loudcherokee

I used 10-14lb mono for years. just recently switched to 30lb powerpro and I'm never going back to mono on a baitcaster. The sensitivity is amazing. it was like I could feel every turn of the big Colorado leaf on my terminator spinnerbait. my second or third cast I hauled in the little guy in my profile pic. I honestly think I was missing strikes on mono, as when he grabbed on there was no doubt I had a fish. I haven't used a leader yet, but do use a mono backer on my spool. LC

Maximus, I would still keep it. being a bank fisherman, it does have its uses in tight spots being so short. I just get fatigued easily with using it trying to cast farther than the rod wants me to. LC

I guess to sum up what I'm looking to do, is replace my 5'6" pistol grip casting rod with something more versatile and user friendly. It doesn't cast very far, and after awhile my hand starts cramping from the pistolgrip. I also had a backlash so bad this weekend when trying to sling a chatter bait across the lake that it snapped my 30# power pro at the spool, and it took me 2 hours to dig that out. I probably shouldn't have even mentioned the ugly stiks, as I think I may have confused some people with that. I'm completely happy with them and what I use them for. I do have the 6'6" MH lightning rod, but I just worry about its age and the reel that is on it. that's old daiwa isn't smooth at all. Dad gave it to me, and said it was top of the line way back when he bought it. I guess the newer stuff with more bearings has me spoiled. I could put the Abu on the older lightning rod I guess. LC

OK, I finally got home and looked at my rods. I have 6 all together. My baitcasters that I use are as follows: Daiwa Procaster from like 94-95 on a Berkley Lightning Rod Pro Series straight handle medium heavy 6'6" Abu Garcia Promax on a pistol grip Berkley IM6 Lightning rod medium action 5'6" my spinning rods are the only ugly sticks I have, and they all have full length handles. I do have one ugly stick baitcaster rod that I picked up at a consignment shop for $10, but I've never used it. its a 6' medium action with an older quantum ultra casting reel. the quantum reel on the 5'6" pistol grip lightning rod is what I learned baitcasting on, but I like the feel of the 6'6" lightning rod a little better, but its gotta be near 20 years old. LC

PABASS, that's exactly why I don't want another ugly stick on my baitcaster for anything requiring finesse. the tips are just too flimsy it seems. I have had alot of confidence with the lightning rods though. LC

I really appreciate all the replies. Gives me a much better idea of what to look for. The reason I didn't ask for brand suggestions is that I'm pretty set on Berkley Lightning Rods. I love the way they fish. I had a 6'6" one piece on my spinning rig with the Mitchell 300x, until it got closed on the car door. I did replace the tip with a Fuji replacement, but it just doesn't seem as sensitive as it used to be. coincidentally, when I broke the lightning rod, that's what sold me on the ugly stik since it was closed it the door at the same time, and there wasn't a scratch on it. I'll keep using those on my all purpose spinning stuff, but the they seem too flimsy for my baitcasters. LC

sweet. I was thinking 6'6" was gonna be my choice. I'll look around for a 7'. Are the one piece rods definitely more sensitive than two piece? The one pieces I have now are a bit of a pain since I don't have a truck, especially if I have passengers. I can't imagine squeezing a 7' rod in the backseat will be convenient. LC

Now, before I get started, I'm not looking for a brand suggestion or a specific rod. My question is more with the action/power/length of a chosen rod. I've been reading a lot of the articles here about how to choose a rod, and couldn't find one that specified a good rod choice that can do it all. You need this action/power for worms, that action/power for spinnerbaits, this combo for crank baits, etc. Now, I LOVE my top water poppers, jitterbugs, torpedos, and buzz baits. I've tried fishing soft plastics, but never got the hang of it or I never could feel the bites. I just recently switched to using power pro braid in 30#, and am amazed at the difference in sensitivity it provides from the 12# mono I've been using all these years. I'm now wondering if a new rod will enhance that feel and let me finally catch something on a Texas rigged worm. My two baitcasters are a Daiwa procaster that is about 18 years old, and an Abu Garcia Promax that is only a week old. they both sit on lightning rods, one being the rod that was purchased with the daiwa so long ago that says its a shock pro or lightning pro or something, and the other one is about 8 years old and is a IM6 cork pistol grip. Both rods are 6 foot or less. My spinning gear is a Mitchell 300x that is around 8 years old, and a 300xe that is just a month old. both are on two piece 6'6" ugly sticks. I primarily use these for relaxed fishing, on the bottom with crawlers or suspended with a bobber. I'll occasionally throw a rooster tail with the 300xe since I can't get my BCs to cast them accurately, but that's the extent of it. So, does an action/power/length rod exist that can handle just about all of my baitcasters needs adequately? LC

howdy folks! Been lurking for a few days reading the tons of articles on this site, before I even realized there was a forum! Looks like a great place to hang out, and I really dig the mobile them this forum has setup. Hoping to learn some great bass tips and hopefully a few places to go in the Pittsburgh area. I'm unfortunately a bank fisher, except the lakes where a jon boat can be rented. So far I've fished racoon creek state park, north park, Leopold lake, and Hamlin lake in smethport, PA. Been cat fishing in the north side behind the old jail. The only place I've lucked up and caught a large mouth was Leopold lake on a black & red terminator spinnerbait. My first wild large mouth! (I'm used to pond fishing in TN.) LC