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Texas Fishing
Jan 22, 2023 10:45:03   #
Hogwaller Loc: Garrison Texas
 
Back in the 80s when I was a young man and reading various articles on rod set ups, I soon learned that the lightest rod and reel combo we put together would be the most sensitive. That’s when I started reading the actual weight of the rod or reel before settling on a purchase.

I know that for specific techniques heavier rods are needed for their backbone or stiffness. However when shopping for a new rod for a specific technique the weight of the rod is still a big consideration for me today. Having the lightest rod and reel possible for your particular technique is going to enhance your ability to feel the slightest tinge of the line. This is the very reason rod builders start using lighter material like boron or carbon graphite to construct their rods.

Today many anglers still swear by glass rods for cranking but I personally prefer using the much lighter graphite cranking rods. When cranking you’re not looking for the slightest little bite but the sudden weight of the fish when the rod loads up. The lighter graphite cranking rod will be less strenuous on you over the coarse of the day and hundreds of casts because of its lighter weight.

For a finesse rod set up you won’t be looking for distance so a shorter rod will work and it will be lighter than a longer version of the same rod. Something to consider when so many are pushing the idea that longer rods are better. For me it all depends on preference and what you get used to but for sensitivity lighter is better.

The same goes for the reel you choose and the weight of reels produced has been geared towards making them as light as possible without compromising reliability. When I’m shopping for reels I’m not only considering spool width and gear ratio but also looking at the actual weight of the reel. If I’m comparing two reels in the same price range I’m going with the lighter one if there’s considerable difference of a few ounces. This may not seem like much but by the end of the day a heavier rod and reel will wear you down more. If you’re a competitive angler like I then you’re always looking for an edge.

Now for my line I like fluorocarbon or braid because of its lack of stretch like monofilament. Keeping your line tight helps to feel bites along with rod angle. Fluorocarbon or braid will also give you better hook sets over monofilament. Pair this with the lightest rod and reel for your technique and you have your ultimate setup. Lots of anglers prefer braid because of it’s lack of stretch and strength but I shy away from it unless I’m fishing heavy cover.

When possible I’m going to fish a heavier weight on the end of my line rather it’s a jig or Texas or Carolina rig. This allows me to keep my line tighter without moving my bait and feel everything it comes in contact on the bottom. With the heavier weight it allows for a faster fall and to cover more water by not having to wait as long for it to fall. Once on bottom I can drag it faster than with a lighter weight and keep it in contact with the bottom. On windy days a heavier weight will be easier to cast and allow you to keep your line tighter without your bait being moved by the wind. I use lighter weights when the fish are wanting a slower fall but you’re not going to cover as much water.

If you’re in a store you can read the weight of the rod on it but not usually at online stores. I’m not trying to get anyone to change brands or buy a cheaper or more expensive brand just trying to help those that might not be aware of any of this already. Hopefully this helps someone catch more bass. Tight lines!

Reply
Jan 22, 2023 13:29:44   #
Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina
 
Hogwaller wrote:
Back in the 80s when I was a young man and reading various articles on rod set ups, I soon learned that the lightest rod and reel combo we put together would be the most sensitive. That’s when I started reading the actual weight of the rod or reel before settling on a purchase.

I know that for specific techniques heavier rods are needed for their backbone or stiffness. However when shopping for a new rod for a specific technique the weight of the rod is still a big consideration for me today. Having the lightest rod and reel possible for your particular technique is going to enhance your ability to feel the slightest tinge of the line. This is the very reason rod builders start using lighter material like boron or carbon graphite to construct their rods.

Today many anglers still swear by glass rods for cranking but I personally prefer using the much lighter graphite cranking rods. When cranking you’re not looking for the slightest little bite but the sudden weight of the fish when the rod loads up. The lighter graphite cranking rod will be less strenuous on you over the coarse of the day and hundreds of casts because of its lighter weight.

For a finesse rod set up you won’t be looking for distance so a shorter rod will work and it will be lighter than a longer version of the same rod. Something to consider when so many are pushing the idea that longer rods are better. For me it all depends on preference and what you get used to but for sensitivity lighter is better.

The same goes for the reel you choose and the weight of reels produced has been geared towards making them as light as possible without compromising reliability. When I’m shopping for reels I’m not only considering spool width and gear ratio but also looking at the actual weight of the reel. If I’m comparing two reels in the same price range I’m going with the lighter one if there’s considerable difference of a few ounces. This may not seem like much but by the end of the day a heavier rod and reel will wear you down more. If you’re a competitive angler like I then you’re always looking for an edge.

Now for my line I like fluorocarbon or braid because of its lack of stretch like monofilament. Keeping your line tight helps to feel bites along with rod angle. Fluorocarbon or braid will also give you better hook sets over monofilament. Pair this with the lightest rod and reel for your technique and you have your ultimate setup. Lots of anglers prefer braid because of it’s lack of stretch and strength but I shy away from it unless I’m fishing heavy cover.

When possible I’m going to fish a heavier weight on the end of my line rather it’s a jig or Texas or Carolina rig. This allows me to keep my line tighter without moving my bait and feel everything it comes in contact on the bottom. With the heavier weight it allows for a faster fall and to cover more water by not having to wait as long for it to fall. Once on bottom I can drag it faster than with a lighter weight and keep it in contact with the bottom. On windy days a heavier weight will be easier to cast and allow you to keep your line tighter without your bait being moved by the wind. I use lighter weights when the fish are wanting a slower fall but you’re not going to cover as much water.

If you’re in a store you can read the weight of the rod on it but not usually at online stores. I’m not trying to get anyone to change brands or buy a cheaper or more expensive brand just trying to help those that might not be aware of any of this already. Hopefully this helps someone catch more bass. Tight lines!
Back in the 80s when I was a young man and reading... (show quote)


Very good post Hog. I enjoyed the read. Thanks.

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Jan 23, 2023 13:10:04   #
Pounding banks Loc: South Central Texas
 
thx for your input, I'll take that to heart.

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Jan 23, 2023 13:32:54   #
Hogwaller Loc: Garrison Texas
 
You’re welcome

Reply
Jan 23, 2023 16:20:52   #
Rick O'Shea Loc: Texas
 
WOW thanks for alot of great info !
I haven't fished much since the late 70's. But I'm getting back into it, a buddy and I just built a house on O.H. Ivie !
Equipment has changed A LOT since I bought my last 5000 reel and Ugly Stick, so I needed this info !
Thanks again !

Reply
Jan 23, 2023 23:23:56   #
Commander Bell Loc: Lafayette Indiana
 
Rick O'Shea wrote:
WOW thanks for alot of great info !
I haven't fished much since the late 70's. But I'm getting back into it, a buddy and I just built a house on O.H. Ivie !
Equipment has changed A LOT since I bought my last 5000 reel and Ugly Stick, so I needed this info !
Thanks again !


Same here. Now that I'm retired I can fish and annoy my wife all I like.

Reply
Jan 24, 2023 01:39:28   #
NoCal Steve Loc: Dunnigan, CA
 
Hog.... I 100% agree about rod length. I can't find well made casting rods that are as short as the ones I used to buy in the 90's. Been thinking about learning to make my own rods.

Reply
 
 
Jan 24, 2023 07:13:32   #
Hogwaller Loc: Garrison Texas
 
Rick O'Shea wrote:
WOW thanks for alot of great info !
I haven't fished much since the late 70's. But I'm getting back into it, a buddy and I just built a house on O.H. Ivie !
Equipment has changed A LOT since I bought my last 5000 reel and Ugly Stick, so I needed this info !
Thanks again !


You’re welcome!

Reply
Jan 24, 2023 07:33:22   #
Hogwaller Loc: Garrison Texas
 
NoCal Steve wrote:
Hog.... I 100% agree about rod length. I can't find well made casting rods that are as short as the ones I used to buy in the 90's. Been thinking about learning to make my own rods.


Back when I bought my first good bait caster and graphite rod it was 5’6” and had a pistol grip. That was one sweet setup for its day. Once the longer fighting but became popular increased rod length followed. I look for a balanced feel once I put my reel on. By this I mean I don’t want a tip heavy feel without the bait hanging from. Once you make your cast that’s what you will have anyway. If your setup is tip or rod heavy then it will tire you much more while holding it out in front of you fishing.

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Jan 24, 2023 21:20:26   #
runandgun Loc: East Texas
 
I guess if one is fishing competitively, these considerations are valid. But for me and my wife, we fish for fun and meat. Catfish for meat. During a morning of fishing, we will use at least 4 different set ups fishing for LMB. In all my years of fishing, I have never worn myself out with St. Croix, Ugly Stick, and cheaper bass pro rods. On spinning rods, we use braid with FC. Mono has a place when cranking. Sometimes one barely hooks a fish so the stretch is beneficial. On reels, gear ratio is the most important factor in my choice for purchase.

Everyone has their own techniques and likes and dislikes. Just my nickels worth.

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