What's the best tip/action for getting the most accuracy in a rod?

[clemsondds]

Ok, this may not make much sense, but I was out in my yard last night testing a new rod.  I am trying to find a good squarebill rod and unfortunately I just don't have the time to go to the lake to try it out right now.  So I was in my yard comparing a few rods.  I put a light 1.0 squarebill on 4 rods (dobyns 705cbMH/F, avid x 7M/F, expride 6'6M moderate/fast, and an Avid X 6'8 M/XF).  The dobyns is my main crankbait rod, the Avid 7M is my general moving bate rod, and the avid 6'8 is my jerkbait rod.  I was thinking the expride would do pretty well since it was so light and the moderate action would help with keeping them pinned.  But when I went to throw the light squarebills, the only one that I could consistently get a smooth and accurate cast was from the jerkbait extrafast rod.  It seemed like the more flexible tip allowed for it to load easier and took less effort.  I was able to throwi all of them pretty accurately, but with the rods other than the xf tip rod, I had to throw a little more smoothly and almost guide the throw to not get backlash...the xf rod i was able to just do a simple roll cast.  Does that make sense at all?? The reels were all pretty identical but I did have different line on some of them.  So this weekend I'm going to try switching the reels around and verifying my results.  I know accuracy isn't everything, but it is nice to have confidence in your rod and know that what lure you are throwing, it can be presented in the way you want.   Do my results make sense or do  you think something had to be off with my setup?  

[LegendaryBassin]

I recommend a rod that is more designed for 1.0 and 1.5 squarebills. The Expride 7'0 M Glass or another Dobyns such as the 704CB would be fantastic. I owe the 705CB and the rod IMO is better closer to 3/8-1/2. I only use it for lipless and bigger squarebills. 

[new2BC4bass]

I've noticed that I am more accurate with some rods, but never paid any attention to see if there was a trend.  I have noticed that the cost of the rod doesn't seem to matter.  Since fishing in my area sucks, I should start experimenting to see what casts the most accurately...for me.  Give myself something to look forward to. 

 

Will be interesting to see what others have to say on the subject.

[LegendaryBassin]

10 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

I've noticed that I am more accurate with some rods, but never paid any attention to see if there was a trend.  I have noticed that the cost of the rod doesn't seem to matter.  Since fishing in my area sucks, I should start experimenting to see what casts the most accurately...for me.  Give myself something to look forward to. 

 

Will be interesting to see what others have to say on the subject.

It has to do with the way the rod loads. If the rod isn't loading then the casting performance will suffer. 

[diehardbassfishing]

Broom-stick stiff rods BAD!

 

Rod needs to load up and flex to achieve casting accuracy.

 

Karl

[clemsondds]

jacob wheeler fishing a small crankbait I believe. Any idea what tip/action this looks like?  He barely moved his arm...did a very simple roll cast and was able to get the rod to load.  What type of rod is needed to do this? 

[new2BC4bass]

3 minutes ago, clemsondds said:

jacob wheeler fishing a small crankbait I believe. Any idea what tip/action this looks like?  He barely moved his arm...did a very simple roll cast and was able to get the rod to load.  What type of rod is needed to do this? 

Rod is bending almost to the handle....so slow action.

1 hour ago, LegendaryBassin said:

It has to do with the way the rod loads. If the rod isn't loading then the casting performance will suffer. 

As a general rule I don't use a lure at the rod's lowest rating. 

[Crankin4Bass]

On 3/19/2020 at 7:48 AM, clemsondds said:

jacob wheeler fishing a small crankbait I believe. Any idea what tip/action this looks like?  He barely moved his arm...did a very simple roll cast and was able to get the rod to load.  What type of rod is needed to do this? 

That's definitely a moderate action rod. He has his own line of Duckett Rods. Here's his cranking model which is a medium heavy power/moderate action:

 

https://www.duckettfishing.com/products/rods/jacob-wheeler-series/casting-crankin-spinning/m.products/563/view/524

 

Here's the whole line up at TW:

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Duckett_Jacob_Wheeler_Series_Casting_Rods/descpage-DIJW.html

 

TW says that one is composite. So it's a blend of glass and graphite. 

[junyer357]

One thing not to overlook is the reel as well. I can cast smaller baits on my tatula sv or my curado 70, than i can my tatula ct. Also since super cleaning my reel bearings it takes noticeably less effort to cast on all my rods compared to before. 

[jbsoonerfan]

It doesn't matter what rod (tip/action) you use if you can be accurate with it. You must practice, practice, practice with whatever rod you use to get proficient with it. Every rod power/action/length etc. is going to be different in the hands of different people. A pro is going to be effective with just about any rod they put in their hands. This question is like asking what iron is best for hitting a knock down from 160 yards into a 15 mph crosswind. It depends on who is swinging the club. Golf clubs are much like fishing rods and the only way to know which club is best for someone is for them to actually go out to the course and hit them. No one can tell "you" which rod "you" will be most accurate with. That is something "you" must figure out.

 

You have a lot of questions that could be answered by spending more time on the water. 

[clemsondds]

20 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said:

It doesn't matter what rod (tip/action) you use if you can be accurate with it. You must practice, practice, practice with whatever rod you use to get proficient with it. Every rod power/action/length etc. is going to be different in the hands of different people. A pro is going to be effective with just about any rod they put in their hands. This question is like asking what iron is best for hitting a knock down from 160 yards into a 15 mph crosswind. It depends on who is swinging the club. Golf clubs are much like fishing rods and the only way to know which club is best for someone is for them to actually go out to the course and hit them. No one can tell "you" which rod "you" will be most accurate with. That is something "you" must figure out.

 

You have a lot of questions that could be answered by spending more time on the water. 

Ridiculous question...it's obviously a hooded 7 iron cut shot...could do it in my sleep ?

 

I would love to spend more time on the water!! Believe me...but at this stage in my life...I can't  I'm not asking you to pick a rod for me.  I'm just asking, is it normal to have  a xf rod load easier than a moderate rod when using a light squarebill?   I understand the moderate rod is the typical way to go when throwing crankbaits, but when throwing the light squarebils last night...I had a hard time getting the 705cb to load when throwing short to medium range casts.  Now when I switch to a heavier bate, like a lipless or 3xd, that thing performs flawlessly.    

[new2BC4bass]

4 minutes ago, clemsondds said:

Ridiculous question...it's obviously a hooded 7 iron cut shot...could do it in my sleep ?

 

I would love to spend more time on the water!! Believe me...but at this stage in my life...I can't  I'm not asking you to pick a rod for me.  I'm just asking, is it normal to have  a xf rod load easier than a moderate rod when using a light squarebill?   I understand the moderate rod is the typical way to go when throwing crankbaits, but when throwing the light squarebils last night...I had a hard time getting the 705cb to load when throwing short to medium range casts.  Now when I switch to a heavier bate, like a lipless or 3xd, that thing performs flawlessly.    

I think you answered your own question (in regards to this rod).

[Hewhospeaksmuchbull]

49 minutes ago, clemsondds said:

Ridiculous question...it's obviously a hooded 7 iron cut shot...could do it in my sleep ?

 

I would love to spend more time on the water!! Believe me...but at this stage in my life...I can't  I'm not asking you to pick a rod for me.  I'm just asking, is it normal to have  a xf rod load easier than a moderate rod when using a light squarebill?   I understand the moderate rod is the typical way to go when throwing crankbaits, but when throwing the light squarebils last night...I had a hard time getting the 705cb to load when throwing short to medium range casts.  Now when I switch to a heavier bate, like a lipless or 3xd, that thing performs flawlessly.    

I recently broke my med/mod lightning rod that I was using for lighter treble baits , I replaced it with a Med/fast Abu Vendetta. Casting distance and ease of cast are both greatly improved and as a result so has accuracy. Both are 7' sticks.

 

With the med/mod I was having to put a lot more umpf to get distance and accuracy went out the door as did over runs. Worse is that I didn't even know until I got my new rod. I haven't tried any short distance cast yet but I can now sling a 1.5 way further than before and with an improvement in accuracy.

 

 

[GReb]

If you want to be more accurate buy a shorter rod. My squarebill rod is 6’9” 

[clemsondds]

1 hour ago, new2BC4bass said:

I think you answered your own question (in regards to this rod).

Can you explain? Should a rod not load up at all if you are doing medium distance casts? I feel when fishing squarebills, you are mostly doing short to medium casts into cover...that's when accuracy comes into play.  I understand time and practice will help...just trying to learn from all of you

[Tim Kelly]

I have a 6'6" daiwa glass cranking rod that I thought would be a good short range accurate caster, but I can't get any accuracy with it at all either. Much better when you hook a fish, but hopeless for accuracy. A 7'4" Mojo glass is a much more accurate caster, but for heavier lures. Can't offer solutions, but can concur with your results.

[WRB]

You need to factor in the rod power along with action lure weight and line.

If the lure is too light to load up the rod upper 1/3rd and too light to effectively pull the line off the reel you tend to over power the casting motion that dramatically reduces casting accuracy. 

With practice you can adjust the casting motion and lure release point to make more accurate casts.

Tom

 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Ya casting is like throwing a ball in that it’s about release point. 

[fishwizzard]

For me a modfast-ish rod with a ever so slightly overloaded tip generally gives the most accurate casts, it seems like that combo makes getting the release time dead-on the easiest.

[new2BC4bass]

4 hours ago, clemsondds said:

Can you explain? Should a rod not load up at all if you are doing medium distance casts? I feel when fishing squarebills, you are mostly doing short to medium casts into cover...that's when accuracy comes into play.  I understand time and practice will help...just trying to learn from all of you

You said you couldn't get the rod to load with light lures when casting short to medium distances.  A rod needs to load in order to perform its best.  You need to drop down in rod power.  I don't know what weights you are talking about but try a 4 or 3 power Dobyns.

[FishTank]

The most accurate setup I own is a G.Loomis 783C GLX paired with a Shimano Core 101.  There is just something magical about this set up.  I guess it comes with how the rod loads and the fact that I can thumb the reel more easily (which also has a very important part in casting accuracy).  

 

Personal opinion, a rod with a soft tip and stiff middle is what makes a rod more accurate for me>  As well as how well it balances with the reel. 

[clemsondds]

19 hours ago, fishwizzard said:

For me a modfast-ish rod with a ever so slightly overloaded tip generally gives the most accurate casts, it seems like that combo makes getting the release time dead-on the easiest.

What does overloaded mean?  

 

[fishwizzard]

5 minutes ago, clemsondds said:

What does overloaded mean?  

 

Most rods have a reasonable range of weight where they cast well and a much smaller range of weights where they feel just perfect.  By going slightly above this sweet spot you can assure  that the rod is loading fully on a soft cast, both things help contribute to accurate casting.

 

Lure aerodynamics matter as well, all things being equal I can make accurate casts more easily with a spoon vs a spinnerbait. 

[Maxximus Redneckus]

A short pistolgrip xfast rod is gonna be a lot easier and accurate at short range then a long handled rod ...even if its 6 ft

[Team9nine]

On 3/19/2020 at 11:35 AM, Crankin4Bass said:

That's definitely a moderate action rod. He has his own line of Duckett Rods. Here's his cranking model which is a medium heavy power/moderate action.

 

TW says that one is composite. So it's a blend of glass and graphite. 

Yep - if you go back to the days when trick casters like Shag and Stan F worked the shows, they always used very soft action, short rods that loaded easily...and that you probably would rarely want to use for normal fishing from what I remember.