How many fish lighter lures on a rod rated for heavier due to the cover they are fishing

[Cgolf]

Over the years I have lost numerous fish to getting wrapped around reeds because I couldn’t always control the fish properly. I mostly fish 1/4 ounce slider heads and spinnerbaits  in the reeds, sometimes 1/16 ounce Ned heads if the wind is down. 
 

This became clear to me when I got a MHM Victory and a H Kaden for Christmas. The backbone of the Victory was disappointing and I could not keep bass from wrapping the spinnerbaits on reeds with that rod. Compared to a MHM Premier I have that has a very stout backbone I feel the Victory is mislabeled and I is really medium power. I do like the rod though just not for what I bought it for. The Kaden allowed me to control the head enough to keep the fish from wrapping me around a reed. 
 

This fall I tried my MHF Avid X with the 1/4 ounce spinnerbaits and it worked great not having one fish wrap me on a reed. Like the Kaden I felt I could control the head enough to keep them from wrapping and included a couple of 4 lb smallies too. 
 

At the St Croix store I picked up a MHF Legend Tournament spinning rod, blemished so I got a great deal, with the same thought. By the time I tried it the plastic bite was gone or impossible to fish due to high winds, but I did get some fish on it. I really liked the sensitivity even with the lighter baits, and it will serve me well in the future. No big fish on the rod but I expect I will have less fish wrap me on a reed. 
 

The only downside with the lighter lures on these rods is that accuracy suffers a little bit. Most misses with a sidearm cast go to the left and short. I just really need to focus on the release point with these sticks as there isn’t a lot of forgiveness. Overhead casts are more accurate but not my favorite way to cast to vertical cover. 

[bulldog1935]

I normally buy rods to fish their light end rating, and will fish toward the heavy end rating in open water, specifically here, big topwater plugs. (rated 1/4 to 1 oz)

 

[LCG]

I have had rods that didn't really fish the technique I had in mind very well, but they did excel at other techniques. Plus if you change the line type or reel, it can change the dynamics a bit. That's part of the fun sometimes, just have to keep an open mind.

 

I bought a rod for plastics, but preferred the rod for light spinnerbaits. The rod I bought for spinnerbaits also worked great for plastics, that one was a win/win. Even bought a few rods that never saw a fish, just didn't feel right for me. I am super picky though. 

[QED]

Never.  But I mostly fish UL spinning and BFS casting, so really light lures are de rigueur.

[dodgeguy]

I fish 1/10 oz Ned heads on a Dobyns Sierra 7-3 heavy. The tip is forgiving enough to do it easy but you have great backbone. I do it because I fish in a lot of rocks and use heavier line also.

[Cgolf]

1 hour ago, LCG said:

I have had rods that didn't really fish the technique I had in mind very well, but they did excel at other techniques. Plus if you change the line type or reel, it can change the dynamics a bit. That's part of the fun sometimes, just have to keep an open mind.

 

I bought a rod for plastics, but preferred the rod for light spinnerbaits. The rod I bought for spinnerbaits also worked great for plastics, that one was a win/win. Even bought a few rods that never saw a fish, just didn't feel right for me. I am super picky though. 

I have definitely found uses for the victory like tossing square bills in open water and around home it can still be used as a spinnerbait rod. Heavy cover just pushes me to heavier rods. Oddly heavier spinnerbaits and heavier rigged plastics don’t get as many bites. 

[T-Billy]

My Lew's Pro SP and Okuma Hakai are great in this scenario. Both are tough, heavy cover capable reels with light spools that start fast and help compensate for a rod that doesn't have the tip for light baits. Not ideal maybe, but they help, and it beats going in there with an underpowered rod and getting your heart broke by a biggun you couldn't control. 

[The Bassman]

I tend to do so most of the time with the exception of cold months when vegetation is minimal. The Shimano Zodias and 13 Omens I fish are exceptionally light so other than giving up a little casting distance with the lightest of baits I don't feel handicapped.

[FishTank]

A buddy of mine does this but not me.  I learned my lesson by watching him. He will cast a finnese worm with either a 1/16 or 1/8 oz bullet weight on a MH Fast with 12lb mono. His shoulder is toast at the end of the day. 

 

In order for him to cast it, he has to load his arm and not the rod. It's painful to watch. I tried to talk him out of it and even offered him the correct rod to use but he still refuses and he still gets stuck and still misses fish.

[Cgolf]

1 hour ago, FishTank said:

A buddy of mine does this but not me.  I learned my lesson by watching him. He will cast a finnese worm with either a 1/16 or 1/8 oz bullet weight on a MH Fast with 12lb mono. His shoulder is toast at the end of the day. 

 

In order for him to cast it, he has to load his arm and not the rod. It's painful to watch. I tried to talk him out of it and even offered him the correct rod to use but he still refuses and he still gets stuck and still misses fish.

Haven’t tried anything less than a 1/4 ounce spin on the MHF baitcaster which with components is slightly heavier and on the spinning rod a 1/4 ounce slider with a rage baby menace which is probably the lightest plastic I fish. 
 

For the most part I am pitching the plastics on the spinning rod so distance is not an issue. Baitcaster I will Chuck a ways, but the farther it goes the more chance to hang up on a reed, so I am happy with the distance I get without any weird motions. 
 

I will still likely use the MF Dobyns Sierra spin for Ned rigs, and since I pitch open hooked Ned’s a bit off the cover to limit snags I should be ok. Not sure how much I will use the MLF Sierra spin now. 

[Darth-Baiter]

I think I’m more guilty of the opposite.  I fish with equipment on the light side. 

[Columbia Craw]

I do.

[Bankbeater]

A couple of years ago I started casting a Zara puppy on the 7'0" mh/f casting rod.  There was definitely a learning curve to it.

[evilcatfish]

I’m a believer in letting the rod do the work. If you are throwing baits too light/heavy for a setup you overcompensate with your body, which can result in strain or in the long term, a real injury. 

[Cgolf]

1 hour ago, evilcatfish said:

I’m a believer in letting the rod do the work. If you are throwing baits too light/heavy for a setup you overcompensate with your body, which can result in strain or in the long term, a real injury. 

 

For open water I totally agree. In this scenario where I am pitching with the spinning rod and not bomb casting the baitcaster there is no issue. For some reason the bass have always preferred lighter lures. It is also interesting watching a bass fight up close in the reeds as you can see them try to get to a reed and try and wrap the line around it, very instinctive fish.