questions on fast action vs. very fast . . .

[Shadow1]

Guys I have two threads open about a spinning combination set-up.  A little backround . . .  after two kids going through college (daughter went to private college) the wife and I have some extra income for us.  Anyway, after years of Wal Mart and DSG budget set-ups I have decided to buy me a decent spinning set-up.  I fish mainly creeks and small rivers for smallmouth and spotted bass.  I do have access to a stone quarry that has 2 ponds with some big bass.  Caught a couple of 5lbers last summer.  I also take trips to Canada for smallies.  I have already bought a Shimano Miravel 2500 reel.  Fished a friends and loved it.  Now I need to match it with a rod.  I was thinking about a Dobyns Fury, but in my previous thread there were some on there not too fond of that rod.  I also indicated that a friend said to not buy a spinning rod without being able to hold it because of finger placement.  I went to Bass Pro and looked at the new Mojo Trigon rod and the Premier rods.  Both felt good.  For general uses how big of a difference is fast vs very fast action.  Any and all recommendations will welcomed.  Would like to stay under $200.00.  Thanks much!!        

[MidwestBassAttack]

Here is how I look at it….extra fast is good for spinning setups when you are doing mostly vertical techniques.

 

moderate fast to fast are better for your horizontal techniques (dragging) so long as you have good backbone.

[Reel]

17 minutes ago, MidwestBassAttack said:

Here is how I look at it….extra fast is good for spinning setups when you are doing mostly vertical techniques.

 

moderate fast to fast are better for your horizontal techniques (dragging) so long as you have good backbone.

Excellent answer.  Fast action is more versatile.

[LCG]

Fast action, especially if you're going to use a braid for main line (less stretch).

 

Also comfort in holding a rod, especially spinning, is everything to me. Spinning combos are meant for finesse for me, has to have a comfortable grip and reel seat. And unfortunately, everyone is different.

 

I have a Daiwa Rebellion 6'8 ML-F spinning rod that is very comfortable. I like the way they designed the handle, I believe they have less expensive models with similar handles.

[Big Hands]

I have an extra fast action ML spinning rod that is one of my favorite rods. I had a extra fast action M spinning rod that I didn't care for at all. I think I know why.

 

An extra fast ML rod will have that extra fast tip section, but will also have a little more bend that my 2000/2500 spinning reels with #10 braid to 7 lbs fluorocarbon leader plays very nicely with. It is so light in the tip that I can have a low-key tug of war and the bass don't seem to know I am there, but if has just enough backbone to set a hook yet it easily keeps hooked fish pinned. 

 

Whereas with the extra fast M spinning rod with that same #10 braid and 7 lbs fluorocarbon it only had the tip section working for me to keep a fish pinned. The rest of the rod just had too much backbone for that setup.

[rangerjockey]

Fast vs x fast is going to vary depending on manufacturers. Personally , I like a pretty quick rod for finesse baits like ol' Ned or anything that gets bit on the drop a lot.

200 bucks? I'd buy a Levante Whip snake every time.

 

[PaulVE64]

A fast tip will be more versatile than an x-fast.

It will be better suited to more techniques.

[Shadow1]

Thanks much guys for the info.  Do any of you have any recommendations for brand of rod?  I would like one that has multiple applications if possible.  Thanks again!!

[webertime]

What are your budget combos?  They can work for the time being for some stuff.  That being said.

Megabass Levante Shaky head or Enforcer

Daiwa Rebellion 

 

 

[FrnkNsteen]

There are lots of good rods, but I agree with LCG above in that everyone has a different opinion on what they like for a reel seat.

 

For instance,... I like Dobyns rods, but I don't like their spinning rod handles that have the reel nut at the front of the handle grip. I fish with three fingers in front of the stem and hate gripping the reel nut, .... Especially if there are exposed threads.

 

Personally I like spinning rods that have some sort of foregrip and the reel seat nut at the back. Most Fenwicks have this (HMG & Elite), a lot of Daiwas have it. I have Falcon Lowrider and Expert rods that have it.

 

My suggestion is to try find a store that has some options so you can get them in your hand. Bring your reel and see what feels right.

 

My spinning rods consist of mostly Fenwick (HMG, ET Smallmouth, ET Bass, and Elites) with some Falcon (Lowrider & Expert), Phenix Feather, Daiwa (Tatula and RG), and a couple older St Croix Premieres mixed in.

[Shadow1]

I went to Cabelas last week and looked at some rods.  Their selection was a little limited with the holidays etc.  Anyway, I held a St Croix Premier split grip liked it.  They had 6'6" MF and 6'8" ML very fast.  I also held one of the new Mojo Trigon rods.  Handle looks kinda funny but felt good.  I have 2 much older St Croix.  Bought them used 8 years or so ago.  I have been told the Fenwicks are good solid rods for the $$$.  I'm sure Cabelas will get some more rods in stock.  Again guys, thanks very much!

[msgf91]

1 hour ago, Shadow1 said:

Thanks much guys for the info.  Do any of you have any recommendations for brand of rod?  I would like one that has multiple applications if possible.  Thanks again!!

With your budget I would recommend St Croix victory or the new Avid. It's a little bit more than the trigon and premier you mentioned. I have a slightly older avid walleye which uses the victory blank. I like mine for drop shot and ned rig. It has a different grip you might not like though since everyone was mentioning how spinning rods have different grips. I've been using spinning rods for a long time so I use 3-4 different grips depending on technique. For drop shot I like more fingers in front of the reel so the victory/avids reversed grip works great. 

 

Fast vs x fast like the others mentioned depends on technique and fish you are going after. Recent experience was fishing for crappie. My panfish spinning rods have a slower tip so I wasn't worried about pulling the hook. But decided to try my BFS x fast rod and it was like I had to be more careful with the fish. The tip had much less give so I was worried I would pull the hook a few times edit: crappie have soft mouths so if you pull too fast or hard you can pull the hook

[Shadow1]

I saw the new Avid on-line, but Cabelas didn't have any in stock.  I can spend the extra $$$.  Not been able to say that for almost nine years!  

[webertime]

Kittery Trading Post has 20% off today including Megabass.  You have to buy 2 items but a Levante and a bag of plastics is like $165 shipped.  JAN24 is the code.

[Boomstick]

@MidwestBassAttack summed up the difference nicely.

That said, if you are looking at a medium light rod, there's really not as much of a difference between fast and extra fast as there is on heavier rods because those rods bend all the way through quite easily anyway. So I would usually go with extra fast if I had a choice. My medium spinning rod is a fast, and that needs to be because it has a decent backbone.