I was watching re-runs of Bill Dance Outdoors the other day and the episode was the one with Bill throwing the Xcailur wakebait. This episode was the one where he rattled off a lot of facts about the bass and bass fishing.

Anyway, he hit on a topic that I have had quesations about and I have seen other questions about. And he noted that many anglers think they need a compostie or fiberglass rod while fishing topwaters due to the slower actions the rods give. But he said that a bass strike is an instant of a second and it just doesn;t make sense that you want a slower rod because you'll miss the fish. Thi sis coming from probably the bass fisherman alive, so...

He said that graphite is just so superior to composite or glass rods that if you need to make any adjustment to your rod, just opt for a lighter power rod. He just emphasized how you HAVE TO wait until you feel the fish to set the hook. He also made sure he touched on that when a fish comes up to a topwater, the fish moves or pushes water resulting in moving the bait away in attempt to inhale it in. This is another reason we need to wait to set the hook.

What does everyone think? I have always heard you want a moderate action with trebles, but this is coming from Bill Dance.

I've heard you should use moderate action w/ trebles also, and the idea makes a lot of sense.  However, I've never had any problems with fast action rods and crankbaits/jerkbaits.  I think if you're gonna really give a huge hookset then moderate action is good.  But if you just do a sweep set and fight the fish correctly (i.e. gently but firmly instead of ripping him into the boat), I think a fast action graphite rod works just as well if not better for treble hook lures.  That's my opinion, and I know a lot of people here disagree with that.

By the way, how awesome are those strikes he gets on that wakebait?  I can't wait to try some wakebaits next year  

I've heard you should use moderate action w/ trebles also, and the idea makes a lot of sense. However, I've never had any problems with fast action rods and crankbaits/jerkbaits. I think if you're gonna really give a huge hookset then moderate action is good. But if you just do a sweep set and fight the fish correctly (i.e. gently but firmly instead of ripping him into the boat), I think a fast action graphite rod works just as well if not better for treble hook lures. That's my opinion, and I know a lot of people here disagree with that.

Moderate or Slow Actions rods act as a shock absorber when FIGHTING the fish. Most treble hook lures give a fish leverage to throw the hook. Soft rods reduce this risk and also help prevent hooks from being pulled out of the fish.

With today's technology, graphite rods can be built with all of the characteristics attributed to glass and composites. However, I still prefer glass for deep running crankbaits and big lures. For most treble hooks I fish a St. Croix Avid AC70MM or AC66MF with a soft tip (graphite). For deep divers, Lamiglas SR705R (Glass).  

Yeah those hits on the wake bait are something. By the way, have you ever sen Bill Dance set the hook, he d**n near launches himself backwards off the boat whenever he sets the hook on a bass...

I am thinking about getting myself a couple wakebaits because one pond I fish gets a heavy algea bloom which causes large sub surface mats of hairlike algae, it makes it impossible to use most lures like spinnerbaits or cranks. I have the best bet using topwaters(poppers, buzzbaits, frogs) and soft plastics. The wakebait should make a nice improvement in the arsenal since it rides right below the surface.

I wake with Mann's Baby 1- all the time using my 7ft Medium Loomis crankbait rod (graphite) and I have no problems.  

I still use a glass rod for deep crankin'.....the soft action and forgiving tip keeps fish hooked up better in my opinion and you need all the help you can get reeling the big'uns in from deep water. For shallow and mid depth crankin', I use graphite but I use ML actions. They are soft enough.

Does Quantum even sell a glass rod anymore? I'm not a Quantum fan, never will be and I dont know what they sell but if they dont carry glass or composite rods, that's the reason 'ol Bill Dance dont like 'em anymore. He's surely not going to promote a product that his sponsor doesnt even sell.

I still use a glass rod for deep crankin'.....the soft action and forgiving tip keeps fish hooked up better in my opinion and you need all the help you can get reeling the big'uns in from deep water. For shallow and mid depth crankin', I use graphite but I use ML actions. They are soft enough.

Does Quantum even sell a glass rod anymore? I'm not a Quantum fan, never will be and I dont know what they sell but if they dont carry glass or composite rods, that's the reason 'ol Bill Dance dont like 'em anymore. He's surely not going to promote a product that his sponsor doesnt even sell.

Cynic!

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