Glass rods, is there a big difference from graphite?

[Mich. St8 Spartan]

I am thinking of getting a glass rod for crankbaits and spooks.  Never used one before, is there a major difference between a glass rod and a graphite one?  I know they are less sensitive, thus better for treble hooks, but is there a learning curve with one?  Thanks for the help.

[Hellbenderman]

A few years back, I broke both my much revered very old Eagle Claw fiber glass cranking rods. Sniff. To replace them, I first bought a Loomis MBR 843C IMX, and immediately started losing fish, too stiff. This was not the fault of the rod, which I now use for heavy jigs, rippin weeds with lipless, etc., and it is a great rod, but too stiff for cranks. When Loomis came out with their specialty rods, I bought a Crank Bait Rod...CBR-843, medium, 7 foot, and immediately stopped losing fish. I found the "medium" to be a bit light for some of the deepest running cranks with a lot of resistance, so I bought a CBR-906, Med-Heavy 7'6". These are great crank bait rods. I will never go back to a glass rod. You can't go wrong with one of these, period. Yes, they are expensive. That's what Christmas and birthdays are for!

[iceintheveins]

I always use glass or a mix of glass/graphite for any fast moving lure or any with trebles, such as cranks, spinnerbaits, and just about all topwaters except frogs. Glass just has a slower action and more flex to help keep hard running fish hooked.

[21farms]

yes, there's quite a bit of difference between glass and graphite but i don't think there's much of a learning curve moving to crankin' with glass. when i switched, the first thing i noticed was how "dead" a glass rod felt in comparison to graphite...i was hating it UNTIL i started noticing that my hookup ratio jumped probably 300 percent. dramatically fewer short strikes. even better, no more lost fish! i kid you not, when i was crankin' with my graphite rods, my chances of getting the fish into the boat with graphite was 50-50 at best; with glass, i have lost only one fish in last three years!

[baluga]

What iceintheveins said.!

Graphite rod w/ Glass tip, You'll get the best of both worlds, the light weight and sensitivity of graphite and the slow action of glass rod.

the only reason i stay away from Glass rod is the weight, its just heavy for me.  The Graphite rod w/ Glass tip is a good option.

[flippin and pitchin]

There is a huge difference. Glass blanks are large diameter thin wall blanks and generally have a fast taper. Graphite blanks are generally a smaller diameter, thicker wall with a more gradual taper. Graphite blanks that have that slower parabolic flex and a slower reaction are thinner walled. Composite blanks marry glass tips to graphite butt sections and they can be a bit lighter and a somewhat more sensitive. Glass is less dense than graphite so it does not transmit vibration as well but high quality glass is surprisingly sensitive. That slower action and broader flex makes for a rod that acts as a shock absorber and really helps treble hooked baits from tearing out of a fish's tissue. Glass rods are easy to cast because they load so well. Heavy ? My Lamiglas XL705G weighs on my digital scale at 5.6 ounces. The SR705R weighs 5.4 ounces. A Fenwick Elite Tech composite spinnerbait rod weighed in at 5.8 OZ and a Mojo spinnerbait rod weighed 5.2 ounces and finally a Loomis 7' CBR rod weighed at 4.6 ounces. I hope this sheds some light and helps you in your selection.

[baluga]

There is a huge difference. Glass blanks are large diameter thin wall blanks and generally have a fast taper. Graphite blanks are generally a smaller diameter, thicker wall with a more gradual taper. Graphite blanks that have that slower parabolic flex and a slower reaction are thinner walled. Composite blanks marry glass tips to graphite butt sections and they can be a bit lighter and a somewhat more sensitive. Glass is less dense than graphite so it does not transmit vibration as well but high quality glass is surprisingly sensitive. That slower action and broader flex makes for a rod that acts as a shock absorber and really helps treble hooked baits from tearing out of a fish's tissue. Glass rods are easy to cast because they load so well. Heavy ? My Lamiglas XL705G weighs on my digital scale at 5.6 ounces. The SR705R weighs 5.4 ounces. A Fenwick Elite Tech composite spinnerbait rod weighed in at 5.8 OZ and a Mojo spinnerbait rod weighed 5.2 ounces and finally a Loomis 7' CBR rod weighed at 4.6 ounces. I hope this sheds some light and helps you in your selection.

Yes, 5+ oz is heavy. 4.0oz and below is light weight for me. You'll the feel the big difference after working the spook walk-the-dog for hours. Your wrist will be thanking you for using a sub 4 oz rod.

Comparing the Glass rod with Graphite rod with the same rating, the Glass rod will be heavier. Some of the rods I consider light weight are the Phenix rod: Ultra MBX700H = 3.7oz, another would be the Cumara reaction, CUC7MH = 3.9oz.

But back to the original poster, Slower rod tip action is great for working the spook, more chances of landing that fish.

     

[roadwarrior]

Glass:

For deep divers, Lamiglas SR705R is THE BOMB!

Graphite:

For medium weight lures, St. Croix AVC70MM.

8-)

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

It is the slower action that is preferable for fishing treble lures. This is available in both glass and graphite rods. Fiberglass is heavier than graphite which accounts for less sensitivity. Glass also is more flexible and thus forgiving when a fish makes a last run right at the boat for example.

The SR705 is the best of both worlds IMO.

[21farms]

My Lamiglas XL705G weighs on my digital scale at 5.6 ounces. The SR705R weighs 5.4 ounces.

hey f&p, do you have both? if so, you can share how they compare? there's lots of rumors that the blanks are the same and so i'm curious.

[21farms]

Yes, 5+ oz is heavy. 4.0oz and below is light weight for me.

Some of the rods I consider light weight are the Phenix rod: Ultra MBX700H = 3.7oz, another would be the Cumara reaction, CUC7MH = 3.9oz.

baluga, i'm afraid you lost me a little bit here. 4.0 oz. and below would be light in anyone's book. but, with the unique exception of the cumara reaction, you're comparing apples to oranges. yesall else being equala graphite rod will be lighter than a glass rod but i don't think the differences are as great as you're making them out to be. i have a few 4.0 oz. and under rods but none of them are well-suited for crankin'. one of the most highly regarded graphite crankin' rods, the g.loomis CBR-845C, still comes in at 4.6 ounces. there are also exceptions to the rule too: the dobyns 704CB graphite is 0.2 oz. heavier than the dobyns 704CB glass.

[baluga]

Yes, 5+ oz is heavy. 4.0oz and below is light weight for me.

Some of the rods I consider light weight are the Phenix rod: Ultra MBX700H = 3.7oz, another would be the Cumara reaction, CUC7MH = 3.9oz.

baluga, i'm afraid you lost me a little bit here. 4.0 oz. and below would be light in anyone's book. but, with the unique exception of the cumara reaction, you're comparing apples to oranges. yesall else being equala graphite rod will be lighter than a glass rod but i don't think the differences are as great as you're making them out to be. i have a few 4.0 oz. and under rods but none of them are well-suited for crankin'. one of the most highly regarded graphite crankin' rods, the g.loomis CBR-845C, still comes in at 4.6 ounces. there are also exceptions to the rule too: the dobyns 704CB graphite is 0.2 oz. heavier than the dobyns 704CB glass.

I believe you missed the part where I mentioned that a sub 4oz rod is best for spook walk-the-dog. Walk-the-dog action puts a lot of strain in the wrist and using a heavier rod is not ideal.

[Mich. St8 Spartan]

I appreciate the responses.  I purchased a Powell Max Spook-Trap Glass rod (CB705ST) but have not received it yet.  I love fishing with a Spook and 1/2oz red-eyed sexy shad.  When I use it I will let you know what my opinion of it is.  The only concern I have with having not used a glass rod before is how will I react with a more "spongy" rod.  I assume it will take some getting used to. 

[SoFlaBassAddict]

It'll take a little getting used to, but you'll be surprised how quickly you pick up on it.

[flippin and pitchin]

My Lamiglas XL705G weighs on my digital scale at 5.6 ounces. The SR705R weighs 5.4 ounces.

hey f&p, do you have both? if so, you can share how they compare? there's lots of rumors that the blanks are the same and so i'm curious.

Yes I own both.  I have not seen the Excel glass rod built and don't work for Lamiglas.  BUT,  I did mic the blanks as best as I could and would you believe they have the same diameters at 30 inches, 48 inches and 66 inches.  I placed both rods side by side and did a press flex check and the arc of the flex is as close to the same as I can tell.  The placement of the guides is slightly different and the guides them selves are different and that will or should alter the flex slightly I would think.  I honestly cannot tell the difference between the two blanks even though the SR705 has a fore grip and different guide placement.  I have fished the Excel ( I have two ) since March for all my cranking and like them just fine.  I have not tried the glass for spooks because I have an older Certified Pro XC704 that has worked really well for me.  I'm open to experimentation though.  That's the fun of this sport.

I hope the OP shares his thoughts after he gets his Powell.  Powell makes a very fine rod and I hope he likes it and the benefits of glass.

[flippin and pitchin]

Let me qualify the weight issue and i'll shut up.  I made several comparisons because the scale I used is a cheap import but I used the same scale for each rod.  If I need to lighten up the load on the old wrist for a day of casting, I can take my watch off, it weighs 2.8 ounces.

[WVBassHunter]

I am not trying to hijack this thread...but....

I have always fished with the good ol' ugly stick 6' Med action spinning rod.  I have used it for everything from spooks to cranks to spinners.

Some know I started a thread a few months ago looking for a new rod between Loomis and St. Croix.  I have settled on a Croix but my concern now after reading all this...will I not be able to do all I was doing before with good success?  Or am I over thinking it?  I was looking at the St. Croix Avid spinning 6'6" Med.

Thanks!

[baluga]

Let me qualify the weight issue and i'll shut up. I made several comparisons because the scale I used is a cheap import but I used the same scale for each rod. If I need to lighten up the load on the old wrist for a day of casting, I can take my watch off, it weighs 2.8 ounces.

The strain in the wrist when working the spook walk-the-dog is not due to casting all day. Its due to snapping the rod down with your wrist to swing the lure side to side. The strain is specifically in the wrist joint so removing your 2.8 oz watch does not really help

[21farms]

I believe you missed the part where I mentioned that a sub 4oz rod is best for spook walk-the-dog.

gotcha...you're right, i did miss that. thanks.

[21farms]

Yes I own both. I have not seen the Excel glass rod built and don't work for Lamiglas. BUT, I did mic the blanks as best as I could and would you believe they have the same diameters at 30 inches, 48 inches and 66 inches. I placed both rods side by side and did a press flex check and the arc of the flex is as close to the same as I can tell. The placement of the guides is slightly different and the guides them selves are different and that will or should alter the flex slightly I would think. I honestly cannot tell the difference between the two blanks even though the SR705 has a fore grip and different guide placement. I have fished the Excel ( I have two ) since March for all my cranking and like them just fine. I have not tried the glass for spooks because I have an older Certified Pro XC704 that has worked really well for me. I'm open to experimentation though. That's the fun of this sport.

I hope the OP shares his thoughts after he gets his Powell. Powell makes a very fine rod and I hope he likes it and the benefits of glass.

f&p, thanks for the info! it confirms what i've heard and my own limited impressions at the store comparing the SR705R and XL705G side-by-side. the last time i checked, i saw that the XL705 glass was now also available in a full grip too. i absolutely love my lamiglas XCF705R and SR705R (both identical except for the color of the blank and a slight difference in the contouring of the cork grips) and would have to believe the excel-version is the best buy in this price range for a crankin' rod.

i've been thinking about the powell spook/trap rod too and probably would have pulled the trigger on one if i didn't already have a gazillion rods. i tend to prefer a faster tip for walking spooks and that's what powell rod seems to have.

[Mich. St8 Spartan]

My Lamiglas XL705G weighs on my digital scale at 5.6 ounces. The SR705R weighs 5.4 ounces.

hey f&p, do you have both? if so, you can share how they compare? there's lots of rumors that the blanks are the same and so i'm curious.

Yes I own both. I have not seen the Excel glass rod built and don't work for Lamiglas. BUT, I did mic the blanks as best as I could and would you believe they have the same diameters at 30 inches, 48 inches and 66 inches. I placed both rods side by side and did a press flex check and the arc of the flex is as close to the same as I can tell. The placement of the guides is slightly different and the guides them selves are different and that will or should alter the flex slightly I would think. I honestly cannot tell the difference between the two blanks even though the SR705 has a fore grip and different guide placement. I have fished the Excel ( I have two ) since March for all my cranking and like them just fine. I have not tried the glass for spooks because I have an older Certified Pro XC704 that has worked really well for me. I'm open to experimentation though. That's the fun of this sport.

I hope the OP shares his thoughts after he gets his Powell. Powell makes a very fine rod and I hope he likes it and the benefits of glass.

Well I finally got to use the new Powell rod today. I have to say I absolutely LOVED it . The rod took very little to get used to and it handled better than I thought. It is light, comfortable, accurate, sensitive, I did not lose one fish, and I felt very little fatigue after an 8 hour tournament (used it almost the entire day). The rod is nice for ripping the bait out of grass and weeds (good backbone) and you can make nice, long casts. If you are in the market for a new fiberglass rod I would suggest this one. I was throwing a 1/2 oz. sexy shad today but have not used it with a spook yet (the rod is made for throwing spooks and traps).

The only thing I do not like about the rod is that it only has 2 double footed guides (out of nine) but that is something minor. I have teamed the rod with an Abu Garcia Revo STX. What a great combo.

[flippin and pitchin]

Sounds like you are a happy camper.  That's great !  Give that glass rod a try with your diving cranks when the opportunity presents itself.  The Lamiglas rods run 3 double foot and 6 singles for guides. The less guide weight, wrap and epoxy on the upper blank the better.  Glad to hear things worked out.

[Mich. St8 Spartan]

Sounds like you are a happy camper. That's great ! Give that glass rod a try with your diving cranks when the opportunity presents itself. The Lamiglas rods run 3 double foot and 6 singles for guides. The less guide weight, wrap and epoxy on the upper blank the better. Glad to hear things worked out.

Never thought about that.  Good point.