Rod for A rigs and glide baits

[bigspirit]

I’ve had my eye on the Zodias 7’5” Heavy (rated up to 1.5oz) for getting into throwing A-rigs and glide baits/swim baits like the Swaver 168. However, without experience with either yet I’m not sure if this rod is a great fit for this or if I should go with something like the Daiwa Rebellion 7’11” that’s rated for up to 4oz? I know I’ve seen the tactical bassin guys throw A-rigs on that specific zodias but in my head that just seems a bit heavy for that rating but again, I don’t have first-hand experience. 

[softwateronly]

  When fishing a 3 hook // 2 dummy Arig w/ 1/8-3/8 jigheads, I prefer to use a 7'7" H expride.  I would think that it compares relatively similar to the Zodias, probably a touch softer.  I fish the 168 S waver on a lot of different rods, my favorite is Dobyns DC 706cb, but the 7'7" expride is in the next choice tier. 

  The Zodias could also double as a H jig rod.  If you don't have a H jig rod, I think you should get the Zodias first.  Then as you start to want to throw more big baits, you can get a proper swimbait setup.  In my opinion, 2-3 swimbait setups are needed anyway if you decide you like it.  I think it's nice to have 7' ish for up to 3oz trebles,  a 7'9"-8' rod that handles up to 5-6oz treble baits and a 7'9"-8' single hook rod that handles up to 5-6oz.  Some glides can be worked with the rod and excel in short accurate casting situations, the 168 is one of those. 

  At least the Zodias can do a lot of different things on the 1+oz side.  If you already have a H jig rod, you should just throw these baits on that first see what type of feel you prefer with them.

 

scott 

[Born 2 fish]

I use a Dobyns 795 sb.

[bigspirit]

2 hours ago, softwateronly said:

  When fishing a 3 hook // 2 dummy Arig w/ 1/8-3/8 jigheads, I prefer to use a 7'7" H expride.  I would think that it compares relatively similar to the Zodias, probably a touch softer.  I fish the 168 S waver on a lot of different rods, my favorite is Dobyns DC 706cb, but the 7'7" expride is in the next choice tier. 

  The Zodias could also double as a H jig rod.  If you don't have a H jig rod, I think you should get the Zodias first.  Then as you start to want to throw more big baits, you can get a proper swimbait setup.  In my opinion, 2-3 swimbait setups are needed anyway if you decide you like it.  I think it's nice to have 7' ish for up to 3oz trebles,  a 7'9"-8' rod that handles up to 5-6oz treble baits and a 7'9"-8' single hook rod that handles up to 5-6oz.  Some glides can be worked with the rod and excel in short accurate casting situations, the 168 is one of those. 

  At least the Zodias can do a lot of different things on the 1+oz side.  If you already have a H jig rod, you should just throw these baits on that first see what type of feel you prefer with them.

 

scott 

Scott,

 

This is the exact type of response I was looking for. I actually do not have a heavy jig rod. I have been a saltwater guy until the last year and a half after a move to the Midwest and now moving back to the south but more inland where I’ll be doing more bass/striper fishing going forward. I think the zodias may be the route for me to go and like you said, maybe get into a larger more dedicated setup in the future. Thanks again for taking the time to write that up!

 

[king fisher]

  What type of A rig, and baits do you plan on fishing? I have a 7.5 foot Heavy Diawa Tatula, rated for max 1.5 ounce lures. I use it for punching and flipping.  The Bait Monkey finally convinced me I needed to buy an A rig.   I didn't want to buy another rod, and didn't have room in my kayak for one of my saltwater rods, only to use it for one technique. 

       I planned on double duty for the flipping stick.  The Tatula worked and I caught many big fish on the A rig.  The problem is I use a full size heavy wire A rig, 5 inch Skinny Dippers with hooks in all of them.  I don't know what the total weight is, but the  Tatula is way under gunned for the A rig.  It does work, but my casts are horrible light lobs with no distance. The next time I plan on using an A rig, I am going to try one of my 8 foot salmon rods.  I haven't tried a smaller, lighter A rig, which might work well with the flipping stick I have.  The big bass in Mexico tear up my heavy duty A rigs, so I am going the bigger rod route.  A lighter A rig with the 1.5 ounce rod may work better for you.  If you fish other techniques with heavy lures, or fish for larger species of fish, you may want to go ahead and get a rod designed to cast 4 ounce or more baits.  That way if you don't like the A rig, you are not stuck with a specialty stick you never use.

[bigspirit]

1 hour ago, king fisher said:

  What type of A rig, and baits do you plan on fishing? I have a 7.5 foot Heavy Diawa Tatula, rated for max 1.5 ounce lures. I use it for punching and flipping.  The Bait Monkey finally convinced me I needed to buy an A rig.   I didn't want to buy another rod, and didn't have room in my kayak for one of my saltwater rods, only to use it for one technique. 

       I planned on double duty for the flipping stick.  The Tatula worked and I caught many big fish on the A rig.  The problem is I use a full size heavy wire A rig, 5 inch Skinny Dippers with hooks in all of them.  I don't know what the total weight is, but the  Tatula is way under gunned for the A rig.  It does work, but my casts are horrible light lobs with no distance. The next time I plan on using an A rig, I am going to try one of my 8 foot salmon rods.  I haven't tried a smaller, lighter A rig, which might work well with the flipping stick I have.  The big bass in Mexico tear up my heavy duty A rigs, so I am going the bigger rod route.  A lighter A rig with the 1.5 ounce rod may work better for you.  If you fish other techniques with heavy lures, or fish for larger species of fish, you may want to go ahead and get a rod designed to cast 4 ounce or more baits.  That way if you don't like the A rig, you are not stuck with a specialty stick you never use.

 

Good point as well. I’ve kind of been eyeing the hog farmer flex rig. I’ve got a buddy that likes it and the tactical guys seem to like it so must be decent. I was planning on smaller plastics like 3.8 and 4.3 on it with 1/8oz jig heads. I’m not sure about other swim baits and such. I like the idea behind them but not sure I see myself getting into a surplus of $30+ baits going forward!

[evo2s197]

For the price I feel nothing beats the Irod Genesis III for big baits, super light weight and balanced also.

[softwateronly]

15 hours ago, bigspirit said:

Scott,

 

This is the exact type of response I was looking for. I actually do not have a heavy jig rod. I have been a saltwater guy until the last year and a half after a move to the Midwest and now moving back to the south but more inland where I’ll be doing more bass/striper fishing going forward. I think the zodias may be the route for me to go and like you said, maybe get into a larger more dedicated setup in the future. Thanks again for taking the time to write that up!

 

 

15 hours ago, Born 2 fish said:

I use a Dobyns 795 sb.

 

11 hours ago, evo2s197 said:

For the price I feel nothing beats the Irod Genesis III for big baits, super light weight and balanced also.

 

I'm probably gonna muddy the waters here, but these are also great ideas.  I use the 795SB and have heard nothing but great things about the Genesis III series and on my short list for my next big bait rod.  Either series would be great for Arigs/168's.  I also see that you're thinking stripers might be a target?  Getting a 12lb+ striper on a Zodias in open water sounds like a fun fight, but if there's cover involved I can see that turning to heartbreak real quick.  I'm not in striper water often, but I remember nearly every time I hooked into one.  They are beasts! 

 

Here's the bait monkey's opinion, in the end, I think fishing is way more fun with at least a H jig rod and SB rod.  How you attack which is first is just a choice, the monkey wins regardless.

 

scott

[bigspirit]

22 hours ago, softwateronly said:

 

 

 

I'm probably gonna muddy the waters here, but these are also great ideas.  I use the 795SB and have heard nothing but great things about the Genesis III series and on my short list for my next big bait rod.  Either series would be great for Arigs/168's.  I also see that you're thinking stripers might be a target?  Getting a 12lb+ striper on a Zodias in open water sounds like a fun fight, but if there's cover involved I can see that turning to heartbreak real quick.  I'm not in striper water often, but I remember nearly every time I hooked into one.  They are beasts! 

 

Here's the bait monkey's opinion, in the end, I think fishing is way more fun with at least a H jig rod and SB rod.  How you attack which is first is just a choice, the monkey wins regardless.

 

scott

Yes I’m relocating to an area where my primary targets are going to be spotted bass and stripers. I’m thinking winter and early spring I might be more focused on stripers and would likely be throwing these a rigs and glides in areas more for them. I can’t speak to whether there will be structure everywhere...I know the lakes have trees underwater but not sure how abundant that cover is. The rivers I’ll also fish will likely have downed trees but where I foresee myself is in the longer slower parts that are deeper so hopefully no rocks and such. 
 

I really want the zodias as I’m a big Shimano fan but considering what I’m going after and from another thread I made, I’m starting to think I need to go with something along the lines of that 7’11” Rebellion rated for 3/8-4oz with a 300 sized reel.