6'6 casting rod or less for skipping and pin point cover

[Bandersnatch]

I'm looking for more recommendations for even shorter rods than I have now. 6'6 or less, a lot bit of a soft enough tip to skip a senko or jig. I'm considering the 6'6 conquest 3 power but welcome to anything in any price range. Short rods can be hard to find 

[Fishes in trees]

I've found that you can make any rod shorter with a hack saw.  I've had some success doing this - with 7' rods where I just didn't like where they caught me on my fore arm.    Mind you, I try this with close out rods - haven't tried it with rods that list for $100+.

[fishwizzard]

2 hours ago, Bandersnatch said:

I'm looking for more recommendations for even shorter rods than I have now. 6'6 or less, a lot bit of a soft enough tip to skip a senko or jig. I'm considering the 6'6 conquest 3 power but welcome to anything in any price range. Short rods can be hard to find 

Take a look at the JDM Daiwa Black Label rods.  I have the LG 631MHFB-FR model and, although I am not a great skipper, it’s got an excellent taper for it.  The rod will load a weightless Zoom Super well enough, so a 5” senko should be workable.  

[The Bassman]

I bought an FXtreme Angler Series 6'3"MH recently. It's perfect for what you want. I wasn't familiar with the company but am very impressed so far. I spoke with the owner and concluded that there's a lot of on the water knowledge built into these rods. American made, extremely light. I think they're getting popular across the south in tournament circles.

[Bandersnatch]

11 hours ago, The Bassman said:

I bought an FXtreme Angler Series 6'3"MH recently. It's perfect for what you want. I wasn't familiar with the company but am very impressed so far. I spoke with the owner and concluded that there's a lot of on the water knowledge built into these rods. American made, extremely light. I think they're getting popular across the south in tournament circles.

Could you weigh your 6'3?

[RDB]

On 4/1/2021 at 1:14 PM, Bandersnatch said:

I'm looking for more recommendations for even shorter rods than I have now. 6'6 or less, a lot bit of a soft enough tip to skip a senko or jig. I'm considering the 6'6 conquest 3 power but welcome to anything in any price range. Short rods can be hard to find 

Do you skip now and if so, how long are the rods you have been using?  What is the weight range of the jigs you are planning on skipping?

[Bandersnatch]

41 minutes ago, RDB said:

Do you skip now and if so, how long are the rods you have been using?  What is the weight range of the jigs you are planning on skipping?

I do skip now, 5/6 inch senkos 1/4-3/8 jigs, 3/8 chatterbaits 

[The Bassman]

1 hour ago, Bandersnatch said:

Could you weigh your 6'3?

3.5 oz.

[RDB]

1 hour ago, Bandersnatch said:

I do skip now, 5/6 inch senkos 1/4-3/8 jigs, 3/8 chatterbaits 

The reason I asked about length was because if you are a pretty good skipper, shaving a few inches of rod length might not have a big effect...at least for me it didn’t.  I learned with a 6’8” but now am just as accurate with my 7 footers.

 

As far as the Conquest, I had the 7’, 3 power and it is an awesome stick that will skip all of the lures you mentioned well.  I will add that mine snapped on a hook set fishing a small finesse jig but Shimano replaced under warranty (sounded like a gun shot).  I ended up switching out for credit.

[Bandersnatch]

25 minutes ago, RDB said:

The reason I asked about length was because if you are a pretty good skipper, shaving a few inches of rod length might not have a big effect...at least for me it didn’t.  I learned with a 6’8” but now am just as accurate with my 7 footers.

 

As far as the Conquest, I had the 7’, 3 power and it is an awesome stick that will skip all of the lures you mentioned well.  I will add that mine snapped on a hook set fishing a small finesse jig but Shimano replaced under warranty (sounded like a gun shot).  I ended up switching out for credit.

I have the 842c and it's awesome. I prefer the shorter rods when trying to hit close targets. Ive had my eye on that 6'6 conquest but a 6'3 fx for $400 less sounds nice ? 

[evilcatfish]

Have you considered the loomis imx 723? Loomis and st croix used to make a nice variety of shorter rods, but the selection is limited now. Could keep an eye out for used/vintage rods.

 

If you look at JDM rods there are a lot of shorter options out there, though even in Japan it seems preference is to slightly longer rods than in the past 

[FishTank]

I have an older 783C GLX and use it for mainly for senkos and jerkbaits but I have used it for jigs as well and it is great for skipping docks.   It is still my favorite after 15+ years.   The Conquest should be fantastic. 

[Alpster]

I have a 5' Lamiglas heavy rod with a pistol grip for pitching. I can toss a jig into a red cup within 50' easily. Everyone should have one on hand.

[Bass Rutten]

In my opinion the overall weight of the rod and reel has as much if not greater effect on accuracy than the length of the rod, but not everyone want to spend the dough on high end rods and reels. When I got my first nrx paired with a 6oz reel I was flabbergasted ?at how much more accurate my casts became due to better control of trajectory.

[MN Fisher]

Just now, Bassjam2000 said:

but not everyone wants to or has the money to spend the dough on high end rods and reels.

Fixed it for you.

 

On my budget - a Sierra or Kaden would be considered a 'high end rod'...a NRX or Xtasy is completely out of the picture.

[Bass Rutten]

1 minute ago, MN Fisher said:

Fixed it for you.

 

On my budget - a Sierra or Kaden would be considered a 'high end rod'...a NRX or Xtasy is completely out of the picture.

I get it man... budget and priorities, but he did say he’d consider anything in any price range

[RDB]

4 hours ago, Alpster said:

I have a 5' Lamiglas heavy rod with a pistol grip for pitching. I can toss a jig into a red cup within 50' easily. Everyone should have one on hand.

Video please ?

[Fastbee]

On 4/2/2021 at 6:45 PM, Bandersnatch said:

I do skip now, 5/6 inch senkos 1/4-3/8 jigs, 3/8 chatterbaits 

Yesterday I was skipping 3/8 jigs on a 7'6 H Tatula...

 

I've tried MANY rods over the years for skipping and I understand rod choice is very personal but I just keep moving back to the 7'6 H as my go to.  I used a 7'2" H OG Tatula as well as the Tatula Elite 7'1 jig skipping rod last year and while they were very good I went back to my old favorite this year.  Wish I could recommend something shorter but I don't own a rod less than 7'...

[Klebs01]

On 4/1/2021 at 1:14 PM, Bandersnatch said:

I'm looking for more recommendations for even shorter rods than I have now. 6'6 or less, a lot bit of a soft enough tip to skip a senko or jig. I'm considering the 6'6 conquest 3 power but welcome to anything in any price range. Short rods can be hard to find 

St. Croix has 4 rods in the avid line at 6’6 or less that could be good options.