Fewest Number of Rods

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by P.J. Koshi on April 16, 2013 at 1:20pm

I'll give you my opinion.  I try to be a minimalist when I can, but I would say that you cannot get away with any less than 3 rods for all those applications.  One spinning rod and 2 casting rods.  One casting rod can fish a jig, spinnerbait, and worms.  One spinning rod can do dropshot and light jigs or other lighter line techniques.  The other casting rod would be for treble hook baits like crankbaits, jerkbaits, and topwaters.

Permalink Reply by Josh Potter on April 16, 2013 at 1:28pm

I would rather have more rods to fish of less quality than fewer rods of high quality.

 

You can buy a NRX drop shot rod for $400 or a shimano for $89, you can't fish a crankbait on either one.

You catch my drift?

Permalink Reply by Kevin Higgins on April 16, 2013 at 1:31pm

You could get by with an all purpose 6'9"-7' Med-Hvy 8-17lb line 1/4-3/4 oz casting rod for the crankbait, topwater, jig, spinner/buzzbait. Just slap some 12lb test on and it will be good for most situations you will run into in Washington. Obviously there will always be line types and rods that might do a better job for a specific technique based on the situation you are fishing. But if you are trying to keep things simple and in budget thats what i would go with. My personal favorite all purpose rod fitting those specs is made by Kistler but im sure other manufacturers make comparable rods. 

As for the drop shot you will be best off with a rig dedicated solely to this technique. Think high sensitivity and light tackle. There is plenty of discussion on this site about what drop shot rig is best so i wont go into that.

It wouldnt hurt to have a third rod set up for punching in and around heavy cover. I like to run a 7'4" hvy with braid and a revo winch also use this for throwing a frog when im feeling froggy. 

That aught to get you started out.

Permalink Reply by larry johnson on April 16, 2013 at 3:04pm

Thank you..I'm very impressed by the fast and very informative responses!  FYI, my minimalist approach isn't due to money, but due to size constraints on what all I can take with me. 

 

So far it seems from what has been said that the rod for dropshotting would primarily be used for dropshotting and nothing else.  I had hoped it could have been used for other applications.  And I have a good idea what specific rod I want from the many discussions here.

 

1.  If I went to a casting rod for jig, spinner, worm and a second rod for crankbaits and topwater..which specific models should I look at in Loomis or comparable?

 

2.  If I went to one for crank, top,jig, spinner, buzz which specific model should I look at in Loomis or comparable?

 

Permalink Reply by Daniel Caffrey on April 16, 2013 at 6:54pm

As a guy who literally walked in the door 5 minutes ago with 2 new Dobyns Champion extremes, I would say that bass fishing is a lot like golf. In the sense that you need the right club to make the right shot, as you would need the right rod to properly present your lure. Whatever brand of rod u buy, your crankbait rod should have a parabolic bend meaning that it bends evenly throughout most of its length. It's easy to order a good technique specific crankin rod, lotsa brands make 'em. On another note, start out like Kevin said with an all purpose medium heavy and you will find out through use which baits need to be on heavier or lighter rods.

But to answer your question about a specific model that fishes jigs, spinner baits, and worms I would suggest a Dobyns Savvy, or Champion model 703c. If you wanna go all out get the Campion extreme. I would highly recommend any of those.

 

Permalink Reply by Daniel Caffrey on April 16, 2013 at 6:57pm

Oh and John I don't see your Barbie rod in the bunch what's up??

 

Permalink Reply by larry johnson on April 16, 2013 at 7:58pm

Thank you! And John, ur for real!!

Permalink Reply by Sparkles on April 16, 2013 at 9:50pm

I caught my PB using my dropshot rod with 10# power pro straight to a 5/0 gamakatsu EWG and a 5"senko. You can cast a country mile and skip like a dream with this setup..floro is not needed. Dont be a book reader.

Permalink Reply by Jerry on April 16, 2013 at 10:41pm

I agree with P.J. Fishing from a float tube, I lack the space to carry more than 3 rods. I carry a 6-6 medium spinning or a 6 foot spinning and 2 casting rods. Both 6-6, one medium. one medium heavy. I can use these for just about any technique, and have, tho I might be missing out on "technique specific" rods, and the float tube limits on certain techniques. I've always said you can catch a fish on a broomstick, but having the right tool makes it better. Getting into brands...ask 10 people and you'll likely get get 10 answers. Some good rods out there to be sure, tho I don't think you need to go Loomis all the time. I have one and it's fine, but I could do just as well with Shimano, or Abu, or....

Permalink Reply by Sparkles on April 17, 2013 at 1:53am

JohnG...All your handles are on the wrong side!!

Permalink Reply by larry johnson on April 17, 2013 at 8:38am

That's true, Jerry. I get a little excited when I hear about the sensitivity of certain brands and feeling fish activity and feeling the bottom of the water. With my current rod, I can't say that I've ever really felt much.

Permalink Reply by Jake Anderson on April 17, 2013 at 12:21pm

You really can't have any dedicated rod if you are only packing 2-3.  That goes for both drop shotting and cranking.  In reality, a 6'6 -7ft medium spinning rod can d-shot nicely, and also about 10 other techniques...  you can quickly turn to grubs, neko rig, darters, small swimbaits, small dog walking baits (3-4"), tubes, hard jerk baits (small pointers), small spinnerbaits, inline spinners, etc...

As for "needing" a special parabolic type rod such as fiberglass for cranks.....  I don't know.   I used a "st croix teaser" for cranking for 2 years and while I didn't crank too much, I know I hooked 25-30 smallmouth on it between 2 and 6lbs.  I lost one.  One fish out of 25-30.   The cranks I was throwing also had stock hooks.  

Hell...instead of buying (3) glx rods, you could buy literally 8 dobyns savvy series rods... buy 3 or 4 reels, spool them with braid, and just play musical chairs with the reels....  Thats what I would do.   I would consider the lake im fishing and how its laid out, the time of year, the cover/structure, and pick out 3 rods that do the best at the 3 techniques I think should work well.  

Pure junk fishing is fun, where you see just how many presentations you can catch em on....but in reality, usually there are 2-3 techniques that we know will work on any given body of water at any time of the year.  

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