Hey guys, let me start off by saying that I really don't know much about rod specification. I'm looking to get a new combo, but don't know quite what to get. Here's what I have now:

 

6'9" MHF *** Black with 15lb fluoro. I use this primarily for jigs and soft plastics.

7'0" MHF Bass Pro Pro Qualifier with 14lb mono. I use this for spooks, square bills, and lipless crank baits.

6'6" spinning combo. I hardly ever throw this because I prefer bait casting, but it's there for when I'm throwing something really light.

 

The lures I throw most frequently are jigs, T-rigged soft plastics, spinnerbaits, jerk baits, crank baits (lipless and square bill, rarely deep), big shaky heads, and spooks. 

 

Are there any glaring holes in my rods? I don't really want to get a jerk bait-specific rod, as I've never thrown them before, I just plan on giving them a try this winter. Maybe a spinnerbait rod? Or should I make the pro qualifier my spinnerbait rod and get a better rod for treble hooks? Any advice is appreciated.

 

If you're going to suggest specific rods, I'd like to keep it under $100, but I'd be just as happy with recommendations for length/action/power.

 

Thanks!

Not sure where or how you fish. But for me, I need a flipping stick here in florida. A stout 7 1/2 ft rod. If ur just pond hopping though, you are probably fine without one. Some will tell you also a good medium moderate casting rod will help with the treble hook baits. I use a medium heavy rod for that and I do fine. It's all preference.

Not sure where or how you fish. But for me, I need a flipping stick here in florida. A stout 7 1/2 ft rod. If ur just pond hopping though, you are probably fine without one. Some will tell you also a good medium moderate casting rod will help with the treble hook baits. I use a medium heavy rod for that and I do fine. It's all preference.

I fish in Missouri so a flipping stick isn't really necessary. Do you think a Medium or Medium heavy rod with a moderate tip would walk a spook alright?

A medium fast rod for weightless plastics, but if you can throw those on spinning then a heavy power rod for frogs, swimbaits, bigger jigs

 

Edit: To answer your question about spooks, I can walk one with a glass MH moderate fast rod, but I find it easier to do with a fast tipped rod.

To answer you question. I like a fast tipped rod for just about everything. But..... It really just depends on what you are comfortable with. My experience just lends me to think a moderate rod helps keep the fish from throwing the trebled hooks because the rod is more forgiving. But I've just learned to play fish differently with my fast rods. Also, I fish heavy cover mostly and need a stout stick to keep big bass from charging into cover. The only time I've lost fish is when I'm under gunned in heavy cover. A moderate rod will work a spook fine if that's what you are used to. I own one and it actually works great for all top water except maybe a frog. Which would definitely say use a heavier rod. But everyone will have their own opinions. Keep it simple and have fun. That's what I think.

As far as medium vs medium heavy, it depends on the manufacturer. I've also been fond of st croix and they are labeled medium but are probably more like a loomis med/heavy. I'm sure either would be fine.

I realize that I'm in the minority on this board because I tend to fish spinning tackle more frequently than casting, but don't rule out a light spinning rig.  I fished Missouri briefly once (Table Rock) and fished a LOT of finesse down deep with light spinning gear.  Just sayin'....I'm sure you'll get plenty of advice on this thread but it really does depend a great deal on what types of fishing you do and if there's a style that you've mostly ignored because you didn't have the gear or just felt that it was outside of your comfort zone.

You need a 7' Medium Power Moderate Action for some of your treble hook lures.

 

 

 

 

I'd want a heavier, longer rod for my jigs and plastics in areas with heavier cover. Something like a 7' 3" to 7' 6" MH/F and a high speed reel with 17 to 20 pound fluoro or 50lb braid. 

 

Use that spinning rod for jerkbaits when you decide to give them a try. I fish mine on jerkbaits occasionally and it feels more natural to me to fish them on one. 

I'd want a heavier, longer rod for my jigs and plastics in areas with heavier cover. Something like a 7' 3" to 7' 6" MH/F and a high speed reel with 17 to 20 pound fluoro or 50lb braid. 

 

Use that spinning rod for jerkbaits when you decide to give them a try. I fish mine on jerkbaits occasionally and it feels more natural to me to fish them on one. 

Can you throw jerk baits on spinning gear ok with gloves on? 

More then half of the things you want will work well to very well with a MH/F rod. Lpless cranks , jigs and spinners will work very well with a rod like that. The only lure that that I would maybe want a moderate rod would be for jerkbaits but... I hate jerks so I don't know much about them personally.

I personally throw just about everything on a mh/f rod and love it, including husky jerks. I have a story to help illustrate my point. My freind and I were out on lake okeechobee a couple years ago and we came up to this school of bass... They were hitting traps in the shallow grass. I urged my freind to tie on a trap or a spinnerbait (whichever he wanted to), cast beyond and reel through the grass. We both casted traps and we both caught bass constantly for an hour. We tallied over seventy fish. He was using a medium/ fast action avid, and I threw a med heavy/ fast action avid and the last things on our mind were the rod action. When the trap bite died, we started throwing senkos with the same rods... Didn't think about the action, and continued to catch fish until we lost count. Just throw a lure in the weight range that the rod is rated for....should be fine. Catch fish. Have fun. I wouldn't call the technique specific market an entire gimmick. Some rods throw light lures better. Some rods play fish in heavy cover better. Some rods set hooks easier. That's pretty much where it ends for me though. Keep it simple, have fun and catch fish!!!!!!! Tight lines

I personally throw just about everything on a mh/f rod and love it, including husky jerks. I have a story to help illustrate my point. My freind and I were out on lake okeechobee a couple years ago and we came up to this school of bass... They were hitting traps in the shallow grass. I urged my freind to tie on a trap or a spinnerbait (whichever he wanted to), cast beyond and reel through the grass. We both casted traps and we both caught bass constantly for an hour. We tallied over seventy fish. He was using a medium/ fast action avid, and I threw a med heavy/ fast action avid and the last things on our mind were the rod action. When the trap bite died, we started throwing senkos with the same rods... Didn't think about the action, and continued to catch fish until we lost count. Just throw a lure in the weight range that the rod is rated for....should be fine. Catch fish. Have fun. I wouldn't call the technique specific market an entire gimmick. Some rods throw light lures better. Some rods play fish in heavy cover better. Some rods set hooks easier. That's pretty much where it ends for me though. Keep it simple, have fun and catch fish!!!!!!! Tight lines

Thanks for the advice. I, too, have thrown quite a few lures on a mh/f rod, but one of the main reasons I am looking for a new combo is to have more lures tied up. When I'm looking for a pattern I like to keep a couple different styles of lures tied up laying on the front deck, and a new combo would help me do just that. Since I am getting a new combo anyways, I may as well get one best suited to what it will be throwing. I think I'll probably get a 7' MM, but ultimately I agree with you. I don't see the need to have super specified rods for every lure, I'd rather spend that money on lures!

Can you throw jerk baits on spinning gear ok with gloves on?

No problem. I use fingerless gloves so it's even easier.