I figured its time to buy a real rod or two. I fish the LOO almost exclusively year round and want to get a good rod to flip/pitch around the docks. The second rod, a multi-purpose for carolina/texas rigs and spinner/crank baits. Any suggestions? Just saw the St. Croix deal about buy 2 get a Rage free so help with their line would be helpful.

 

Thanks in advance!

I would suggest you look at the St Croix avid series, or the Shimano series

Check out powell rods. They have incredible value and a good selection.

There is a real good tackle store in Osage Beach, less then 1/2 mile from the turn off to PB2.  I don't recall which brands of rods they sold, but I am pretty sure they could hook you up with a good rod for pitching docks at LOZ.  While you are pitching docks - watch out for the cables.   For every cable that you can see there is probably another couple that you can't.

I figured its time to buy a real rod or two. I fish the LOO almost exclusively year round and want to get a good rod to flip/pitch around the docks. The second rod, a multi-purpose for carolina/texas rigs and spinner/crank baits. Any suggestions? Just saw the St. Croix deal about buy 2 get a Rage free so help with their line would be helpful.

 

Thanks in advance!

I don't have any experience with St Croix rods whatsoever but I will tell you my opinion of a "general guideline" if you will. For the rod to fish the docks with I'd try to get a MH flipping rod, something say 7'6" to 8'. I don't really know the water clarity situation there but if it's mostly clear I'd go with 20# fluoro.

 

The next rod you could get something in a 7' to 7-1/2' range MH to H and it would fish Texas & Carolina rigs and bigger spinnerbais ok but I think you should get a rod specifically for crankbaits. Also a 7' or longer rod just with an action suited to treble hook lures.  

 

Like I said this is just a general guide to help you get started, you can go from here on your own, with the help of everyone else here of course.

I don't have any experience with St Croix rods whatsoever but I will tell you my opinion of a "general guideline" if you will. For the rod to fish the docks with I'd try to get a MH flipping rod, something say 7'6" to 8'. I don't really know the water clarity situation there but if it's mostly clear I'd go with 20# fluoro.

 

The next rod you could get something in a 7' to 7-1/2' range MH to H and it would fish Texas & Carolina rigs and bigger spinnerbais ok but I think you should get a rod specifically for crankbaits. Also a 7' or longer rod just with an action suited to treble hook lures.  

 

Like I said this is just a general guide to help you get started, you can go from here on your own, with the help of everyone else here of course.

Thanks for the advice! It's a big help.

One rod should cover Carolina/Texas rigs and spinnerbaits just fine.  Most prefer a Fast or Extra Fast tip for these techniques while a Moderate or Moderate Fast is usually preferred for cranks.  I use a Medium power Fast action with mono for shallow cranks with no problem.  It may be quite possible to flip/pitch with the same rod you use for jigs.  TW has a sale on the Quantum Tournament PT rods ($64.99 normally $119.99) going on right now.  Possibly the 7'4" Heavy Extra Fast might work for you.

 

I have two arriving today...a 6'10" Heavy and 7' Medium...on the recommendation of a friend who turned me on the the Fenwick Smallmouth series.  His older model cost $150 and he assures me they are very good rods for the price.  Most people look down on them because they are Quantums, so he doesn't mention them in any threads.