What is the best action and length (not specific rod) for these techniques:

Dropshot/Shakey Head/Finesse Worm (spinning):

Crankbait (baitcaster):

Topwater: (baitcaster):

Flippin'/Pitchin' (baitcaster):

Swimbait (baitcaster):

Just wondered.  I have been wanting to expand my arsenal from 3 to more than that   and didn't know what action and length to get for different things.

Can not answer on the spinning.I fish 12 rods, so I'm not going to answer them all. Now remember this is all personal preference. I personally do not have a rod that is shorter than 7'. from med to hvy. Swimbaits I do not have a set rod for my Huddlestons so when i do use them, I use my jigging rod. 7'6"hvy/fast.Crankbait is a 7' 2"medhvy fast.Topwater is a 7' med/mod fast. My flippin/pitchin is stated above but i also flip and pitch my worm rods when needed.multiple 7'med hvy fast and multiple 7'med hvy mod fast.

Dropshot/Shakey Head/Finesse Worm (spinning): 6'6" to 7'6" MF to MXF

Crankbait (baitcaster): 6'6" to 7' MMF to MHMF Glass or Glass/Graphite

Topwater: (baitcaster): 6'6" to 7' MF to MHF

Flippin'/Pitchin' (baitcaster): 6'6" to 7'6" MHF to HF

Swimbait (baitcaster): Can't help there I don't use them......

Just my .02¢ on length's that I use......

Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!!

A lot depends on your technique and types of lures for that technique.

Dropshot/Shakey Head/Finesse Worm (spinning): 6'6" - 7', med/med light rod

Crankbait (baitcaster): 8' if possible, power dependent on crank depth/size, moderate action, although I use graphite blanks which have very soft tips and XF action very successfully. I'll respectfully contradict Reel here because there are plenty of great all graphite rods out there for cranks. Go graphite if you want lighter - glass if you want a slower response.

Topwater: (baitcaster): 6' - 7', power and length based on lure weight and retrieve technique. Gunfish 95 needs something different than a 1.5oz pencil popper.

Flippin'/Pitchin' (baitcaster): 7'6 8' with 8' being better, very strong butt section - fight should be in the middle of the rod.

Swimbait (baitcaster): Soft tip if treble hooks, with appropriate power for lure rating (sebile is not the same rod as for a triple trout). 7'9 8' one piece

Buy what suits you, not what someone else thinks you should use.

Buy what suits you, not what someone else thinks you should use.

Exactly!  Rick Clunn "the greatest angler of all time" uses a 7' Heavy, Fast for everything because it suits his style.

Not everyone knows what they need.

"What suits you" is meaningless advice.

For single hooks, I like Medium, Medium Heavy or Heavy Power

depending on the application. In all instances, 6 1/2' or 7' lengths,

Fast or Extra Fast Action. Examples would be:

Soft plastics in open water: MF or MXF

Spinnerbaits and buzzbaits in grass: MHF

Jigs: HF or HXF

For treble hooks I like Moderate or Slow Action. For example:

Topwater and jerkbaits: Medium Power/ Moderate Action or Fast

Action with a soft tip.

Medium weight crankbaits: Medium Power/ Moderate Action

Heavy and deep diving crankbaits: Heavy Power/ Slow Action (glass)

Here's an overview:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1141187546

8-)

Buy what suits you, not what someone else thinks you should use.

You bet !

Experiment to find your niche, in time everyone will know what they need and what they prefer.  Most likely will make a better fisherman out of you as well.

Free advice is worth exactly what you pay for it.

Not everyone knows what they need.

"What suits you" is meaningless advice.

Hardly...  :

Would you tell a midget to buy nothing but 7' rods just because that is what everyone thinks should be used?

Not everyone knows what they need.

"What suits you" is meaningless advice.

Hardly... :

Would you tell a midget to buy nothing but 7' rods just because that is what everyone thinks should be used?

Most people need a place to start. We always have plenty of "different

opinions" to choose from. I'm sure that's confusing, too! Reel Mechanic

offered specific advice to directly answer the poster. My advice was a

little more general, but still intended to address the poster's question.

"Buy what suits you" doesn't seem very helpful to me.

8-)

Just trying to help the angler..

...RW

Okay, I guess I could have worded my response better. What I am trying to say is that you must feel comfortable with the rod in your hand. Reel Mech, Cidgrad96, and RW all gave some good advise, but that is just a place to start. I wouldn't suggest buying a particular rod length until you have handled it and know that it will suit your style. I use a 7'6" rod for deep crankin' and a 6' pistol grip for shallow crankbaits. They both suit me just fine, but obviously different from anything the others reccomended.