Since I see all these Rod suggestions How Bout this

What makes a Good

Topwater Rod

Senko Rod

Worm Rod: T rig,Crig etc......

Crankin Stik

Drop Shot

Live Bait SHINERS

be interesting to hear from the more experienced fishermen and rod builders Even if you all pick just one and explain what we should consider and lok for

Thanks Muddy

Muddy,

Well even if you get 10 responses for each type, you will probably get 7-8 definitions/set of preferences.  I really believe that "it's the Indian, not the arrow."  I think you'll see a stark contrast in rod choices.  

Now that I made my opinion next to worthless, here goes.  ...lol  And remember this is only the opinion of one guy who cut his teeth in east Tx.  (where a Hvy fast is just the everyday average rod for dragging fish out of docks, weeds and timber/brush.)

worm rods:  

T-rig- I like a Hvy(or MH in St.Croix) fast.  I like 6'6" up to 6'10". (Loomis MBR 784, 785 and AllStar Jig II)  My personal preference is a rock solid backbone ( "mag bass" type of taper ) since the vast majority of my big fish have come on the t-rig.  call me crazy but 7' and t-rigs don't mix with me unless I'm fishing brute water and need an X-Hvy, which is only a few places.  Just an odd preference thing I guess.

C-rig-  7'- Hvy are all my C-rig rods.  I would probably like em' longer but my rodboxes are only 7'2" long.  :-/  I actually prefer a stiff tipped rod for c-rig and the reason is this- I always fish enough weight that I can tight line check against the weight w/out moving it, and my biggest weakness (hate to admit it) is a smooth sweeping hookset.  I find that with my type of sweep, the more of a broomstick I have the higher % of hookups I get.

Senko/Super Fluke/Bass Assasin is the same rod for me- 6' 10" or 7' MH  (you'll see in a minute that the only Med. I own is a spinning rod) in either mod-fast or fast.  I used the old model Loomis MBR844 IMX (which was a mod-fast) as the fluke/senko rod for several years.  When I started building rods I ended up with a 6' 10" All Star Jig 1 as my fluke and senko rod.  (it's not as heavy as the label says and fishes these baits great for me.)

I'm a total novice cranker... but I just build a St.Croix MH mod cranking blank and love it in the pool.  Haven't used it on the lake yet.

Topwater is my odd group... I am alone as far as anyone I have ever fished with on this one.  I use the c-rig rod (7' H or X-H fast) for the frog -normal.   And for a buzzbait I use a Hvy fast or Hvy x-Fast prefer 7' and then I use my fluke rod for any topwater with trebles and back off the drag or the spinning rod if I go to zara puppy size baits.

My token spinning rod is an SCIII (Avid) ML casting blank built up as a spinning rod.  It draws all small cranks, finese worming, and whatever else I use on light line.  It's an 8-10 lb line rod most of the time.

I've never fish shiners so I don't have a clue what makes a good shiner rod or any live bait rod.

Not sure that helps much after reading it... I need a fly rod to break it up much.  ...lol  

Upon further review, I want to add a couple notes.

t-rig- I think this should be your lightest most sensitive and most expensive rod, period. It needs to have the best feel and best casting range since you'll be also fishing light weights with it sometimes. Balance is also key in this one.

c-rig doesn't need to be as light or sensitive since you are pulling a slip leader against either a weight or a fish... takes way less to figure out and always plenty of weight to cast. Light and sensitive are good but less critical IMO than the t-rig.

Wow thats a lot of info Thanks Flechero!!!!!!!!!! 8-)

Agree 100%    Flechero   good info

Part of my response is technique specific and part is just personal preference. The length of your rod is a good example. For some techniques, longer or shorter equipment migh be "ideal," but that doesn't matter if it is not comfortable for you. So, these are my thoughts in general, but I am not really stuck on a specific length.

Soft plastics

General: M/MH or Heavy Power/ Fast or XF Action. Spinning or baitcasting.

For me: 7' MF spinning. Specifically: St. Croix Legend Elite ES70MF/ Shimano Stella 2500FB/ Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #6/ Gamakatsu or X-Point 4/0 EWG Offset Worm Hooks.

Jigs

General: MH or Heavy Power/ Fast or XF Action baitcasting.

For me: My soft plastics rig for weights 3/8 ounce and less.

1/2 oz and more: G.Loomis GLX MBR844C/ Shimano CTE200GT/ Hybrid Ultra Soft #12.

C-rig

General: MH or H Power/ Fast Action baitcasting gear.

For me: The majority of the time I fish a split shot on my soft plastics rig.

For a true C-rig, that usually means 1/2 oz weight or more. I fish my heavy jig rig.

Treble Hooks

General: MH or Heavy Power/ Moderate Action.

For me: With medium weight lures, Medium Power/ Fast Action, soft tip: St.Croix Avid AC66MF/ Shimano Calais CL200 (6.2:1)/#12 Ultra Soft.

For heavy baits and all deep running lures: Heavy Power/ Slow Action glass: Lamiglas SR705R/Shimano CTE200GT (5.0:1)/ Ultra Soft #12.

Drop Shot (see Soft Plastics)

Live Bait

General: Medium Light or Medium Power/ Fast Action

For Me: Medium Power/ Fast Action, soft tip: G.Loomis GLX PR844S/ Shimano Stella 2500FB/ #4 Ultra Soft/ #6 Gamakatsu Octopus Circle Hooks.

Thanks RW

Muddy man,

Here's my $0.02 for what it's worth. Just like the others posted, this is very subjective and rules are very general.

Soft plastics

This includes senkos, T-riged worms, Spot Removers, tubes etc. I have three rods I use

1. 7' MBR 844C IMX - MH (Loomis calls it heavy) my main plastics rod.

2. 5'6" Lamiglas XC 66 MH fast - I use this for pitching under overhanging trees & bushes.

3. Loomis SJ722S IMX 6' Med. Fast (spinning rod) for skipping under docks bushes etc.

Jigs

I use three rods for Jigs with trailers in different conditions.

1. 7'6" Loomis FS904 IMX 'flippin stick' for pitching jigs (and 12" worms) in heavy cover (my favorite fishing) and I will sometimes cast frogs with this rod.

2. The same 5'6" lamiglas above for pitching and skipping Jigs in close quarters.

3. 6' Loomis CR724C IMX heavy fast for swimming Jigs in rocks, ledges, open water, etc.

I don't fish c-rigs or live bait for bass enough to help with those. Now catfish and saltwater is another deal and a long post.

Crankbaits & spinnerbaits

I am learning to fish crankbaits even now, as I have always hated fishing them, but based on what I have learned here, I built myself a 7' MH Lamiglas BMB841 all glass crankin stick.  I have always liked to feel the blades turning on a spinnerbait so I will use this rod for that also. JUST FOR YOU MUDDY - The 7' Lamiglas rod I built for you is very similar to this one, that's why it seems so much bigger and less stiff than other rods you might compare it to, fiberglass is not as compact as graphite, but is very strong. You have an exceptional deep crankin stick IMO.

Top water,

Loomis CR 722C GLX 6' Med. Fast for LC Sammys, Spooks & Rapala floaters.

Loomis CR 724C IMX 6' MH for Buzzbaits, Jitterbugs, surface poppers.

Finesse Fishing & dropshotting

Loomis DSR820S GLX Light extra fast spinning rod. this includes 4" senkos, finesse worms, mini tubes, etc.

Too many freakin rods (and reels) to keep up with, but it makes me think I'm doing my very best to catch fish. I hope this helps you my friend.

Ronnie

Thanks Ronnie Yea and the Rod is sweet I put a high speed BPS Pro Qualifier on it and I bought some cranks ( all from the flea market here at good prices) I am looking for some tips from you at the Fork REMEMBER I AM NEW TO BAIT CASTING NO LAUGHING AT BIRDS NESTS ALLOWED ;D :

Thanks to all that replied. I just oredered a used Technia AV Med tip and Fast action I want to use for Senkos and some wormin I think I will be allright  Got that from the Flea Market too!!

NO LAUGHING AT BIRDS NESTS ALLOWED ;D :

Anyone who laughs at a bird's nest will get one on the next cast, it's the law. Sounds like your getting your arsenal together for Fork. Don't worry, you will be casting like a pro in no time.

Ronnie

Part of my response is technique specific and part is just personal preference. The length of your rod is a good example. For some techniques, longer or shorter equipment migh be "ideal," but that doesn't matter if it is not comfortable for you. So, these are my thoughts in general, but I am not really stuck on a specific length.

Soft plastics

General: M/MH or Heavy Power/ Fast or XF Action. Spinning or baitcasting.

For me:  7' MF spinning. Specifically: St. Croix Legend Elite ES70MF/ Shimano Stella 2500FB/ Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #6/ Gamakatsu or X-Point 4/0 EWG Offset Worm Hooks.

Jigs

General: MH or Heavy Power/ Fast or XF Action baitcasting.

For me:  My soft plastics rig for weights 3/8 ounce and less.

1/2 oz and more: G.Loomis GLX MBR844C/ Shimano CTE200GT/ Hybrid Ultra Soft #12.

C-rig

General: MH or H Power/ Fast Action baitcasting gear.

For me:  The majority of the time I fish a split shot on my soft plastics rig.

For a true C-rig, that usually means 1/2 oz weight or more. I fish my heavy jig rig.

Treble Hooks

General: MH or Heavy Power/ Moderate Action.

For me: With medium weight lures, Medium Power/ Fast Action, soft tip: St.Croix Avid AC66MF/ Shimano Calais CL200 (6.2:1)/#12 Ultra Soft.

For heavy baits and all deep running lures: Heavy Power/ Slow Action glass: Lamiglas SR705R/Shimano CTE200GT (5.0:1)/ Ultra Soft #12.

Drop Shot (see Soft Plastics)

Live Bait

General: Medium Light or Medium Power/ Fast Action

For Me:   Medium Power/ Fast Action, soft tip: G.Loomis GLX PR844S/ Shimano Stella 2500FB/ #4 Ultra Soft/ #6 Gamakatsu Octopus Circle Hooks.

+1

I'll just change it up a hair.  He is right on for crankbait fishing; you want a moderate action rod, while letting bait weight determine rod power.   For drop shot fishing, you generally want a softer rod to utilize a 'lift' hookset technique...similar to crappie fishing with jigs.  C-rigging generally requires a long,  7ft+ heavy power rod to accomodate the sweep hookset that is needed to take up the proper amount of line you will have out on those long casts.  For jigs, your rod should be powerful enough to handle heavy line, pierce a heavy gauge jig hook through the roof of a bass's mouth, and horse a large bass through or over cover.

What about for Spinnerbaits?

What about for Spinnerbaits?

I like a medium-heavy rod with a fast action.  I utilize two mbr843 Loomis glx's as my spinnerbait specials, and I couldn't have a custom rod built that would work better...I think they are absolutely ideal.  I don't feel that you need the glx series for adequate spinnetrbait fishing; it is the rods action and power that are key.  An mbr843 in GL2 through GLX would work fine, but I would recommend the IMX for great all-around light weight and sensitivity that could be utilized for other techniques.

okay i know this post is kind of old but what if you are on a limited budget. i only have four reels. a shimano spincast, an abu garcia baitcaster, a rick clunn 6.3 to 1 baitcaster and a quantum energy pt 5.1 to 1. what would be the best wayy to assemble 4 combos that will cover most situations.

okay i know this post is kind of old but what if you are on a limited budget. i only have four reels. a shimano spincast, an abu garcia baitcaster, a rick clunn 6.3 to 1 baitcaster and a quantum energy pt 5.1 to 1. what would be the best wayy to assemble 4 combos that will cover most situations.

How limited?  I started off with hand-me-downs then to Lightning rods then Series ones and BPS rods and then some All Stars and on and on... what they now call the All Star Classics are great rods for the money, they retail about $45 but go on sale at Academy all the time... I still keep a couple of them around as loaners for family/friends, and even use one myself sometimes.  

Work within your budget, there are good rods at every (almost) price point.  

I like an extra fast tip for topwaters and flukes.

My favorite rod for these techniques is the St Croix TBC68MXF.  The medium St croix has plenty of backbone but the extra fast tip gives more "pop" to jerk stroke and brings the beefy part of the rod into the equation quickly.

I would have to say that if I were limited to one rod, it would be a tough choice between this St crox and the loomis mbr783C IMX.  Notice that neither one is the top of the line, but they are versatile fabulous rods.  My favorite "top line" rods are my St croix legend elite LE66MHFC.  Beautiful rod for all but the heaviest worming and flipping, but will double nicely for big cranks.  And my Loomis BSR782XF.  this is a very fast tip that will whip a crankbait a mile, but cast a weightless finesse worm with ease.  Very sensative.  A little light for fat ika's etc. Senko's are ok is not too far out.  Is really ideal for finesse worms and plastics and anything with treble hooks.  

Alot of people don't seem to choose extra fast actions but I think they really add to topwaters and jerkbaits.

by limited i mean that i dont want to go over the 100$ range on any rod and that i laack the budget or the storage space to maintain more than 4 or 5 combos