Dedicated Rods?

[casts_by_fly]

Outside of huge swimbaits, NO bait needs a specific rod.  If you rigged up a mh, a h, and a xh you could fish any lure all in your box day long.  There is absolutely no NEED for a dedicated rod for most all bass fishing. 
 

WANT or PREFER maybe. That’s up to you if you love fishing a specific technique and want to dedicate a rod to it. 

[Jeffrey Walker]

Yeah I realize that, this post isn’t a “what do i do or need” but rather, a “what do you do”

i’m just interested in hearing how others approach things. 

[Lead Head]

Dedicated jig rod

Dedicated cranking rod 

Dedicated ned rod

 

Everything else sees at least a little deviation from its intended use.

 

[detroit1]

Dropshot. My other 10 rigs get at least 2 bait types each. My boat only holds 8. ?

[Jeffrey Walker]

9 minutes ago, detroit1 said:

Dropshot. My other 10 rigs get at least 2 bait types each. My boat only holds 8. ?

What are the other 10? 

[detroit1]

Spinning: 1-6'10"M, 1-6'10" MH , 2-7'M.  Baitcasting: 1-6'9"M, 1-6'9" MH, 2- 7' M, 1- 7' MH, 1-7'6"M, and 1 - 7'6" MH.

No high - end rods here. 

OOps, my dropshot rod is a 6'9" ML. Next year, a new 7' ML will take it's place.

[roadwarrior]

6 hours ago, PUTitinYOURmouthFISH said:

Could you please add specs to those rod assignments? In curious what double duty was shared with what PWR/ACT/LNTH - and did they share the same line? Your insight and experience is nuch appreciated my man.

 

 

@ErieCan you said you dedicated your St. Croix Victory 72MHMF to squarebills  - could you please share your experience with that rod and if you think it could be used beyond its specific technique for chatterbait or jig or swim jig as well? How moderate is its moderate fast tip?

Could you please add specs to those rod assignments? In curious what double duty was shared with what PWR/ACT/LNTH - and did they share the same line? Your insight and experience is nuch appreciated my man

 

@ErieCan

 

 

[Jar11591]

Topwater, jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, frogs, punching, jigs & T-rigs, and wacky senkos all have their own dedicated rigs in my arsenal. I know I’m forgetting a couple others. 

[scaleface]

Most of my rods are used for a variety of baits but there are three I guess would identify as single duty. 

 

7' hevy is a worm and jig rod. Although it will see action on large crankbaits .

7' mh with braid is a frog rod .

7"ml spinning is a finesse rod .

 

I dont have any rods over 7 foot because they fit diagonally in my short bed pickup .  

[Jeffrey Walker]

2 minutes ago, scaleface said:

Most of my rods are used for a variety of baits but there are three I guess would identify as single duty. 

 

7' hevy is a worm and jig rod. Although it will see action on large crankbaits .

7' mh with braid is a frog rod .

7"ml spinning is a finesse rod .

 

I dont have any rods over 7 foot because they fit diagonally in my short bed pickup . I do plan on getting a 7'6' or longer flipping rod . It will have to ride inside with me . I have a hefty  telescopic fiberglass 7'6" flipping rod  that is several decades old . Bought it when flipping started gaining popularity . Its a dedicated carp/catfish in pole now .

What kind of pickup?

[scaleface]

1 minute ago, Jeffrey Walker said:

How big is you pickup cab?

Dont know exactly , its a 2015 Ram crew cab  ,  5 to 6 foot  .

[1984isNOW]

@WRBCould you please add specs to those rod assignments? I'm urious what double duty was shared with what PWR/ACT/LNTH - and did they share the same line? Your insight and experience is much appreciated my man.

 

@roadwarrior

 your edit of my comment just quoting me left left no Quote or tag for wrb so I just wanted to make it clear that question was specifically for him and his comment listing all his double duty rods.

 

Thanks y'all

[new2BC4bass]

On 9/11/2022 at 7:10 PM, casts_by_fly said:

some lures and presentations will require certain gear.  Throwing big swim baits you need a big rod that can handle multiple ounces and a reel that can handle all of the heavy line required. That rod probably won’t have another use in your lineup. A BFS rod is going to throw tiny finesse lures and that’s about all you’re going to use it for. Everything in between is a free for all.  Having a lure specific rod is great if you always have one of those lures tied on. Then you can fine tune what you like in a rod for that lure and get exactly what you like.  Otherwise, a 1/4-3/4 MF and a 3/8-1 MF will cover just about anything you want to do.  

I tend to think of 3/4 or 1 oz. as fitting in the MH category even though I know I have some Medium power rods in that range.  Went through my list of rods, and was surprised by how many of my MF topped out in that range.  Normally I think of MF as topping out at 5/8 oz.  A couple of mine say 5/8 oz., but will handle heavier with no problem.  My MF Falcons are all rated 1/4-1/2 oz. but I've used heavier without the rod feeling overloaded (to me).

 

Still in all I'd rather use a MHF for 1/2 oz. weights.  Kind of funny, because before I got into baitcast rods I was using 4# XL on spinning rods.  A favorite being a ML Berkley older than many on here.  Of course I wasn't fishing 1/2 oz. lures.  A 1/8 or 3/16 oz. lure was heavy to me back then.

[casts_by_fly]

13 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

I tend to think of 3/4 or 1 oz. as fitting in the MH category even though I know I have some Medium power rods in that range.  Went through my list of rods, and was surprised by how many of my MF topped out in that range.  Normally I think of MF as topping out at 5/8 oz.  A couple of mine say 5/8 oz., but will handle heavier with no problem.  My MF Falcons are all rated 1/4-1/2 oz. but I've used heavier without the rod feeling overloaded (to me).

 

Still in all I'd rather use a MHF for 1/2 oz. weights.  Kind of funny, because before I got into baitcast rods I was using 4# XL on spinning rods.  A favorite being a ML Berkley older than many on here.  Of course I wasn't fishing 1/2 oz. lures.  A 1/8 or 3/16 oz. lure was heavy to me back then.

i also fish falcons, so know the ratings you’re talking about. A 4 power medium is too light for me, even for small treble hook baits. The 5 power mh all around is my starting point.  I also have the 6’10” and 7’3” mh rods.  They are all 3/4 on the top end of the rating. Will they fish 3/4-1 oz?  Sure. The all around with 3/4 total weight is right on its edge for sure, but it will work. I fish the finesse jig with a half ounce chatterbait a lot in the spring and with a trailer you’re into 7/8 oz territory sometimes. And the Hudson is my main topwater rod so it sees 1/2 oz buzzbaits and 110 sized ploppers which all come in around 3/4-7/8 all in. 
 

that said, if you’re throwing 3/4-1 oz often, give the 6 power rods a go for it. The 7’ dragger in the bucoo even is an awesome blade bait rod for 1/2 oz-3/4 baits plus a trailer. I just wish the expert series had the equivalent rod. 

 

[new2BC4bass]

2 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

i also fish falcons, so know the ratings you’re talking about. A 4 power medium is too light for me, even for small treble hook baits. The 5 power mh all around is my starting point.  I also have the 6’10” and 7’3” mh rods.  They are all 3/4 on the top end of the rating. Will they fish 3/4-1 oz?  Sure. The all around with 3/4 total weight is right on its edge for sure, but it will work. I fish the finesse jig with a half ounce chatterbait a lot in the spring and with a trailer you’re into 7/8 oz territory sometimes. And the Hudson is my main topwater rod so it sees 1/2 oz buzzbaits and 110 sized ploppers which all come in around 3/4-7/8 all in. 
 

that said, if you’re throwing 3/4-1 oz often, give the 6 power rods a go for it. The 7’ dragger in the bucoo even is an awesome blade bait rod for 1/2 oz-3/4 baits plus a trailer. I just wish the expert series had the equivalent rod. 

 

I used my 7' MF Cara for a crankbait rod before buying a dedicated crankbait rod.  Would have no problem throwing cranks on it today.  I've cast a 1/2 oz. spinnerbait on a MF Falcon while on the river.  Pulling it upstream put a nice bend in the rod.  Definitely would have preferred more power, but wasn't worried the rod would break.  Did feel like it was a bit much for the rod, tho.

 

I recently picked up the Expert Amistad, but haven't had it out.  Any reel/line suggestions for it?

[casts_by_fly]

7 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

I used my 7' MF Cara for a crankbait rod before buying a dedicated crankbait rod.  Would have no problem throwing cranks on it today.  I've cast a 1/2 oz. spinnerbait on a MF Falcon while on the river.  Pulling it upstream put a nice bend in the rod.  Definitely would have preferred more power, but wasn't worried the rod would break.  Did feel like it was a bit much for the rod, tho.

 

I recently picked up the Expert Amistad, but haven't had it out.  Any reel/line suggestions for it?

when you say 7’ MF cara, do you mean the All ‘round?  I have considered the expert version. I have the bucoo in that one. 
 

I have my amistad rigged with 50lb 832 and that’s a good combo for 3/8 plus plastic and up pitching. Given that much weight, I’ve put a revo SX on it.  I don’t love that reel for a ton of casting compared to other choices but for pitching and bombing it’s fine. I’ve put a revo STX on the rod with 17 mono and that would be good for 1/4 plus plastic but that’s the bottom end of the weight for that rod I think. Since I fish a bunch of grass and pads I prefer the braid.  It’s also incredibly sensitive when a fish hits it and when you set the hook it’s positively set. 

[new2BC4bass]

No idea if it is the 'All round' rod.  CC-4-17M.  Received it years ago as a replacement for an OG Expert of the same length and power that I fell and broke 2 pieces off the tip.

 

Don't have an SX, but have a Gen1 STXL with 40# braid on it.  Have a few unused reels laying around with no line on them yet.  The STX has been to Florida with me several times for using back in the lily pads.  It has also made some very long casts (long for me) while fishing there.

[casts_by_fly]

9 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

No idea if it is the 'All round' rod.  CC-4-17M.  Received it years ago as a replacement for an OG Expert of the same length and power that I fell and broke 2 pieces off the tip.

 

Don't have an SX, but have a Gen1 STXL with 40# braid on it.  Have a few unused reels laying around with no line on them yet.  The STX has been to Florida with me several times for using back in the lily pads.  It has also made some very long casts (long for me) while fishing there.

 

That's the Mansfield.  7' medium power (4 power falcon), 1/4-1/2 rated.  The current model lists as a moderate slow action in the cara series, but is a moderate fast in the expert and other lines.  I've held it, but not fished it and it was just a little slow/underpowered for me.  The 5 power all round will do all the things I'd ask of the mansfield with a bit more power under the butt and into the mid rod.  That said, if you're throwing a lot of small crankbaits like a bomber that are in the 5/16 range then I can see this being a great rod for that.  

 

The older STX more or less turned into the SX from a features perspective.  I have two Gen 3 STX here and they are very similar to the Gen 4 SX with the infini system.  The SX is shaped like the gen 4 reels which I think is an improvement, but they fish similarly.