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Rod Characteristics Ranking

So since there hasn't been much activity recently I thought I'd bring something up that I am interested in hearing about. Would you guys rank these general traits 1 being most important to you and 5 being least important when it comes to the rods you use. Lets put aside brand preference, action, and budget with this one because those are personal and technique specific traits. I just want an overview of what some of you guys value most when it comes to the fundamental characteristics of a fishing rod used for bass fishing.

-Balance

-Weight

-Length (We're talking between 6'-7'6")

-Component quality

-Handle design (split grip, traditional, carbon fiber, cork, w/foregrip or w/o)

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by eric mccarthy on December 15, 2010 at 7:08pm

I dont like a rod less than 7'. Its hard for me to rate the above 1-5 but I think my top 3 would be sensitivity first then balance and then weight.

Permalink Reply by P.J. Koshi on December 15, 2010 at 7:18pm

Thats another thing I didn't point out... Sensitivity, I don't want to address as its own trait in this discussion particularly because I feel like that would be everyone's #1 with correct action being a close second. We all recognize that for bass fishing in particular sensitivity is king, especially when it comes to techniques like Drop Shot and Football Heads. I guess my question doesn't have to apply just to bass rods but fishing rods in general. What is the most valuable characteristic?

Permalink Reply by Tag Watson on December 15, 2010 at 7:22pm

1. Balance

2. Length (appropriate length for technique/application)

3. Weight

4. Component quality (Still important although ranked #4)

5. Handle design

This ranking may vary slightly depending the application of the particular rod.

Permalink Reply by P.J. Koshi on December 15, 2010 at 7:44pm

For myself I would say

1. Balance - This is what dictates how the rods will actually feel in your hand!

2. Weight - The lighter the better IMO I cannot fish a heavy rod for long without fatigue even if it's well balanced.

3. Length - I am flexible on this to some extent I really like rods ranging from 6'6"-7'3" depending on application. To be honest I am quite confident fishing a few rods some may think are too short for what I am using them for.

4. Handle design - I rank this above components because I am particular about this. Cannot deal with spinning rods without fore grips why I love Lamiglas Cert Pros and all GLX spinning rods. Tried the Carbon Fiber on the XMG hated it! Love the split grips on casting rods as long as they maintain good balance.

5. Component quality - Have tried several rod manufactures with different types of components... no complaints on any!

Permalink Reply by Pat on December 15, 2010 at 7:51pm

someone went to the Dobyns talk

P.J. Koshi said:

For myself I would say

1. Balance - This is what dictates how the rods will actually feel in your hand!

2. Weight - The lighter the better IMO I cannot fish a heavy rod for long without fatigue even if it's well balanced.

3. Length - I am flexible on this to some extent I really like rods ranging from 6'6"-7'3" depending on application. To be honest I am quite confident fishing a few rods some may think are too short for what I am using them for.

4. Handle design - I rank this above components because I am particular about this. Cannot deal with spinning rods without fore grips why I love Lamiglas Cert Pros and all GLX spinning rods. Tried the Carbon Fiber on the XMG hated it! Love the split grips on casting rods as long as they maintain good balance.

5. Component quality - Have tried several rod manufactures with different types of components... no complaints on any!

Permalink Reply by P.J. Koshi on December 15, 2010 at 7:56pm

I have really been researching fishing rods in general a lot recently. Characteristics, history of major manufacturers, blanks, components... I was just curious not because I was selling rods, I did that more because I had accumulated a ton of rods last year in an attempt to try a lot to see which ones I liked. I guess you're right in the sense that I sold the ones I did because I learned they didn't suit me. I did purchase a Dobyns and I feel like its going to be a rod I'll have for a very long time!
Sparky said:

Pj did this topic come about because of your selling rods that didn't fit you but did others? And didn't you just purchase a new Dobyns? I don't own the best of gear but I just try to really concentrate on line watching.Maybe when I make the move to better rods it will improve my catching.I do like my 6'6" rod for pitching as I feel I have better control over bait and I haven't really used a 7' for pitching either.

Permalink Reply by Ryan Lamb on December 15, 2010 at 8:17pm

Since its being brought up, I would like to know more about balance in rods by itself.

Maybe its something that I do and not notice as I pick up a rod, but I dont think I even know what to look for.

What makes a properly balanced rod?

I've always just picked up a rod and started fishing.

Permalink Reply by Don Hogue on December 15, 2010 at 8:30pm

Of the criteria you have set up I would go with...since we can't mention action, power or sensitivity...

1. Length

2. Component quality

3. Weight (lighter is not always better)

4. balance (I can do things to help or hurt this - the first three are out of my control)

5. handle design (just because I'm not picky about this...I really like a Tennessee handle)

I find that when I want a different rod for a different purpose, the thing I'm most likely to change (other than action or power of the rod) is the length.

Permalink Reply by Jerry on December 15, 2010 at 11:05pm

Of the criteria you have set up I would go with...since we can't mention action, power or sensitivity...

1. Length

2. Component quality

3. Weight (lighter is not always better)

4. balance (I can do things to help or hurt this - the first three are out of my control)

5. handle design (just because I'm not picky about this...I really like a Tennessee handle)

Sounds like my next ex-wife...oh wait....

Permalink Reply by Aaron Christel on December 16, 2010 at 12:04am

If I'm not mistaken, it has to do with the weight distribution of the rod in relation to the reel seat and the position your hand is in on the rod. You do not want a rod that is tip heavy or butt heavy. The rod should naturally ballance in your hand so that if the tip is high or low, it's because you wanted it at that angle, not because it's pulling you that way. It's very important due to the fatigue it causes in the wrist and forarm from fighting the rod's weight. It is also going to aid you in making accurate and long cast because the rod is creating a natural pengulum (spelling???) at the wrist giving you much better control of the angle of the rod tip durring its load and release. (not the type of load and release Sparkles and his buddy Fill enjoy together.)

Ryan Lamb said:

Since its being brought up, I would like to know more about balance in rods by itself.

Maybe its something that I do and not notice as I pick up a rod, but I dont think I even know what to look for.

What makes a properly balanced rod?

I've always just picked up a rod and started fishing.

Permalink Reply by Ronald Hobbs, Jr. on December 16, 2010 at 4:46am

1. Length- when I have a technique in mind I know which length rod I want, it would be hard to skip docks with an 9 foot rod just like it would be hard to drift a bobber with a 6'6" rod.

2.Balance- I am talking about real balance not a balance that has to be manipulated by adding weight to the butt of the rod. That is one of my biggest petpeaves guys having to add weight to the rod to get it to balance, makes the rod heavier, and is the mark of a poor rod.

3. Components- give me good guides, good wraps, and a good glue job on the handle and I will be happy. I hate cheap guides that can crack or chip easily, My favorite guides are the recoil guides that Loomis has on their GLX line up. They might be noisy but this doesn't sacrifice any thing.

4. Handle Design- I have not found a good split grip design yet, I like cork and give me a traditional style handle. As long as its comfortable in my hand and I have something to hold onto when I want to 2 hand cast I'm good with it. I would really like to use a road that that has high density foam material for the handle. I think I would like that stuff too. From what I have heard about it is that it is denser than the old school eva foam so it transmits vibration better and just as well as cork.

5. Weight- If the first 4 of my criteria is met then weight should not be an issue, my criteria is high so to meet it I'm usually limited to the high end blanks in a companies line up. Weight also contributes to sensitivity so the lighter the rod the more sensitive it is going to be.

Permalink Reply by Kimihiko Nakamura on December 16, 2010 at 6:54am