1 hour ago, redmeansdistortion said:

Why not?  The bass here don't get as big as they do down south and out west.  The vast majority are under 2lb at that.  A ML has handled every single one I've caught without issue, even my PB 7lb 4oz LSC smallmouth back in 2002.  Most would consider a 5lb a wall hanger in these parts.

Rod power isn't about the size of the fish, it's about the where and the what.

5 hours ago, Fishin Dad said:

I use a lot of fluoro and the heavy rods work on hook sets from distance. 

I use several heavy rods, and use them mainly for bottom contact baits when others would probably use a MH.  I fish copoly/fluoro, and want the extra power to compensate for line stretch.

I use quite a few heavy rods. As I'm sure everyone knows, rod power ratings are completely subjective and are really only comparable between that line of rods and maybe that brand of rods.  I have fiberglass cranking rods that are rated heavy and swimbait rods that are also rated heavy. They are literally at opposite ends of the spectrum. I also use Heavy flipping/pitching rods that are more powerful than the more standard Heavy powered rods I use for jigs, frogs, heavy t-rigs, deep cranks, C-Rigs...and whatever else I'm not thinking of right now. I tend to go with the heaviest rod that will load and cast whatever bait I'm using. 

My Daiwa XXHvy Fast 4 - 14 oz baits is my big big swimbait bait rod.

5 hours ago, Jrob78 said:

I tend to go with the heaviest rod that will load and cast whatever bait I'm using. 

I agree 100%. Use gear that will give you the best odds of moving the biggest fish you might stick, out of whatever cover you're fishing. 

Still loving those big reel handle knobs you sent me. My index finger knuckle is finally almost scab free. LOL. It used to get busted open every time I went flippin, which is nearly every day off from March to December. Thanks again.

35 minutes ago, T-Billy said:

I agree 100%. Use gear that will give you the best odds of moving the biggest fish you might stick, out of whatever cover you're fishing. 

Still loving those big reel handle knobs you sent me. My index finger knuckle is finally almost scab free. LOL. It used to get busted open every time I went flippin, which is nearly every day off from March to December. Thanks again.

Lol nothing worse than banged up knuckles! I think I have at least 1 more set I'll send you. I'm happy you're using them and enjoying them!

Just picked up a Kistler Helium 7'6" 3/8 - 1 1/2. I'm pretty excited to get out with it. I've also got a TFO 736 & a Fury 795SB. 

Calstar 770XXH rated 80 - 130 Mono. Haha. I kid, I kid. For Bass fishing its got to be my 7'6" Shimano Curado Heavy power Flippin' rod. Light and powerful. I love it. 

I use a daiwa kage 7'1" heavy (rated 1/4-1 1/2oz), it's powerful and accurate, and perfect for frogging and punching/pitching plastics from the back of a boat as a co-angler, which is probably the only fishing I'll be doing for the foreseeable future. For context I'm in central Florida where the veggies and the fish get thick.

AAs noted no standards exist regarding a fresh water bass rod.

We can agree that a 3 power rod is Medium, 4 power is Medium Heavy, 5 power is Heavy and 6 power is X Heavy....maybe depending on the rod maker, length and action. Through in flipping and swimbait rods and all that changes.

IMO most bass anglers use rods and line too strong to catch bass. 

Heavy line and powerful rods to lift the bass out of heavy cover isn’t a common practice although today’s bass anglers tend to believe it’s needed.

Tom

What if I’m fishing a 3/4oz jig and trailer in 20ft of water? Is my 1 1/2 oz rated rod too heavy then? 

2 hours ago, WRB said:

Heavy line and powerful rods to lift the bass out of heavy cover isn’t a common practice although today’s bass anglers tend to believe it’s needed.

I'm a believer in big rods, big braid, big hooks, and a strong drag when fishing cover. Best tools for the job IMO. 

I laugh every flippin tournament I see, watching pro's break fish off flipping/pitching with fluoro. Gotta use what your sponsors tell ya I suppose.

On 7/1/2023 at 2:31 AM, Columbia Craw said:

I recently spent some time checking the rod combos on the decks of tournament boats at an event.  This was a largemouth lake with relatively heavy cover types.  What I found was very few heavy or mag/heavy rods. I was surprised at the abundance of medium, mediumjp heavy rods. Even those with jigs and frogs seemed under powered in my opinion. 
 

What rods in your arsenal are your heaviest rods and how do you apply them?

 

For the last 20 years I find I fish about a power above the norm. Thanks for sharing all! 
 

Doug

Falcon Expert Amistad XH rated up to 3oz. I use It for deep heavy jigs and punching. 
I have a lot of rods rated up to 1.5 and 2oz. I also prefer a heavier powered rod. 
 

It would be nice if those saying there’s no standard in Rod powers (which everyone knows) would actually give their rods rating. Doesn’t help anything to say there’s no standard in powers but I throw a 4 power. Or there’s no standard but I throw a 7’3” heavy. Ok lol

I have a Team Daiwa-V, and a Daiwa Procaster.  Both are H/F, and both were purchased back in the mid 90's.  I still use the Procaster to punch mats. 

5 hours ago, T-Billy said:

I'm a believer in big rods, big braid, big hooks, and a strong drag when fishing cover. Best tools for the job IMO. 

I laugh every flippin tournament I see, watching pro's break fish off flipping/pitching with fluoro. Gotta use what your sponsors tell ya I suppose.

Ditto

It’s all relative to how and especially where you fish. Most on here think using 80# braid is overkill and can’t phantom why. That’s ok, 
 But in certain / specific conditions they're not where I’m at and doing what I’m doin. 
 

I’ve never had a sponsor tell me what to use but there are others who “strongly” suggest and imply that’s what they want.  

Flipping with flouro has its place and time but ya gotta be selective and understand the limits of what you got in your hand. 
 

 

 

 

Mike
 

8 hours ago, WRB said:

IMO most bass anglers use rods and line too strong to catch bass. 

Heavy line and powerful rods to lift the bass out of heavy cover isn’t a common practice although today’s bass anglers tend to believe it’s needed.

This is exactly what I was getting at.  Heck, even fly fishermen that are chasing bass in heavy cover will use an 8wt or 9wt, about the equivalents of a ML and M spinning rod respectively.  I fish the St Clair River delta, or what we locals call the Flats, on the regular and have been pulling smallies from the countless reed patches for many years on light tackle.  In that particular area, the very first thing a smallmouth does when the hook is set is immediately run for the reeds, every single time.  I will admit, I have also lost my fair share, but even lamp cord strung up on a broomstick isn't going to save you in that stuff.  It's brutal, and it's a lot of fun.

1 hour ago, Bankbeater said:

I have a Team Daiwa-V,

 

I got one of those, first 7' rod I ever brought.

I've got a pitching/flipping outfit that's rated for 2 oz, an ALX Brawler.  It's heavy enough for me to use for the 4 wire Alabama rigs I throw too.  I also have a Kistler KLX Feel 'n Reel 7'6 rated for 2 oz.  Hard to tell which is actually more powerful with the different tapers and the fact that the Kistler is a glass/graphite hybrid.  They're both used relatively sparingly.

I

Johnny Morris Signature Series 7-6 heavy extra fast rated up to two oz. Definitely has more than enough power and backbone. If it was any more powerful it would rip lips off every fish. I only use it in the worst cover.

IMO some bass anglers around here use too light of line. I talk to people all the time at my tournaments on our rocky, submerged tree lakes that say they broke off multiple times on bass that day. What were they using? 8lb line throwing wacky. Yeah no wonder they wrapped you up and broke you off. 

I’ve got a couple muskie sticks that are 8-9 feet long and rated super heavy for tossing magnum bull dawgs. They are like tree trunks.

 

My biggest bass rod is a 7.5 foot heavy action. I use it for frog fishing.

7’4 Heavy Fast St Croix surprisingly versatile rod, It used to get very little use and nowadays it gets used every time I go out who knew! 

I use a lot of Heavy rods - I hate being underpowered I guess. I am usually a coangler and take 6 rods - 1 xxh or xh swimbait rod, 2 heavy rods for jigs and other bottom baits, 2 mh rods for t'rigs and other stuff and the 6th rod will be a medium or ml for things. 

21 hours ago, Mike L said:

understand the limits of what you got in your hand

 

☝️

Expride 7’3 & 7’11 XH’s