1 poll, 2 uses.

[Andrew Coleman]

Could i use the same pole i use for crankbaits as for fishing with plastics?  If no, why not?

[.dsaavedra.]

you could, but it wouldnt be practical. you would be best off getting a different rod for each type of fishing.

heres why:

crankbaits require a softera action, a rod that bends more throughout the rod. this is to prevent the trebel hooks from ripping out.

soft plastics require a stiffer action, one tht bents only near the tip so that you can get a hard solid hookset.

just a breif explanation, im sure someone will  link you up with some more detailed stuff.

[Andrew Coleman]

atm i have a 6'6" medium action spinning rod with 12lb mono that i do everything with.....cuz its my only rod :-[ ,but wat could i use it for?

[Red]

i use one rod for ALL my fishing...bass, whites, and hybrids...it is a 6' MH baitcaster, x-fast....i use cranks, jigs, soft plastics, weightless, jerkbaits, topwaters, lipless cranks, spoons, spinnerbaits....everything.  i think having a slower rod for cranks and a faster rod for plastics etc etc is more personnel preference than anything.  i dont have any problems with ripping out hooks on a crank or getting a fast hookset with a t-rig.  just my opinion, it works for me

Cliff

[Andrew Coleman]

ya i use my 6'6" spinning rod for everything to. but im going to get a 6'6" baitcaster around feb.

[ABC123]

Could i use the same pole i use for crankbaits as for fishing with plastics? If no, why not?

You can do anything you want. For quite a few years I had 2 rods, a glass rod for cranks, and a graphite for everything else. Since I have gotten back into fishing more, like when I was a kid, I have found having better, and more purpose oriented rods, makes fishing more enjoyable, and seems to be more productive too. It's nice to find fish are not biting on one thing, turn around, pick up a different rod, and catch fish on something else.

Nothing wrong with using just one rod, but there are trade off's, just like having a boat load of rods. A person can cover most anything with 2 setup's though. 1 lighter fast action rod, say 1/8 to 5/8oz and one heavier rod covering say, 1/4 to 1oz.

[islandbass]

ya i use my 6'6" spinning rod for everything to. but im going to get a 6'6" baitcaster around feb.

Then get the MH casting set up. This combined with what you already have will cover you for most bass application. Pfluemis hit the nail on the head for you. 8-)

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

The rod you have is a good "all around" rod.

They make "technique specific" gear these days but there is nothing wrong with getting it done on an "all purpose" rod.

Upgrading and expanding your arsenal is just a way for you to enjoy the activity a little more but is in no way, necessary.

The key thing to look for to know if you need more or better gear, is the size of your smile.  Do you catch and enjoy it with the rod you have?  If so, fantastic.  It can only get better but doesn't HAVE to.

See where I'm coming from?

If you do decide to add to your toys, pfleumis has given some good advice

[roadwarrior]

All good advice. One rod is fine, two is better and three is all anyone "needs".

One rod: Medium Power/ Fast Action. Whether this is spinning or baitcasting, you can fish almost every lure with this rig.

Second rod: M or MH Power/ Moderate Action or Fast Action with a soft tip. This is a better rod for treble hook lures.

When it's time for a third combination, Heavy Power/ Fast Action (mostly for jigs and some guys prefer this combination for soft plastics). This is a rig that could be used for every application fishing medium to heavy weight lures.

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

[Raul]

All good advice. One rod is fine, two is better and three is all anyone "needs".

Hey !, don 't limit me with the rods I can take.   j/k.

Actually what RW says is true, I can fish in practical terms all my baits with 3 rods, 1 MH, 1 M and 1 ML or L. and that 's pretty much what I carry, plus ( and it may not be the case of everyone ) a H rod that I use for flipping & swimbaiting but I can live without it.

[Andrew Coleman]

ive decided i'll use the rod i have now for plastics

but what type of rod for cranks?

[cootertom]

Hope my wife don't see this stuff about two rods. Just told her today I needed to replace two.