Do I Need Any Other Type Of Rod?

[Naters]

With the understanding that asking that question on a board like this is like asking a crack head if he needs another hit.......Let's put our practical hats on for a moment.

Here's the rods I have now:

St. Croix Premier 6'6" Med/Heavy power Fast action (w/pflueger supreme)

Berkley Series 1 6"6" Medium Spinning (w/pflueger president)

6' Medium Ugly Stick

Gander Mtn. Guide Series Competitor (baitcast) 6'6" Medium Action

Skyline 5'6" Medium action (rated up to a 1 5/8" lure)

And a couple other junkers that don't really get used.

As told in my other thread, I can't baitcast for crap, and the ugly stick is god awful compared to the first 2, so really I have a hard time using anything other that the St. Croix and Berkley.

My fishing mainly consists of bass and northern pike. I use buzzbaits, spinners, cranks (lipped and lipless), hula poppers, and I've really been getting into soft plastics lately, especially unweighted senko style worms.

I've really got the itch to get another nice setup and can't decide if I want to go with a more technique specific rod, or stick with another "middle of the road" kind of rod like the st. croix/berkley I already have.

One thing that has crossed my mind is to get a good setup for fishing in lillypads/thick cover. The last time I was out fishing I lost a few in the pads because the bass wrapped the line around clumps of lillypads before I could horse him out in time. I'm wondering though if the St. Croix rod I have is ok for that though if I just spool up some heavy braid and not be a sissy with it haha.

Thoughts?

[clayton86]

Id get one over 7' mh spinning or casting to give u more leverage and power to horse them out of the nasty stuff the st croix should be good though with braid if u decide to go that route.

[brushhoggin]

i have a couple of 7'3"-7'6" heavy action rods for deep jig fishin and froggin. depending how much jiggin'/froggin' you do, I may consider some longer, heavy action rods. they're nice to have for swimbaits and bigger spinnerbaits as well.

[flippin and pitchin]

Brushhoggin is spot on. Whether you fish from a boat or shore a power rod is missing.

A 7-3 or 7-6 heavy action will give you several options. You can use that stick for frogs

pitchin, heavy spinnerbaits and jigs. There's something to be said for a rod that allows

you to stick them and then move them. You have a huge number of options out there at

several price points. Good luck !!

[roadwarrior]

You only "need" three rods:

For enthusiasts, technique specific gear is fun

to collect. However, three rigs cover all the

basics:

#1 6 1/2' or 7' MH baitcaster for jigs, some

soft plastics and spinnerbaits

#2 6 1/2' or 7' MM baitcaster for treble hook

lures

#3 7' MF spinning rod for lighter lures and a

variety of techniques

I suggest buying just one rig a year and spending all the money

on the best you can afford. Quality gear will last a lifetime.

[Naters]

You only "need" three rods:

For enthusiasts, technique specific gear is fun

to collect. However, three rigs cover all the

basics:

#1 6 1/2' or 7' MH baitcaster for jigs, some

soft plastics and spinnerbaits

#2 6 1/2' or 7' MM baitcaster for treble hook

lures

#3 7' MF spinning rod for lighter lures and a

variety of techniques

I suggest buying just one rig a year and spending all the money

on the best you can afford. Quality gear will last a lifetime.

I'm thinkin it's gonna be either a heavy pole for thick cover or a moderate action for my crankbaits. My only real option for a heavy pole is a baitcaster right?

[Fat-G]

I agree, you probably need a longer, stiffer rod. Flipping and pitching rods are very versitile as well.

[bassin is addicting]

My only real option for a heavy pole is a baitcaster right?

no.

although some may say yes....

but if you struggle with a baitcaster why punish yourself?

i've got a heavy action BPS Extreme rod and i use it with a 2500 spinning reel and for me it works fine to haul them out of the slop or steer away from laydowns, etc..

yes, the ideal option may be a BC...but you can still accomplish what you need to with a spinning outfit..

imo

[Jig Man]

I need:

a M 6.5' spinning rod for plastics

a MH 6.5' bc for spinnerbaits and light jigs

a MH 7' for 1/2 oz spinnerbaits and medium jigs

a H 7' for 3.4 and 1 oz jigs.

[Packard]

You only "need" three rods:

For enthusiasts, technique specific gear is fun

to collect. However, three rigs cover all the

basics:

#1 6 1/2' or 7' MH baitcaster for jigs, some

soft plastics and spinnerbaits

#2 6 1/2' or 7' MM baitcaster for treble hook

lures

#3 7' MF spinning rod for lighter lures and a

variety of techniques

I suggest buying just one rig a year and spending all the money

on the best you can afford. Quality gear will last a lifetime.

Those are the only 3 I carry on my kayak.

[ChiCityBasser]

I use a Field & Stream Tec Spec 7' MH/F Tube/Rigging spinning rod paired with a Quantum Kinetic spinning reel spooled with 30# braid. It has handled frogs, senkos, fat ikas and weightless flukes and worms very well. It's a versatile and sensitive rod with plenty of backbone. I have a baitcast setup with plenty of backbone as well but fishing from the shore around trees and bushes I prefer the spinning setup.

[Flywatersmallie]

Those are the only 3 I carry on my kayak.

Not me, I carry a 7' MH casting a 6'9" M spinning and a 7'6" H casting on my kayak. I hardly ever throw cranks though and like the option to sneek in and flip a jig into heavy cover.

[Packard]

Not me, I carry a 7' MH casting a 6'9" M spinning and a 7'6" H casting on my kayak. I hardly ever throw cranks though and like the option to sneek in and flip a jig into heavy cover.

How do you flip from a kayak?

[VolFan]

How do you flip from a kayak?

The same way you do from a boat, just sitting down. A long rod with a short handle helps, but you can work with it. It also helps if you're comfortable standing in your kayak, but that cuts down on your stealth and can be a little dicey if you go bill Dance hookset.

Remember: If you fall out, you're no longer a fisherman, you're a swimmer.

[Packard]

The same way you do from a boat, just sitting down. A long rod with a short handle helps, but you can work with it. It also helps if you're comfortable standing in your kayak, but that cuts down on your stealth and can be a little dicey if you go bill Dance hookset.

Remember: If you fall out, you're no longer a fisherman, you're a swimmer.

Good to know.

[Naters]

Well I picked up a Dobyns Champion casting rod yesterday. Just need to figure out what reel I'm gonna put on it. I'm tryin to keep it around $200 or less. I feel like I should get one of the outgoing model Curado's due to the great price and such high praise it gets, but I just can't get over the ugly green color

[Grey Wolf]

Well I picked up a Dobyns Champion casting rod yesterday. Just need to figure out what reel I'm gonna put on it. I'm tryin to keep it around $200 or less. I feel like I should get one of the outgoing model Curado's due to the great price and such high praise it gets, but I just can't get over the ugly green color

You've just got to decide what you want want in a reel. Something that looks good or fishes good.

[ChiCityBasser]

If you can find one at Dick's I would say go for it since it's a really great clearance price. Not a posse fan but hard to beat that price otherwise you might want to try the cabelas prodigy which is made by daiwa and on sale for $60.

[Naters]

You've just got to decide what you want want in a reel. Something that looks good or fishes good.

I hear ya, that's why I keep looking at it but haven't taken the plunge lol