Is a more sensitive rod really necessary?

[Bernie Mac]

:-?...This is a spin off from the thread of GLoomis to stop selling their blanks. I was reading the article on Tackle Tour (also was reading the thread on Berkley Amp Rods) and there was a post on tackletog.com that raised this question...Is a more sensitive rod really necessary? The person quoted that they believe sensitivity is overrated. They were saying (for example) that they would get more bang for buck with "say" Diawa Steeze rods, not as sensitive as GLX but that not so much as it would matter. So why spend $400 for a GLX blank for a crank bait rod then "say" spend $60 for a Berkley Lighting Shock Rod? I love my Loomis rods but I'm starting to re-think this whole "sensitivity" thing again :-/

[fivesixone]

For a crankbait rod, it's a whole 'nother story... No need for extreme sensitivity when you're fishing for reaction strikes. You'll know when a fish is there.

[coolhandlala]

I don't think anybody in their right mind would say to go out and buy a $400 glx to use for crankbaits.  You need to take into consideration what you will use the rod for.  A rod used for plastics or jigs yeah you want to most sensitive rod you can "afford"  for some that may mean a GLX and for others that may mean a crucial.  Is the GLX better? Of course, but if you can't afford it don't even waste your time looking.  It is like buying a car, of course you would love to buy the benz but the chevy is still a great car, and if you can afford the chevy but not the benz then don't waste your time.

IT IS ALL PERSPECTIVE!!!!

[Bernie Mac]

Yeah, you're right, crankbait rod (or any reaction strike bait) was a bad :-[ comparison. But if you're throwing a plastic and wanting to feel that such suttle bite...would it make "that much of a difference"?  IMP, I buy a rod on how it handles the fish more than the sensitivity of it.

[Lucky Craft Man]

Well, I can agree with you guys to a certain extent.  But, I do have the GLX crankbait rod and I do notice one difference in it with my old crankbait rod.  That difference is not is in sensing bites, but with the GLX, I can actually tell what type of cover I an hitting my lure off of.  I don't know how to explain it, but I can tell the difference between wood, sand, weeds, and rocks, which I wasn't exactly able to do before with my other crankbait rod.  I am also able to detect the absolute slightest piece of grass or other item on the lure with this rod, where before I wasn't able to determine that slight piece of moss on my hook until the lure got back to the boat.  Now, as soon as I feel that very slight piece of debris that might get on the hook, I hopefully rip it free and not waste the whole cast.  So, I agree, you don't need a sensitive crankbait rod, but there is a very slight advantage to having one, which may translate into maybe just one extra fish.  With that being said, if you have money for just one very sensitive rod, I would get it for a more finesse technique, but if you can afford a very sensitive rod for every technique, I would do it, because it certainly can't hurt your fishing success.

[Bernie Mac]

Thanks Lucky, that's the kind of reply that I was hoping to get from this thread. I can relate to not knowing what my bait would be running thru to knowing hey, that's a log I just bumped. Thanks Man  

[SirSnookalot]

I buy a rod on how it handles the fish more than the sensitivity of it

I think Bernie knows what he's talking about.  I get way more sensitivity from the braid I use and not the rod itself.  I have never been confused if it's debris or even the most modest strike.

It's how the rod handles the fish, not how the fish handles the rod.

[Cigarlover 1]

I have to agree with Lucky Craft in general. IMO rod sensitivity isn't about detecting bites it's about detecting what type or the details of the cover your fishing under the water.

If you watch tournament coverage on tv and listen to the experienced pro's they always know exactly what their bait is in contact with when they're moving it along.

I see it as a way of zeroing in on the cover you've found with your electronics.

[The_Natural]

Yes....for tip-up baits.  I don't think you need a $300 rod, but at least a middle-market rod.  For cranks...it doesn't matter.  All I know is my first 'high-end' rod, a Loomis 844 IMX, improved my C-rig fishing 300%.  

[KYntucky Warmouth]

I originally thought that a crankbait rod did not need to be sensitive and at that time my 6'6''M BPS Crankin Stick was all I needed...This was until I started using a 6'10''MH Carrot Stix Gold for cranks....now it's impossible to go back to that crankin stick, and i've tried.  It feels dead, I  mean you can feel a bite and can feel if I pick up a leaf or hit something but differentiating between them is almost impossible unless I feel a head shake.

[Muddy]

QUOTE" Is a more sensitive rod really necessary?

Actually sometime a less sensitive rod leads to a longer ride

[KYntucky Warmouth]

QUOTE" Is a more sensitive rod really necessary?

Actually sometime a less sensitive rod leads to a longer ride

:

[The_Natural]

QUOTE" Is a more sensitive rod really necessary?

Actually sometime a less sensitive rod leads to a longer ride

[Hammer 4]

Fwiw...I have a  BPS (bc) rick clunn also have a Shimano (spin) clarus, and a couple of team diawa's, not the high end modles. With the economy the way it is..my earnings have taken a huge dip to say the least, yet I still enjoy fishing..I usually fish mostly plastic's i.e. ds, ss, trigged ect, with worms and the like..i don't fish heavy cover, cuz they is none where I fish..

So, I see all these guys with their 300.00+ rods, and highend reels, yet I catch fish while they don't, or at least I usually catch more, so do you really need the specialty type rods and reels, imho no, do they help, I would say yes, if I could afford them, I'd buy em, but you can catch fish with a lower cost rig, at least for the weekend fisherman like me..lol just my 3 pesos..

[dodgeguy]

your not the only one in that boat.there are lots of people including me who feel that way.but i do believe you can buy a rod just as sensitive as a loomis without spending over $170.also a cheap rod with braid is far more sensitive than a loomis with mono or flouro.

[Lucky Craft Man]

I always love guys who say they outfish guys who use $300 rods with their $20 Walmart special and this is justification as to why high end gear is a waste.  The reality is that those guys they outfished who have the $300 gear probably suck at fishing and if the guy with the $20 Walmart gear had the $300 gear, they probably would have caught even more fish.  I'm sure KVD would outfish me with a cane pole and worm no matter what I use.  Though, I know from my experience, having a sensitive rod doesn't not hurt (unless we are talking about the same rod Muddy is talking about).  I don't ever remember hearing someone say that they didn't catch fish, because their fishing rod was just too sensitive.  Again, you do not need a high end or sensitive fishing rod to catch fish, but if you have the money to get it, it won't hurt you in any way.  Also, I am not talking about $300+ rods exclusively, but whatever rod feels sensitive to you will help your fishing success in one way or another.  Disclaimer: This is just my humble opinion based off my personal experience.

[Blue Streak]

An expensive rod might make you a better fisherman, but it won't necessarily make you a good fisherman. I believe that some people just have a better sense of feel or more concentration than others. And therefor would do better with a cheap rod than a bad fisherman could do with a very expensive rod. You can buy the most expensive running shoe made but you may not set a new world record.

[Bassn Blvd]

Try this with your $20 wal mart rod. Cast out a worm about 50 feet. let it sink to the bottom and take in all slack. Now, strip of 5 feet of line so your line is very slack.

Do you think you will feel the slightest little bump/tick? I didn't think so but I can. That's why I use Loomis.

I also want the lightest gear/combo I can possibly afford.  When you fish/ flip 20 hours a week, the last thing you want is a 2 pound rod and reel.

Here's another way of looking at it. I can pick up girls being unshaven and wearing holy shorts and a stained t-shirt but I'd feel much better doing it in nice designer clothes. If you have the money then go big.

[Bassn Blvd]

An expensive rod might make you a better fisherman, but it won't necessarily make you a good fisherman.

What if I'm already very good?  Well I now be excellent.  Or will I just be better at being good.. :

[Hammer 4]

I always love guys who say they outfish guys who use $300 rods with their $20 Walmart special and this is justification as to why high end gear is a waste. The reality is that those guys they outfished who have the $300 gear probably suck at fishing and if the guy with the $20 Walmart gear had the $300 gear, they probably would have caught even more fish. I'm sure KVD would outfish me with a cane pole and worm no matter what I use. Though, I know from my experience, having a sensitive rod doesn't not hurt (unless we are talking about the same rod Muddy is talking about). I don't ever remember hearing someone say that they didn't catch fish, because their fishing rod was just too sensitive. Again, you do not need a high end or sensitive fishing rod to catch fish, but if you have the money to get it, it won't hurt you in any way. Also, I am not talking about $300+ rods exclusively, but whatever rod feels sensitive to you will help your fishing success in one way or another. Disclaimer: This is just my humble opinion based off my personal experience.

Yup, I'm sure some of those guys did suck at fishing, but not all of em..Look, I'm not sayin a good rod and reel won't help, in fact I agree they do to a certian point, i.e. you fish alot, are a tourny pro ect..all I'm sayin is you can catch bass on a less expensive rig..btw, I have never bought any gear from wally world..

Just for reference, I've been at lakes where bass tourny's are goin on, I'm out there with my inexpensive gear, but well maintained, and in a rental boat..I catch a limit of bass..at the end of the day, I check the weigh in..winner was 22 lbs..I didn't "offically" weigh mine, but would have finished in the $$$$$ where at least 8 boats didn't..not bragging, juts giving an example re: less expensive gear.

Ya know, maybe it's my inexpensive gear that's keeping me from catching that "lunker"..?  

[Lucky Craft Man]

I always love guys who say they outfish guys who use $300 rods with their $20 Walmart special and this is justification as to why high end gear is a waste. The reality is that those guys they outfished who have the $300 gear probably suck at fishing and if the guy with the $20 Walmart gear had the $300 gear, they probably would have caught even more fish. I'm sure KVD would outfish me with a cane pole and worm no matter what I use. Though, I know from my experience, having a sensitive rod doesn't not hurt (unless we are talking about the same rod Muddy is talking about). I don't ever remember hearing someone say that they didn't catch fish, because their fishing rod was just too sensitive. Again, you do not need a high end or sensitive fishing rod to catch fish, but if you have the money to get it, it won't hurt you in any way. Also, I am not talking about $300+ rods exclusively, but whatever rod feels sensitive to you will help your fishing success in one way or another. Disclaimer: This is just my humble opinion based off my personal experience.

Yup, I'm sure some of those guys did suck at fishing, but not all of em..Look, I'm not sayin a good rod and reel won't help, in fact I agree they do to a certian point, i.e. you fish alot, are a tourny pro ect..all I'm sayin is you can catch bass on a less expensive rig..btw, I have never bought any gear from wally world..

Just for reference, I've been at lakes where bass tourny's are goin on, I'm out there with my inexpensive gear, but well maintained, and in a rental boat..I catch a limit of bass..at the end of the day, I check the weigh in..winner was 22 lbs..I didn't "offically" weigh mine, but would have finished in the $$$$$ where at least 8 boats didn't..not bragging, juts giving an example re: less expensive gear.

Ya know, maybe it's my inexpensive gear that's keeping me from catching that "lunker"..?

I wouldn't doubt you are a good fisherman, but I bet if I gave you "more sensitive" equipment from what you use now, you might have caught a few more fish that would have had you not only "unofficially" finish in the money, but you may have "unofficially" won the tourny.  I think the OP was wondering if having a more sensitive rod helps in catching fish and in my opinion it does, no matter what technique or lure you are fishing.  This isn't a "high end" vs "low end" equipment debate, but a "more sensitive" question.  

[TrippyJai]

I love it when this forum has these debates on rod sensitivity and bring up $300 rods. I don't think I can ever come around to throwing down that much money for a rod even if it's that much more sensitive.

To me, catching fish is all skills. Sure, guys who buy a $50 combo might catch more fish, but I still think if you bought a GLX, you will up a few fish.

I've been watching these old Bassmasters videos on youtube and the gear they use in the early 90s don't look very impressive yet these guys are catching fish. So it's all about preference. Back then, there was no braid, flouro, and those combos... u know...

[Catt]

1937: DuPont files patent for nylon, which later spawns nylon monofilament fishing line

Prior to that all fishing lines were braided Cotton, Micron, or Dacron

I love these discussions to because no one ever considers in whose hands the G. Loomis rod is. On very rare occasions my wife goes fishing with me and I've watched bass strumming on her Texas Rig while she is totally oblivious to the fact. Now is it due to the fact my G. Loomis GLX and Calcutta spooled with Power Pro isn't sensitive enough or is it due to the fact she has early stages of Carpal tunnel syndrome plus she can not decipher what she is feeling on the end of the rod?

Now in my hands my Shimano Crucial CRC-X610MH is every bit as sensitive as my G. Loomis BCR804 GLX ever was and mono is every bit as sensitive as braid.

If y'all really really want to increase your sensitivity fish a Texas Rig in the total darkness of a New Moon night for about a year and then report back.

[Sam]

Yes.  

[Bassn Blvd]

I've been watching these old Bassmasters videos on youtube and the gear they use in the early 90s don't look very impressive yet these guys are catching fish. So it's all about preference. Back then, there was no braid, flouro, and those combos... u know...

It's apparent you have not been around long enough to experience the differences between good, higher end quality rods, reels, line and tackle based on your lack of knowledge of what was available "BACK THEN."

No one is saying you won't or can't catch fish on less expensive, lower quality rods. Yes, I can go out and fish with a snoopy rod and reel or wal-mart special and more than likely limit out for the day, but I can guarantee you I would have caught more if I was using a better quality, MORE SENSITIVE rod.