Rod Selection Confusion

[Guest tnc1]

I have been on a 15 year + hiatus from bass fishing.  I have read the BR articles on rod selection and studied the various posts for the past several months on rod and reel selection, tackle, various rigging techniques, etc.  I also studied the St. Croix Rod Selector site.  As a result, I purchased the following rods:

AC66MF (based upon St. Croix's rod selector site as a worm rod) which I now discover from responsess to Flashback's topwater rod posting is not appropriate for worms/plastics;

2 AC70MHF for general purpose including: spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, jigs and topwaters; and,

AC70MM for lipless and shallow diving crankbaits.

I only have an opportunity to fish once a month.  I am going fishing this weekend with the intention of trying out my new rods and reels (and tackle/lures).  Now, I am unsure whether I shouldn't just return these rods and start over.

Based on my reading of these forums, I wanted to fish worms and senkos (6"), topwaters and buzzbaits, spinnerbaits and rat l traps.  In addition, I wanted to work on drop shotting which is new to me.  I also supported our advertiser and ordered some wiggle rigs.

For someone restarting in bass fishing, this has become a truly humbling experience.

I would appreciate y'alls feed back.  Thanks.   :-[  :-[  :-[

[roadwarrior]

See my response in this thread:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1186461502/11#11

[Guest tnc1]

Thanks, RW, I saw it.  I appreciate the help and advice.

[Raul]

Worms rods may not necessarily have to be a pool cue to be worm rods, it depends greatly on how sharp your hooks are, how you rig your soft plastics and the application to a specific technique or place, so saying that a medium power rod is not good as a worm/jig rod is highly questionable just to say it in a civilized matter.

My worms rods may be from UL all the way to H, would I use a UL rod to fish for example my everyday lake ( Snag Paradise ) ? nope, it would not be such a great idea, the rod & line don 't have enough power to horse a fish out of heavy cover, the rigging method for such will also not be appropiate because it will snag in an eyeblink, and obviously, I my hookset is completely different when I 'm using a noddle than when I 'm using a broom stick.

The fact that most prefer MH rods doesn 't mean it has to be that way, it 's far from being a "rule", so don 't feel humbled, there are many ways to skin a cat and each and every one of us knows several of them but that doesn 't mean it 's carved on stone.

[Chris at Tech]

AC66MF (based upon St. Croix's rod selector site as a worm rod) which I now discover from responsess to Flashback's topwater rod posting is not appropriate for worms/plastics;

2 AC70MHF for general purpose including: spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, jigs and topwaters; and,

AC70MM for lipless and shallow diving crankbaits.

For what it's worth, if you're returning rods I think you should return the AC70MM and one of the AC70MHF. Here's my logic...but since when does logic dictate what fishing gear you want or need? Hehe...

In my experience, the AC66MF does admirably for topwaters, jerkbaits, shallow cranks (10 feet and less) and lipless cranks. Therefore, the AC66MF can throw everything you wanted the AC70MM for, and more. That's why I'd recommend returning the AC70MM (if you do indeed decide to return rods )

The AC70MHF is a good stick for spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, jigs and soft plastics. You'll enjoy it.

So now you started with 4 rods, and now you have two. You mention dropshotting. I think you'll find 90% of the folks on this board would recommend spinning gear for this technique. Stick with your Avid theme and try to get your hands on a AS69MLXF. This is a great rod for dropshotting, splitshotting and 1/4 oz and under shakeyheads. An all-around finesse rod.

If you've just gotta have 4 rods (stupid bait monkey) and you want to stay with the St Croix Avids, look at the AS68MXF or the AC68MXF. They have identical specs, only 1 is casting and 1 is spinning. Whichever you prefer would be really well suited for senkos, flukes, and really, anything else you'd like to throw. Although I don't own one, I hear this is EXTREMELY versatile.

Just some suggestions from a recovering bait-a-holic. I've been tackle purchase free for...oh, that's right, I bought some stuff at lunchtime today

[Guest tnc1]

Hey, Chris, thank you for the advice . . . well thought out.  I wasn't intending to go to a spinning rig because of my past experience (15+years ago) with line twist.  However, I will follow GW's advice on getting the twist out of the line.  I am keeping an open mind.  Thanks again.