Is a more sensitive rod really necessary?

[Bernie Mac]

Wrong Rod Muddy... ...but thanks for that advice (been married for 7 years + and in my early 30's, but that's another post and another site   )  There are alot of opinions that I agree with from my OP here (thanks Snook for the comment).  When I first fished with a Loomis, there was nothing else but Loomis that I wanted to fish with, but I've been off and on fishing and wanting to get back solid and see bout going pro (all a dream) and say for the amount that I might pay for 1 GLX I could get say 2 Carrot Stix (not trying to start a new thread on which rod is better).  I'm self evaluating with other's opinions and it's been a big help, even with Sam's simple, "YES".  (plus the laughs too  ;D)...that's why I love this site and these forums.

[hawgchaser]

Important? yes

Overrated? extremely

[VABasser]

There's been a lot of good things posted by many who are more knowledgeable than myself but I will put my 2 cents in.  First off, I don't think anyone here is advocating going out and buying a "snoopy" or "wally world" combo to replace solid fishing tackle so those posters who are comparing those to Loomis blanks are blowing it way out of proportion.  What I imagine Bernie Mac is comparing are the differences between a quality $100 something rod to a $300+ rod.  I see this situation as one with diminishing returns meaning for  the extra money you pay, the actual increase in quality will be less than say the difference between a $20 ugly stik (or whatever they sell for) and a Shimano Crucial or BPS rod that sells for $100.  I could continue but I'd just be repeating what others have already said.  I think hawgchaser summed it up nicely important?yes, overrated? extremely.        

[Maxximus Redneckus]

yes for jigs and worms with these its all about rod movement ,with a sensitive rod u can tell the differance in a stick ,rock,grass,mudd or most important a fish

[andamtoft]

Important? yes

Overrated? extremely

x2 thats all there is to it. well said in simplest form.

[LAO162]

Using a sensitive rod brings me more enjoyment

[Captain Obvious]

Does a more sensitive rod help Yes!

Is it over rated, No!

You don't need it but it sure makes life much easier. Trust me every one on here has said the same thing " A cheap rod will catch fish just as well as a $300 rod will, only the $300 rod will catch a few more"

Key phrase in that sentence "Few more"

Few more= Twice as many as the cheap rod!

Just my $0.02

Capt.O

[coffee]

I own a Kistler spinning rod and a few St. Croix Avid spinning rods, these were my first "good" rods that I have purchased and I can very much tell the difference in sensitivity compared with my older cheaper stuff.  Does that equal to more fish...yes, I believe it does.

For my fishing budget, more money goes to rod choice than reel choice as I feel the rod characteristics are more important than the reel characteristics (assuming the reel works fairly well).  In other words, I would rather spend the money on a lighter, more sensitive rod than a flashy cool reel.

[TrippyJai]

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.

Of course I haven't been around long enough try and test out all the gear and make opinionated differences, but really, just like all things in life. It's about money and how you set your standards. If I go out and get skunked, I'll still be happy because I got to get out, but to others they might be upset.

When I was talking about watching them bassmasters videos and seeing the gears they were using. They had no trouble putting a limit into the boats through the toughest conditions. I'm pretty sure a crucial/curado combo brought back to 1988 is better than anything they've use. Maybe I'm wrong, but wouldn't the top of the line rod and reels then brought to today be compared to a $100ish combo?

This is just my observation and I'm not stating any facts.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

like has been noted yes you can go out and catch bass with snoopy rods and ugly stiks.But to be consistent each and every time you fish especially with jigs and plastics you really do better with a sensitive rod ....example  your t-rigging a worm in 20 foot of water in stumps .or rocks .you ain't had a good bite all day .you better know when that 8 pounder just  BARELY taps your line or your going home skunked or worse knowing there was one there and u didn't feel it.and another thing IMO as long as your using a exposed blank reelseat and a lighter rod you will feel all you need BTW i don't have any rods over 100 bucks  all i use are clarus,rapalas,convergence, and falcon rods for jigs and worms

[Fish Chris]

Is a more sensitive rod really necessary?

No. In fact, the lightest, most sensitive rods on the market can be detrimental, as they are inevitably more prone to breakage, from sudden shock loads {brittle}.

Is braided line neccessary for maximum sensitivy ?

Absolutely, positively, Yes.

Peace,

Fish

[bilgerat]

Put one of us in a boat with Ike, KVD, whoever. Give them the 'Snoopy' combo, while we get our choice of any rig we want. It's no contest. The ONLY thing high end gear does is enhance the experience. Period.

I fished worms almost exclusively back in the Eighties and early Nineties. Always caught fish. Back before Senkos and the like. I still have most of my gear from back then. I could feel the taps back then, though I've moved on to nicer gear. Nicer gear for me is lighter gear, not so much 'sensitive' gear. My opinion is that a lot of guys get caught up too much in the gear itself, especially the names. I think most of this 'technique specific' crap is just that - crap.

Keep it simple, shut up and go fishing already. The day a fish pokes it's head out of the water and asks "Whaddya fishin' with ?" is the day I'll change my mind on this subject.

[The_Natural]

I don't think added sensitivity is just for 'pleasure'.  I was having trouble years ago feeling bites on my carolina rig.  I remembered this when I dove back in to fishing in '04, and splurged on an 844 IMX.  It made a big difference, and I could discern bites versus bottom debris.  However, most fishermen are bank beaters...fishing texas rigs and such.  It's not hard to distinguish bites pitching to structure or cover on the bank.  It's the C-rigging and Drop-shotting in deep water that it makes a difference.  

[Catt]

The #1 key to consistently catching bass is between your ears not between the folds of your wallet.

Challenge: Berkeley Lighting Rod vs. Any rod over $150

Where: Toledo Bend Reservoir

Technique: Texas Rigged Plastic

Launch time: 6:00 pm till 8:00 am

5 bass total weight

Entry fee: $100

Anybody want some?

[Muddy]

What Bilgerat ,Catt and Fish Chris said, except I have no experience with braid, so that part I know nothing about 8-)

[roadwarrior]

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 subtle bite...would it make "that much of a difference"?

For jigs and soft plastics, rod sensitivity is VERY important.

For "moving" baits, sensitivity is much less important. Single hook

lures still require a firm tip, treble hooks a soft tip.

Length comes into play for casting distance and comfort. I prefer 7'

rods except for topwater and jerkbaits. For me, a 6 1/2' foot rod is

easier to maneuver.

8-)

[The Yankee Fist]

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 subtle bite...would it make "that much of a difference"?  

For jigs and soft plastics, rod sensitivity is VERY important.

For "moving" baits, sensitivity is much less important. Single hook

lures still require a firm tip, treble hooks a soft tip.

Length comes into play for casting distance and comfort. I prefer 7'

rods except for topwater and jerkbaits. For me, a 6 1/2' foot rod is

easier to maneuver.

8-)

Yeah, what he said. I doubled my fish count this weekend on plastics due to my new GLX Bronzeback. You can feel EVERYTHING and what it is. I fish rivers 95% of the time and in current, even slight current, sensitivity is paramount IMHO.

I'm a convert to super sensitive rods. I'm going to do a review of the new rod today and it will be compared to a 750 Bronzeback, 721 IMX and my ...DO NOT LAUGH! 1996 Bass Pro ML 6'6" ML rod....that old girl, I thought she was SOOOO sensitive, silly man was I. ;D

[Fish Chris]

I'm having such a hard time following the responses here, because I don't remember who uses braid, and who doesn't  :-?

The thing about sensitivity is, its a "grand total" thing. A super sensitive rod quite litterally makes about a 5% difference. The other 95% (no exageration here) is about the line.

I've said this before, but I'll say it again..... a 40 year old fiberglass rod {or what did they use before that ?  Split cane ?} with braid, will be a more sensitive combo, that the highest modulas graphite rod, with a big stretchy rubberband between you/your rod and the fish.

If your already using braid, then theirs no need to worry about sensitivity.

Peace,

Fish

[Catt]

So let me get this straight if I buy a highly sensitive rod, some braided line, & tungsten weight I will catch twice as many fish?

So no one wants in on $100?

I'll use a Berkeley Lighting Rod, mono, & lead weights vs. your what ever rod over $150, braided line, & tungsten weights

[Fish Chris]

Hey cat,

Tungsten weights, 1% difference

Super sensitive rod, 4% difference

Braid, 95% difference.

Just educated guesses of course, to try and make the point.

Twice as many fish ? Probably not. 20% more fish, for all people, all conditions, and all fishing situations combined, and averaged out.... probably. And well worth it.

Peace,

Fish

[Captain Obvious]

Chris I don't have half the experience you have, but I still am not buying the braid thing.

Your percentages were wrong so I fix them for you ;)lol

Tungsten weights, ,5 % difference

Super sensitive rod, 95% difference

Braid, 4.5% difference.

Capt.O

[flechero]

What you guys aren't arguing is the ability of the angler to decipher what he feels. While using braid and tungsten will telegraph more "info" to the angler... often times this sensory overload simply causes a guy to set hook into brush and lumber more frequently. ...lol Braid is a tool, and no one tool is right for every job.

If it were such a simple argument, no angler would ever win a tournament with mono. For that matter, they wouldn't even be competitive.

[Bernie Mac]

Thanks for the input everyone...I appreciate it alot (may be I should have polled this :-?). I should be back from Iraq by the 11th of May...can't wait to go wet a line (after the family reunion and all )

[Bassn Blvd]

Well hurry up and get back then.    Drive carefully, or should I say fly.

[The Yankee Fist]

Thanks for the input everyone...I appreciate it alot (may be I should have polled this  :-?).  I should be back from Iraq by the 11th of May...can't wait to go wet a line (after the family reunion and all )

Thank you for your service to our country. I hope you catch the biggest freakin' bass on the planet when you get home.