Rod power and action for chatterbaits

[Luke Barnes]

Brands and length aside, what's everyone's preferred rod for bladed jigs and maybe spinnerbaits? Ive done some reading and looking at rods and im really torn. I like the Lews TP1 and TP1X bladed jig rod. TP1 is M/F and TP1X is M/M. So same power but fast and moderate action is a big difference. I looked at one in store today and thought it was the regular tp1 but was thrown by it being moderate action. Looked on Lews site and realized there are thw regular and X models. 

 

That aside, im really torn on what action. I see alot of MH/F and M/F but the moderate through me for a loop. So thoughts, opinions, answers are welcome! 

Upon further looking at the site the tp1 is IM8 and the tp1x id HM40. The tp1 has microwave guides, the X doesn't. The one I held today had microwave guides but was M moderate. Im so confused!

[MN Fisher]

Let me toss more confusion in there. I toss bladed jigs mainly on my MH/F - I want more power and the faster action for setting that big, single hook...though I'll occasionally toss them on my MH/M spinning rig.

[Russ E]

 

[jbsoonerfan]

I experimented with them and settled on a 7' MH Fast using 40 lb braid. I would like to try a MH Glass but couldn't get my hands on an Expride.

[Double__Digits]

For 3/8oz bladed jigs and spinner baits I've been enjoying a Berkley Amp MH which is more like what I"d call a MH light,  pretty fast in the tip it, allows you to feel every thump of the blades on lighter bladed jigs and spinner baits.

Above 3/8oz it dies like a woodchuck around my garden. Never feels a thing.

My Shimano Compre MH takes over at that point.

 

My Lews rods seem a little on the heavy side in the tip. I have a Custom Black MH which I think is a re-named TP1 in MH ( bot sure though). It's stiffer n the tip than I would want for lighter spinner baits and bladed jigs but I suspect for 1/2oz and up it would suffice (never tried it). 

 

 

[DitchPanda]

I use medhvy modfast...to confuse you further.

[Luke Barnes]

I have mainly 3/8 oz and a few 1/2 oz ones but that's it. Nothing heavier or lighter. 

 

If I decide I want the Lews tp1 series I need to call them. I think they made a typo that one is a fast. I have a feeling both are moderate. If that's the case I wont consider that rod. I agree with all I like a faster top. If I went moderate fast i would want medium heavy for sure. But for medium I think fast would be best. But what do I know haha.

[Dens228]

I throw both chatterbaits and spinnerbaits on a MegaBass Orochi XX Diablo Spec R

 

I'd consider it being on the lighter end of a MH rod.

[Luke Barnes]

So regardless of power does a faster action provide harder hooksets? I bent a M/F and a MH/F of the exact same rod today and both seem to have the same amount of bend before it went to straight backbone, but I didn't really notice any difference in how hard it was to get to that amount of bend with one finger bending the rod. 

[MN Fisher]

The stiffer backbone of the MH is where the power in the hook-set happens. Fast action just means it hits the backbone sooner than a Moderate action does.

[roadwarrior]

8 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Let me toss more confusion in there. I toss bladed jigs mainly on my MH/F - I want more power and the faster action for setting that big, single hook...though I'll occasionally toss them on my MH/M spinning rig.

[FryDog62]

First, I prefer graphite rods with a moderate or regular action, paired with fluorocarbon or even mono.  I believe this combination has enough “give” when working through weeds and/or setting the hook and keeping fish pinned.  Glass rods just don’t do it for me - they lack sensitivity to feel weeds/bottom and seem “numb” to me on retrieve.  
 

A couple very good bladed jig options Under $200 are:

 

•iRod Stone Cold bladed jig rod 7’2” MH Moderate-Fast $150

•Tatula Elite 7’2” Howell MH Regular $180

 

Other more expensive graphite rods that have been mentioned above are the Diablo and Expride. Buddies that use them and very high on them.  They too, switched over from glass rods and are very happy.  

[Luke Barnes]

1 hour ago, FryDog62 said:

First, I prefer graphite rods with a moderate or regular action, paired with fluorocarbon or even mono.  I believe this combination has enough “give” when working through weeds and/or setting the hook and keeping fish pinned.  Glass rods just don’t do it for me - they lack sensitivity to feel weeds/bottom and seem “numb” to me on retrieve.  
 

A couple very good bladed jig options Under $200 are:

 

•iRod Stone Cold bladed jig rod 7’2” MH Moderate-Fast $150

•Tatula Elite 7’2” Howell MH Regular $180

 

Other more expensive graphite rods that have been mentioned above are the Diablo and Expride. Buddies that use them and very high on them.  They too, switched over from glass rods and are very happy.  

I agree and i will only go with graphite. I like the lower weight also. 

[Glaucus]

When it comes to bladed jigs and the vast variety of rods and lines people use for them, it should tell you one thing: if it can cast it and set the hook, it will work. 

[kayaking_kev]

I prefer a MH/F Graphite rod with those big hooks on a Chatterbait, if I throw them on glass rods I will go with a Heavy power.

[Eric 26]

I’m enjoying my bps cranking stick 7’-3” heavy power fast action rod. Bonus when you catch them on sale.

[Bankbeater]

I fish chatterbaits on a med heavy / fast, but the rod actually feels more like a med heavy / med.  I think of chatterbaits as a moving bait, so I will fish it on the same rod I use for lipless cranks, and large crankbaits.

[keagbassr]

10 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

iRod Stone Cold bladed jig rod 7’2” MH Moderate-Fast $150

I picked up this rod a couple months ago  for 75 bucks when midway had that crazy sale and so far have been very happy with it. While I've not stuck any pigs with it yet I like how it feels In hand as well as how it loads and drives the hooks home.

[FryDog62]

2 hours ago, keagbassr said:

I picked up this rod a couple months ago  for 75 bucks when midway had that crazy sale and so far have been very happy with it. While I've not stuck any pigs with it yet I like how it feels In hand as well as how it loads and drives the hooks home.

I picked one up this past Spring and really like it. Caught the fish in my avatar on it ?

[Luke Barnes]

After all you guys have said and much sense it makes, I would feel better having a MH over a M. Especially when throwing 1/2oz ones. I dont get how Lews labels a M/M a bladed jig rod. Either way I'm going MH/F like most recommended because that's what I'm using now when I tie one on and I like it, I just want a dedicated setup because they are my favorite moving bait. 

[YoTone]

I like using my dobyns fury 704 which is labeled a heavy/fast. Its kinda like a mh but a touch thicker and the tip has a bit of give. I like how I can power snap it out of vegetation cleanly. 

[A-Jay]

My vibrating jig set up preference leans to the slower side. 

 

 

A-Jay

[OnthePotomac]

I am indeed fortunate for when chatter baits came along I already had been enjoying an incredible KVD 7' MH spinner bait rod, which handles them really well.

[Bankc]

I prefer a M/F for chatterbaits with braided line.  But I'm not too picky about it.  There are some lures that benefit from using a specialized rod.  But I don't think chatterbaits are one of them.  It's kind of like a crankbait, in that you don't need a super sensitive rod to use it effectively.  But also kind of like a jig, in that you don't have those small treble hooks that you have to keep steady pressure on the line at all time to keep them from spitting the lure.  I just feel that the fast action sets the hook a bit easier, while the medium power allows some give to keep them from throwing the hook.  I would probably be just as happy using a MH/M as well.  I would even be okay using a M/M with braid, or a MH/F with some stretchy mono or fluoro. 

[Luke Barnes]

1 hour ago, Bankc said:

I prefer a M/F for chatterbaits with braided line.  But I'm not too picky about it.  There are some lures that benefit from using a specialized rod.  But I don't think chatterbaits are one of them.  It's kind of like a crankbait, in that you don't need a super sensitive rod to use it effectively.  But also kind of like a jig, in that you don't have those small treble hooks that you have to keep steady pressure on the line at all time to keep them from spitting the lure.  I just feel that the fast action sets the hook a bit easier, while the medium power allows some give to keep them from throwing the hook.  I would probably be just as happy using a MH/M as well.  I would even be okay using a M/M with braid, or a MH/F with some stretchy mono or fluoro. 

I plan on running fluoro but I could always do braid to fluoro if I got a steal on a softer rod.