Hi everyone. I’m looking for peoples opinions on the Shimano Clarus spinning rod. I’ve been leaning towards purchasing this for next season but wanted to get some feedback on the rod before pulling the trigger.

 

I’m mainly going to use it throw soft plastics and the occasional jerkbait and was wondering if it’s sensitive enough for those really subtle bites.

 

I’ve also heard that this line of rods tends to run a little stiffer than others, so a medium is more medium-heavy, medium-heavy is more heavy, etc. Can anyone comment on whether or not that’s the case?

 

I appreciate any input you have!

20 minutes ago, Alden said:

Hi everyone. I’m looking for peoples opinions on the Shimano Clarus spinning rod. I’ve been leaning towards purchasing this for next season but wanted to get some feedback on the rod before pulling the trigger.

 

I’m mainly going to use it throw soft plastics and the occasional jerkbait and was wondering if it’s sensitive enough for those really subtle bites.

 

I’ve also heard that this line of rods tends to run a little stiffer than others, so a medium is more medium-heavy, medium-heavy is more heavy, etc. Can anyone comment on whether or not that’s the case?

 

I appreciate any input you have!

 

I've got a 6'6" ML Clarus and it has been my "go-to" finesse rod for the past year or two. I use it for about everything, from small swimbaits to small jerkbaits (Husky Jerks) as well as micro jig/pig, to everything 'Ned.' Not sure how stiff a 'M' would be, but I've never felt outgunnned with the ML, and this rod alone has probably accounted for about 1500 of my bass this year, and handled several 5-6 lb. fish admirably.

7 minutes ago, Team9nine said:

 

I've got a 6'6" ML Clarus and it has been my "go-to" finesse rod for the past year or two. I use it for about everything, from small swimbaits to small jerkbaits (Husky Jerks) as well as micro jig/pig, to everything 'Ned.' Not sure how stiff a 'M' would be, but I've never felt outgunnned with the ML, and this rod alone has probably accounted for about 1500 of my bass this year, and handled several 5-6 lb. fish admirably.

Seeing as you’re using it for a finesse setup I’m going to assume the sensitivity is sufficient. 

32 minutes ago, Alden said:

Seeing as you’re using it for a finesse setup I’m going to assume the sensitivity is sufficient. 

 

I use braid/leader with it and haven't felt hampered in any way in regards to sensitivity. Sensitivity is often overrated IMO, especially with certain type of finesse techniques.

6 minutes ago, Team9nine said:

 

I use braid/leader with it and haven't felt hampered in any way in regards to sensitivity. Sensitivity is often overrated IMO, especially with certain type of finesse techniques.

It’ll probably be fine for my purposes as I use straight braid. The only reason I asked is because I haven’t bought many rods and when I originally went from a cheap Ugly Stik combo to a $45 Berkeley rod the difference in sensitivity was night and day. 

5 minutes ago, Alden said:

It’ll probably be fine for my purposes as I use straight braid. The only reason I asked is because I haven’t bought many rods and when I originally went from a cheap Ugly Stik combo to a $45 Berkeley rod the difference in sensitivity was night and day. 

 

Clarus would likely be another step up in sensitivity compared to a $45 Berkley rod...

 

15 minutes ago, Team9nine said:

 

Clarus would likely be another step up in sensitivity compared to a $45 Berkley rod...

 

That’s awesome. Thanks for your help. 

18 hours ago, Team9nine said:

 

I've got a 6'6" ML Clarus and it has been my "go-to" finesse rod for the past year or two. I use it for about everything, from small swimbaits to small jerkbaits (Husky Jerks) as well as micro jig/pig, to everything 'Ned.' Not sure how stiff a 'M' would be, but I've never felt outgunnned with the ML, and this rod alone has probably accounted for about 1500 of my bass this year, and handled several 5-6 lb. fish admirably.

Do you by chance ever use heavy wire hooks on that setup? I’m leaning towards the M but want to make sure it has enough backbone to really drive those hooks in well. 

13 minutes ago, Alden said:

Do you by chance ever use heavy wire hooks on that setup? I’m leaning towards the M but want to make sure it has enough backbone to really drive those hooks in well. 

 

Nope - not really. My finesse stuff is all smaller/lighter wire. Guessing you’ll want to go at least ‘M’ from the sound of it. Should be fine if going straight braid. Not sure I’d move to MH unless you were straight fluoro or mono.

12 minutes ago, Team9nine said:

 

Nope - not really. My finesse stuff is all smaller/lighter wire. Guessing you’ll want to go at least ‘M’ from the sound of it. Should be fine if going straight braid. Not sure I’d move to MH unless you were straight fluoro or mono.

Yeah that’s what I’m thinking. Thanks again.