What technique should be your best rod

[PressuredFishing]

5 hours ago, ETnbasser said:

So, what technique is YOUR best rod?

Light spinning for bass. Versatile, fun, easy.

[ETnbasser]

Especially when you hookup with a good one!! Kind of like cane poling for mud cats. 

[Susky River Rat]

I run ST. Croix  premiers just different med light medium etc. I feel like sticking with that make keeps me in touch with the way the rods feel. If you have an G loomis this and a ST. Croix a bass pro this I think the lines of consistency get blurred. Now I understand not everyone wants to max out their rods with  very high end rods because of price. That is the reason I do what I do. Right or wrong it makes  sense to me. 

[RDB]

6 hours ago, ETnbasser said:

I was involved in a conversation this weekend regarding what technique should be your absolute best/most expensive rod.

To me, the key word is your most expensive rod.  If your most expensive rod is $600, the qualities you are paying the big bucks for are probably most appropriate for bottom contact presentations.  IMO, you both could be right depending on your situation.  Your most expensive rod is relative.

 

6 hours ago, ETnbasser said:

[Woody B]

5 hours ago, Catt said:

What technique should be your best rod?

 

All of them! ?

 

Can't tell ya how many bass I've caught on a spinnerbait because I felt the blades stop turning. Or how many times I avoided having a crankbait hang up because I felt the line rubbing on a limb.

 

And....you feel the line rubbing the limb,  gently work the bait around the limb, then get a strike.   I've never understood the "you don't want a sensitive rod for cranks" mindset.   I want to feel everything.   

 

[ETnbasser]

1 hour ago, RDB said:

To me, the key word is your most expensive rod.  If your most expensive rod is $600, the qualities you are paying the big bucks for are probably most appropriate for bottom contact presentations.  IMO, you both could be right depending on your situation.  Your most expensive rod is relative.

 

Normally I would have to agree, but since you naturally have no idea about the others in the conversation I will say the most adamant one to say this is likely the best Spinnerbait fisherman I know. He literally fishes it 90% of the time and cranks the rest. Never known him to jig or worm fish much if any. So one would think he’d want a rod that could feel the subtle change of a blade not spinning as mentioned earlier. But yes, it is more of YOUR preference. The conversation was not what it should or makes the most sense to the masses but what it is to you. I agree with your comment “If your most expensive rod is $600, the qualities you are paying the big bucks for are probably most appropriate for bottom contact presentations” but if bottom contact weren’t important to me, why would I pend the most money towards it? Thanks for the response. 

[Bigassbass]

All of them, I have many good rods and reels that work for whatever technique I'm fishing.  My favorite is hard baits. 

[ETnbasser]

26 minutes ago, Woody B said:

 

And....you feel the line rubbing the limb,  gently work the bait around the limb, then get a strike.   I've never understood the "you don't want a sensitive rod for cranks" mindset.   I want to feel everything.   

 

True, but it’s not necessarily about sensitivity alone, light weight rods are typically more expensive as someone stated with regards towards golf clubs and mountain bikes. Thanks

[RDB]

IMO, if the guy you were having the debate with is using high end rods for his cranks and spinnerbaits, he just has money burning a hole in his pocket.  
 

 

[ETnbasser]

1 hour ago, RDB said:

IMO, if the guy you were having the debate with is using high end rods for his cranks and spinnerbaits, he just has money burning a hole in his pocket.  
 

 

For YOU it may be so and that’s perfectly fine. Let me ask, do you have a boat? If so, what type?

[RDB]

15 minutes ago, ETnbasser said:

For YOU it may be so and that’s perfectly fine. Let me ask, do you have a boat? If so, what type?

I gave you my opinion based on the little information you provided.  I’m not sure what point you are trying to make.

 

My point was simple and as I stated, it was my opinion.  That’s what IMO means, so I’m not sure why you keep saying YOU.  If you are not looking for people to share their opinions, it might be best not to make posts asking for them.  I use G Loomis for all bottom contact and my next most expensive rod is $300.  Make whatever you want out of that.  Good luck on your new high end rod.

[TimTheGearNerd]

OP, I am in your camp that that the single best/ most expensive rod one owns makes much more sense if it’s the one you use the most. 
 

If I’m  going to spend the most money on a single set up, logic tells me I should get the most enjoyment out of it, after all, fishing is a hobby for me. This logic should apply to any hobby, not limited to fishing. 
 

If I try to consider the other perspective however, I can see the reasoning as, your favorite gear and technique doesn’t necessarily need to cost the most.
 

Considering which rods are the most sensitive for bottom contact, those are generally the most expensive. I think it’s generally assumed that increasing cost equal increasing sensitivity, most relevant for bottom contact. 

The group likely believes any rod less expensive compared to a steez or an NRX cannot achieve the same or greater level of sensitivity. 
 

I mean, I wouldn’t get too worked up either way just like I wouldn’t fully trust a fish tail. 
 

My favorite set up is not the best or most expensive. Just a KLX with a T3 SV, a reel that everyone seems to hate. My most used is a spinning set up because drop shot always catches fish in a pinch ?

[killobet]

I only fish from shore. And normally brings 2 rod with me. ( finesse wacky, and small plastic swimbaits) are my go to or all time favorite setup. I bought the most expensive rods and reels my money can buy.it doesn't give me any more confidence to catch more fish, its just...Why not???

[Catt]

Lot of confusion going on.

 

Expensive doesn't necessarily equate to light weight or sensitivity.

 

My Worm Rod is a Powell Inferno it weighs in at 4.25 ozs. & cost $99.99.

 

My Jig Rod is a Dawia Tatula it's as sensitive as any, cost $149.99.

 

My personal opinion sensitivity has more to do with who is holding the rod. 

[ETnbasser]

12 hours ago, RDB said:

I gave you my opinion based on the little information you provided.  I’m not sure what point you are trying to make.

 

My point was simple and as I stated, it was my opinion.  That’s what IMO means, so I’m not sure why you keep saying YOU.  If you are not looking for people to share their opinions, it might be best not to make posts asking for them.  I use G Loomis for all bottom contact and my next most expensive rod is $300.  Make whatever you want out of that.  Good luck on your new high end rod.

Not trying to rile you. I stated that’s your opinion which was fine. I’m saying you because I can’t think for you and know whats more important to you.

[FordsnFishin]

Im in the category that im going to spend more money on a bottom contact rod. If i want or need to fish that presentation, i want to have the best rod i can afford for that presentation as detecting bites is harder.

 

For most of my moving baits i find i can get away with a cheaper less sensitive rod and do equally as well than if i were fishing with a more expensive rod. As always i tend to buy the best i can afford for a presentation, or as much as i see fitting for a presentation.

 

Just as an observation, possibly you dont throw bottom contact baits or dont have as much success with them because you havent found the right rod for them? Sensitivity, power, ect...

[ETnbasser]

11 hours ago, TimTheGearNerd said:

OP, I am in your camp that that the single best/ most expensive rod one owns makes much more sense if it’s the one you use the most. 
 

If I’m  going to spend the most money on a single set up, logic tells me I should get the most enjoyment out of it, after all, fishing is a hobby for me. This logic should apply to any hobby, not limited to fishing. 
 

If I try to consider the other perspective however, I can see the reasoning as, your favorite gear and technique doesn’t necessarily need to cost the most.
 

Considering which rods are the most sensitive for bottom contact, those are generally the most expensive. I think it’s generally assumed that increasing cost equal increasing sensitivity, most relevant for bottom contact. 

The group likely believes any rod less expensive compared to a steez or an NRX cannot achieve the same or greater level of sensitivity. 
 

I mean, I wouldn’t get too worked up either way just like I wouldn’t fully trust a fish tail. 
 

My favorite set up is not the best or most expensive. Just a KLX with a T3 SV, a reel that everyone seems to hate. My most used is a spinning set up because drop shot always catches fish in a pinch ?

Very good points, thanks for responding. 

7 hours ago, killobet said:

I only fish from shore. And normally brings 2 rod with me. ( finesse wacky, and small plastic swimbaits) are my go to or all time favorite setup. I bought the most expensive rods and reels my money can buy.it doesn't give me any more confidence to catch more fish, its just...Why not???

Good points. Why not get the best you can if it makes it more enjoyable? Most folks don’t drive junk cars anymore for such reasons, not saying it’s bad if you do drive a beater. 

[ETnbasser]

7 minutes ago, FordsnFishin said:

Im in the category that im going to spend more money on a bottom contact rod. If i want or need to fish that presentation, i want to have the best rod i can afford for that presentation as detecting bites is harder.

 

For most of my moving baits i find i can get away with a cheaper less sensitive rod and do equally as well than if i were fishing with a more expensive rod. As always i tend to buy the best i can afford for a presentation, or as much as i see fitting for a presentation.

 

Just as an observation, possibly you dont throw bottom contact baits or dont have as much success with them because you havent found the right rod for them? Sensitivity, power, ect...

Very good points, thanks for responding.  While I agree with bottom contact being about sensitivity, what about comfort for other techniques? For the record I do fish bottom contact when necessary on a pretty sensitive rod. I just prefer and enjoy other techniques better and feel it’s perfectly fine to spend good money on those as well. When you say you do equally as well with a cheaper rod I’m guessing you’ve tried those techniques with a more expensive rod? Again, thanks. 

[FordsnFishin]

5 minutes ago, ETnbasser said:

Very good points, thanks for responding.  While I agree with bottom contact being about sensitivity, what about comfort for other techniques? For the record I do fish bottom contact when necessary on a pretty sensitive rod. I just prefer and enjoy other techniques better and feel it’s perfectly fine to spend good money on those as well. When you say you do equally as well with a cheaper rod I’m guessing you’ve tried those techniques with a more expensive rod? Again, thanks. 

Don't get me wrong, i totally agree with that if you have a technique you tend to spend the most time with, make sure that rig is exactly the way you want it. But yes i believe you need to have a good outfit for bottom contact baits in order to really get the most out of them.

 

Yes, and cheaper/expensive is subjective to everyones own budget, but i have used 200-300 dollar models that i use for bottom contact baits also for moving baits and didnt see enough difference to justify the price.

[ETnbasser]

Very well stated. Thanks. I know a lot of the times folks are closed off and say you don’t need this or that for certain techniques but have never tried a better rod at those techniques. 

[Catt]

22 minutes ago, ETnbasser said:

While I agree with bottom contact being about sensitivity

 

And interpretation!

 

Many newbies struggle interpreting what they're feeling. 

 

26 minutes ago, ETnbasser said:

When you say you do equally as well with a cheaper rod I’m guessing you’ve tried those techniques with a more expensive rod?

 

I started out in the G Loomis camp until I picked up a Shimano Crucial. Don't notice a drop of in sensitive.

 

I do have 50+ years of night fishing which will greatly enhance your interpretation of what you're feeling.

[Hook2Jaw]

My most expensive rod is a bottom contact stick, and it's paid off for Texas rigging and jigs.  However, my favorite technique is winter jerkbaiting and I do that with a 110 dollar 13 Fishing Omen Black 3, which is still a joy to fish.

 

I don't think there's a correct answer, this situation is on a personal basis. 

 

If you're on a budget, I think the best way to handle things is to spend your money on rods that handle a lot of weight or carry techniques that have a lot of user inputted action.  If you have no budget, splurge or don't, that's up to you.  If you're all in on spinnerbaits, grab whatever works best for that and you.

 

Those are just three different examples, but this is bass fishing and nothing is set in stone.

 

I like to throw ³/¹⁶ shakyheads with a Medium Fast casting rod, for instance.

[LrgmouthShad]

I pretty much like my t-rig, jig, and spinnerbait rods all equally. I did try to invest the most amount of time researching these rods as opposed to some of my other techniques because these are techniques that I felt like I could take anywhere. You can fish these 24/7 365 in a variety of different covers and bodies of water.
 

P.S if you are looking for a quality spinnerbait rod as you mentioned, I recommend the Falcon Expert Head Turner. Balances best with 1/2oz. If that is your preferred spinnerbait weight, that is a good choice of rod. I throw 3/8 and 3/4 on it fine too but it really is awesome with 1/2oz. That rod is my most expensive that I own. 

[ETnbasser]

1 hour ago, LrgmouthShad said:

I pretty much like my t-rig, jig, and spinnerbait rods all equally. I did try to invest the most amount of time researching these rods as opposed to some of my other techniques because these are techniques that I felt like I could take anywhere. You can fish these 24/7 365 in a variety of different covers and bodies of water.
 

P.S if you are looking for a quality spinnerbait rod as you mentioned, I recommend the Falcon Expert Head Turner. Balances best with 1/2oz. If that is your preferred spinnerbait weight, that is a good choice of rod. I throw 3/8 and 3/4 on it fine too but it really is awesome with 1/2oz. That rod is my most expensive that I own. 

Well said, thanks. Also, thanks for the mini review on the Head Turner. I was watching a video of Christie using that same rod earlier this weekend. 

[ATA]

Since expensive rods have better sensitivity, Any thing like jig fishing and dropshot bottom contact, when you want to know the fish breath on your bait.