MJack

I’m going to have a friend make me a rod from Little Miami Rods. I want a rod that I can use wading creeks and rivers when it’s practical to take only one rod. I’ll be throwing small crankbaits, small topwater poppers, spinnerbaits, rooster tails, plastic swimbaits, tubes, grubs, and using the Ned rig. I’m leaning toward a 6.9ft medium light moderate fast spinning rod. Any thoughts?

Do you use mono or fluoro?

I recently starting fishing with sinkerless flukes (plastic jerkbaits). It’s a lot of fun. I’m fishing for bass. I do put on a two-way ball bearing swivel to prevent line twist and for a little weight. Any suggestions on length, power, and action for a spinning rod, and what type and pound of line? Thanks!

Any suggestions of which of these spinning rods might be the best to use for finesse bass fishing? I like a rod that’s light and sensitive, has some backbone, but isn’t going to break easily. I’m looking for a 7ft medium or medium light fast spinning rod. Or maybe other brands you’d recommend over these three for a rod around $100-125. Thanks!

I’ve narrowed it down to 6.6ft Okuma Celilo UL/M or 7ft Lew’s Wally Marshall Pro Series ML/M. Both say they can throw down to 1/32oz. You have the Okumas. Know anything about the Lew’s rod?

I have a 6ft Daiwa Procyon light fast. I had my eye on a 6.6ft Okuma Celilo ultralight moderate. I’ve just never had a rod that was really flimsy.

See above, I edited it $75 or less

I’m thinking of getting a rod dedicated to crappie fishing. I’d be using it from the bank and using small jigs with a bobber, spinnerbaits, and roostertails. Any suggestions on brands? How long? Ultralight? Fast or moderate action? Thanks!

That’s the reel I’m looking at

I have a 7ft Dobyns Fury crankbait rod that’s medium heavy moderate fast. I got it to use for medium crankbaits, chatterbaits, and possibly some topwater applications. Any suggestions on a baitcasting reel to put on this rod? What gear ratio and how big a spool (how many yards of line do I need)? Thanks!

Thanks for all the replies, very helpful and informative. God bless!

I’m new to fluorocarbon. I grew up with mono, and I haven’t switched over. But I’m thinking of trying 8lb fluorocarbon on a spinning reel this year for finesse bass fishing. I want a brand that is strong yet smooth when casting and not terribly expensive. Any recommendations? Also, is it ok to go all fluorocarbon? What are the advantages of braid with fluorocarbon leader?

I own a St Croix Triumph Salmon & Steelhead spinning rod that is 8.6ft heavy fast (12-25lb, 1/2-2oz). I paired it with a Lew’s Mach crush 400 spinning reel. Is this setup strong enough for ocean fishing from the shore, muskie fishing, or even striper fishing? Just wanted to see how versatile this setup is, and I don’t want to damage my rod if it’s not suited for these fish. Thanks!

I appreciate all the advice. I’m going to try it a few times. If it doesn’t feel comfortable after that, I’m returning it. We’ll see. God bless!

I grew up using right handed baitcasting reels. Recently, I was given a left handed one for Christmas. I’m trying to decide whether to keep it or return it for a right handed one. Any experience with making this switch? Would it be awkward to have some rods with a right handed reel and others with a left handed one? Are there applications better suited to a left handed one like fishing a plastic worm or pitching? It feels weird in my hand, but maybe I’d get used to it. Thanks for any advice!

I appreciate all the advice. I think I’ll stick with my 6.8ft Falcon HD medium moderate fast for most topwater, but use my 6.8ft St Croix Bass X medium extra fast for poppers. I think I’m going braid with the former and mono with the latter. God bless!

I use a moderate action rod for my crankbaits, and it works great with the treble hooks. There’s a cushion there so I don’t pull the hooks out of the fish’s mouth. Just wondering why a moderate action isn’t always used or recommended for topwater with treble hooks. If you use a fast action with poppers or walking baits, won’t you have the same problem with the treble hooks that you do with crankbaits? Any advice on this or what rod action you use for various topwater presentations would be helpful. And I’m asking about rod action, not power. Thanks!

Thanks for all the advice, it’s really helpful!

When fishing a plastic worm, I grew up throwing only a Texas rig. I never used a shaky head. But I want to learn. What’s the best rod for this technique? Any advice on what plastics to throw on a shaky head and how or when to fish it? Thanks!

I recently bought some double tail skirted grubs, also known as double tail hula grubs. They look really good. Any suggestions on how to fish them for largemouth or smallmouth bass? Any advice would he helpful. Thanks!

I’ve caught some nice smallies off 1/4oz beetle spins

What about shaky head with 1/4oz or less?

I have a Shimano Convergence 7ft medium light fast rod (1/16-5/16oz lures). I got it for finesse fishing. Personally, I like my medium fast rods better (especially my Fenwick Eagle) and use that one more often. Yet, I think the medium light will be good for the ned rig. Any other recommended uses?

Great advice from all of you, I appreciate it

Mono on the extra fast, braid on the moderate fast