Lure/Species Specific Rods

[ODgreen]

Are lure or species specific rods actually effective or are they a rip off?

[SWMIBASSER]

That's a pretty broad question.

Which ones? And I wouldn't really consider many at all "rip offs". Whether or not you will be happy is another issue, but there is too much competition among rod builders right now to produce a far and away "rip off"

[b.Lee]

Yes and No, depends how serious you are about fishing, i.e. tournaments and stuff, or how big your wallet is.

[ODgreen]

well for instance: will a crankin rod actually give me better performance out of a crankbait than my Ugli Stick? Will a Mojo Bass help me catch more bass?

[islandbass]

well for instance: will a crankin rod actually give me better performance out of a crankbait than my Ugli Stick? Will a Mojo Bass help me catch more bass?

Your ugly stick would probably be a good crankbait rod!  ;D

As for whether a rod can make you catch more bass, they can help. I don't care how sensitive a rod is, if you're fishing, where they are not, you won't catch fish. So in that respect, the answer to your second question is no.

I was not too impressed with the mojo line. This isn't to put them down, as they weren't bad, but I think the other rods in its class feel better in my hand.

Lastly, you will never know how much nicer other rods might feel in your hands until you try them. Everyone is a nay sayer until they see the light, present company, yours truly, included. 

[ODgreen]

well for instance: will a crankin rod actually give me better performance out of a crankbait than my Ugli Stick? Will a Mojo Bass help me catch more bass?

Well good I bought that ugli stick, because my Rapala collection keeps growing

So try them out huh? Guess I'll have to when I goto my local( by that I mean 2 hours away) Bass Pro friday.

Your ugly stick would probably be a good crankbait rod! ;D

As for whether a rod can make you catch more bass, they can help. I don't care how sensitive a rod is, if you're fishing, where they are not, you won't catch fish. So in that respect, the answer to your second question is no.

I was not too impressed with the mojo line. This isn't to put them down, as they weren't bad, but I think the other rods in its class feel better in my hand.

Lastly, you will never know how much nicer other rods might feel in your hands until you try them. Everyone is a nay sayer until they see the light, present company, yours truly, included.

[flechero]

Are lure or species specific rods actually effective or are they a rip off?

For most people a technique specific rod only helps them narrow what it might work well for. But then remember that there are basically H, MH and M power rods with mod, fast or x-fast actions in bass fishing... now there are about 100 technique and species specific rods. You do the math and see if there isn't a LOT of cross over.

for example: My 7' H fast rod does about 6 things really well- but it would be only labeled for one thing. :-? On the flip side to get all those techniques on the rods, you would have 6 rods that are all 7' H fast. (but labeled for different things) See the problem?

edited to add:  While the labeling can be a great help to some, it really serves as a marketing tool to sell more rods.

[roadwarrior]

Technique specific rods are for "enthusiasts".

Almost all your fishing can be done with just

one rod. Beyond that, you only "need" three rods:

Spinning: 6 1/2' or 7', M or MH, Fast Action

(soft plastics and light lures)

Baitcasting: MH, Fast Action

(jigs, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and all single hooks)

Baitcasting: MH, Moderate Action

(all treble hook lures)

8-)

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I have to agree with Flechero, there's no reason a shakey head finesse setup couldn't catch walleye etc.

I also think Road Warrior is right on with the three basic setups he suggests.

With that said, some of us like tackle as much as we like fishing.

[KYntucky Warmouth]

I have to agree with Flechero, there's no reason a shakey head finesse setup couldn't catch walleye etc.

I also think Road Warrior is right on with the three basic setups he suggests.

With that said, some of us like tackle as much as we like fishing.

I'm afraid there are many of us that fall into that category.

[roadwarrior]

...some of us like tackle as much as we like fishing.

Yeah, some of us like playing with our tackle

MORE than fishing!

  ;D ;D:D ;D ;D

:

[Grey Wolf]

Are lure or species specific rods actually effective or are they a rip off?

How much do you fish ? If you don't fish for bass much ,your ugly stick is all you'll need.

[A-Rob]

Technique specific rods are for "enthusiasts".

Almost all your fishing can be done with just

one rod. Beyond that, you only "need" three rods:

Spinning: 6 1/2' or 7', M or MH, Fast Action

(soft plastics and light lures)

Baitcasting: MH, Fast Action

(jigs, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and all single hooks)

Baitcasting: MH, Moderate Action

(all treble hook lures)

8-)

Roadwarrior, I heard that a faster rod is better for cranks and treble hooks bait as it has more give at the tip and more bend deeper into the rod to keep from ripping too big a hole in the fish's mouth and better landing percentages.

Where as I find/heard that a moderate rod for spinnerbaits as it doesn't bend the tip on me during retrieve thru weeds or the heavier lure as much among other reasons....not arguing, I don't really know just wondering if you (or anyone) can explain?

[KYntucky Warmouth]

Technique specific rods are for "enthusiasts".

Almost all your fishing can be done with just

one rod. Beyond that, you only "need" three rods:

Spinning: 6 1/2' or 7', M or MH, Fast Action

(soft plastics and light lures)

Baitcasting: MH, Fast Action

(jigs, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and all single hooks)

Baitcasting: MH, Moderate Action

(all treble hook lures)

8-)

Roadwarrior, I heard that a faster rod is better for cranks and treble hooks bait as it has more give at the tip and more bend deeper into the rod to keep from ripping too big a hole in the fish's mouth and better landing percentages.

Where as I find/heard that a moderate rod for spinnerbaits as it doesn't bend the tip on me during retrieve thru weeds or the heavier lure as much among other reasons....not arguing, I don't really know just wondering if you (or anyone) can explain?

You've actually got it backwards, moderate or slower actions for trebles, this means there's more give in the tip and the backbone starts lower on the rod.  You want a faster tip for contact/single hook baits.  You've got the uses right just labeled backwards.

[RussBert]

Technique specific rods are for "enthusiasts".

Almost all your fishing can be done with just

one rod. Beyond that, you only "need" three rods:

Spinning: 6 1/2' or 7', M or MH, Fast Action

(soft plastics and light lures)

Baitcasting: MH, Fast Action

(jigs, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and all single hooks)

Baitcasting: MH, Moderate Action

(all treble hook lures)

8-)

So eloquently explained  8-)

The goal of a fisherman is to catch fish

The goal of the tackle manufacturer's is to convice the angler they need to have more tackle in order to catch more fish. Marketing at it's finest.

I'm a n00b, and I'm overwhelmed by the excess of tackle. I like RW's simple approach

[midnighthrasher]

I use 4 setups

Spinning - Medium fast 6'8 cumara - open water plastics and light lures

Casting - Medium Heavy xfast 6'8 cumara - flipping, skinny water, weighted plastics, hollow belly swimbaits

Casting - Medium Heavy Mod-fast 7'0 crucial crankbait - all trebles

Casting - Medium Heavy xfast 6'10 crucial casting - spinnerbaits, topwater

I love fishing with these 4 setups. I fished with 1 setup 2 years ago and this year i upgraded to 4.

[A-Rob]

Technique specific rods are for "enthusiasts".

Almost all your fishing can be done with just

one rod. Beyond that, you only "need" three rods:

Spinning: 6 1/2' or 7', M or MH, Fast Action

(soft plastics and light lures)

Baitcasting: MH, Fast Action

(jigs, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and all single hooks)

Baitcasting: MH, Moderate Action

(all treble hook lures)

8-)

Roadwarrior, I heard that a faster rod is better for cranks and treble hooks bait as it has more give at the tip and more bend deeper into the rod to keep from ripping too big a hole in the fish's mouth and better landing percentages.

Where as I find/heard that a moderate rod for spinnerbaits as it doesn't bend the tip on me during retrieve thru weeds or the heavier lure as much among other reasons....not arguing, I don't really know just wondering if you (or anyone) can explain?

You've actually got it backwards, moderate or slower actions for trebles, this means there's more give in the tip and the backbone starts lower on the rod. You want a faster tip for contact/single hook baits. You've got the uses right just labeled backwards.

Oh ya! You are right, I do have it backwards. For some reason I get that backwards more than once haha. Thanks!

[T.R. Express]

Fishermen catch fish, fishing tackle catches fishermen...

[Incheon Basser]

I'm Sorry but I love my Ugly Stick lite pros as moving bait rods. The 6.5 lbser in my avatar was caught on it. I have yet to have a fish throw my plug, or mis a hook set since i made the switch. I bought one to replace an old rod that the reel seat nut was striped out on before a trip and loved it so much for med cranks and other baits in that style and range that i bought another one. I'm talking about the Wal-Mart exclusive that is actually nice looking. A nice gray Graphite/FG all the way to the tip with blue accents...Cork handles... it's a very attractive rod... 36$ cant beat it for less than a benji on a crank bait rod IMO

[SirSnookalot]

RW summed it best !

For me I use 1 set up 90% of the time, Hurricane Redbone light action 4/10 rod with a supreme 8725 10# braid, most of my bass are less than 6#.

Only time I use my other freshwater setups is just for an occasional change of pace.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

I've got three rods that I use for the most part.

Baitcaster on a 7' rod for frogging, topwaters for peacocks, etc etc..

Spinning on a 7' rod for most of my soft plastics or for places where I need a bit more sensitivity.

Spinning on a 6'6" as a spare or for most other lures

Thats not to say that I don't have other rods and reels.  Those are just the three that I use for the most part.  I don't really do a bunch of flipping so I don't see the need to go out and buy a heavy duty whuppin stick for it.  I'll just use my casting rig above because it's got some more meat to it compared to my spinning rods.

[oteymc]

Technique specific rods are for "enthusiasts".

Almost all your fishing can be done with just

one rod. Beyond that, you only "need" three rods:

Spinning: 6 1/2' or 7', M or MH, Fast Action

(soft plastics and light lures)

Baitcasting: MH, Fast Action

(jigs, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and all single hooks)

Baitcasting: MH, Moderate Action

(all treble hook lures)

8-)

RW - when looking to buy rods from certain manufacturers, a MH, Moderate Action is sometimes not offered. In that case would you go with a MH, fast action or a M, Moderate action for trebles?

[roadwarrior]

Well, personally I prefer Medium Power

for everything except jigs and deep diving

crankbaits. Fast Action with a soft tip can

be substituted for Moderate Action. My main

topwater/ jerkbait rod is a St. Croix Avid

AVC70MF. It has a soft tip.

For most crankbaits and especially lipless lures.

the St. Croix Avid AVC70MM is an excellent rod.

For big, deep divers (DD22) I have a Lamiglas

SR705R.

8-)

[oteymc]

That makes sense, thanks.