If a graphite rod provides the same action as a composite/glass…

[FryDog62]

So if you can find a graphite rod that has the desired action for crankbaits, Chatterbaits, etc… why do people buy glass/composite rods, when graphite is lighter and more sensitive?

 

I’m a bit of a hypocrite because I have both - but all things being equal isn’t graphite superior? 

To wit, I have a composite Alpha Angler Chatterbound rod that I like for bladed jigs, but later bought a graphite Dobyns Champ 705cb for crankbaits. Could have bought the glass version of the Dobyns but given the choice, went with graphite. 

[new2BC4bass]

Like you, I have both.  Like throwing crankbaits/squarebills, but hate losing lures.  I prefer a weedless plastic for where I normally fish.  But I will cast then along weed lines.

 

Graphite doesn't always weigh less.  TT weighed the Dobyns 704CB Glass (4.6 oz.) and 704CB (4.8 oz.).

[FryDog62]

10 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

Graphite doesn't always weigh less.  TT weighed the Dobyns 704CB Glass (4.6 oz.) and 704CB (4.8 oz.).

True, some glass rods have come out with lighter models, but the blank is thicker and sensitivity is more “numb” to me any way… 

[AlabamaSpothunter]

Some folks like myself are wired hyper sensitive and trigger happy, having a little duller sensation and significantly slower action inherently imparts some delay into the equation, thereby allowing fish to eat the bait better before the angler both detects the bite, and then sets the hook.   

 

If you have a natural delay built into your game, than I don't see why you wouldn't just go with a parabolic graphite action.    

 

In some situations and for some anglers, too much sensitivity can actually negatively impact hookup and landing percentages.  

 

All that said, were kind of splitting hairs here.   Individual angler preference is many times based more on confidence rather than theoretical advantages of a particular piece of equipment or bait.      If you buy a glass rod and have success with it, most likely you're going to stay a glass rod man.   

[A-Jay]

53 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

I’m a bit of a hypocrite because I have both - but all things being equal isn’t graphite superior? 

Problem IMO, is rarely are all things Equal.

So the 'Superior" choice for me changes with the situation.

Factors that come into play include (but might not be limited to)

Casting distance, Strike detection, Long distance Hook setting ability, Fighting & landing the bass, finally, and this is so completely specific to each of us,

it NEEDS to feel GOOD in my hands. 

Can't really expand or quantify that one, but it's a big deal for me.

I have Glass, Composite & Graphite.

I no longer fish the all glass sticks.

#retired.

The vast majority of my horizontal moving baits,

both single & treble hook deals are fished on a couple of different types of composite sticks.

There's always exceptions, and I make them when I need to.

However over all they represent a fairly small percentage of what I do & need.

But I'm glad I have them when I need them.

2 of the sticks below are Moderate action Graphite (A-Rig rods)

The rest are all some type of Graphite/Glass Composite blend. 

A-Jay

[T-Billy]

11 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

it NEEDS to feel GOOD in my hands. 

Can't really expand or quantify that one, but it's a big deal for me.

I feel EXACTLY the same way. It's the main reason there's five dozen bass rods out in the garage.

I've really found my groove with ARK rods though. I like the seats/grips, and the tapers and powers have proven to be spot on for my taste. They've proven to be both sensitive and durable too.

 I've been giving the others away to friends and family.

[Columbia Craw]

There are companies that have achieved actions that are more conducive to effective crankbait fishing and some, Dobyns 764 CB really shine.  But there are also some glass rods such as the Alpha Anglers Rebound that provide that delayed or slower response without being heavy or lacking sensitivity.  You can have your cake and eat it too.

[Mobasser]

One thing I like about glass rods is the smooth old school casting action. You can feel.a good glass rods load up on the cast. I like graphite also, but it's a totally different feel.

[FryDog62]

44 minutes ago, Columbia Craw said:

There are companies that have achieved actions that are more conducive to effective crankbait fishing and some, Dobyns 764 CB really shine.  But there are also some glass rods such as the Alpha Anglers Rebound that provide that delayed or slower response without being heavy or lacking sensitivity.  You can have your cake and eat it too.

I agree on the Alpha Angler rods - I compared them against several other glass/composite rods (Dobyns, St. Croix, ALX) and they had the right action without being as thick and numb sensitivity. 

[casts_by_fly]

1 hour ago, FryDog62 said:

So if you can find a graphite rod that has the desired action for crankbaits, Chatterbaits, etc… why do people buy glass/composite rods, when graphite is lighter and more sensitive?

 

I’m a bit of a hypocrite because I have both - but all things being equal isn’t graphite superior? 

To wit, I have a composite Alpha Angler Chatterbound rod that I like for bladed jigs, but later bought a graphite Dobyns Champ 705cb for crankbaits. Could have bought the glass version of the Dobyns but given the choice, went with graphite. 

you are absolutely correct. I’ve said it here before when people talk about glass rods. There are graphite rods that give you the same action and power for a lot less weight and better responsiveness. It makes for a more crisp casting rod and a lighter overall setup with less fatigue at the end of the day. 

 

1 hour ago, new2BC4bass said:

Like you, I have both.  Like throwing crankbaits/squarebills, but hate losing lures.  I prefer a weedless plastic for where I normally fish.  But I will cast then along weed lines.

 

Graphite doesn't always weigh less.  TT weighed the Dobyns 704CB Glass (4.6 oz.) and 704CB (4.8 oz.).

Dobyns rods are heavier than they need to be in the first place. They add weight to the butts. Gary dobyns has said in the past that they prioritize swing weight/balance over absolute weight.  

[Catt]

1972 I bought my first Fenwick Lunkerstik, I would feel like i'm going backwards. 

[Motoboss]

I have a 30 year old 6ft Silstar Lexus graphite that has been my 3/8 -3/4oz spinner bait rod for that period of time. No matter how hard I have tried I just can’t seem to find a replacement that has its  accuracy or sensitivity in any modern rod I have tried.

All my other rods are GLoomis or St.Croix and none of them has that certain “feel” as the Silstar.

Now throw anything other than a spinner blade on it and comparatively it’s a different story.

[F14A-B]

Well everyone different, I tried glass and no joy.. so I’m using IMX CBR and love them. Everyone different. 

[rangerjockey]

On 11/10/2024 at 6:42 PM, Catt said:

1972 I bought my first Fenwick Lunkerstik, I would feel like i'm going backwards. 

I grew up fishing the Lunkerstiks and Speed sticks. I would guess those with the ol' 5000c must have weighed 14 oz at least. 

Some how we managed to catch em dragging the jig and eel, lizard ect. 

I fish a mixture of both but , for me the AA rebound is as good as any I've ever owned. Just my opinion but I think glass lets Baits like the wiggle wart and RK Crawler hunt better.

[Gera]

Personally, I believe glass rods should have been discontinued (not for the super cheap stuff) a long time ago.. but now brands are trying to sell us the idea that we need glass and composites rods for certain applications. 

 

like everything, its just a scheme to sell us more crap that we didn't need from the start. 

 

And yes, I fell and bought some too

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Hulkster]

I have only handled the SC Legend Glass ones and they are, to me at least, super heavy. 

 

no thanks. 

[bulldog1935]

I guarantee you there's at least one rod configuration and niche where each MOC out-performs every other MOC.  Easiest to demonstrate with fly rods, which may not exactly fit the topic.  

 

To be all the way on topic, the one generalization for glass to composite to graphite is they're lighter in hand for the same taper result as you move from all glass to all graphite.  Where this falls apart is you can't duplicate all tapers in every MOC.  It gets more complicated, that there are 2 different specific modulus values for glass fibers, and 9 different specific modulus values for graphite fibers.  

Traditional rods were made using linear fibers, a scrim wrap, and resin.  

Modern rods add helical wraps and nano-resins, so you can get "the same" taper result even lighter, by having both a lower resin and fiber content in the rod.  

I can think of more than one place where I'd rather have a glass rod - and it's definitely short rods for close fishing and skip casting  

There's another traditional style IM6 (graphite-II) scrim and resin rod I'm not able to replace with a newer lighter rod, because I can count the numbers of fish the older moderate taper takes over the newer lighter rod - Legend Glass fits in this same jerkbait niche.  

 

And yet another BFS niche where the best rod I own is weightless helical wrap and nano-resin.  Normally, this is the construction you'd want on XH/XF rod just so you can pick it up and, especially, keep the tip weight down in longer rods.  

[crypt]

it's all about feel for me......some glass rods work better than graphite for some lures and vice versa......