what do you think of iRODS

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Tag Watson on November 27, 2010 at 1:30pm

I just watched the videos on TW. I think the swimbait and punch rods look killer. Price is right too. Let us know what you think when you get them in your hands!

Permalink Reply by Travis Archer on November 27, 2010 at 2:10pm

will do

Permalink Reply by Joel Alinen on November 27, 2010 at 6:13pm

Thats a good queston Travis I was looking at those rods. I have done a little research and I dont think these are the most sensitive rods but whats cool is there built for specific techniques. I like what Tosh had to say about his Punchin rod on tackle warehouse...

"This is not a $550 dollar rod, its not the most sensitive rod in the world. You dont need a sensitive rod to tell you a fish is about to jerk the rod out of your hand"

HAHA...So true...I'm wondering why some guys buy NXR rods for techniques like froggin...how much sensitivity to you need to catch a bass that has just blown up your frog?

I was thinking about what techniques need the most sensitive rods...Draggin and Dshot are the first to come to mind...I'm sure theres more but I bet those IRODS made for Froggin and punchin would be solid for sure...I might have to try em=)

Permalink Reply by Pat on November 27, 2010 at 6:28pm

am I the only one who almost NEVER feels a bite with a flipping jig?
where would you guys rank Eagle Claw for sensitiviy?


Joel Alinen said:

Thats a good queston Travis I was looking at those rods. I have done a little research and I dont think these are the most sensitive rods but whats cool is there built for specific techniques. I like what Tosh had to say about his Punchin rod on tackle warehouse...

"This is not a $550 dollar rod, its not the most sensitive rod in the world. You dont need a sensitive rod to tell you a fish is about to jerk the rod out of your hand"

HAHA...So true...I'm wondering why some guys buy NXR rods for techniques like froggin...how much sensitivity to you need to catch a bass that has just blown up your frog?

I was thinking about what techniques need the most sensitive rods...Draggin and Dshot are the first to come to mind...I'm sure theres more but I bet those IRODS made for Froggin and punchin would be solid for sure...I might have to try em=)

Permalink Reply by Tag Watson on November 27, 2010 at 9:45pm

Pat, have you tried fingering your line with your index finger? This really helps me detect subtle pick ups.

Permalink Reply by Aaron Christel on November 27, 2010 at 9:59pm

Last???

Pat said:

am I the only one who almost NEVER feels a bite with a flipping jig?
where would you guys rank Eagle Claw for sensitiviy?


Joel Alinen said:

Thats a good queston Travis I was looking at those rods. I have done a little research and I dont think these are the most sensitive rods but whats cool is there built for specific techniques. I like what Tosh had to say about his Punchin rod on tackle warehouse...

"This is not a $550 dollar rod, its not the most sensitive rod in the world. You dont need a sensitive rod to tell you a fish is about to jerk the rod out of your hand"

HAHA...So true...I'm wondering why some guys buy NXR rods for techniques like froggin...how much sensitivity to you need to catch a bass that has just blown up your frog?

I was thinking about what techniques need the most sensitive rods...Draggin and Dshot are the first to come to mind...I'm sure theres more but I bet those IRODS made for Froggin and punchin would be solid for sure...I might have to try em=)

Permalink Reply by Pat on November 27, 2010 at 10:12pm

really, eagle claw is that bad?
can you give me some recommendations aaron?
and thank you Tag, I haven't tried fingering while fishing but will try it in that application


Aaron Christel said:

Last???

Pat said:

am I the only one who almost NEVER feels a bite with a flipping jig?
where would you guys rank Eagle Claw for sensitiviy?


Joel Alinen said:

Thats a good queston Travis I was looking at those rods. I have done a little research and I dont think these are the most sensitive rods but whats cool is there built for specific techniques. I like what Tosh had to say about his Punchin rod on tackle warehouse...

"This is not a $550 dollar rod, its not the most sensitive rod in the world. You dont need a sensitive rod to tell you a fish is about to jerk the rod out of your hand"

HAHA...So true...I'm wondering why some guys buy NXR rods for techniques like froggin...how much sensitivity to you need to catch a bass that has just blown up your frog?

I was thinking about what techniques need the most sensitive rods...Draggin and Dshot are the first to come to mind...I'm sure theres more but I bet those IRODS made for Froggin and punchin would be solid for sure...I might have to try em=)

Permalink Reply by Aaron Christel on November 27, 2010 at 10:54pm

It all depends on what your budget and needs are. For the most part, the more you spend, the better they get. (but, not always.) The old standbys that almost everyone wil agree upon are G.Loomis, Lamiglas, Dobyns, Kisler, Shimano, Powell, St. Cloix, Okuma, Falcon, All-star, ect, but there are many many others as well as some new comers like Damiki and iRods. It all comes down to: How much do you fish? How much can you spend? Do you want to invest in many technique specific rods or do you want a couple of good versital rods? If you are on a budget, like under $100, look at the entry level Lamiglas, Okuma, and fenwick rods. If price isn't an issue and you plan on using the rod for many years, splerge and get a G.Loomis. Regardless of any other rod you can buy, the GLX and technique specific Loomis rods are going to be next to imposible to beat. Naming Eagle Claw last was a joke, I did see a pink 5 foot barbie rod at Big5 not too long ago for $10 that was almost certainly worse than an Eagle Claw.

One thing to add: Skeet Reese is one of the best fishermen in the world, and he catches fish on Wright McGill rods made by eagle Claw that look like C.B. radio antenas. The rod doesnt make the fisherman, but it can help him be a little better by transfering more information. The more information about the bottom, the more likely you are to catch more fish.

Pat said:

really, eagle claw is that bad?
can you give me some recommendations aaron?
and thank you Tag, I haven't tried fingering while fishing but will try it in that application


Aaron Christel said:

Last???

Pat said:

am I the only one who almost NEVER feels a bite with a flipping jig?
where would you guys rank Eagle Claw for sensitiviy?


Joel Alinen said:

Thats a good queston Travis I was looking at those rods. I have done a little research and I dont think these are the most sensitive rods but whats cool is there built for specific techniques. I like what Tosh had to say about his Punchin rod on tackle warehouse...

"This is not a $550 dollar rod, its not the most sensitive rod in the world. You dont need a sensitive rod to tell you a fish is about to jerk the rod out of your hand"

HAHA...So true...I'm wondering why some guys buy NXR rods for techniques like froggin...how much sensitivity to you need to catch a bass that has just blown up your frog?

I was thinking about what techniques need the most sensitive rods...Draggin and Dshot are the first to come to mind...I'm sure theres more but I bet those IRODS made for Froggin and punchin would be solid for sure...I might have to try em=)

Permalink Reply by Chris J. Spencer on November 28, 2010 at 6:32am

If your not catching fish on a forty dollar rod, your not going to catch fish on a two hundred dollar rod. I believe there is no reason to spend more than one hundred dollars on a rod and reel except to show off how much money you have. I'm not the best fisherman out there but I always boat at least a couple bass when I go fishin and my most expensive set up is a fifty dollar dawai reel and thirty five dollar abeu garcia rod.

Find something built for the technique your going to fish and practice your technique, thats what catches fish, not your expensive equipment.......

Permalink Reply by Aaron Christel on November 28, 2010 at 8:32am

There is some truth to your comment, but the better your equipment, the better your chances. The difference between cheap rods and good rods is going to be better casting distance, more acurate casting, and more information transfered to the fisherman because of sensitivity. With a really good rod, you are going to be able to tell the difference in sand or mud, or even rocks and wood in 40-50 feet of water. Plus, the improtant part, you have a better chance of feeling the lightest bites. Do you know how many fish you have not caught because you never felt them pick up the bait? No, you don't.

If you think that its about showing off, you are way wrong. Who the heck can see what type of rod you have from 50 yards away anyways???? Unless you have a carrot stick, no one has eyes well enough to see writing 2 inches long and an1/8 of an inch high.

As for reels, in a lot of cases, you can get away with somewhat inexpensive reels. I have found the Shimano Sedona to be a great value in spinning reals. For about $50, they have a smooth drag and are almost always reliable. I have no problem putting one on a $200 rod.

Chris J. Spencer said:

If your not catching fish on a forty dollar rod, your not going to catch fish on a two hundred dollar rod. I believe there is no reason to spend more than one hundred dollars on a rod and reel except to show off how much money you have. I'm not the best fisherman out there but I always boat at least a couple bass when I go fishin and my most expensive set up is a fifty dollar dawai reel and thirty five dollar abeu garcia rod.

Find something built for the technique your going to fish and practice your technique, thats what catches fish, not your expensive equipment.......

Permalink Reply by Chris J. Spencer on November 28, 2010 at 8:42am

Aaron, you are right about quality equipment. I guess I'm speaking to the guy just starting out like myself. I'm finding now the need for the equipment as I learn more and have more success with different techniques I've started to recognize my equipments short comings. But when your just starting out you don't need to spend a lot...

My showing off comment was due to my experiences and your right, no one can really tell what your fishing with. I just know a couple guys that gotta show me and talk about their fancy crap and how much they spent on it every time I see them.

In short I agree with you..

Aaron Christel said:

There is some truth to your comment, but the better your equipment, the better your chances. The difference between cheap rods and good rods is going to be better casting distance, more acurate casting, and more information transfered to the fisherman because of sensitivity. With a really good rod, you are going to be able to tell the difference in sand or mud, or even rocks and wood in 40-50 feet of water. Plus, the improtant part, you have a better chance of feeling the lightest bites. Do you know how many fish you have not caught because you never felt them pick up the bait? No, you don't.

If you think that its about showing off, you are way wrong. Who the heck can see what type of rod you have from 50 yards away anyways???? Unless you have a carrot stick, no one has eyes well enough to see writing 2 inches long and an1/8 of an inch high.

As for reels, in a lot of cases, you can get away with somewhat inexpensive reels. I have found the Shimano Sedona to be a great value in spinning reals. For about $50, they have a smooth drag and are almost always reliable. I have no problem putting one on a $200 rod.

Chris J. Spencer said:

If your not catching fish on a forty dollar rod, your not going to catch fish on a two hundred dollar rod. I believe there is no reason to spend more than one hundred dollars on a rod and reel except to show off how much money you have. I'm not the best fisherman out there but I always boat at least a couple bass when I go fishin and my most expensive set up is a fifty dollar dawai reel and thirty five dollar abeu garcia rod.

Find something built for the technique your going to fish and practice your technique, thats what catches fish, not your expensive equipment.......

Permalink Reply by Tag Watson on November 28, 2010 at 8:51am

Chris, I agree that it is the angler who catches the fish and not the expensive equipment. However, I can tell you that I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that quality equipment can help an angler catch more fish. I can site many examples from personal experience but let me just touch on a few since I am pressed for time this morning:

* When fishing in deeper water, having a high modulus graphite rod that transmits bottom composition and the lightest of pick ups no doubt helps an angler catch more fish. When I first used the XMG rods (exact same modulus graphite as a Loomis GLX) and also featuring a carbon handle, I found that I could more consistently detect (feel) the bites, even in deep water at the end of a long cast, where a fish would eat a jig or swimbait from behind, creating a semi-slack or weightless scenario. I could react quickly, set the hook, and often times these are the biggest fish.

* A new quality baitcasting reel is very difficult to find for under $100. The reel greatly affects your casting accuracy, distance, and ability to skip a lure if necessary. All of these help you catch more and bigger fish. A smooth, reliable drag is vitally important to hooking and landing big fish on certain techniques. This is where many of the less expensive reels are lacking. I would also argue that because of the longevity of a more expensive reel (ball bearings, gears, etc.) that you actually spend the same over the long term because a less expensive reel will likely need to be replaced more frequently. This is similar to the mono/fluoro argument. Fluoro is more expensive at the point of purchase but you potentially save significantly in the long run because mono has to be replaced 4 or 5 times more often than fluoro due to water absorption and breakdown with UV exposure.

* I own a few G.Loomis GLX flipping sticks. Some may argue that a $550 retail price point is obnoxious for a rod. In some cases and with certain techniques I would agree. However, this rod is so light and sensitive due to the combination of high modulus graphite and titanium recoil guides, that I can filp/pitch for 10 straight hours without any fatigue setting in. This is not only good for my shoulders, elbows, wrists, etc., my presentations remain accurate throughout the day due to lack of fatigue. I am 100% convinced that I catch more fish, especially in the second half of the day, because of this rod. My other flipping sticks were plenty sensitive but after 6 to 8 hours, once a little fatigue sets in, the casting accuracy begins to suffer slightly. It only takes one cast that is off the mark 6 inches, or makes an entry into the water that is a little too loud, to miss out on a 10 pounder.

I always suggest an angler fishes what feels good to them and fits well within their budget, but I wanted to offer a counter argument to the statement that an angler just purchases quality equipment "to show off how much money they have."

Good fishin',

Tag

Chris J. Spencer said:

If your not catching fish on a forty dollar rod, your not going to catch fish on a two hundred dollar rod. I believe there is no reason to spend more than one hundred dollars on a rod and reel except to show off how much money you have. I'm not the best fisherman out there but I always boat at least a couple bass when I go fishin and my most expensive set up is a fifty dollar dawai reel and thirty five dollar abeu garcia rod.

Find something built for the technique your going to fish and practice your technique, thats what catches fish, not your expensive equipment.......

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