Baitcaster rod recommendations

[philbert1922]

I just bought a daiwa zillion.  I'm looking for a rod to pair it with.  I will mostly be using it for t-rigs and chatterbaits.  Any recommendations? I'd like to keep it under 200.

[Woody B]

Cashion Core Worm and Jig rod.   7 foot, MH action.  I've got one I use for the same things you're wanting too.   They're made right here in North Carolina.   The only problem is, the rods pretty sensitive.  I have to be patient when using a Chatterbait so they have it in their mouth before I set the hook.  

[new2BC4bass]

Would love to try Cashion and Phenix rods.  Like my older Tatula and Falcon rods.  Maybe look at an iRod Genesis III.  Be aware that the MH rated 3/16-3/8 is for the lead only.  I emailed them because this is ML rod territory for me.  Reply was that they fish normal MH rod (total) weights.  So at least 1/4-3/4 total.

 

Originally almost all my rods were Fast as this is supposed to be the best action for an all around rod.  I've come to appreciate Daiwa Regular action rods which has led to me being more open to using my Medium-Fast and Moderate-Fast rods for more than just trebles.

[LCG]

4 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

I've come to appreciate Daiwa Regular action rods which has led to me being more open to using my Medium-Fast and Moderate-Fast rods for more than just trebles.

X 2

[T-Billy]

I've become a big fan of ARK rods over the last couple years, but in this case, given the two baits mentioned, I'm gonna recommend the Dobyns Kaden series 744. It's a very versatile rod being a bit on the slow side of fast. It's a solid choice for both bottom contact and moving baits. 

[casts_by_fly]

Falcon expert head turner. 

[philbert1922]

I remember about megabass. Any suggestions for them? 

[JackstrawIII]

Dobyns Sierra "fast" rods tend to be a bit slower than true "fast". Something like the 733 or 703 would suit you well depending on what length you like. Could also step up to the 704 if you will be doing t-rigging than chatterbaits. 

[webertime]

On 5/12/2024 at 6:45 AM, philbert1922 said:

I remember about megabass. Any suggestions for them? 

A Levante Brailist will work for t rigs and chatterbait.  It's a touch softer than a Orochi.  

Kittery Trading Post has 15-25% off sales fairly frequently and includes Megabass.  I don't think I've ever paid more than 165 for a Levante. 

[webertime]

Speak of the Devil...  MAY25 will get you 25% off at Kittery now.

[Big Hands]

Asking a rod to be (that) versatile, to me, is like looking for an excellent spork. A spork will function as a fork, and as a spoon, but it is not ideal for either function. While a rod that will work for one could work for the other, I think most wouldn't lump those two techniques together and ideally would prefer a separate rod for each technique if they used both techniques frequently.

 

I would rather have two $150 to $200 rods that were more strictly suited to each of those two techniques rather than one $300 to $400 rod that tried to split the difference.

 

If the budget doesn't allow for that, I'd probably get a rod that is suited for whichever technique I used more frequently sooner, and get the other later. If there are other limitations (like not having room either on your craft or at home, or maybe you're a shore angler that can only have a limited number of rods along, you'll have to contemplate where you're willing to compromise.

 

I know that Bait Monkey will not be happy to read this, but most of us have to compromise on our gear in some ways. . . . . admittedly, some more than others.

 

The G Loomis website has an article about bladed jigs by Jeff Gustafson that states: "The perfect rod for fishing bladed jigs has a fast tip to launch the bait, acute sensitivity to let me know what my lure is doing, and a parabolic action to absorb the fish's power to prevent it from jumping off."

 

Of course, G Loomis has a rod they claim to fit this description, but I am struggling to imagine how a rod can have a fast tip AND a parabolic bend, especially a rod that is heavy enough to bury a chatterbait hook. Seems like a paradox to be able to have both qualities in such a rod.

 

Maybe I'm just not thinking about it the right way.

[casts_by_fly]

3 hours ago, Big Hands said:

Asking a rod to be (that) versatile, to me, is like looking for an excellent spork. A spork will function as a fork, and as a spoon, but it is not ideal for either function. While a rod that will work for one could work for the other, I think most wouldn't lump those two techniques together and ideally would prefer a separate rod for each technique if they used both techniques frequently.

 

I would rather have two $150 to $200 rods that were more strictly suited to each of those two techniques rather than one $300 to $400 rod that tried to split the difference.

 

If the budget doesn't allow for that, I'd probably get a rod that is suited for whichever technique I used more frequently sooner, and get the other later. If there are other limitations (like not having room either on your craft or at home, or maybe you're a shore angler that can only have a limited number of rods along, you'll have to contemplate where you're willing to compromise.

 

I know that Bait Monkey will not be happy to read this, but most of us have to compromise on our gear in some ways. . . . . admittedly, some more than others.

 

The G Loomis website has an article about bladed jigs by Jeff Gustafson that states: "The perfect rod for fishing bladed jigs has a fast tip to launch the bait, acute sensitivity to let me know what my lure is doing, and a parabolic action to absorb the fish's power to prevent it from jumping off."

 

Of course, G Loomis has a rod they claim to fit this description, but I am struggling to imagine how a rod can have a fast tip AND a parabolic bend, especially a rod that is heavy enough to bury a chatterbait hook. Seems like a paradox to be able to have both qualities in such a rod.

 

Maybe I'm just not thinking about it the right way.

 

 

chatterbait rods are personal preference.  I much prefer a faster action for them.  Incidentally I prefer the same action for texas rigs.  Very light tip for casting, just a light bend behind it for winding a bait, and then a bunch of power right below that to set the hook.  That's what the Headturner is and why I suggest it for this dual purpose.  If you're like some here who like a much more moderate action for chatterbaits, then I'd agree with your logic.

 

What Gussy describes is a fast action and a medium to medium heavy power in a higher modulus/responsive blank.  The lighter tip dominates while casting but as soon as you set into one you're into the middle of the blank quickly because of the slightly lower power.  A high modulus or responsiveness (aka a high end blank) will give you the powerful springyness while still bending deeply.  Parabolic is a bad word choice.  Parabolic means that it bends evenly through the blank like a straight rod would.  Lots of people use that to mean it bends deeply when loaded.  That's a different story when it comes to designing a blank.  

[philbert1922]

So I ended up with a daiwa tatula elite multi purpose rod 7'3 medium heavy. I think this will fill a good hole in my setup. I have tatula medium spinning rod. That works great with finesse fishing and a mojo bass 7ft medium. The mojo bass works great with the chatterbait but is not great for t-rigs. So the medium heavy should handle the rest I hope. Lol

 

[MN Fisher]

Medium-heavy is the 'Swiss Army Knife' of rods...doesn't do everything, but does quite a lot of things pretty well.

 

Reason that out of my 12 casting rods, 4 of them are MH/F.

[philbert1922]

So sad new I have to return my rod already.  It has a loose eyelet but I know I'm going to go for a medium heavy.  The Daiwa ended up on my medium casting rod.  Works great on it.  My shimano curado is perfect for the medium heavy.