Rod help
Super Googan
Posted 5/8/2016 8:56 PM (#816549)
Subject: Rod help




Posts: 8


Rod choice Need some help
Hi guys, could use some rod recommendations for a specific somewhat unusual situation.

First off I'm shore fishing and wading a small river...more of a creek. Really need a shorter rod in the 7' to 7'6" range.



Have most often been using a heavy spinning rod and lures under 2.5oz Have also been using an older Okuma guide select swimbait rod 7'11" rated 1 to 3oz with a curado 300.
The Okuma is just to long slapping the water fishing spooks and gliders and too long around trees and brush.
Recently I'm having success throwing 3-3.5oz gliders and spooks ( walk the dog lures ) The lighter riverrun manta and some spooks.

Looking for a casting rod that works really well for gliders and spooks in that 3-3.5oz range thats from 7'to 7'6"

I've always been a st croix guy so I'm most interested in them ( open to other brands )

Looking at the st croixs in that length most are rated 3/4 to 3 , 2 to 6 or 3 to 8 oz

Will the 3/4-3 oz rods be maxed out throwing 3.5oz with to soft of a tip for gliders and spooks ???? Really want a rod thats good walking the dog.

Would I be better off with a 3-8oz rod or 2-6oz ?

Budget anywhere from $150-$300 any brand considered

Rod will be matched will a 300 curado .... But thinking about a Luna 203 or 253

46 years old and not in the best shape so a light rod thats not tip heavy is a Big plus.

Thank you !!!!

Edit:
Thought I should add that the heaviest lures I'm throwing are maxing at 3.5oz
Fishysam
Posted 5/8/2016 10:16 PM (#816561 - in reply to #816549)
Subject: Re: Rod help




Posts: 1209


I would say a mojo bass swim bait rod at 7'10" and 1-4 oz will be your best bet. I used one for a season as a musky rod. But it wore in. Now it's just a bit to soft to bomb lures as hard as I can. But in a river I would be content. $140. Paired up with a abugarcia revo inshore 250$ msrp. 65#. Pretty awesome combination. I wouldn't want a larger reel on that rod
Super Googan
Posted 5/8/2016 10:54 PM (#816564 - in reply to #816549)
Subject: Re: Rod help




Posts: 8


Thanks for the suggestion Fishysam really appreciate you taking the time to respond. I took a look at the rod on St Croixs website and it's actually listed as 7'11". Just a bit too long for me. 7'6" would be my max. They also list the rod as weighing under 6 ounces, worried it would be a little soft and fragile. Most of the musky rods from croix in that range are 7-9oz.
Have any other suggestions for me ?
Yooper Padre
Posted 5/9/2016 5:05 AM (#816573 - in reply to #816549)
Subject: Re: Rod help





Posts: 337


Location: Watersmeet, Michigan
Just order a heavy St. Croix bass rod in the length you want. It will NOT be fragile. A couple weeks ago I landed a 47" sturgeon, in current, on a M-L St. Croix Eyecon walleye rod. They're tough and have plenty of backbone.

Fr. K
Fishysam
Posted 5/9/2016 7:52 AM (#816582 - in reply to #816549)
Subject: Re: Rod help




Posts: 1209


I wouldn't worry about the weight of the rod at all. Like I said only reason I put that rod back to the bass arsenal is because I can't give a 4oz spinnerbait a 110% on the cast. However if you were to cut 4" off the tip to 7'6" it would only be stiffer yet and the tip guide is easy to replace


Zoom - | Zoom 100% | Zoom + | Expand / Contract | Open New window
Click to expand / contract the width of this image
(image.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments image.jpg (145KB - 514 downloads)
Cedar
Posted 5/9/2016 9:18 AM (#816590 - in reply to #816549)
Subject: RE: Rod help




Posts: 357


Location: Western U.P.
3 solid options for you. Any would work well for what you're doing. The MH might be my first choice... slightly lighter rod weight, not as stiff, and covers the wt range of lures specified. If you may start throwing heavier baits, or prefer a stiffer rod feel, then the 7'6" or 7' XH would be a good all around choice. Good luck.

Tackle Industries 7'6" MH (1-4 oz lure rating)

Tackle Industries 7' or 7'6" XH (2-8 oz lure rating)
Tackle Industries
Posted 5/9/2016 11:02 AM (#816602 - in reply to #816549)
Subject: Re: Rod help





Posts: 4053


Location: Land of the Musky
Just an FYI but our 7' TI Musky rods are on special right now for $100 too...

https://tackleindustries.com/shop/musky_pike_fishing_rods/musky_pike...

James

Super Googan
Posted 5/9/2016 1:10 PM (#816622 - in reply to #816549)
Subject: Re: Rod help




Posts: 8


Thanks guys for all the responses so far, keep them coming! The TI MH is now on my list to consider. Reconsidering the heavy bass rod but it's still to long and I'm not real thrilled with the idea of chopping 6 inches from the tip. Wading and bank fishing I need something 7'6" or under probably better off with 7.
bowhunter29
Posted 5/9/2016 2:04 PM (#816627 - in reply to #816549)
Subject: Re: Rod help





Posts: 910


Location: South-Central VA
Go with TI!

Jeremy
Yooper Padre
Posted 5/9/2016 6:45 PM (#816652 - in reply to #816549)
Subject: Re: Rod help





Posts: 337


Location: Watersmeet, Michigan
Tackle Industries rods are also great. Whatever you do, don't break the tip off anything. You'll find a rod that meets your needs.
Fishysam
Posted 5/9/2016 7:39 PM (#816657 - in reply to #816549)
Subject: Re: Rod help




Posts: 1209


Well I have a concern that I would have to address, you wade in the water how far when you Muskie fish? I would be scared to death of a close hit from a sizeable fish that has a lot of spunk in him... I'd feel at a disadvantage and vulnerable to getting hooks in my leg or worse...
Super Googan
Posted 5/9/2016 10:50 PM (#816683 - in reply to #816657)
Subject: Re: Rod help




Posts: 8


Fishysam - 5/9/2016 8:39 PM

Well I have a concern that I would have to address, you wade in the water how far when you Muskie fish? I would be scared to death of a close hit from a sizeable fish that has a lot of spunk in him... I'd feel at a disadvantage and vulnerable to getting hooks in my leg or worse...


Rare for me to actually fish when im chest deep, always try to find a shallower spot to stand, a rock or on the bank. The deeper wading is just to get to a good spot.
Picking a spot that looks fishy AND is acceptable to land fish is all part of it. I also try and trigger a strike a little early with a speed, direction change or pop before the lure is at my feet. In most situations im unable to do a figure 8. Just try to assume I have a follow on every cast .

That said...... Did manage to take a set of treble hooks with a musky attached to my thigh a couple years ago Never touched skin but those waders have seen better days.

I use a longer heavy fluorocarbon leader, when the fish is ready I'll grab the leader to steer the fish and use a boga grip . The boga grip works good holding the fish by the jaw and it swivels ( spins ) so the fish can thrash or spin/roll without getting injured.
Pliers right on the chest of my waders attached with a cord, don't even need to take the fish out of the water.

Should aslo mention these are smaller fish I'm catching nothing over 30lbs where I fish.
Super Googan
Posted 5/9/2016 11:12 PM (#816687 - in reply to #816549)
Subject: Re: Rod help




Posts: 8


Found a St Croix mojo 7'2" mh 3/4-3 at a price I could not refuse. Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I'll let you know how it works out. Please don't hesitate to make more suggestions.....I'm a bit of a tackle junkie so feel free to talk me into another rod.
Flambeauski
Posted 5/10/2016 3:46 PM (#816756 - in reply to #816549)
Subject: Re: Rod help




Posts: 4343


Location: Smith Creek
I was going to suggest the MM72MHF. Good choice, you'll like it.
jaultman
Posted 5/10/2016 4:33 PM (#816763 - in reply to #816657)
Subject: Re: Rod help




Posts: 1828


Fishysam - 5/9/2016 7:39 PM

Well I have a concern that I would have to address, you wade in the water how far when you Muskie fish? I would be scared to death of a close hit from a sizeable fish that has a lot of spunk in him... I'd feel at a disadvantage and vulnerable to getting hooks in my leg or worse...

With a 7' or longer rod and a short leash you can keep a fish well away from your body. Two falls ago I caught a 47 inch "ankle-side", i.e. figure-8ing about 3' from my legs, standing in waders but only knee-deep. I had been concerned about it but quickly learned that on a short leash you can easily keep their face safely away from your legs. Of course, could make for a lost fish when you have to horse them around that much.
Super Googan
Posted 5/11/2016 1:55 AM (#816823 - in reply to #816549)
Subject: Re: Rod help




Posts: 8


Tried the new Mojo 7'2" MH 3/4-3oz today........Love it !!!
Worried that 3-3.5oz lures would be to heavy casting hard....not a problem at all. Threw a Manta and a 3.5oz spook no problem.
Really laid into a few cast's and the rod felt fine with power to spare.
Fast/heavy enough action to work the manta and big spook.....better than my 7'11" Okuma swimbait rod.
LOVE the handle/butt length its perfect for me. Glad I did not go with the mojo bass swimbait rod or a st croix premier.... They both have shorter handles by a couple inches.( I prefer a longer handle, others may like those rods )
This Mojo 7'2" is the ideal length for me and if the butt was 2 inches shorter I'd hate the rod.
REALLY like this rod throwing 1.5-3.5oz, pretty sure I'd be comfortable throwing up to 4oz with it, maybe more.
Very happy with the MH, positive I would have found a Heavy action not to my liking.


Super Googan
Posted 5/11/2016 2:00 AM (#816824 - in reply to #816756)
Subject: Re: Rod help




Posts: 8


Flambeauski - 5/10/2016 4:46 PM

I was going to suggest the MM72MHF. Good choice, you'll like it.



Love it
Super Googan
Posted 5/11/2016 2:04 AM (#816825 - in reply to #816549)
Subject: Re: Rod help




Posts: 8


Thanks to everyone that tried to help me here ! Really appreciate it guys.