Thinking about getting a relatively cheap combo—it is for fishing a moving lure, after all—together over the winter to be ready by spring. Maybe put on the Christmas list with an Abu Max X.

 

Leaning toward something with a softer tip but good backbone—I’m thinking a lot of cheaper “H/F” rods should check that box. Only hoping for enough sensitivity to feel change in lure vibration or weight, not feel subtle ticks like on a jig rod.

 

Anyway, the hope would be to be able to use the same rig for similarly-weighted bladed jigs, flutter spoons, or even frogs depending on conditions—yep, I’m under 30 and have toddlers at home. Think back to that time of life.

 

Shortlist of heavy power rods includes:

 

- BPS Graphite Series

- Daiwa Aird-X

- BPS Bionic Blade (more expensive than I’d care to pay for…but might go on sale)
The “sort of doubtful” list includes:

 

- Berkley Lightning (which, I think will work perfect in M/MF for shallow crankbaits and maybe poppers—but may not be stiff enough even in a Heavy power for single-hook lures)

- Okuma Reflexions b (seems oddly saltwater-specific and might be too noodly—but seems to be getting clearanced)

I've been using my Aird-X MH/F for smaller spinner and chatterbaits - ya, you can feel the vibration of the blades with that one...been a pretty good moving baits rod.

 

So my vote is for the Aird-X H/F for the 3/4oz moving baits.

6 hours ago, Drawdown said:

Think back to that time of life.

I prefer not to.

6 hours ago, Drawdown said:

Think back to that time of life.

My memory doesn't go back that far....

I own a couple dozen fishing rods.  Some cheap, some expensive.  If I were you I would go to Bass Pro Shop.  Walk around and check out their line of cheaper graphite rods.   Pick each rod up and see how it feels to you.   Ten years ago, I was buying their cheap graphite rods for $39.99 each and I would buy them six at a time.  It's amazing how much fishing rod value you can get for your money today.  A cheap rod may not be pretty, but it will work better than you may think.  My favorite spinnerbait rod is one of those old BPS rods.

 

You already have it right.  Get a rod with a good backbone and a sensitive tip.  You'll need a fairly heavy action for a 3/4 oz. spinnerbait.   The fish you catch on that bait will be larger than most.  

I think you are on the right track. A 3/4oz spinnerbaits will weigh close to 1.5oz in true weight, so a heavy action rod with a slower tip sounds right. No experience with the rods mentioned, but I would imagine there will be budget friendly rods with those qualities available. Good luck to you. 

What length rod would you be looking at?

Guess the only drawback to a lot of these “budget-friendly” rods is they come in fewer length options. However, that could potentially help decide between certain models.

 

For example, at present the only available length for the BPS Graphite series rod at Heavy Power is a 7’6” and for the Daiwa Aird-X it’s a 7’ rod.

 

Remember 3/4 is the lead head. Add wire, blades, skirt and maybe trailer and you’re near or north of a full oz. 

I use an Okuma EVX for heavier spinnerbaits. You can practically steal a 7' MH off their website right now.

https://okumafishingusa.com/products/evx-b-series-bass-rods