spinnerbait rod?

[SneakySnook]

I'm looking for a rod that I can use for spinnerbaits and other applications. I don't have the money to have a rod just for spinnerbaits. I wanted to know what you guys use as a spinnerbait rod so I can get a idea of what type rod I should look in getting.

[Alpster]

I know I am going to get beat up for this, but here's my opinion. Of all the the bass fishing techniques, I wouldn't worry about a specific rod for spinnerbaits. Whatever you use to fish worms and jigs with will work fine for spinnerbaits. I like to feel the blades spinning so I use my softer action crankbait rod, but your mileage may vary. Fish will generally hook themselves on a spinnerbait so use whatever feels good to you. JMHO

Ronnie

[eulerentinc]

ill agree with alpster.  i use a 6 foot shimano clarus rod for my spinnerbaits (60 bucks) but its just a basic all around rod.  problem is you lose distance because of the length.  I would get a 6'6" med hvy with a fast action rod.  this will allow you some more length on your cast and this is also a good rod to fish jerk baits with and also not bad on a topwater lure.  good luck.

[bugman]

I agree with Alpster, "use whatever feels good to you" you don't need a rod for every type of bait. I think if I could have only one baitcasting set up I would get a 6'6" MF rod and a 6.2:1 reel. There are many good rods & reels that you can get on a budget. I don't know what you want to spend but a nice set up for under $200 would be a St Croix Permier rod (PC66MF) and a Shimano Citica reel. I like Croix rods because they tend to have soft tips and work well with cranks. If you shop E-Bay you can get even more for your $$$$

[sal669]

Doesn't have to be a designated "spinnerbait rod". Any 6 to 7 ft, medium heavy with a fast or moderatly fast action will do. Longer rod for distance, shorter for accuracy.

There are some good clearances and sales this time of the year; I wouldn't spend more than $50. I agree with what was said previously.

[SneakySnook]

I mostly use g-loomis rods. I've been using a 7' st.croix premier mh rod lately but it seems really stiff. I have a g-loomis imx mbr844 that I use for soft plactics. What this be a good rod for spinnerbaits? The other 2 rods I have is a 7'7" g-loomis bronzeback spinning rod and a 7' g-loomis gl2 medium moderate spinning rod. Would any of these rods be a good rod for spinnerbaits.?

[ww2farmer]

I also am gonna have to agree with Alpster, I don't have a designated SB rod,  I like a 6'6" and 7' M rod for smaller spinner and buzz baits (3/16-1/4 oz) and the same length but MH power rods for heavier (3/8-1/2 oz) baits, these rods also are used for many other thngs, jig/worm, top water, etc........in fact the only rods I use for one technique are my crankbait rods.

[justfishin]

My personal favorite spinnerbait rod is a rod I use for jigs and worms as well. It is a 6' 10" Team All Star rod in MH. For me its the perfect spinnerbait rod. Like everyone said, its all in personal preference.

[Hot n Tot]

I prefer to fish spinnerbaits with med or med hvy power rods with fast actions. 6' length usually, although at times I'll use longer rods if I'm in more open water and want distance. A rod rated for 10-17# line and 1/4-3/4 oz lures is about right, a 3 power loomis or a medium power St. Croix usually, although there are times I'll step up to a MH power 7' long St. Croix Avid for open water and heavier baits. Often I'll use braid on the shorter rods, depending on the cover I'm in. I personally don't like a medium power Loomis rod for spinnerbaits, unless I spool it with Power Pro, it just doesn't have the backbone I like for blades.

[SCarter]

My personal favorite spinnerbait rod is a rod I use for jigs and worms as well. It is a 6' 10" Team All Star rod in MH. For me its the perfect spinnerbait rod. Like everyone said, its all in personal preference.

I have been using an All Star Spiinerbait rod for the last couple of years. Purchased it from an ebay store (Simmons Sporting Goods) for $39.99 + shipping. Cheap and specific, plus it does feel good.

[roadwarrior]

I know I am going to get beat up for this, but here's my opinion. Of all the the bass fishing techniques, I wouldn't worry about a specific rod for spinnerbaits. Whatever you use to fish worms and jigs with will work fine for spinnerbaits. I like to feel the blades spinning so I use my softer action crankbait rod, but your mileage may vary. Fish will generally hook themselves on a spinnerbait so use whatever feels good to you. JMHO

Ronnie

I have an Avid AC66MF which I consider my "all-around" baitcaster. Although this rod is rated Fast Action, it has a soft tip which is just about perfect for all classes of treble hook lures. It's saddled up with a fast reel (Calais CL200 6.2:1) which makes it just about perfect for spinnerbaits and buzzbaits, too. So, I don't really have a dedicated spinnerbait rod, but as Ronnie said, I don't think I need one.

[.ghoti.]

I sort of have a dedicated spinnerbait rod. I have rod/reel combos for just about every other application, but not spinnerbaits. I've been using a 6' MH Berkley rod with an old TD2HI reel, spooled with 12lb test Vanish. I wasn't using this rig for anything in particular, so it ends up with a spinnerbait tied on it most of the time. The rod is a contradiction. It says MH, but also says it's for small crankbaits. It's called a Pro Signature Series rod, but there's no pro's signature on it. It's more toward the medium end of the power spectrum then medium-heavy, and has a somewhat less than fast action; sort of a moderate-fast action. It also has a shorter trigger-grip handle than most triggers. I've been looking for a spinnerbait rod to replace this one, but have yet to find one I like better. I've tried all of my plasics and jig rods, and they are all too stiff, at least for my preference. My crankbait rods are all too soft.

Spinnerbaiting is not a long distance thing for me, so I like the 6' rod for better accuracy. I'm a proponent of longer rods for most applications, but I like the short rod for spinnerbaits. I saw this thread, and was hoping for some ideas for a dedicated rod for this application. It seems the general consensus is anything you have will work for this bait. Interesting! Most threads asking for advice on rods tend to get very specific, with brand names, lengths, actions and model numbers. Some of these threads have even become a bit acrimonious. But, not this one. Very strange.

Hey, I know, everybody's right.

Cheers,

GK

[roadwarrior]

Well, will see how others respond, but my take is that bass are (usually) so aggressive on a spinnerbait bite that they basically hook themselves. So, we don't need much sensitivity or quick response. I don't fish spinnerbaits often, but I don't recall missing any strike I was actually aware of getting. Maybe I'm missing the subtle touch, but I don't think so!

[Hot n Tot]

As long as you have a trailer hook, you won't miss many fish on blades. I think once I started using one I don't miss many fish at all. To me, one criteria for using any rod for a given technique is my comfort level of making cast after cast to specific cover, therefore a high quality 6' rod normally gets used for this, although I have a MBR783 GL3 Loomis rod that often lies on deck rigged with a Curado and 12 lb Yozuri hybrid and a spinnerbait, I guess the MBR783 is about perfect for most spinnerbaiting. Actually, I don't think there are too many techniques the the 783 Loomis will not perform...In my opinion it might just be the best all around bass rod going...or the St. Croix equivalent that Roadwarrior has is very close to it.

[Fishing Doug]

As long as you have a trailer hook, you won't miss many fish on blades. I think once I started using one I don't miss many fish at all. To me, one criteria for using any rod for a given technique is my comfort level of making cast after cast to specific cover, therefore a high quality 6' rod normally gets used for this, although I have a MBR783 GL3 Loomis rod that often lies on deck rigged with a Curado and 12 lb Yozuri hybrid and a spinnerbait, I guess the MBR783 is about perfect for most spinnerbaiting. Actually, I don't think there are too many techniques the the 783 Loomis will not perform...In my opinion it might just be the best all around bass rod going...or the St. Croix equivalent that Roadwarrior has is very close to it.

I use the MBR783 in IMX with a TDZ for spinnerbaits. As most people mentioned, I don't think sensitivity is an issue for spinnerbaits.....throw a trailor hook on there and the fish will almost hook themselves.

For some reason I really prefer the 6'6" rod for spinnerbaits as opposed to 7'.  I do better with a 'roll cast' trying to get close to cover with the 6/6...especially in wind.

FD

[Munkin]

A 6'6" MHF rod with 12-15lb mono will work for almost all techniques. Now I use spinnnerbaits a lot so I now have 2 rods specifically for them.

Allen

[hi_steel_basser]

I just bought a G Loomis spinnerbait rod last week. 6'3", can't remember the model #. I had a Quantum Accurist laying around, because it wasn't well matched with the IMX 782? rod and I put a Scorpion on it that made it perfect... Now that Accurist is perfectly matched. 90% of my spinnerbait fishing is roll casting to laydowns, and this new combo is perfect.  ;D And I haven't even gotten my taxes back yet...

[Hot n Tot]

I just bought a G Loomis spinnerbait rod last week. 6'3", can't remember the model #. I had a Quantum Accurist laying around, because it wasn't well matched with the IMX 782? rod and I put a Scorpion on it that made it perfect... Now that Accurist is perfectly matched. 90% of my spinnerbait fishing is roll casting to laydowns, and this new combo is perfect. ;D And I haven't even gotten my taxes back yet...

basser, what do you use the 782 for? Just wondering, I have one that I bought on impulse because it felt so nice...just haven't found the application that It excels in. I Was thinking about crankbaits, but I soon found that action too fast and I was losing to many fish I hooked. And I think it's kind of light for most spinnerbaits, altough I sometimes use it for 1/4 oz spinnerbaits, and sometimes jerkbaits although I usually prefer a 6' rod for that.

[hi_steel_basser]

I use it for light worming- shaky heads, light jigs, mojo rigs, etc. I haven't had it long, but it is sweet for that. I was thinking about throwing pointers and pop-r's on it, because of the action. I know it'll put light lures out there a mile, esp. with that scorpion mg on it. I would say it is the perfect finesse worm baitcast combo, but I haven't tried any other apps. with it.

[MickD]

I think the most important aspect of bait casting rod selection hasn't yet been specifically mentioned, and that is that the rod action needs to be matched to the weight of the lures you will most often be casting.  It must flex quite a bit on the cast in order to load properly and cast easily.  Many select a rod that has too heavy an action and find that it is very tiring (hard on the arm) to use for long periods.

Most of these responders are experts, so they may consider my point a given, but I think it worth mentioning.  

[Brad_Coovert]

Everyone will have a slightly different answer, but knowing a lot of the guys here, any of their setups will work.

For general spinnerbiat fishing, a 6'6" MH Fast or Mod Fast will do the job IMO.

Personally, I have three rods that I use for spinnerbaiting depending on what I will be doing.  I have a 5'6" pistol grip rod that I like to use shoreline fishing or fishing in small creeks off places like the Ohio river where I am making short casts that need accuracy.  That little rod makes it easy to put a bait anywhere.

I also have a 7' rod that I use when I will be fishing open water like large grassbeds where accuracy is not the issue, but distance is.  I also use this rod with heavier baits fished on deep structure.

I have a 6'6" rod that I use when doing what I would call normal bank fishing.  Just casting at stumps, laydowns, etc. at a normal distance.

All three rods are MH power, with tips that are somewhere between Fast to Mod Fast.  I want enough backbone to get a fish out of cover, but enough tip to load, cast well and help the fish inhale the bait and hook themselves.

Brad

[Banor]

I know I am going to get beat up for this, but here's my opinion. Of all the the bass fishing techniques, I wouldn't worry about a specific rod for spinnerbaits. Whatever you use to fish worms and jigs with will work fine for spinnerbaits. I like to feel the blades spinning so I use my softer action crankbait rod, but your mileage may vary. Fish will generally hook themselves on a spinnerbait so use whatever feels good to you. JMHO

Ronnie

I have an Avid AC66MF which I consider my "all-around" baitcaster. Although this rod is rated Fast Action, it has a soft tip which is just about perfect for all classes of treble hook lures. It's saddled up with a fast reel (Calais CL200 6.2:1) which makes it just about perfect for spinnerbaits and buzzbaits, too. So, I don't really have a dedicated spinnerbait rod, but as Ronnie said, I don't think I need one.

I hold this to be true as well.

Although, I do have a spinnerbait rod because I like to keep a rod tied up for the major presentations so I dont have to bounce back and forth retying baits.  Time consuming and not an efficient use of my time when I fish I tournaments.  

That being said the spinnerbait rod/reel is the one rod I choose not to spend alot of money on.  I dont think they need to be as sensitive and I dont need as much hooking power because as Ronnie said, spinnerbait bass tend to hook themselves.  If you are looking for a decent rod at a great price point, the one I use is the KVD signature series rod/reel combo from BPS in the 7 ft MHM.

Good combo at a great price.

B