Heavy spinning rod recommendation for heavy grass

[Flushdraw]

Hello from Texas. I'm fishing small ponds from the bank. My current set-up is a 7' medium heavy spinning rod with 30lb braid. The best bass fishing down here has some seriously heavy grass. Luckily, it scares most anglers away, but I'm in love with it. My MH rod just isn't cutting it. I had a bass pinned in the grass today and felt like I was going to break my rod. I barely landed her, and she was under 2 pounds. I really need a heavier rod.

 

Looking around, there's not much available. Most of the really good rods I know of only offer heavy rods for casting reels. Anyone know of a really nice heavy spinning rod under $300. Should I just turn to the dark side and convert to a casting set-up? I'm generally hopping either Fat Ikas or Senkos off the bottom. I want to stick to hi vis braid. Recommendations?

[MN Fisher]

St Croix Avid Inshore series - there's a few Heavy power rods in there.

Fenwick HMG Inshore and Elite Inshore - both have Heavy power rods

 

[WRB]

Take a look at Okuma inshore spinning rods.

Tom

[Brian11719]

It might be worth considering a St Croix Premier PS70HF or PS70XHF and if it were me and I wanted something heavier for a spinning rod this is probably what I'd go with. Might be worth checking with them to see about the lead time but they both seem to be available.

[The Baron]

I would highly recommend going to a baitcaster.  A general use 7’-7’6” heavy/fast spooled with 30-40# braid would do much better than spinning gear and still cast a senko well.  Baitcasters are not hard to learn and with braid they’re pretty user friendly.
 

With $300 or so to spend, I’d look at a 150 sized Diawa Tatula or a Shimano SLX DC (about $200 USD I think?) and whatever H rod you like that fits the remainder of your budget.  I’ve got a couple Lews Speed Stick rods that I bought used when I was still setting up my arsenal, and they seem to offer great value with both still on my deck regularly.  Maybe a Lews combo would be a good idea too, I’m just not familiar with Lews reels.

[JJP]

What are you throwing? I agree with the post above about recommending a casting rod. If you need a spinning rod I would look into a MH or H powered inshore rod. 

[Flushdraw]

5 hours ago, The Baron said:

I would highly recommend going to a baitcaster.  A general use 7’-7’6” heavy/fast spooled with 30-40# braid would do much better than spinning gear and still cast a senko well.  Baitcasters are not hard to learn and with braid they’re pretty user friendly.
 

With $300 or so to spend, I’d look at a 150 sized Diawa Tatula or a Shimano SLX DC (about $200 USD I think?) and whatever H rod you like that fits the remainder of your budget.  I’ve got a couple Lews Speed Stick rods that I bought used when I was still setting up my arsenal, and they seem to offer great value with both still on my deck regularly.  Maybe a Lews combo would be a good idea too, I’m just not familiar with Lews reels.

Problem is money. I'd have to buy a reel and from my understanding, cheap baitcasting reels aren't really worth it. I'd have to spend an extra $200 to $300.

 

I typically throw unweighted bottom baits...senkos and Fat Ikas. I mix that up with a Caffeine Shad.

Would I be able to reliable throw these on a baitcaster without a birdsnest? I'd run braid to a flouro leader. I wonder if that little bump in the connecting knot would cause problems.

 

Thanks to the other posters for their recommendations. I was unaware that St. Croix had heavy rods.

[MN Fisher]

7 minutes ago, Flushdraw said:

Problem is money. I'd have to buy a reel and from my understanding, cheap baitcasting reels aren't really worth it. I'd have to spend an extra $200 to $300.

Reels in the $100 ballpark are good

Shimano SLX

Daiwa Fuego CT

 

Two off the top of my head that are quality reels at that price - I've still got Fuego CTs in my arsenal that I use...it's a good reel.

 

$100 rods - Shimano SLX, Daiwa Tatula XT to name a couple - are also out there and of good quality.

[Dan N]

Check bass pro shops off shore rods, I’ve had many of there store brand rods and reels and thought they were solid and at good prices

I would suggest going to baitcasting equipment, once you learn to use it, you won’t turn back, 

if you’re more comfortable with spinning, it will definitely work👍🏻

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Most heavy power spinners are going to be inshore rods now.

I would actually recommend going to casting gear if it for fishing in cover.  It may take some time to get used to, but it won't take long and once you get the hang of it, I promise you will be happy. 

If you spend the money right, 300$ is more than enough to get a quality outfit.  SLX is a good choice, but I would go for a Tatula 150 or Tatula SV.  You can get a Tatula 150 and pair it up with a 7'4 H F SC Victory, really light awesome combo for anyone.  A Tatula SV costs an extra 50$, but is easier to learn and skip with.  You could get the Tat SV and find a rod that's a little cheaper than the Victory.       

[Flushdraw]

Thanks for all the replies. I think you guys have convinced me to go the dark side and get a baitcaster.

That Tatula SV looks tempting.

[FishTank]

A few bucks more than what you wanted to spend but the Megabass TS Destroyer line has a spinning rod that is a beast.  It's a 7'2'' Heavy that is rated up to 1.25 ounces.  It can be found for around $400 at a few JDM sites. 

 

But like others and  the OP mentioned, a baitcaster is the way to go. I would suggest a JDM Shimano Scorpion MD and a Mebabass Levante 7'2'' Perfect Pitch.   

[basscrusher]

If you like spinning gear, stick with it.  Falcon makes a good 7' heavy in most of their lines.  I have the Bucoo.  Really nice rod.

[Flushdraw]

1 hour ago, FishTank said:

A few bucks more than what you wanted to spend but the Megabass TS Destroyer line has a spinning rod that is a beast.  It's a 7'2'' Heavy that is rated up to 1.25 ounces.  It can be found for around $400 at a few JDM sites. 

 

But like others and  the OP mentioned, a baitcaster is the way to go. I would suggest a JDM Shimano Scorpion MD and a Mebabass Levante 7'2'' Perfect Pitch.   

Yes, I'm familiar with the Destroyer and Levante line. Unfortunately, the Levante is only available in extra fast action in their heavy rods. The Destroyer is out of my price range. I'm thinking a Shimano Zodias or Xpride. I've heard nothing but good things about them. I hate to spend the money, but I'd be using this rod for 90% of my fishing.

[BrianMDTX]

@Flushdraw I often fish weightless Texas rigs with Senkos, Fat IKA’s and Neko Machos from a baitcaster. But normally from a MF or MHF. Might be a bit of a challenge from a HF, as far as casting is concerned. 

[FishTank]

36 minutes ago, Flushdraw said:

Yes, I'm familiar with the Destroyer and Levante line. Unfortunately, the Levante is only available in extra fast action in their heavy rods. The Destroyer is out of my price range. I'm thinking a Shimano Zodias or Xpride. I've heard nothing but good things about them. I hate to spend the money, but I'd be using this rod for 90% of my fishing.

 

The Levante casting line is available in all sorts of actions. Most of their rods are multi taper despite them being labeled as Fast, Regular or X-fast. The rod I suggested has a fast taper and has sort of soft tip.  Both the Zodias and Xprides lines you mentioned are great as well.  

 

 

Another one to consider is the Braillist.

 

 

 

 

[JackstrawIII]

I've been very pleased with the Daiwa Tatula line of baitcasting rods. They are an incredible value. The 7'1 H would be a good option for you, or the 6'10 MH. Honestly, I caught my first musky on the 6'10 MH the other day and it was plenty strong to pull that guy around. I'm currently using it to throw flukes and other such baits on weighted swimbait hooks. I've also used it for frogs in the past, with good results, as long as the bait wasn't too far from the boat. If you're making long casts, a longer rod helps with hooksets and managing the fish. 

I've used heavy spinning rods before, and I'd take a baitcaster any day of the week when there is heavy vegetation involved. 

[Zcoker]

I use a Star Plasma MH inshore spinning rod and it works wonders in heavy cover. Setup is super light and super strong. No issues out in the Florida everglades. 

 

[CDMTJager]

I'm on the lower end of rod and reel knowledge so bare that in mind on my advice, but I have about 10 3-5hr long trips on my 7'3" MHFA Shimano Intenza A spinning rod and have been absolutely astonished by it's sensitivity and ability to set the hook on long 40+ yard casts and its ability to drag bass up over and out of weeds and pads thicker than a boilerplate.

All I have fished with it so far have been 5-5.25" weightless soft plastic flukes on a Owner or Gamak screw lock hook. I use 20lb Sufix 832 a swivel to 12 or 15lb Yo-Zuri copoly. 

I chose a spinning rod setup over a casting setup because I can cast a spinning rod with laser like accuracy, despite very considerable efforts trying with a baitcaster, NotSoMuch. And very accurate luer placement is everything with the weeds and pads where I fish my weedless soft plastic flukes and worms. 

Prior to this rod I was using a 7'3" MHMA rod and lost three very good bass in one evening in under 2hrs that hit at the end of 40+YRD casts, because the rod had not the backbone to winch those bass up, over and out before they crashed dived into the weeds and were lost. Since going to a MHFA I have not lost a single fish to the weeds and last trip was able to winch a 30-33" northern pike in before he could get into the seeds. 

 

But I can find it NO WHERE for less than $160 and I was very impatient in my purchase so there might be just as good of MHFA rods by different manufacturers at a better price.

[FishTank]

@FlushdrawThe Shimano Expride can 7'2" heavy can be had at JLS for around $180 shipped. If that's the one you're after,  you can't beat the price. Down side, no US warranty and it's a 2-piece.

[Brian11719]

If you get a casting rod there are a ton of options available. For flipping / pitching around heavy grass (and frogs) I like the Dobyn's Fury FR 735 C and would pair it up w/ a Lew's Speed Spool LFS. Believe the reel is on sale at the moment so that setup should come in right around $200 and I don't feel like I would need a more expensive rod for this type of thing. If I had the money to spare I'd put it towards a different rod where sensitivity is more important but if you are just wrenching them out of the grass this is what I'd use and you get a lifetime warranty w/ the Dobyn's. 

[Flushdraw]

On 6/26/2024 at 7:38 AM, FishTank said:

@FlushdrawThe Shimano Expride can 7'2" heavy can be had at JLS for around $180 shipped. If that's the one you're after,  you can't beat the price. Down side, no US warranty and it's a 2-piece.

Wow! That's a great deal!. JLS is Japan Lure shop...correct? I don't see the 7'2" listed. Can you provide me with a link or the Japanese model number to look it up please?

[FellowAnglers1]

Jdm tackle heaven also have good price for expride also and other rods.

[Flushdraw]

On 6/27/2024 at 6:56 PM, FellowAnglers1 said:

Jdm tackle heaven also have good price for expride also and other rods.

Looks like between the rod and reel, I'd save about $130...minus shipping. Is it worth not having the US warranty? Also, I can't find the model you posted. They show only the 172H which looks like a removable handle...? Folded length is slightly shorter than total length. Is this a Jap only model?...very confusing. Here

Thanks!

[Flushdraw]

Thanks to EVERYONE that posted! I took advantage of the TW sale. I got the Shimano Xpride 7'2" heavy and the Daiwa Tatula SV TW. I ended up spending substantially more than I intended, but I think this is going to be a game changer in my fishing.

 

With this sale, it wasn't worth ordering from a JDM site. I probably would have saved $50...not worth losing the US warranty and having it inside a week, imo.

 

I think I'm going to go with either 40 or 50 pound power pro braid for the line. I'm currently using 30lb Suffix 832... which sucks!