a few that don’t weigh over 4oz?

[NOC 1]

On 11/22/2019 at 2:12 PM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Disregard the power rating for a second and look at the lure weight range. The sweet spot is usually near the mid range. Then think about the cover and how much power you’ll want in the butt. Look for something that’s fills both requirements regardless of the subjective label. 

Spot on...I always try to take the hook into account as well. Some hooks require a massive hook set swing and others not quite so much. Usually goes hand in hand with the lure weight, bigger bait bigger hook, but sometime you get a bigger HD hook on a smaller bait and sometime a thin hook in a larger size. In addition some brands of hooks are super sharp and others not...

 

The point is that it is possible that the perfect rod based on lure weight is not long enough or powerful enough to provide a long distance deep hook set.

At least that is my story when I have to explain why I need 30 rods....