Deep Offshore Rod Help--Heavy Bucktail Jigs, Spoons, etc.

[Big Lou]

Hi,

I've been fishing from the back of the boat while my Dad took me along the banks all of my life. I just hit a half-century not long ago, and I've taken the boat reins from him. I'm fine with the bank, but I also want to go offshore, and neither of us has ever really done much of it. So, I've watched a bunch of videos recently and read what I could find.

 

The subject of this post is my lack of any rods designed to throw a 1oz lure. I just picked up a 2021 Helium 4(MH) 6'9" "Sparse Cover" rated up to 1oz partly because it was just sitting there at almost half-price online, but primarily because I've been interested in that line for a long time and never had one. I was thinking of pairing it with an Aldebaran and pitching in sparse cover and around docks--a light combo I could use all day.

 

I'm not sure if I want to attempt long casts of 1oz bucktail jigs, spoons, etc. with the Helium, as 1oz is the top of its rating. What do you think?

 

I'm considering a St Croix Legend Elite 7'4" HF rated to 1.5oz for those big lures. I'm a little concerned, however, that a heavy St Croix might be too heavy for anything else. For example, would it also work well dragging 3/4oz jigs across points?

 

I have some nice equipment, but most of it is older--GLX 803C (w/ Recoils), 10-year old IMX 783 MBR, Falcon Cara T7 Head Turner and Weightless Worm (love that rod). Recently picked up a used Legend X EC70MF that I have yet to use. And, I have a couple of decent spinning setups, with a Legend Tournament MLXF and a newer GLX 842S SJR. My cranking rod is a Cumara Reaction 7'0" H MF rated to 1oz, but I'm not sure I want to throw bottom contact lures with it. I also have a Dobyns 795 SB 7'9" MH F and Phenix USB Classic 7'11" MH-C, but both of those are too heavy (1-5oz) and are used mostly for saltwater fishing. (There was a time when I thought I was going to do some swimbait fishing, but that hasn't panned out.)

 

Would that Legend Elite 7'4" HF do the trick? Is there an obvious better alternative? I'm not married to any particular brand, and not especially sensitive to some tip heaviness or split v full cork v EVA stuff. I look for rods that make casting easy. There is not a whole lot of room in our boat, and my wrists can get tired.

 

I primarily fish (am new to and still learning) Lake Wylie, NC/SC, and any LMB above 5lbs is a rarity--I'm told.

 

Thanks in advance,

Lou

[WRB]

What big bait fish does Wylie have? Gizzard Shad?

Any quality Jig & Worm rod rated 3/8 to 1 1/4 oz will work for 3/4 to 1 oz jig +trailers.

Big Flutter spoons have treble hooks and the Dobyns 795 SB Would be perfect. Standard size structure spoons like a 1 oz crippled Herring etc, the rod needs to be softer tip to prevent treble hooks tearing out. Heavy Crank baits rod work  OK.

The one rod that can doth both is IROD IRG 754 F Gen 3 rated 3/8 to 2 oz.

Tom

[Catt]

Look at the Diawia Tatula series, you will be impressed.

[Big Lou]

10 minutes ago, WRB said:

What big bait fish does Wylie have? Gizzard Shad?

Any quality Jig & Worm rod rated 3/8 to 1 1/4 oz will work for 3/4 to 1 oz jig +trailers.

Big Flutter spoons have treble hooks and the Dobyns 795 SB 

Would be perfect. Standard size structurecspoobs like a 1 oz crippled Herring etc, the rod needs to be softer tip to prevent treble hooks tearing out. Heavy Crank baits work  OK.

The one rod that can doth both is IROD IRG 754 F Gen 3 rated 3/8 to 2 oz.

Tom

Thanks for the reply, Tom.

 

Threadfin and Gizzard Shad are the primary baitfish, with Yellow Perch and Bluegill in the mix. No significant herring population, if any. From what I can tell on the topo maps and what I've seen, there seems to be a good mix of structure and cover, both on and offshore.

 

As far as the spoon goes, I was thinking 4" 1oz-ish. We don't have any striper to speak of, and 5lb+ largemouths are few and far between. But, there are lots of good-looking deep points, humps, ledges, etc. that I'd like to get down to at 20'-35'.

 

The Dobyns 795 SB is a thick stick. It would throw a 1oz okay, but I wouldn't be able to do anything else with it. With two of us on an 18' hybrid boat, I have to keep my rod count down as much as possible. I'm hoping for a rod I could throw the 1oz+ bucktail jigs but also drag a 5/8-3/4oz jig, or maybe use for some other heavier application. I'm unaware of any significant heavy cover situations on Wylie. There is probably something somewhere, but it's not anything I've seen or heard of.

 

Lou

7 minutes ago, Catt said:

Look at the Diawia Tatula series, you will be impressed.

Thanks, Catt. I'll take a look.

32 minutes ago, WRB said:

What big bait fish does Wylie have? Gizzard Shad?

Any quality Jig & Worm rod rated 3/8 to 1 1/4 oz will work for 3/4 to 1 oz jig +trailers.

Big Flutter spoons have treble hooks and the Dobyns 795 SB 

Would be perfect. Standard size structurecspoobs like a 1 oz crippled Herring etc, the rod needs to be softer tip to prevent treble hooks tearing out. Heavy Crank baits work  OK.

The one rod that can doth both is IROD IRG 754 F Gen 3 rated 3/8 to 2 oz.

Tom

I'll take a look at the IROD. Thanks.

[Catt]

For the spoon ya don't want a heavy rod, you almost want a crankbait type rod.

[Catt]

 

[Big Lou]

49 minutes ago, Catt said:

 

Good stuff! Thanks, Catt.

 

I haven't purchased any flutter spoons yet, so now I'm better informed.

 

[jimmyjoe]

   For what you describe, I use a St. Croix Mojo Bass Glass 7'-02" H/M rod called the "Rip-n-Chatter".  I've used mono line on it, but right now I have braid. I specifically bought it for 1 oz. spoons, and it performs very well.

   The "Fred's Magic Stick" that Tom mentioned ( I believe that's what he referred to) is also a great rod with a stellar reputation.                        jj

[Big Lou]

1 hour ago, Catt said:

 

It sounds like my best bet for the offshore flutter spoon might be my Cumara Reaction crankbait rod. I have a gen 1 Revo Winch on it, and it casts a mile very easily. Joe said he hardly ever goes above a medium, so...

2 minutes ago, jimmyjoe said:

   For what you describe, I use a St. Croix Mojo Bass Glass 7'-02" H/M rod called the "Rip-n-Chatter".  I've used mono line on it, but right now I have braid. I specifically bought it for 1 oz. spoons, and it performs very well.

   The "Fred's Magic Stick" that Tom mentioned ( I believe that's what he referred to) is also a great rod with a stellar reputation.                        jj

Thanks, JJ. I probably have the stick I need for the spoon in my current crankbait setup--a Shimano Cumara Reaction 7'0" MH from a few years ago. I guess I'm thinking more about the big jigs now.

 

Lou

[Diggy]

15 hours ago, WRB said:

 

The one rod that can doth both is IROD IRG 754 F Gen 3 rated 3/8 to 2 oz.

Tom

Came here to suggest this 

[Big Lou]

3 hours ago, Diggy said:

Came here to suggest this 

Thanks for the reply Diggy.

 

I've looked into the IROD and the Tatula recommended by Catt, and while they look like great rods at their respective price points, I'm a bit biased against buying from China these days. I'd prefer US-made ideally. Japan-made would be a second choice.

 

Lou

[roadwarrior]

G. Loomis MBR844C

 

https://www.gloomis.com/products/classic-mag-bass

 

[Diggy]

3 hours ago, Big Lou said:

Thanks for the reply Diggy.

 

I've looked into the IROD and the Tatula recommended by Catt, and while they look like great rods at their respective price points, I'm a bit biased against buying from China these days. I'd prefer US-made ideally. Japan-made would be a second choice.

 

Lou

You can check ALX, I am sure they can help you out. 

https://alxrods.com/

Example:

The OXIM Smoker is made to smoke big fish on big lures. At heart, it's a bass fishing jig rod made to set heavy wire hooks into the roof of the mouth and not look back until she's in the livewell. The 7'5" length is great for mile-long casts, hooksets in deep water, or sweeping hooksets on a Carolina rig. Well balanced and very responsive, the Smoker won't wear you out fishing a big stock all day. Secret tip... the OXIM Smoker is one awesome heavy cover frog rod - cast into the back of thick stuff and have plenty of power to drag them back thru it. 

• Length: 7'5"
• Lure: 3/8 - 1 1/2oz
• Power: Heavy
• Action: Fast
• Average Rod Weight: 4.6oz
• Handle Length: 11" (End of butt to the rear edge of reel seat)
• Number of Guides: 11
• Balance Point: 24" (End of butt to point of balance without a reel)

 

[txchaser]

On 6/9/2021 at 8:38 PM, WRB said:

 

The one rod that can doth both is IROD IRG 754 F Gen 3 rated 3/8 to 2 oz.

I bought this rod (for frogs) based on recommendations here. It's great, and really versatile. 

[Big Lou]

17 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

G. Loomis MBR844C

 

https://www.gloomis.com/products/classic-mag-bass

 

Thanks for the reply RW. If I went with a Loomis, I'd want another GLX, and that is quite a bit more expensive than the used Legend Elite I have in mind. I like my 803C and 842S GLX's. I bought the former 10+ years ago, and picked up the latter used.

 

14 hours ago, Diggy said:

You can check ALX, I am sure they can help you out. 

https://alxrods.com/

Example:

The OXIM Smoker is made to smoke big fish on big lures. At heart, it's a bass fishing jig rod made to set heavy wire hooks into the roof of the mouth and not look back until she's in the livewell. The 7'5" length is great for mile-long casts, hooksets in deep water, or sweeping hooksets on a Carolina rig. Well balanced and very responsive, the Smoker won't wear you out fishing a big stock all day. Secret tip... the OXIM Smoker is one awesome heavy cover frog rod - cast into the back of thick stuff and have plenty of power to drag them back thru it. 

• Length: 7'5"
• Lure: 3/8 - 1 1/2oz
• Power: Heavy
• Action: Fast
• Average Rod Weight: 4.6oz
• Handle Length: 11" (End of butt to the rear edge of reel seat)
• Number of Guides: 11
• Balance Point: 24" (End of butt to point of balance without a reel)

 

Thanks, Diggy. I wasn't aware of them, but they are in my back yard. The Zolo Dragger also seems like it's right up my alley.

 

11 hours ago, txchaser said:

I bought this rod (for frogs) based on recommendations here. It's great, and really versatile. 

Thanks for the reply TX. I don't doubt your recommendation (along with 2 others' here). I'm just looking American made first right now.

 

 

Does anyone have experience with the Legend Elite 7'4" HF who could comment, particularly if you also have some knowledge of the ALX Zolo Dragger, for example? The specs are nearly identical (the LE guides are more expensive), so it comes down to balance and blank characteristics.

 

[Diggy]

1 hour ago, Big Lou said:

 

 

 

Does anyone have experience with the Legend Elite 7'4" HF who could comment, particularly if you also have some knowledge of the ALX Zolo Dragger, for example? The specs are nearly identical (the LE guides are more expensive), so it comes down to balance and blank characteristics.

 

 

[Big Lou]

3 hours ago, Diggy said:

 

Thanks, Diggy. Seems there are strong opinions on both sides. Imagine that.

 

The LE is a little heavier than the Dragger at 5oz vs. 4.4oz. I plan to put a Bantam MGL on it, so I'm not too concerned about absolute weight. This setup is going to be my heavy jig, T-rig, C-rig go to--often in deeper water.

 

We do have plenty of catfish--some big channel cats and blues. It's said that the cat fishermen have done a great job preserving the population in Wylie. The bass fishermen, on the other hand, have apparently nailed all of the big bass to their walls. I don't think anyone is eating them--I certainly wouldn't consider it.

 

I spent many evenings helping my Dad filet LMB straight out of the live well after an afternoon on Lake Wateree, SC when I was growing up. We'd deep fry them on the back patio with some homemade hushpuppies and coleslaw. I wish I had those days back.

 

I seem to be talking myself into the LE, don't I? It's probably because I like the two St Croix's I have, and the LE I'm looking at is a good deal.

[Danika 327]

On 6/9/2021 at 7:12 PM, Big Lou said:

I primarily fish (am new to and still learning) Lake Wylie, NC/SC, and any LMB above 5lbs is a rarity--I'm told.

They are not wrong there so many tournments here and now all the big fish die because there 1 not put back where there from, 2 kept in a small live well with many other fish, 3 these fish could not be fizzed the correct way, 4 there is 4 or 5 bass kept in a bag filled 6 inches of water in 90 degree heat waiting on a boat ramp for 20 min. There is just a lot of reasons why theres not many big bass here anymore and its just over fished badly.