Technique Specific Rods ?

[jwo1124]

I just need some help clarifying something. I have learned the importance of having the , I don;t want to say perfect, but the correct set up for certain presentations, for example a jig/plastic rod, a crankbait rod, a pitching/frog rod. But I am sort of confused, mainly because I am new to the whole techn. specific rod thing. Should I base my set ups of the presentation or the location, ro a little of both. I mean, I think they sort of tie in together. i.e. Heavy cover-lily pads, grass, timber- you are going to need a H stout rod, fast action, heavy line, possibly braid, and the lure choice will probably be a jig, t-rig, or maybe a frog.

But let's say we are fishing moderate cover, not anything heavy and overwhelming, but not open flats. Say we have a choice between a jig, T or C rig plastic, spjnerbait, buzzbait, do I really need a seperate rod for each of these. I was hoping no, I'm sure they answer will be yes, so would it be smart to have a rods for MH(1/4-3/4) jigs and plastics, another for MH spinners and buzz's, and one soley for Carolina rig? Is it necassary to have a C-Rig rod? I know you want a a long stiff rod, yet sensitive rod to feel the bottom or any stikes or pick ups.

I will admit I am sort of ignorant to the whole arsenal of set ups. I don't want to go overboard with rod combos, but I don want to have the right stuff to be sufficent in my tasks to catch bass.

I'm all ears, hopefully someone will send some quality information my way.

I currently read this article on ebassin.com it's the Bassin' magazines web site, and they said have 5 set ups is sufficent, but then I am reading guys here say that they have upwards of 12 or more. I need some help before my head explodes.

[tyrius.]

The articles here are very helpful.  They are what I used in determining which rods I wanted to buy first.

Here's a good one to start.

http://www.bassresource.com/beginner/bass_fishing_rods.html

[roadwarrior]

Have you read this thread?

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1196114229

This one might help, too:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1141187546

[FishTank]

You could have 5 setups and be more than just OK but if you listen to the bait monkey you'll end up with a whole garage full of equipment.    ;D

[jwo1124]

'The lure weight range is standard 1/4-5/8 oz.  Any mfg like Shimano, Berkley, Bass Pro Shops, etc.  I understand that one company's med action isn't similar to another company's.  But let's take it in general sense.

Can I use a med action rod for worm/jigs?  I know that this action is more suitable for cranks/spinnerbaits.

Will I be able to use Senko's & 3/8-1/2 oz jigs, if so; what will I be losing out if using a med action rod?

Is a med/heavy rod suitable for worms/jigs?  Can this be used for cranks/spinnerbaits?

I'm just confused on the different actions of rods & why one person would be one over another.  I read an article in Bassin' in regards to Rick Clunn.  He's pretty much just use a 7' med/hvy rod for all his presentations.  He's gotten away from the technical side of bass fishing.

Who here goes by Rick Clunn's theory, or are you more of a multi rod user?

Any thoughts????

Thanks for those threads RW. I really found this above quote helpful. I liked the part about taking the technical side away from bass fishing. As much as I would like it to be cast a line get a fish, it's not. And there will always be a degree of technicallity, but i do agree and plan on finding a happy balance and not letting the bait monkey ruin me and my credit  

I like the idea of getting one set up and working from there. I am just now in the upgrade mode. I have been using Ugly Stiks for a few years now, and have caught fish on almost every presentation: weightless plastics, tube jigs, crankbaits, jerkbaits, buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, spoons, and topwaters. I have used 6# test around lily pads in ponds and caught 3# bass. So there are degrees of lienency in bass fishing. Rules and standards are good for guidelines, but I wouldn;t follow them to the "T".

I'm sure I'll end up with more than a couple rods for fishing as I mature and evolve, but I am living in the present and i must act on that. For now, I can start to upgrade one at a time, while still using my older rods liek my Ugly Stik Lites for cranks, topwaters, and maybe even spinnerbaits until i get better suited rods.

I also like how RW brought up "Who do you think invented Technique specific rods?" I'm guessing it first crossed the minds of tackle companies before it was ever in the brain of an angler. The dark side is sly isn't it...

[dodgeguy]

i think technique specific rods are bs for one reason.everyone's idea of what is or is not a good rod for a certain technique is different.so to label rods dropshot rods or spinnerbait rods is misleading.

[dbass]

I remember when I would have 10 setups on the deck at any one time. Kicking and stepping on the rods all the time got crazy expensive.

One day the boss (wife) said, "why don't you cut back on the gear you take". The only rods you have been using consistently on these bodies of water are your 3 basic setups.

She was right.

I cut back to my spinner bait rod, my buzz bait rod, and my jig/t-rig rod. So the ebassin article is right, some anglers feel they have to have a system for every conceivable need they would have (or think they would have). While others can get away with a lot less because they know exactly how the body of water they are fishing works and the systems needed for each body.

Now this in no way says that I don't have a ton of systems setup and ready to go on a moments notice during the season. I just know what 3 basic systems, I will need on what waters and at what time of the season.

Just my .02¢  

[flechero]

Now this in no way says that I don't have a ton of systems setup and ready to go on a moments notice during the season. I just know what 3 basic systems, I will need on what waters and at what time of the season.

Well put, like DG and a lot of others, I have more rods than I'll disclose here.  ...lol  I have always used about 3-5 of them 'regularly'.  The rest I carry in certain lakes, situations or times of the year.  You can make do with as many or few as you want.  Deck space and # of people in the boat play a big role in my decision making.

I also agree with dodgeguy- a rod company label means nothing.  what I call technique specific means, for example, my 846 x-fast is my buzzbait rod, 365 days a year.  I have a 5C70HF St. Croix that's a dedicated C-rig rod... has been that and only that since the day it was built. etc., etc., etc.  They would work well for other stuff but I have plenty of rods and for my own preferences, they work exactly how I want/need for specific techniques.  

Don't get hung up thinking you need technique specific stuff...  Most of my rods ended up being specific after I used them a while, not because I built them to serve certain roles.  A 7' H, fast will work great for about 60% of what I do so to have a bunch of technique specific rods only means I need several rods that are the same power and action, know what I mean?   It won't make sense for a lot of people to own multiples.

[bait__Monkey]

It won't make sense for a lot of people to own multiples.

wats u meen?

i thot we frens?

[flechero]

It won't make sense for a lot of people to own multiples.

wats u meen?

i thot we frens?

Sorry, BM, I'm trying to get them to buy one outrageously priced combo of each power so the cash outlay exceeds the "multiple" BPS combos of each type.  

How about I buy some Gold Cermets to make up for the misunderstanding?  

[Evan Pease]

It won't make sense for a lot of people to own multiples.

wats u meen?

i thot we frens?

;D ;D ;D

[dbass]

flechero,

How about I buy some Gold Cermets to make up for the misunderstanding?

Duh wat, wer yu gona git som gold cment?

Tight Wraps!!!