What is the best application for a shorter rod?

Callin' In Slick · 02-18-10, 12:26 AM

I have a 6' BPS Pro Qualifier with a matching baitcaster (6.4:1) in my rotation. What lures/presentations are best for this set up? Thanks to all for continuing to show me the way.....

TN_Bassin · 02-18-10, 01:01 AM

What action is the rod???

Callin' In Slick · 02-18-10, 01:07 AM

Its MH, Fast Action

Jrob78 · 02-18-10, 01:20 AM

A lot of guys really like using shorter rods for spinnerbaits.

nmanley · 02-18-10, 02:02 AM

I like a 5'6" pistol grip rod for pitching/roll casting spinnerbaits and such in tight cover, under docks, overhanging limbs and stuff like that. I tighten the free spool drag a little to help with loose spooling (small backlashes) and use braid line so I can get a good hook-set without a hard setting of the rod.

islandbass · 02-18-10, 02:17 AM

Close quarter combat, i.e., areas you fish that have a lot of brush and cover that a 7' or maybe a 6'6" rod would be impractical is another scenario where shorter rods can pay off well.

One thing I like about short rods, is that they're so easily moved and waved, I feel like I'm wielding a light saber. Honestly!

keithdog · 02-18-10, 07:50 AM

I have a coupe 6 foot rods I use to fish from shore. They are easier to use around overhanging branches and in tight quarters.

Bender · 02-18-10, 08:50 AM

I use a 6' Medium for spooks. A MH might work too, especially with Super Spooks since they weigh a ton. You can keep working them better with a shorter rod.

Bassboss · 02-18-10, 09:17 AM

Sounds like a really nice set up for short little casts to the bank with spinnerbaits!

BigBassin144 · 02-18-10, 09:25 AM

That would be great from the bank when casting space is limited. It will work for a multiple applications then, from topwaters to spinnerbaits to worms. I'd only use the rod for worms when space limitations forced me to though. When fishing from a boat, I use my 6' rod for spooks and poppers.

BB

rodnreel · 02-18-10, 10:36 AM

I personally prefer a shorter rod. I have a 6' M rod with a soft tip that I use for jerkbaits in and around docks and cover. A MH with a fast action like you have would work great for spinnerbaits and any soft plastic. Anywhere you need a short-medium range accurate cast, a shorter rod is the way to go IMO.

Bubba_Bruiser · 02-18-10, 11:25 AM

It could be a good rod for heavy top waters too. You might have a little trouble with torpedoes and smaller Rapalas, but heavier spooks and Devil's Horses could be your friend. I tend to have better accuracy with shorter rods for threading that needle on bank cover.

AUFred · 02-18-10, 11:45 AM

I prefer 6' or 6'-6" rods. Not a fan of longer rods except flyrods.

jasonfish320 · 02-18-10, 11:56 AM

This is a pretty much good all around setup..the ratio on the reel is good for finess worms, jigs and can be used effectively for crankin.. I really like 6' rods as well..it's a solid setup for throwing almost anything..

A lot of what you are getting for feedback is preference.. personally for instance, I really don't like a rod over 7' and the one I do own I only use for heavy cover and froggin since you need to have a really good vertical hookset and that's what the 7' does...all my other rods are 6-6'6.

Jrob78 · 02-18-10, 12:02 PM

Quote:

A lot of what you are getting for feedback is preference

This is very true. A 6'-7'3" MH/F is a very useful all around rod. It can be used for most anything. I prefer longer rods myself, you get more leverage on hooksets and longer casts, but this is my preference, nothing more. A shorter rod will generally be more accurate with slightly less distance.

Get out and try the rod with several different baits and see what your preference is. You may discover the setup is perfect for a technique that hasn't even been mentioned here.

Callin' In Slick · 02-18-10, 12:46 PM

Thanks for all the feedback fellas.

lilmule · 02-18-10, 01:50 PM

Its great for jerkbaits as traditional retrieve is rod down.works as well for spinnerbaits in close quarters or even worming.

BeaverIslander · 02-18-10, 03:49 PM

With 14 or 17 lb mono line, it's a good rod to sling spinnerbaits, topwater, and buzzbaits that are 3/8 and up, to cover like weed edges and docks.

3dkicker · 02-18-10, 06:13 PM

I've got a custom 5'10" M glass rod that I use for crankbaits around docks or in real skinny water and I want to make short accurate casts. I use it for topwaters too and it's great for my Pop-R's. I've got another 6' M Fast baitcaster that I fish spinnerbaits in very similar conditions. It does ok for topwaters as well.

Rebbasser · 02-18-10, 10:26 PM

It would make a good Senko rod, too.

fiker · 02-18-10, 10:53 PM

Jerkbaits, and spinnerbaits around tight cover.

I use the 6' medium most of the time for spinnerbaits regardless of location.

screwballl · 02-19-10, 01:41 AM

I myself prefer 6'6 to 7'6 rods... the only time I go shorter is for panfish. I have a 6' rod with 4lb mono that I can cast a hook and bobber just as far as many of my 7' rods.

BassinNC · 02-19-10, 08:40 AM

I would say spinner bait rod or fishing in tight areas.

basstech · 02-19-10, 02:39 PM

So, to sum up, it would be good for top water (spooks, prop baits(except torpedos), buzzbaits and poppers), spinnerbaits, crankbaits, finesse worms, worms, jerkbaits and jigs.

AUFred · 02-19-10, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by basstech

So, to sum up, it would be good for top water (spooks, prop baits(except torpedos), buzzbaits and poppers), spinnerbaits, crankbaits, finesse worms, worms, jerkbaits and jigs.

Big Jo I think you've got it. But only for those applications.

02-18-10, 12:26 AM	#1
Callin' In Slick BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Birmingham, Alabama Posts: 39	What is the best application for a shorter rod? I have a 6' BPS Pro Qualifier with a matching baitcaster (6.4:1) in my rotation. What lures/presentations are best for this set up? Thanks to all for continuing to show me the way..... __________________ A 4lb bass can't grow to 6lbs in a skillet.

02-18-10, 01:01 AM	#2
TN_Bassin BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bon Aqua,TN Posts: 1,013	What action is the rod??? __________________ Other anglers are tough, but the fish are the real competition.

02-18-10, 01:07 AM	#3
Callin' In Slick BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Birmingham, Alabama Posts: 39	Its MH, Fast Action __________________ A 4lb bass can't grow to 6lbs in a skillet.

02-18-10, 02:02 AM	#5
nmanley BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Daleville, AL Posts: 265	I like a 5'6" pistol grip rod for pitching/roll casting spinnerbaits and such in tight cover, under docks, overhanging limbs and stuff like that. I tighten the free spool drag a little to help with loose spooling (small backlashes) and use braid line so I can get a good hook-set without a hard setting of the rod. __________________ 2015 Triton 18 TRX, Evinrude 200HP

02-18-10, 02:17 AM	#6
islandbass BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: WA State Posts: 1,783	Close quarter combat, i.e., areas you fish that have a lot of brush and cover that a 7' or maybe a 6'6" rod would be impractical is another scenario where shorter rods can pay off well. One thing I like about short rods, is that they're so easily moved and waved, I feel like I'm wielding a light saber. Honestly! __________________ ARX "If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing poles." Doug Larson (Shimano 2005 Reel Catalog)

02-18-10, 01:20 AM	#4
Jrob78 BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 4,671	A lot of guys really like using shorter rods for spinnerbaits.

02-18-10, 07:50 AM	#7
keithdog BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: IN Posts: 8,308	I have a coupe 6 foot rods I use to fish from shore. They are easier to use around overhanging branches and in tight quarters.

02-18-10, 08:50 AM	#8
Bender BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Brighton, MI Posts: 2,414	I use a 6' Medium for spooks. A MH might work too, especially with Super Spooks since they weigh a ton. You can keep working them better with a shorter rod.

02-18-10, 09:17 AM	#9
Bassboss BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Shawano, WI Posts: 7,761	Sounds like a really nice set up for short little casts to the bank with spinnerbaits! __________________ If you can't fix it with heavy squats or fish oil, you're probably going to die.

02-18-10, 09:25 AM	#10
BigBassin144 BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 9,463	That would be great from the bank when casting space is limited. It will work for a multiple applications then, from topwaters to spinnerbaits to worms. I'd only use the rod for worms when space limitations forced me to though. When fishing from a boat, I use my 6' rod for spooks and poppers. BB __________________ As of June 14, 2014 the members of the BF.com forum have moved to basschat.yuku.com!

02-18-10, 10:36 AM	#11
rodnreel BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Jamestown, OH Posts: 310	I personally prefer a shorter rod. I have a 6' M rod with a soft tip that I use for jerkbaits in and around docks and cover. A MH with a fast action like you have would work great for spinnerbaits and any soft plastic. Anywhere you need a short-medium range accurate cast, a shorter rod is the way to go IMO. __________________ "If you become a jack of all bass fishing trades but a master of none, you're setting yourself up for mediocrity." - Denny Brauer

02-18-10, 11:25 AM	#12
Bubba_Bruiser BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: South MS Posts: 3,659	It could be a good rod for heavy top waters too. You might have a little trouble with torpedoes and smaller Rapalas, but heavier spooks and Devil's Horses could be your friend. I tend to have better accuracy with shorter rods for threading that needle on bank cover. __________________ \,,,,/ ROCK ON! HRN4L!

02-18-10, 11:45 AM	#13
AUFred BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Prattville, Alabama Posts: 801	I prefer 6' or 6'-6" rods. Not a fan of longer rods except flyrods.

02-18-10, 11:56 AM	#14
jasonfish320 BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: MAINEIAC Posts: 585	This is a pretty much good all around setup..the ratio on the reel is good for finess worms, jigs and can be used effectively for crankin.. I really like 6' rods as well..it's a solid setup for throwing almost anything.. A lot of what you are getting for feedback is preference.. personally for instance, I really don't like a rod over 7' and the one I do own I only use for heavy cover and froggin since you need to have a really good vertical hookset and that's what the 7' does...all my other rods are 6-6'6. __________________ "If at first you don't succeed; have another beer"

02-18-10, 12:46 PM	#16
Callin' In Slick BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Birmingham, Alabama Posts: 39	Thanks for all the feedback fellas. __________________ A 4lb bass can't grow to 6lbs in a skillet.

02-18-10, 01:50 PM	#17
lilmule BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Buchanan,Tn Posts: 2,685	Its great for jerkbaits as traditional retrieve is rod down.works as well for spinnerbaits in close quarters or even worming.

02-18-10, 03:49 PM	#18
BeaverIslander BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: St. Cloud, Minnesota Posts: 275	With 14 or 17 lb mono line, it's a good rod to sling spinnerbaits, topwater, and buzzbaits that are 3/8 and up, to cover like weed edges and docks.

02-18-10, 06:13 PM	#19
3dkicker BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Spotsylvania, VA Posts: 4,483	I've got a custom 5'10" M glass rod that I use for crankbaits around docks or in real skinny water and I want to make short accurate casts. I use it for topwaters too and it's great for my Pop-R's. I've got another 6' M Fast baitcaster that I fish spinnerbaits in very similar conditions. It does ok for topwaters as well. __________________ Smitty www.smittystubes.com

02-18-10, 10:26 PM	#20
Rebbasser BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 10,141	It would make a good Senko rod, too. __________________ It's happened to the best of them: John 21:3

02-18-10, 10:53 PM	#21
fiker BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 24	Jerkbaits, and spinnerbaits around tight cover. I use the 6' medium most of the time for spinnerbaits regardless of location.

02-19-10, 01:41 AM	#22
screwballl BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NWFL Posts: 654	I myself prefer 6'6 to 7'6 rods... the only time I go shorter is for panfish. I have a 6' rod with 4lb mono that I can cast a hook and bobber just as far as many of my 7' rods.

02-19-10, 08:40 AM	#23
BassinNC BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: albemarle, NC Posts: 788	I would say spinner bait rod or fishing in tight areas. __________________ 138 bass in 2K10. Biggest 4LBS 14oz.

02-19-10, 02:39 PM	#24
basstech BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Rockford, Ill Posts: 489	So, to sum up, it would be good for top water (spooks, prop baits(except torpedos), buzzbaits and poppers), spinnerbaits, crankbaits, finesse worms, worms, jerkbaits and jigs. __________________ The words just won't come to me!:confused:

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