(='_'=) Posted December 3, 2011 Posted December 3, 2011 hey. im relatively new to bass fishing, only took it seriously this past July, so i have been fishing for roughly 5 months.... at first i was using crankbaits and spinnerbaits and was doing well, but with the colder weather im not fishing much anymore, 1 or 2 fish when i used to get 6 or 7 during the same time and at the same lake... so i began reading and i saw that for colder water, soft plastics are preferred... i have tried to fish them a couple of times but i have never caught a fish on a worm... all i have are a couple of fiberglass rods, a MH i use for spinnerbaits and a M i use for cranks... so i would like to get a graphite rod to increase the sensibility and see if thats what i am missing to begin getting fish with worms.... so i thought i would like to get me a not so expensive graphite rod, and saw these All Stars: http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_11798_-1?ICID=CRT:0127-00055-5002 or http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_11551_-1?Ntt=graphite+worm+rod&Ntk=All what do you think?? i know you get what you pay for, but i dont feel like spending 200 for a rod and another 200 for the reel at this point... i would probably couple it with a Quantum reel in the $100 range.... or if you have another suggestion on a better worm rod in the same price range i would appreciate it a lot... thanx!! Quote
CRANKSTER Posted December 3, 2011 Posted December 3, 2011 I have a couple of those allstar rods. Got them on sale for $25. They're not bad but if you're paying full retail and wanting a rod in that price range, I personally would try Academy's H2O Ethos blue rods. Quote
(='_'=) Posted December 3, 2011 Author Posted December 3, 2011 thanx!! im not really set on the All Stars, they are just what i found at Academy... i dont live in the US, but i am making a trip there to spend Christmas so i wanted to visit Academy while im there, its the only outdoors store in El Paso.... the other option is buying online, which would be fine also.... so, do they have the sensitivity needed for worm fishing?? because i dont know if i cant interpret the signals or not, but many times i dont know what am i touching with my crank or spinnerbait... i know im bumping into things, and most of the times i know they are not fish (sometimes i have doubt so i set the hook), but i cant say what am i actually feeling... Quote
38 Super Fan Posted December 3, 2011 Posted December 3, 2011 If you can stretch your budget a little, look at a Falcon Wendlandt currently on sale at *** for $99 TYD. MSRP on most of them is about $190 IIRC, they are a steal at $99. I know it's a bit beyond your price range, but in the long run I think you'd be a lot happier, these rods are excellent. Quote
Super User deep Posted December 3, 2011 Super User Posted December 3, 2011 so, do they have the sensitivity needed for worm fishing?? because i dont know if i cant interpret the signals or not, but many times i dont know what am i touching with my crank or spinnerbait... i know im bumping into things, and most of the times i know they are not fish (sometimes i have doubt so i set the hook), but i cant say what am i actually feeling... Braid, and line watching. Two things that immensely help me when I'm fishing jigs (don't fish plastics a lot, but it's somewhat similar I guess). Quote
SDoolittle Posted December 3, 2011 Posted December 3, 2011 There are nicer rods out there, but those All Stars will work just fine. Quote
Bass_Fanatic Posted December 3, 2011 Posted December 3, 2011 Also look at the Abu Garcia Vendetta. Its a great rod that you can occasionly find for $50 Quote
catchnm Posted December 4, 2011 Posted December 4, 2011 Those are some fine rods you've chosen and I have fished several models of them in the past. In fact, they are some of the most sensitive on the market in that price range. The 6'6" model would be best for you at this point I think. You'll have better control of worms and plastic craws ( which I also recommend) as a beginner plastics fisherman. While you're at it and shopping at Academy give this reel a try instead of the one you mentioned............H20 Xpress. I promise you will not be disappointed. This set up at about $100 retail will rival most $200-$250 setups out there. Also try some Rage Tail Craws and Lizards. Inexpensive jigs using the Rage Tail Craws or Chunks as trailers would be awesome this time of year. If the water temp is really cold (relative to your location) try switching your jig trailer to a Paca Chunk or Craw or a single tail 3" grub or.....even a Senko type bait.....yep, wondrously effective in colder water. Let us know which outfit you set up and your results. Bent rods and Stretched Lines........catchnm. Quote
Super User Fishes in trees Posted December 5, 2011 Super User Posted December 5, 2011 When All Star was an independent rod company, they were great rods. They were very sensitive. Made in USA - Lifetime Warranty - Competitive pricing - best return policy in the industry, what's not to like. I still fish my 6'6" All Star WR1 and my 6'10" All Star SJ1 quite a bit. At one point, all of my tournament rods, and the majority of my other rods were All Stars. Fast forward to several years ago, Shakespeare bought the brand, rods were made overseas (not that I have any issue with that, many of the rods I like to fish with were made overseas). They refused to honor the previous lifetime warranties unless you jumped through alot of hoops. (Do you know anyone who still has the sales slip from a 5 year old rod?) Anyway their current return policy sucks, the customer service reps you talk to on the phone are snarky and not very knowledgeable. I wouldn't buy another All Star rod on a bet. All this being said, bottom line is you're looking at getting a $50 rod. With a $50 rod, you get what you pay for. Some of them last a long time, others don't. All I know is I've had several bad experiences with All Star (aka Shakespears) customer service and I won't deal with them in the future - ever. Quote
(='_'=) Posted December 6, 2011 Author Posted December 6, 2011 thanx!! i decided to invest a little more and get me a Falcon Bucoo instead... a friend of mine recommended that rod to me, its going for $100 on *** and 130 with microguides, but for only 80 at Academy, so i will get that one in 7', Heavy. what do you think?? i would have gotten the Falcon Wendland but they didnt have a Heavy rod, only MH.... also, regarding the reels, how do you adjust the centrifugal brake pin system?? the 2 quantums i have (Code and KVD from Bass Pro) have a knob on the left side of the reel. the Code has only 4 positions, the KVD has 10... but the H2O reel someone mentioned here, which has a lot of good reviews in several pages, has a 6 pin centrifugal brake system.... how does that works?? i read something about having to take out the side plate to adjust it... seems slow and not practical to me... is it easy?? thanx!! Quote
tstone Posted December 6, 2011 Posted December 6, 2011 For soft plastics, unless your flipping or punching heavy cover, you shouldn't need a heavy rod. I use a 7' MH Fast for my t-rigged soft plastics. Quote
(='_'=) Posted December 6, 2011 Author Posted December 6, 2011 thanx. i dont really know how to fish plastics, let alone jigs, but i want to learn and i was told a 7' graphite rod heavy would serve both purposes, as i dont really want to get 2 setups for 2 techniques i want to learn.... so, would a MH work better for both jigs and weedless plastics?? Quote
Bass_Fanatic Posted December 6, 2011 Posted December 6, 2011 If you fish heavy cover I would opt for the Heavy rod, but for most uses of plastics and 3/8 oz jigs, a MH/F will serve you well. Quote
38 Super Fan Posted December 6, 2011 Posted December 6, 2011 thanx!! i decided to invest a little more and get me a Falcon Bucoo instead... a friend of mine recommended that rod to me, its going for $100 on *** and 130 with microguides, but for only 80 at Academy, so i will get that one in 7', Heavy. what do you think?? i would have gotten the Falcon Wendland but they didnt have a Heavy rod, only MH.... also, regarding the reels, how do you adjust the centrifugal brake pin system?? the 2 quantums i have (Code and KVD from Bass Pro) have a knob on the left side of the reel. the Code has only 4 positions, the KVD has 10... but the H2O reel someone mentioned here, which has a lot of good reviews in several pages, has a 6 pin centrifugal brake system.... how does that works?? i read something about having to take out the side plate to adjust it... seems slow and not practical to me... is it easy?? thanx!! I wouldn't pass up the Wendlandt for a bucoo, especially at nearly the same price. The Wendlandt is a Cara blank, that's Falcons best blank, same guides as a Cara as well. TW still has the 6'6 MH all purpose Wendlandt, it's a great worm rod IMO, that's primarily what I use mine for, seems like a MH should be plenty. Quote
(='_'=) Posted December 6, 2011 Author Posted December 6, 2011 thanx!! so for plastics and jigs, you would prefer the 6'6" MH Wendlandt over the 7' H Bucoo?? i thought i needed a H to help me with the hooksets, specially on weedless worms and also to bend the weedguard on jigs... i have a couple fo 3/8 and 1/2 jigs i plan on using with the same rod.... Quote
38 Super Fan Posted December 6, 2011 Posted December 6, 2011 thanx!! so for plastics and jigs, you would prefer the 6'6" MH Wendlandt over the 7' H Bucoo?? i thought i needed a H to help me with the hooksets, specially on weedless worms and also to bend the weedguard on jigs... i have a couple fo 3/8 and 1/2 jigs i plan on using with the same rod.... Yes, like BF said, unless you're in heavy cover, MH is fine, good hooksets won't be a problem. The Wendlandt is also a better rod, very sensitive. Quote
(='_'=) Posted December 6, 2011 Author Posted December 6, 2011 ok, so, there are 3 wendlandts to choose from... one is a 6'6" MH, another a 7' M, and the last one a 7' MH.... which one would you choose for plastics?? the 7' MH says its for Deep Cranks, while the 6'6" MH says All Around... my other rods are 6'6" and i feel comfortable with them, would a 7' be an advantage for having more leverage or something?? Quote
38 Super Fan Posted December 6, 2011 Posted December 6, 2011 ok, so, there are 3 wendlandts to choose from... one is a 6'6" MH, another a 7' M, and the last one a 7' MH.... which one would you choose for plastics?? the 7' MH says its for Deep Cranks, while the 6'6" MH says All Around... my other rods are 6'6" and i feel comfortable with them, would a 7' be an advantage for having more leverage or something?? The All Purpose would be best for your intended use because of the fast tip. 1 Quote
(='_'=) Posted December 6, 2011 Author Posted December 6, 2011 thanx... could you elaborate on the tips?? i know more or less about the power, M, Mh, and H, i dont know exactly when to use which one, as you can see, but i know the difference... i have a M and a MH and i can definitely tell the diference between them.... however, i dont know about the tips... thanx! Quote
catchnm Posted December 6, 2011 Posted December 6, 2011 The 6'10" Wendlandt is the best for your lure choices I believe. I just purchased one and it seems to be a perfect soft plastics/light jig rod. I haven't got it wet yet but it sure feels nice. I aso got the 7' MH version and it is a bit slower at the tip. Here's a couple links on the difference between fast and slow tips..........Rods 1 Rods 2 Another thing is that on most rods, especially in the price ranges you're talking about, the 6'6" MH will be a bit stiffer than the 7' MH. But as has been recommended, a MH should serve you well. Quote
38 Super Fan Posted December 6, 2011 Posted December 6, 2011 The 6'10" Wendlandt is the best for your lure choices I believe. I just purchased one and it seems to be a perfect soft plastics/light jig rod. I haven't got it wet yet but it sure feels nice. I aso got the 7' MH version and it is a bit slower at the tip. Here's a couple links on the difference between fast and slow tips..........Rods 1 Rods 2 Another thing is that on most rods, especially in the price ranges you're talking about, the 6'6" MH will be a bit stiffer than the 7' MH. But as has been recommended, a MH should serve you well. Yeah the finese jig model would be perfect, but TW sold out of them. I've got the finese jig and all purpose and I think they're fairly close. Quote
catchnm Posted December 6, 2011 Posted December 6, 2011 Yeah the finese jig model would be perfect, but TW sold out of them. I've got the finese jig and all purpose and I think they're fairly close. Yea I just noticed that. Glad I got one of them before they were gone. In that case I'd recommend the 6'6" of this rod over the 7'MH. Especially for plastics and jigs. Quote
(='_'=) Posted December 7, 2011 Author Posted December 7, 2011 thanx a lot for your input.... just another question... what would be the drawbacks or negative effects i could have if i get the Heavy VS the MH?? the thing is that I have to purchase Online, and neither Academy nor *** will accept my Mexican credit card. so i will ask a friend for her US card, but i would like to use it only once, so i need to get everything from the same store. or in case i cannot purchase online, i will be forced to wait until Dec. 25 when i will be at Academy of El Paso and buy directly on the store. but the online Academy webpage only shows this as a wendlandt: http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_11619_-1?Ntt=wendlandt&Ntk=All it is MH with extra fast tip, and it is $50 more than the Bucoo, which is also something to consider.... so in case i am forced to get the bucoo 7' H, what would be the negative effects?? or what should i take special notice or care more about?? thanx!! Quote
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