Unusual preference in a spinnerbait rod?

[Glaucus]

Sitting here eager to fish once I'm feeling better and the ice melts, constantly thinking about being on the water. 

 

I got to thinking about spinnerbaits and how I like to fish them. Typically people talk about MH/F or MH/MF for spinnerbaits, but I prefer a strong M/F with a little bit of tip. I usually fish 3/8 oz spinnerbaits. I only move to a MH during the rare times I add plastic to the bait. They just fish, cast, and feel a lot better to me on my rod type of choice. Anyone else use a "weaker" than typical rod for spinnerbaits? I don't have any problems hooking them.

[Junger]

Tatula Elite 7' M/MH, it is XF, but it has a soft tip. Before that I used a Zillion G1 7' M/XF and it also had a soft tip and worked well for spinnerbaits too.

[Bass Rutten]

I have a 7' st croix premier series medium power/fast action that I occasionally use for blades which kind of fits your description. I like the way the rod sort of flings them rather than loading like a proper cranking rod. I don't consider it an unusual preference though, just a preference.

[jimmyjoe]

   When I fished 3/8 spinnerbaits, I used a M/F rod, 1/4-5/8, to load up the tip better and get more distance. I tried to go to 1/2, but I didn't like the way it felt.  Now I use 1/2 oz. spinnerbaits, with a MH/F rod, and I like the way it casts, and the way it sets the hook. Could I go back to the old way again? Sure I could, no doubt. But it's like getting together with your ex-wife; just because you can do it doesn't mean you want to.     jj

[Bird]

11 minutes ago, jimmyjoe said:

   When I fished 3/8 spinnerbaits, I used a M/F rod, 1/4-5/8, to load up the tip better and get more distance. I tried to go to 1/2, but I didn't like the way it felt.  Now I use 1/2 oz. spinnerbaits, with a MH/F rod, and I like the way it casts, and the way it sets the hook. Could I go back to the old way again? Sure I could, no doubt. But it's like getting together with your ex-wife; just because you can do it doesn't mean you want to.     jj

Lol on the ex comment.

 

I agree, I just got use to the feel of fast action on heavier rods but to optimize , go with higher ratio reels. Imo

[RichF]

As with bladed jigs, I prefer a glass or composite rod for spinnerbaits.

[Junger]

53 minutes ago, RichF said:

As with bladed jigs, I prefer a glass or composite rod for spinnerbaits.

I'm tempted to try those on a Zillion 7'2 MH/R-G, do you reel while sweeping to set the hook?

[RichF]

1 hour ago, Junger said:

I'm tempted to try those on a Zillion 7'2 MH/R-G, do you reel while sweeping to set the hook?

For the most part, yes. That's definitely the case when I'm throwing a bladed jig.  With a spinnerbait, and I couldn't explain why, it's a little different. I feel like the bass just bite the two baits differently.  I will reel and sweep but also do a 45 degree set (not hard) sometimes.

[riverbasser]

I have changed my preference of rods on alot of techniques. I used to lean toward stiffer sticks but now seem to be using alot of light action rods even for baits that I might shouldn't. A jig for example should have a pretty fast action for the hookset but with a softer rod my bait placement immediately goes up and I feel like I can make the bait do exactly what I want it to effortlessly. I suppose it's a trade off with some techniques.

 

I also believe I have found a 6'10" rod to be the perfect length for my height when sidearm or skip casting. It's just works.

 

Might of went a little off topic but yes I do prefer softer action rods for a spinnerbait as well as a bladed jig

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

8' ML/MOD St Croix Avid for 1/8-3/8 SK Rocket shads. I use no stretch lines though nanofil or braid.

I feel most people use too powerful of a rod for most situations. 

[islandbass]

I’ve been using a medium fast since I started really using SBs because I no longer have a casting MH. 
 

At first, I was a bit concerned that my M power rod my not be the ideal option since we all think MH when it comes to fishing weighted single hooks, by they jigs and SBs. 
 

Well, I was quite surprised as the rod had ZERO issue setting the hook. A few times, it actually drove the hook through the bony upper part of their jaw, which I wish it didn’t happen that way.

It was definitely pleasing to discover my M rod had enough power for the task at hand but on the bad side, it took away any excuse to acquire a casting MH rod. 
 

 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

M, MH etc are all subjective labels. If the rod loads, casts and sets the hook appropriately you’re good. 

[JediAmoeba]

This past summer I was using a medium power rod with moderate action at night for bladed jigs and had about a 80% hookup rate. 

 

For some reason I went with a MH power rod with fast action.  My hookup ratio dropped way down.  In fact I missed 10 fish in a row.  I chalked it up to the fish being finicky that night because I changed out baits and trailers to see if that was the issue. Went out another night with the same setup and missed a few more fish.  The next time I went out i went back to the Medium power rod and went 5 for 5 landing them.  Its drastically changed my view on the rod setup for bladed jigs.  I think I am too quick on the hookset and yank it out of their mouth...with a medium power rod the fish have time to inhale it.

 

To sum it up, I think it really depends on how you fish it and the individual.

[Fishes in trees]

Lots of guys have different ideas on what constitutes a decent spinnerbait rod.  If it works for you, that's all that matters.