OwenDR11 Posted January 31, 2022 Posted January 31, 2022 I’m looking into getting a bait casting rod, probably St Croix. What would be my best option in terms of power? Medium or medium heavy? I usually do largemouth fishing and occasional pike fishing. I’m looking for one rod to do it all, or at least most of my fishing with it. Any help is appreciated. Owen
Super User roadwarrior Posted January 31, 2022 Super User Posted January 31, 2022 St. Croix offers several options depending on your budget. The new Victory series is a good "affordable" option: https://stcroixrods.com/collections/freshwater I would suggest MHF.
FishinBuck07 Posted January 31, 2022 Posted January 31, 2022 1 hour ago, OwenDR11 said: I’m looking into getting a bait casting rod, probably St Croix. What would be my best option in terms of power? Medium or medium heavy? I usually do largemouth fishing and occasional pike fishing. I’m looking for one rod to do it all, or at least most of my fishing with it. Any help is appreciated. Owen If you are wanting one rod to do it all I would say a 7' to 7'3" MH Fast would be your best bet! That would be what I would pick for an all around rod. 1
Super User Deleted account Posted January 31, 2022 Super User Posted January 31, 2022 Depends on the size and weight of the lures you'll be fishing, and the amount and type of cover you'll be fishing. This might confuse matters, but I would go with a Med that fishes like a MH, or a MH that fishes a bit light for it's rating for an all around rod. Also if you are one and done (yeah, right), then I'd go with a 6'8" or 6'10" or so. If it's the first of more to come, a 7' would be my choice. 1
Finessegenics Posted January 31, 2022 Posted January 31, 2022 Like already mentioned, it really depends on the lures you're throwing and the cover you're fishing around. For the species you detailed, I imagine a MH/F will be your best bet. You can throw spinnerbaits, spoons, chatterbaits and crankbaits which work well for both species. 1
CrashVector Posted January 31, 2022 Posted January 31, 2022 31 minutes ago, FishinBuck07 said: If you are wanting one rod to do it all I would say a 7' to 7'3" MH Fast would be your best bet! That would be what I would pick for an all around rod. +1 1
EWREX Posted January 31, 2022 Posted January 31, 2022 a medium heavy fast action should cover all of your bass and pike needs 2
Super User Deleted account Posted January 31, 2022 Super User Posted January 31, 2022 1 hour ago, FishinBuck07 said: If you are wanting one rod to do it all I would say a 7' to 7'3" MH Fast would be your best bet! That would be what I would pick for an all around rod. 46 minutes ago, CrashVector said: +1 No. "all around" and something towards the extreme of any parameter is just not a thing. A 7' rod is already a compromise for things like JBs, poppers, and other tip down presentations, not to mention close in precise presentations, and tight quarters if fishing from shore are better handled by a shorter rod. Anything longer is just not a good recommendation for someone looking for 1 rod.
OwenDR11 Posted January 31, 2022 Author Posted January 31, 2022 Thanks everyone. Looks like a MHF is the way to go. Are there any situations where a medium fast would be used for pike?
Super User J Francho Posted January 31, 2022 Super User Posted January 31, 2022 Medium power rods are a little underpowered for pike in my neck of the woods. 2
Super User A-Jay Posted January 31, 2022 Super User Posted January 31, 2022 5 minutes ago, J Francho said: Medium power rods are a little underpowered for pike in my neck of the woods. Unless it's totally open water, mine too. A-Jay
Super User Deleted account Posted January 31, 2022 Super User Posted January 31, 2022 5 minutes ago, OwenDR11 said: Are there any situations where a medium fast would be used for pike? Yes, but it's more about the line you are using. You can put more pressure on a fish with a medium rod than most bass guys think. Assuming I don't get bit off, I have no problem going up against any pike with a medium rod and 15 lb BG, or 30-40 lb braid.
Super User J Francho Posted January 31, 2022 Super User Posted January 31, 2022 I agree, and one of my biggest northern pike came on a medium/moderate cranking stick - a little over 16 lbs. I wouldn't use that rod if I was targeting pike regularly.
CrashVector Posted January 31, 2022 Posted January 31, 2022 17 minutes ago, Deleted account said: No. "all around" and something towards the extreme of any parameter is just not a thing. A 7' rod is already a compromise for things like JBs, poppers, and other tip down presentations, not to mention close in precise presentations, and tight quarters if fishing from shore are better handled by a shorter rod. Anything longer is just not a good recommendation for someone looking for 1 rod. Then why do I do all of the above on my 7'6" h/f casting rod with ease? 1
Super User J Francho Posted January 31, 2022 Super User Posted January 31, 2022 Just now, CrashVector said: Then why do I do all of the above on my 7'6" h/f casting rod with ease? Because you're doing it wrong, lol. 3
CrashVector Posted January 31, 2022 Posted January 31, 2022 Just now, J Francho said: Because you're doing it wrong, lol. Strange. For someone "doing it wrong" I catch a hell of a lot of big fish. 1
Super User J Francho Posted January 31, 2022 Super User Posted January 31, 2022 3 minutes ago, CrashVector said: Strange. For someone "doing it wrong" I catch a hell of a lot of big fish. I'm sure it does. By "wrong" I mean different than most everyone else. We all twitch down - you twitch to the side. Unless you are as tall as Shaq. 1
CrashVector Posted January 31, 2022 Posted January 31, 2022 7 minutes ago, J Francho said: I'm sure it does. By "wrong" I mean different than most everyone else. We all twitch down - you twitch to the side. Unless you are as tall as Shaq. I know what you meant lol Just using the opportunity to point out that in fishing, it's VERY rare for something to be absolutely "right" or "wrong". I've been told multiple times on this site that what I'm doing is "wrong" or that I wasn't being honest....when I have videos of all of it, and have multiple catches over 10lbs every year. Those people telling me I'm doing wrong have a PB of 5-6lbs lol! "You will have nothing but trouble if you use braid less than x diameter, so you can't be telling the truth." Wrong. It's all I use...on camera. "Rigging your baits like x doesn't work." Wrong. I do it on camera. "You're not gonna catch a 60lb fish on 20lb mono because mono sucks." Wrong. I have videos of several 50+lb fish being hauled in on a supposedly "junk" Abu SilverMax medium/fast combo using 20lb big game mono. Etc etc. I may not abide by the conventional "rules" but I regularly out-catch many so called "pros", as do MANY people where I live. 1 1
Super User J Francho Posted January 31, 2022 Super User Posted January 31, 2022 Yeah, I mean there's technically no right or wrong in fishing - just dumb (Whopper Ploppers), overly complicated (Carolina Rig), or a total waste of time (Poop Jig). But I don't have any strong opinions either way lol. 3
CrashVector Posted January 31, 2022 Posted January 31, 2022 1 minute ago, J Francho said: Yeah, I mean there's technically no right or wrong in fishing - just dumb (Whopper Ploppers), overly complicated (Carolina Rig), or a total waste of time (Poop Jig). But I don't have any strong opinions either way lol. Even Roland Martin said in a video about whopper poppers "Now, you won't catch a LOT of fish on these, but you CAN catch fish. I use them sometimes." C-rigs get hung up to much for me. I use jigs, but others method are more productive, so I stick with what works.
cyclops2 Posted January 31, 2022 Posted January 31, 2022 I can bring in any bass or pike on almost any Pink Disney rod at a dock. WE have at least 2 pike under the docks. Kids love to reel in a Rockbass slowly. Let it flop & splash. SLURP goes Pike. It is always subdued . No real problem. I have caught+ 36" long in reeds & eventually untangled them. The pike are a odd fighting fish 1/2 the time. Some fight hard for 1 minute . Others come to the boat. Then flail & do death rolls till exhausted so much that touching their head has no reaction. Weeds & junk or ledge rocks ? I have had them saw up the braid & escape with the lure. Big bass or pike are NOT BLACK leader shy. I use a old 4' black braided leader. Any rod & reel will subdue a big fresh water fish. If you are buying for a Canadian PIKE trip ? Ask the place to supply the rod & reel. Save yours at home from being damaged or lost somewhere.
EWREX Posted January 31, 2022 Posted January 31, 2022 12 minutes ago, CrashVector said: I've been told multiple times on this site that what I'm doing is "wrong" or that I wasn't being honest....when I have videos of all of it, and have multiple catches over 10lbs every year. Those people telling me I'm doing wrong have a PB of 5-6lbs lol! this is kind of irrelevant since average weights of bass vary depending on your location in the country. just because you catch "multiple" bass over 10lb's every year where you live doesn't make you a better angler or qualify your "right" or "wrong" opinion over others. just my two cents lol
Super User J Francho Posted January 31, 2022 Super User Posted January 31, 2022 9 minutes ago, CrashVector said: I use jigs, but others method are more productive, so I stick with what works. By poop jigs, I'm talking about Ned rigs. They are literally marketed as TRD, lol. I mean, they're great if you like to catch little perch and rock bass along with small bass. 1
CrashVector Posted January 31, 2022 Posted January 31, 2022 2 minutes ago, EWREX said: this is kind of irrelevant since average weights of bass vary depending on your location in the country. just because you catch "multiple" bass over 10lb's every year where you live doesn't make you a better angler or qualify your "right" or "wrong" opinion over others. just my two cents lol Granted. However, it definitely proves I'm not "doing it wrong" lol 1
BassResource.com Administrator Glenn Posted January 31, 2022 BassResource.com Administrator Posted January 31, 2022 and scene 2
Recommended Posts