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Posts: 300
Location: Minocqua, WI | Hey everyone, before the fall season rolls around I'll be getting a custom rod built for running suckers behind the boat.
I grew up with a bare bones 6ft fiberglass broomstick for this type of fishing - the rod is a Heddon brand from the mid 1960's which I still actually use.
For the sucker live bait fishing, and especially when it gets cold, I've heard that fiberglass is the way to go because if you were to use an ordinary graphite rod it can be prone to snapping in half while setting the hook-sets or possibly fighting a fish. I've heard it from several people but I don't know for proof. Is it true?
As far as sucker rods go, what is the customary preferred length for most of you? I suggested to my builder for him to make me a 7.5 footer because that's my comfort level with most rods. But what do most folks like to work with when it comes to dragging the meat?
Then what are some recommended rod sizes and lure/bait weights for a sucker rod? Most of the suckers I buy are in the range of 1/2 lb. to 2 lbs. each. I ask this because some of the rod blanks I've looked at for ordering seem deceiving as far as their ratings are concerned and appear to be underweight for this.
Lastly, what are some good recommendations for fiberglass rod blanks?
I've heard good things about Lamiglas due to the reputation but don't know of any other brands.
I'm eventually getting this new rod as a tradeoff for building my friend a small website for this rod business of his - figure the rod budget being between $200-300.
But for that price maybe I should just get a regular graphite rod that can be used almost every day so I get the money's worth?..... I don't know.
Thanks for your answers! |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | having a sucker rod "built" is akin to restoring a vintage ford pinto ... it'll look really cool, but why?? |
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Location: Contrarian Island | the Musky Innovations 9 foot livebait/trolling rod is a sweet sucker rod...friend turned me on to them a couple yrs ago and they are rock solid...composite blank....no need to have a custom built imo. |
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Posts: 4053
Location: Land of the Musky | I have a lot of guys using my 8' XXH as a sucker rod. |
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Posts: 944
| Musky Innovations 9' Livebait/Trolling rod is the best I have used. I sell a lot of them. I still have a few new ones left in stock. if you live in the Madison area and would like a price on one email me.
Thanks,
Jeff Hanson
madisonmuskyguide.com
email [email protected] |
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Posts: 292
Location: SW MI | Not wanting to get off track here but do you want a stiffer rod for livebait or something with a little more give? Do glass rods offer the "backbone" graphite does? |
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Posts: 1224
Location: Okoboji | how about a fenwick elite tech 9' trolling rod...fiberglass with backbone |
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Posts: 774
Location: South East Wisconsin | Black River Live/Troll 8'H. |
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Posts: 300
Location: Minocqua, WI | jonnysled - 5/27/2011 7:29 AM
having a sucker rod "built" is akin to restoring a vintage ford pinto ... it'll look really cool, but why??
I'm new to this and am unfamiliar with the types of rods and blanks that are out there. I am open to ideas and suggestions.
After I wrote my original post it dwelled on me that getting a nice 8-footer for regular casting would probably be the better idea and then I can settle on a cheapie or something that is already mass-produced for fiberglass. But I don't know what's all out there.
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Posts: 400
Location: North/Central WI | You should check out a Tooth Tamer Jawbreaker 8' XXH. It is graphite, but I would REALLY like to see someone break one on a hookset during cold weather. I ran two of them for my livebait rods last season and was very impressed with the results. Of the 9 days I spent on the water in November during sub-freezing temps...we had about 30 hooksets and 19 fish in the net without an issue. It also doubles as a great rod for big rubber. They retail for about $150 and have an excellent warranty. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | get a really nice 9-footer for casting and use your extra stuff you upgrade out of or cheaper glass rods for live bait. unless you just want to spend money then go for all of the cool stuff for everything. it's all the difference between need and want at that point. |
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Posts: 1030
Location: APPLETON, WI | Esox-Hunter - 5/27/2011 9:31 AM Black River Live/Troll 8'H. What Shawn said... |
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Posts: 4343
Location: Smith Creek | Temps aren't really an issue with graphite breaking, the breakage issue is related to the use and not the material. Setting the hooks on a stump you've just positioned the boat over with your drag locked down will bust an all graphite rod if you set the hooks hard enough.
I think you're correct in buying a less expensive glass rod for suckers (look for a lure rating of at least 8oz.) and have your buddy build you a 8-9' casting rod out of a Predator blank from Thornes or St. Croix Legend Tournament blank. |
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