broncoboxer Posted May 16, 2009 Posted May 16, 2009 Few weeks back I caught my first ever Carolina Rig bass on a buddy's Rod and Reel. You know what's even cooler about that? It was my first cast ever with a Carolina Rig, too. Fished 8 hours that day and only caught three fish total. But one was on my first ever cast with a Carolina Rig. As you may guess, now I want a Carolina Rig Rod. I'll be visiting the Concord, NC Bass Pro Shops on the 23rd and plan to walk out of there with the rod. So, any suggestions? I'm looking to spend less than $200. Thanks in advance for your comments. Quote
broncoboxer Posted May 16, 2009 Author Posted May 16, 2009 Thanks for the suggestions so far. Any more? Quote
dmac14 Posted May 16, 2009 Posted May 16, 2009 I am going to use a 7'6" carrot stick. Going to check them out tommorow Quote
War Party Posted May 16, 2009 Posted May 16, 2009 Carrot Sticks are nice feelin' rods. I would look out for anything 7 feet long and MH w/ fast action, but for your price range St. Croix's Avid is the truth. I own a Mojo Bass by St. Croix and it was well within your price range. For about 200 clams, you can get a Shimano Citica and a Mojo Bass. But the Avid is for sure a step up. Those folks at St Croix do pretty work. ;D Quote
MillerTime Posted May 16, 2009 Posted May 16, 2009 $200 for just the rod or the combo? If it's just the rod I'd say either a 7' MH/F 21 Carrot Gold ($199.95) or a 7' H/F Daiwa Zillion ($219.95) For a combo i'd say a7'6" H/XF BPS Nitro. It's a bit on the heavy side but these combos are tanks! Quote
aarogb Posted May 17, 2009 Posted May 17, 2009 I would go with a Falcon Lowrider 7' MH to H. They where the first company to introduce a Carolina Rig rod to the market. Quote
The_Natural Posted May 17, 2009 Posted May 17, 2009 Bass Pro has the Johnny Morris rods on Sale for $119. Very sensitive rods with Sic's. Hard to beat at that price.... Quote
cidgrad96 Posted May 17, 2009 Posted May 17, 2009 Before you can pick anything... What type of water are you fishing? Lakes, rivers? What size lure (12", 10", etc)? What size weight? All of these are important factors and you need a rough idea before making the right selection. Quote
broncoboxer Posted May 17, 2009 Author Posted May 17, 2009 $200 for just the rod or the combo? Just the rod. Quote
broncoboxer Posted May 17, 2009 Author Posted May 17, 2009 Before you can pick anything...What type of water are you fishing? Lakes, rivers? What size lure (12", 10", etc)? What size weight? All of these are important factors and you need a rough idea before making the right selection. Both lakes and rivers (Cape Fear River, Jordan Lake, Shearon Harris Lake, High Rock Lake, Kerr Lake, Falls Lake, etc.). Size of lure? I figure I'll try out quite a few different sizes. For instance, I caught that first bass on a Zoom Trick Worm. But I imagine I'll try lizards, flukes, brush hawgs, Senkos, Ikas, etc. Most of these, I imagine, are between 5 and 8 inches. Weight will likely depend on depth and water current. But likely between 1/4th ounce and 1 ounce. Quote
broncoboxer Posted May 17, 2009 Author Posted May 17, 2009 Bass Pro has the Johnny Morris rods on Sale for $119. Very sensitive rods with Sic's. Hard to beat at that price.... I was interested in how good the BPS house lines were. I am curious about the rods with the special "weight balancing system." Seems pretty cool. Quote
cidgrad96 Posted May 17, 2009 Posted May 17, 2009 Bronco - When you factor in your weight, you have to include the weight of the lure. Too many times I see guys throw a 1/2 oz worm behind a 1 oz sinker and not understand why their rods that are rated for 1 oz can't handle the rig... well... they are throwing 1.5 oz! Same thing with jig rods. Guys forget to add the weight of their trailer - .5 oz jig with a paca chunk weighs .7 oz. (RIG Measurement - weight the sinker, hook, swivel, lure, beads to get a real feel for the weight). If you aren't fishing a lot of close up situations - like throwing under trees, around lots of docks, etc - basically situations like working open points, ledges, etc - I would consider something between 7'6" and 7'11". Two reasons... longer cast and more hooksetting power. Also, if you are dragging in deep water, you need the long cast unless you are standing there feeding out line to make the lure sink straight down. If you aren't feeding line, the weight is like a pendulum and is coming back at your boat on the way down. If you are fishing lots of cover, I would move more towards 7' and as long as you keep that sinker at .5 oz, you should be fins with a rod rated 1/4 or 3/8 to 1 oz. I think you are probably going to have a hard time finding something excellent that fits that wide of a weight range. If you do go that route, I would suggest you probably head more towards a 3/8 - 1.25 oz rated rod. Sounds like you may need that. Weight balancing systems are nice, especially on longer (7'+) rods with tip up techniques. Yes the rod weighs more, but in the long run it wears you out less because it's less strain on your wrist and forearm. Quote
broncoboxer Posted May 18, 2009 Author Posted May 18, 2009 Bronco -Weight balancing systems are nice, especially on longer (7'+) rods with tip up techniques. Yes the rod weighs more, but in the long run it wears you out less because it's less strain on your wrist and forearm. So, have you used one of the BPS weight balancing rods? Which one did you like best? Quote
broncoboxer Posted May 18, 2009 Author Posted May 18, 2009 Carrot Sticks are nice feelin' rods. I would look out for anything 7 feet long and MH w/ fast action, but for your price range St. Croix's Avid is the truth. I own a Mojo Bass by St. Croix and it was well within your price range. For about 200 clams, you can get a Shimano Citica and a Mojo Bass. But the Avid is for sure a step up. Those folks at St Croix do pretty work. ;D You know what? After reading reviews on the Citica E and the Mojo rods, I think I WILL get that combo. I wasn't especially looking for a baitcasting reel, but since the only two I own are WalMart specials (Pinnacles...) it probably wouldn't hurt to own a "real" baitcaster. Quote
cidgrad96 Posted May 18, 2009 Posted May 18, 2009 I use a type other than the BPS balancer. It's similar to the one that screws in the butt. I prefer that style as opposed to the slip over type. JUst personal preference. Quote
bigtimfish Posted May 18, 2009 Posted May 18, 2009 American rodsmith champions series marked (carolina riggin). 7' mh fast Quote
broncoboxer Posted May 21, 2009 Author Posted May 21, 2009 Well, folks. After holding the Mojo in my hand (with a reel locked on for a more accurate feel) I just thought it was too heavy. Felt like I'd get tired after a short time fishing it. Then I picked up a few other rods before finally testing a 7'3" MH Fast Action Carrot Stix. It was like butter. What really sold me was when the dealer put the tip of the rod to his throat and then began talking softly. I could feel his vocal vibrations through the rod's blank. So I walked out of the store with that rod. Looking forward to actually using it. Quote
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