Spinning Rod

[Dave0408]

Hey guys,

I like to fish, but I’m really bad at it. I just bought two fishing kayaks so I’m trying to pay more attention to what I’m doing. I have a Shimano SLX Casting Rod 7'2" MH XF for my first rod and now I need a second for the kayak. I do have a Shimano Stratic CI4+ spinning reel, but don’t have a rod for it yet. I was thinking about a St. Croix Avid series rod. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I live in south Texas so I fish primarily lakes. If you have time maybe chime in what type of lures would be best on each setup. Thanks in advance.

[NorthernBasser]

No experience with the Avid. But I think my next spinning rod may be the new Zodias. It's also look sweet with that reel you have. It's backordered on TW right now.

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Shimano_Zodias_Spinning_Rods/descpage-SZODS.html

 

What size reel do you have? What techniques do you plan on using this rod for? 

[Dave0408]

That’s a nice looking rod. Perfect color for my 2500 sized Stratic. I usually fish a T-rig, but I’m really wanting to spend a lot of time working on jig fishing.

[Finessegenics]

The Avid series are probably one of the best bang for buck rods out there. If you like micro guides and will be using straight fluoro or mono, I suggest the Avid X over the Avid. They're made from the exact same blank but have a few different features. I like the micro guides on the Avid X and they certainly feel like they add casting distance. The micro guides and split grip on the Avid X also make it lighter than the Avid in some models. I think the 7'0 M/F Avid X is .4 oz lighter than the Avid but all that doesnt matter anyways. I doubt anyone could feel the difference.

 

Instead of asking us what you should throw on that rod, you should tell us what you plan to throw on it. It will help others suggest a specific model of the Avid series and also give more specific advice . Size of the reel and line strength as @NorthernBasser mentioned already will help too. 

 

Best of luck!

[waymont]

The new Zodias ML spinning rod is a perfect match for your reel. I have the same combo, and I love it.

[NorthernBasser]

42 minutes ago, Dave0408 said:

That’s a nice looking rod. Perfect color for my 2500 sized Stratic. I usually fish a T-rig, but I’m really wanting to spend a lot of time working on jig fishing.

Are you saying you want a spinning rod for your jigs? What kind of jigs are you talking about? Because you can throw skirted jigs on that SLX. Unless you're talking about finesse jigs. 

[roadwarrior]

Avid AVS70MF

[Dave0408]

I have a 2500 sized Stratic reel without a rod and I’m looking to have two kayak rod setups for now. The first is the Shimano SLX baitcaster and the second is the Stratic reel and some kind of rod. With these two rods I’d like to be able to throw jigs, T-rigs, Ned-rigs, jerk bait, squarebills, wacky worms, and try some top water too. Maybe I need three rods.

[Dave0408]

29 minutes ago, NorthernBasser said:

Are you saying you want a spinning rod for your jigs? What kind of jigs are you talking about? Because you can throw skirted jigs on that SLX. Unless you're talking about finesse jigs. 

3/8 oz jig with a trailer. Yeah, I’m fairly new to baitcasters and sometimes I get frustrated and want a spinning rod. The problem is that I don’t want to have two MH rods right? Should the SLX be used for swim baits and the spinning reel for baits that work the bottom?

[Dave0408]

1 hour ago, waymont said:

The new Zodias ML spinning rod is a perfect match for your reel. I have the same combo, and I love it.

May I ask what you use this combo for? Is it mainly weightless baits?  Wacky worms or weightless jerkbaits? 

[Scud_Muffin]

3 hours ago, Dave0408 said:

I have a 2500 sized Stratic reel without a rod and I’m looking to have two kayak rod setups for now. The first is the Shimano SLX baitcaster and the second is the Stratic reel and some kind of rod. With these two rods I’d like to be able to throw jigs, T-rigs, Ned-rigs, jerk bait, squarebills, wacky worms, and try some top water too. Maybe I need three rods.

I think you should take a hard look at the Shimano Expride in 7’ Med Fast Spinning. I’ve done all of that on that rod. I have more expensive rods but that particular model is an all time favorite and it’s easily the most versatile rod in my lineup. You don’t want to go too heavy on the jigs (remember the trailer adds weight too) but it handles finesse jigs super well with AWESOME sensitivity. It also does very well with moving baits, making it super versatile. Doesn’t hurt that it balances very nicely with that stradic, I use the same thing with it. The combo feels like a perfect fit.
 

There is a review on YouTube that similarly raves about it. It’s my favorite rod right now. 
 

For a few bucks less, the zodias in the same model is worth consideration. 

[waymont]

3 hours ago, Dave0408 said:

May I ask what you use this combo for? Is it mainly weightless baits?  Wacky worms or weightless jerkbaits? 

Shaky Heads, poppers (1/4oz Pop-R), Flukes, Jerkbaits (1/4oz X-Rap and Husky Jerk), 1/8oz-1/4oz bitsy bug jigs, 4" and 5" weightless stickbaits.

[Chris at Tech]

I think a 6’8” M/XF Avid would be a good fit for most of the techniques you mention.

[Boomstick]

Well for ned rigs and drop shots, I use a 6'9" St Croix Avid X ML/XF. Seeing as your have a MH/XF which can throw your T-Rigs, wacky rigs (use a jig head) and others like spinnerbaits, jigs, chatterbaits, paddletail swimbaits etc. I would say you would want a third rod for squarebills, jerkbaits and topwaters. Something around 7' M/M or M/MF is the way to go for squarebills but MH also works. If you go the Zodias route, there is a 6'10" M/MF Zodias casting rod that should be a pretty solid rod.

 

Alternatively, you could step up to an Avid X medium rod for drop shots, which could throw these treble hooked lures as well.

[Dave0408]

3 hours ago, waymont said:

Shaky Heads, poppers (1/4oz Pop-R), Flukes, Jerkbaits (1/4oz X-Rap and Husky Jerk), 1/8oz-1/4oz bitsy bug jigs, 4" and 5" weightless stickbaits.

Very nice, thank you.

[Dave0408]

1 hour ago, Boomstick said:

Well for ned rigs and drop shots, I use a 6'9" St Croix Avid X ML/XF. Seeing as your have a MH/XF which can throw your T-Rigs, wacky rigs (use a jig head) and others like spinnerbaits, jigs, chatterbaits, paddletail swimbaits etc. I would say you would want a third rod for squarebills, jerkbaits and topwaters. Something around 7' M/M or M/MF is the way to go for squarebills but MH also works. If you go the Zodias route, there is a 6'10" M/MF Zodias casting rod that should be a pretty solid rod.

 

Alternatively, you could step up to an Avid X medium rod for drop shots, which could throw these treble hooked lures as well.

Wacky jig head...love it. So a ML for my spinning rod, never thrown a drop shot, and then the M/M for my third, squarebill rod. I like it.

[Boomstick]

10 hours ago, Dave0408 said:

Wacky jig head...love it. So a ML for my spinning rod, never thrown a drop shot, and then the M/M for my third, squarebill rod. I like it.

You said ned rig, and I fish a drop shot on the same rod. You can get away with both on a medium spinning rod too, but a ML is more ideal

 

Using a jig head with a wacky rig is something I learned from a video Glenn did. It provides weight for casting and the proper jig head will suspend the hook off the bottom just a touch and give the worm better action, so it's a win win

[Dave0408]

I’m going with a 7’ Avid ML spinning rod. Thank you to everyone who advised me. Much appreciated!

[Dave0408]

Changed my mind. Went with a 7’Med LT Zodias

[jimmyjoe]

On 11/29/2020 at 10:46 AM, Dave0408 said:

I just bought two fishing kayaks

 

   Gonna try this?               jj

 

[Dave0408]

2 hours ago, jimmyjoe said:

 

   Gonna try this?               jj

 

...maybe

[optimator]

5 hours ago, jimmyjoe said:

 

   Gonna try this?               jj

 

[Darth-Baiter]

I’m loving my phenix maxim med spinning. Comfy and light.  Solid lockup at the reel seat. 
 

it has the wire hook at the back of the handle to store a dropshot rig neatly.