T-Rig Plastics Rod Question

[FishnBen]

So, after doing a ton of research, it seems like most everyong prefers a rod for throwing plastics is 6'6"-7', and either MH or H. Personally, I have been using a cheap All Star rod that's 6'6" MH for all of my t-rigged plastics, for the last 2 years. It was pretty obvious that I could upgrade to a rod with better sensitivity, and while my hook-up ratio was pretty good, I felt that if I got a bit longer rod (which is no problem for me, I'm 6'2") it would help me pick up more line on my hook-sets, thus obviously catching more fish. So this winter I found a very good deal at my local Cabelas on their XMLti rods with Recoil guides, and picked up the 7'6" MH model for my plastics. Feels great in my hands and balances well with my Revo S.

My question is this....why do so many people opt for 6'6" to 7' rods when there is such a craze in the "longer is better" for rods? I'm not mocking that saying, because I actually agree with it and prefer longer rods. I'm just curious why when I look up preferences on plastic rods, most people are saying 7' and less, and when we talk about flipping rods and their benefits, most prefer a 7'4" to 8' rod.

Please notice i said MOST. I know some guys flip with 6'6" H rods....I just don't happen to be one of them.

[Carrington]

honestly, i feel that 7' to 7'6 is good for soft plastics and also who told you to get a rod thats mh to heavy.  that seems more suited for flipping and pitching.  my soft plastic rod is 7'2 medium fast. 

[Carrington]

by the way i wasnt sure if you said you will be pitching or flipping these plastics or just casting them into lighter cover.  i usually cast into lighter cover with the setup i stated above.

[FishnBen]

No one really told me that I won't need a M powered rod, I just know I need a MH or H because I flip into everything I can. But I also like to cast plastics off the first break and fish brushpiles in 8-14 FOW.

[Carrington]

for casting, a medium rod in my experience will help you cast lighter lures farther and i think it is just a superior rod for lighter cover than a medium heave to heavy rod.

[tnbassfisher]

Like you were, I use a 6'6" Medium All Star G40X rod for my soft plastics. Personally, I feel that a 7'6" rod is more suited for flipping, especially in a heavy model.

[BassThumb]

I prefer to use 7'5", 7'6", and 7'11" MH and H rods for my T Rigs and jigs, but a shorter rod gives a different feel. I could see how some would prefer it. With a 6'6" rod, you have to work the rod a little more to give the bait action than you would with a 7'6", and it feels to me like you have more precise control over the action of the lure. With a longer rod, you barely have to twitch the rod it seems to get the T-Rig to hop 6". It takes a little getting used to when you start using long rods for jigging and worming. This is the same reason why I feel most comfortable using a 6' spin rod for shaky worms, because I feel I have a little better control and it's easier to keep the action subtle.

[Bayou Bass]

A bunch of folks down here use 6'6" rods for almost all their rods.  We fish skinny bayous with lots of overhanging cypress tress and it can get tight at times.  I prefer 7ft rods or longer but I pitch or flip 95% of the time when I fish skinny water.  Most the folks I know who use shorter rods tend to cast sidearm in these situations. 

[GatorNation]

I fish mostly soft plastics (worms) and all my rods are MH.  So you guys are saying I'd have better accuracy and casting distance with a M rod?

[tbird]

I fish mostly soft plastics (worms) and all my rods are MH. So you guys are saying I'd have better accuracy and casting distance with a M rod?

You can answer your own question..try casting a Finesse worm accurately with a 3/16oz weight. IMO the medium rods excell in the 1/8oz-1/4oz range + some.If you want to throw 3/8oz-3/4oz baits a MH would fit the bill. This is how I fish

T

[bigfruits]

depending on lure weight i use:

bsr852 - medium, 7'1", XF

bcr803 - med/heavy, 6'8", XF

mbr844c - heavy, 7', F

[SoFlaBassAddict]

My t-rigs and plastics rod is a 6'9" MH Xfast.  I can use 1/4oz with no issues with it at all.  If I go any lighter, I'll swap over to my 6'6" or 7' spinning rod.

[I.rar]

i throw them on a 6' M/F BC rig or a 6'6 MH/F bc rig.

[Catt]

I use a Shimano Crucial CRC-X610MH, Length: 6' 10", Lure Weight: 3/8-3/4, Line Weight: 10-20 lbs. Extra Fast Action for every thing from a wacky rig to 1/2 oz. Texas Rig.

[Lucky Craft Man]

I think the rod, length, and power are all based on what type of lure you are fishing and what type of cover.  I use a 6'8" long rod with Medium power for lighter soft plastics in light to moderate cover.  I have a 7'1" long rod that is medium heavy in power for heavier plastics in medium to heavier cover.  I have a 7'11" broom stick for heavy plastics in really heavy cover.  All three rods I use exclusively for soft plastics, but each has a specific purpose.  So it comes down to your need, preference, and comfort in my humble opinion.

[Raul]

Most of my rods are 6 ', a couple of 5 '6", a couple of 6 '6", why ? cuz it 's either the brush or the too small of a watercraft what stops me from fishing longer than that, at even 6' 6" them extra 6" are dangerously close to the biggest animal in the lake ( my compadre ).

[David P]

I throw plastics on 7'3 - 8ft rods and can't stand going shorter. Height really doesn't play much of a role, as I have a few buddies under 5'6 that use 8fters with no problem.

Having said that, get what's comfortable. 7'3-7'6 really isn't THAT long, and picks up considerably more line on hook sets. It REALLY helps fishing in deeper water, 20ft+.

[RoLo]

As the replies to this post clearly show, rod-length is a matter of personal preference.

Rod lengths run the gamut from 5-1/2 to 7-1/2 feet, however based on physics (not opinion),

the shorter rod offers more benefits than the longer rod.

In my opinion, the ideal compromise is a 6' 6" rod

which will serve all bases and leave no cause for regret.

Roger

[GatorBait]

all i can say is mbr783c