We’re getting close in my area to target pre spawn largemouth. I have made a few adjustments to my equipment, specifically the addition of more composite or hybrid rods. Over the past few years these blended models have shown up with the popularity of bladed jigs but most have been in longer derivations, 7-3 or longer.

I discovered “hybrid” models in 6-9 and 7-0 and believe this opens the door to additional lure choices. The more moderate actions lend themselves to any treble hook bait, ie. top waters, crankbaits and spinnerbaits. That’s where I’m going apply them. I know a number of you use composites so please share your what and why.

Most everything you want to do with a shorter rod benefits from composite MOC. My specific niches are close fishing and skip-casting. Composite gives you the ability to have a moderate/ progressive tip with a more powerful fish-handling mid and butt in a short rod, also with a wide lure-weight range. The opposite of this in a shorter rod is a para taper, fast tip, which gets maximum cast distance over a narrow weight range, and strikes fast.

I have two extreme composite rods for close-fishing from river kayak, both made by Bright River.

Concorde is only 5', S-glass tip, and graphite-wrap butt, excels at close-skipping under cypress overhang, and horsing fish, and also best with finesse to medium topwater plugs. I made the mistake one day of fishing finesse buzzbait and bladed jig with this rod, brought a couple of fish to hand, but missed more, because the tip wouldn't strike either lure fast enough.

More recently, added 5-1/2' Satori, which is a better all-around taper, skip-casts to surprising distance, and fishes the lures the Concorde won't. This composite is S-glass with a 4-axis carbon skeleton over the full length, giving it powerful rebound, and a fast progressive tip. Also has Magic-wand kind of accuracy.

If you don't mind an older fly rod reference, I have 7-1/2' 5-wt Lamiglas Perigree, blend of graphite and S-glass, which was only offered as blank. This configuration doesn't work well in graphite - makes kind of a tomato stake, where 8-1/2' and longer graphite makes a great taper. The mid-weight and length is often heavy in glass (with the exception of really good S-glass - Fisher). The Perigree does everything you want in a fly rod, and is shocking light-in-hand - the power of a 5-wt, but weighs like a 3-wt.

I think I am 'down' to carrying 22 casting rigs in the Pro-V Bass.

12 are composite sticks, and the rest are mostly graphite.

All between 7' and 7'4" - I'm fishing mostly open water.

When it comes to composite rods for me, it's all about the bend.

I like it.

I want it.

I refuse to fish nearly all moving baits on casting without it.

Short version of why revolves around

Casting Energy,

Shock Absorption,

Hook Set & Retention

and fish fighting power.

Composites are surely not everyone's cup of tea.

But they have helped me put a lot of photoworthy fish on this forum over the years.

YMMV

A-Jay

@A-Jay's longer composite is clearly a fast para taper, which he's also praised before.

Easy to see the bend difference here, this rod is progressive tip in Toray carbon (not composite), 7'1"

17 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

@A-Jay's longer composite is clearly a fast para taper, which he's also praised before.

Easy to see the bend difference here, this rod is progressive tip in Toray carbon (not composite), 7'1"

TW Exclusive: A couple of years ago, they were giving these things away.

On Sale and with a military discount, I think they were $88 bucks a pop.

I got 'several, and you knew I would.

Just another one of those cases where I don't need to empty Fort Knox to get the exact right tool.

The sweet spot is 3/4 oz spinnerbaits and 1/2 Bladed jigs with a full trailer.

Fish Hard

A-Jay

@A-Jay

Short, lighter version is my 5'8" Falcon Glass (again, not composite) - in longer lengths, this rod series is too heavy to want to fish, but it always fished Everything in 3/8-oz perfectly. Again, para taper cast distance belies its short length.

Fishing low to the water (canoe/kayak) I find the hybrid rods give me more flexibility in casting and landing fish without increased drag pressure or hurrying the reel. They’ve been a big advantage particularly in moving and treble baits.

I know @Columbia Craw has a collection of Edge rods which I’m sure contains several composite/ hybrid offerings, as I do as well.

I have found them to be excellent offerings in a variety of length and power in a light weight package.

A couple older graphite rods is what I fished for many years and the newer composite rods have that “feel” for me, although different but familiar

Not all composite rods share every feature. They are often designed to blend aspects of glass and graphite rods. Each model is different. On a side note, don’t conflate action with bend profile. Action is where the rod INITIALLY bends when loaded. A fast action can also bend deep into the length as load progresses.

Great information. Some members might not understand or be aware of my history with composite rods. I started with the Fenwick Elite series, the ones with yellow, orange and red tips. These were heavily promoted by Iconnelli. I tried the cranked and spinnerbait versions. That was a bust. Heavy and poor flex transition. When Gary Dobyns designed the 735 and 736 composites the transitions were more progressive while providing an element of power. This was a positive. As mentioned, they are that longer rod. I kind of hoped a shorter model would follow but that didn’t happen. Being open to other options is what lead me to my current hybrids. I’m kind of like Ajay. I know what feels right for me. These models just fill a niche’ so well. Just some thoughts.