Hello everyone. I have an Okuma Rox 6-12 lb test and up to 1/2 oz for weight. I love Okuma and Shakespeare brands. I was wondering if my rod will do me fine for bass fishing? It is a spinning rod and I have a drop shot attached to it. I had a carolina but people said that wasn't good for bass. Never bass fished before so sorry for these questions if they sound dumb.

Based on the stats, that looks like a decent Medium or Medium-Light+ rod. Great for finesse (drop-shot is one). Could also handle weightless wacky, light shaky head, and maybe Ned.

 

Carolina rig does work for bass, but usually with heavier weights than that rod is designed for, but you could also do light T-Rigs (3/16 or less weights) with that.

49 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Based on the stats, that looks like a decent Medium or Medium-Light+ rod. Great for finesse (drop-shot is one). Could also handle weightless wacky, light shaky head, and maybe Ned.

 

Carolina rig does work for bass, but usually with heavier weights than that rod is designed for, but you could also do light T-Rigs (3/16 or less weights) with that.

 

Ah okay, that makes sense. Thank you. So will this rod also work for trout/catfish or which Okuma rod would I look for (if one even exists) for the purpose of catfish/trout/bass?

That rod will work for trout, bass and panfish just fine - catfish you want a stouter rod.

 

For a catfish rod that'd double as a bass rod for heavier lures (chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, jigs, etc), it depends on what your budget is.

 

I have an Okuma Reflexions MH/F that's my spinning rig for skipping jigs, chatters, spinners - it would also work for non-skipping purposes for those lures. It's stout enough to handle most catfishing as well - $75.

Depends on the size of the catfish.  My largest ever was 20 pounds on 8# XL and a cheap K-Mart rod.  Brand unknown.  Power/action unknown, but can guarantee it was a glass rod as this was around 50-55 years ago.  Not something you can horse in.  But, hey, I sure remember enjoying the battle. 

 

But as MN said, a stouter rod would serve you better for catfish.

7 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

That rod will work for trout, bass and panfish just fine - catfish you want a stouter rod.

 

For a catfish rod that'd double as a bass rod for heavier lures (chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, jigs, etc), it depends on what your budget is.

 

I have an Okuma Reflexions MH/F that's my spinning rig for skipping jigs, chatters, spinners - it would also work for non-skipping purposes for those lures. It's stout enough to handle most catfishing as well - $75.

So am I looking mostly for rods with a good lb test like like between 6 and 20 for trout/bass? I'm not doing any big game catfishing so as long as I catch things below 20lb aren't rods like the ROX good for all three? Or am I missing something?

Just now, Xumot said:

So am I looking mostly for rods with a good lb test like like between 6 and 20 for trout/bass?

Trout is usually lighter - unless you're going for the big lake trout. 6# is about the upper limit for rainbows (not steelhead - treat those like salmon), brooks and browns.

 

Bass - anywhere from 4# for finesse work to 65#+ braid is used - all depends on what style of fishing you're doing. Don't have to get a rod rated for 65# - the ratings are mainly for line diameter of mono line. 65# braid is about the same diameter as 17# mono.

 

Catfish - small ones, 20# is more than enough. Big channel, flathead or blue I'd go heavier.

 

The rod you have, using 8# mono would be a good start for all three. Make sure it's a quality mono like Berkley Trilene XL, Sufix Siege, Sufix Elite or something equivalent....don't settle for a cheap line.

 

 

As for shopping for rods, focus on the lure weights not the line weights.  

Just now, Deephaven said:

As for shopping for rods, focus on the lure weights not the line weights.  

He already has the rod - looks to be a ML+ - so it more a finesse rod with some wacky and light T-rigs/jigs possible.

Just now, MN Fisher said:

He already has the rod - looks to be a ML+ - so it more a finesse rod with some wacky and light T-rigs/jigs possible.

No, he asked what he should look at for bass/catfish.  Something from 3/8-1oz lure weight of course depending on what he is expecting the catfish he is targeting to be size wise.

4 minutes ago, Deephaven said:

No, he asked what he should look at for bass/catfish.

Ooops - I got stuck on the rod he has and what he can use it for. Missed the question about what rod he should get.

 

Need more sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep..........

19 hours ago, Xumot said:

Hello everyone. I have an Okuma Rox 6-12 lb test and up to 1/2 oz for weight. I love Okuma and Shakespeare brands. I was wondering if my rod will do me fine for bass fishing? It is a spinning rod and I have a drop shot attached to it. I had a carolina but people said that wasn't good for bass. Never bass fished before so sorry for these questions if they sound dumb.

Plenty rod for "bass". The limiting factor is going to be the size of the baits it can casts well. You should be GTG for 80+% of bass lures.