Smoker Posted March 13, 2007 Posted March 13, 2007 I am looking into getting a new stick strictly for fishing 3"-4" tubes for Smallmouth. Most of my fishing will be done in rivers but occasionally will be fishing lakes. Any recommendations on a good rod for this? Was looking at St. Croix rods in particular. Quote
Deuceu72 Posted March 13, 2007 Posted March 13, 2007 Cant really go wrong with a St. Croix........I'm sure RW will have an opinion on this but for me personally, I prefer a 6'6" medium/ fast action rod for Smallies..........You might look at the Avid series from St Croix or the G loomis Bronzeback edition rods but they are a bit pricey.... ;D ;D Quote
squid Posted March 13, 2007 Posted March 13, 2007 FIRST OFF, I'D LIKE TO SAY WELCOME ABOARD. I HAVE ALL SHIMANO'S, SO TO GIVE YOU A GOOD IDEA ON THE TYPE OF ROD TO USE....EH...I AM NOT THE EXPERT. BUT, I USE A 7' LIGHT AND MED RODS. MY LINE CHOICE IN WHERE I FISH IS 4-8LB TEST LINE. SINCE I DON'T DO MUCH RIVER FISHING...WOULD BE HARD FOR ME TO GIVE ADVISE IN THIS AREA...YOU WILL GET SOME GREAT RIVER FISHING ADVISE THOUGH...SO JUST BE PATIENT. SQUID Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted March 13, 2007 Super User Posted March 13, 2007 Welcome aboard! You don't need a different rod if you are already fishing soft plastics for largemouth. My preference is spinning tackle for this lure category. The general parameters I would suggest are: 6 1/2' or 7" MF with a firm tip.The St.Croix Avid AS66MF or AS70MF matched with a Shimano Stradic 1000 or 2500FH and #6 Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft would make a nice package. If you want to kick it up a notch, my dedicated soft plastics rig is a St.Croix Legend Elite ES70MF/ Shimano Stella 2500FB. Quote
justfishin Posted March 13, 2007 Posted March 13, 2007 I won't go into brands, thats up to you. I have not found the perfect smallie rod yet, close, but no cigar. My perfect smallie rod, if I ever get time to put one together is --- Lure wt : 1/8-1/2 Line: #8-#15 test rating Medium with a Xtra fast action 6' 6" Quote
wvubassfan Posted March 13, 2007 Posted March 13, 2007 Just curious on why you want the extra fast action all of mine are fast and I have no problems Quote
justfishin Posted March 13, 2007 Posted March 13, 2007 Fast is good. Most of mine are fast. I just like the feel of the Xtra fast on the hook set, thats all. Quote
Super User Grey Wolf Posted March 13, 2007 Super User Posted March 13, 2007 WELCOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote
alanmikkelsen Posted March 14, 2007 Posted March 14, 2007 I won't go into brands, thats up to you. I have not found the perfect smallie rod yet, close, but no cigar. My perfect smallie rod, if I ever get time to put one together is --- Lure wt : 1/8-1/2 Line: #8-#15 test rating Medium with a Xtra fast action 6' 6" That describes a couple of Shimano Compre's that I have to a t. CPC-X66MB, medium power, extra fast, 8-17, 1/8-1/2oz. Mine is are sitting under a couple of Shimano Calcutta 151's. ;)I also have a couple of Compre spinning rods, CPS-70MB that I really like, medium, fast, 6-12, with a couple of Catalyst PTi 20's. BTW, about 90% of my smallie fishing is river. Jet's rule, if you ain't hittin bottom, you ain't jet boatin! Quote
justfishin Posted March 14, 2007 Posted March 14, 2007 Yes, I have seen some spinning rods that came close to what I wanted. The reason I settled on these criteria for a smallie spinning rod is because a few years ago Dicks had some Pinnacle Tri-Wings on sale so I bought two just to try them. Both were six foot and met the criteria I had described. Even though they were inexpensive rods , they were sweet for smallies, other than being a 6' rod. I like a 6'6" or 7' rod. They still make them under the name of SPX3's , I think. The 6'6" does not have the same criteria. I am going to buy some blanks if I can find them and build a few if I ever get some time. Seems I have none nowadays. If anyone was looking for a inexpensive ( 60.00 ) smallmouth rod that is 6', I would highly recommend them. www.silstar.com Quote
mikel7 Posted March 15, 2007 Posted March 15, 2007 I LIKE A 6' FOR SHORT ACCURATE CASTING LIKE IN THE RIVER. I LIKE A 6'6" FOR LAKES BOTH M H . I ALSO THINK HIGH DOLLAR RODS ARE OVER RATED. NOW THAT'S JUST MY OPINION LORD KNOWS I AM NO EXPERT. Quote
Smoker Posted March 15, 2007 Author Posted March 15, 2007 Thank you very much for all the info guys. To be honest the only spinning rod I have ever owned for bass is a 7' Med action bass pro shops stick, but I am looking to upgrade. Most of my fishing is Steelhead but I have always enjoyed catching Smallies as well. Going to go check out some St. Croix Avids and some All Star rods as well. Any input on All Star's Platinum series of rods? Thanks again guys... Quote
Super User MickD Posted March 18, 2007 Super User Posted March 18, 2007 Buy the best rod you can afford, I really do believe you for the most part get what you pay for in rods. In spinning, the rod is more important than the reel, so stretch a bit on the rod. I would go 7 foot for river bass-I like the extra length for maneuvering the tubes on retrieve, and especially if wading. For a boat or canoe, the extra 6 " of length is less important. I have the Legend Elite 7 footer mentioned earlier, as does my son, and we love it. Since I made the rods myself, the price was about 40% less than retail (and with better guides). I also have a mid level Loomis that costs a lot less than the Legend, and seems to me to be as light and responsive (guess that conflicts a little with getting what you pay for- but Loomis and St Croix make some really great rods) Quote
Captain Hook Posted April 8, 2007 Posted April 8, 2007 I've had really good luck using a 6'6" Fenwick HMG graphite medium light rod (Okuma Stinson reel)...from my boat, lake fishing. I also do a LOT of live bait fishing...minnows, crayfish, worms,etc... Quote
M_Fields. Posted April 10, 2007 Posted April 10, 2007 Welcome to the forum, For fishing for smallie's with tubes and such, I would recommend a 6' medium action rod. I like the G. Loomis GL3 model with a 1000 Stradic for what you are asking. I rigg it with 6 or 8 lb line. It is also a very useful rod that can be used for other things. M_Fields Quote
ROCKETRICEFARMER Posted June 6, 2007 Posted June 6, 2007 G-loomis makes a rod called the bronze back that is made for small mouth Quote
dolomieu Posted June 8, 2007 Posted June 8, 2007 I use a 7' ML St Croix Avid spinning rod and a Shimano Stradic w/ 6 or 8 lb test. I fish a lot of 3.5"tubes and this rod has excellent feel. There's nothing funner than fighting a 4lb small on this combo! Quote
TOYOTAGUY2006 Posted June 19, 2007 Posted June 19, 2007 I HAVE A G-LOOMIS 6'3" MEDIUM ROD WITH A QUANTUM PTI20 ENERGY WITH 8LB TRILENE AND I LOVE IT ITS A AWESOME SETUP FOR MONSTER SMALLIES IN THE LAKE FROM A BOAT OR FROM SHORE IF YOU WANT A AWESOME SETUP FOR ABOUT 350 OR 400 BUCKS THIS IS THE WAY TO GO Quote
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