Target Fish:

Trout: 7' ML|F

Redfish/Black Drum:7' MH|MF

Flounder: I usually just catch these accidentally. Trout setup.

Fishing Situation:

Throwing topwater: Right now, 7' M|F. Ideally, 6'9" ish M|XF

Soft Plastic/Jigging: 6'6"-7' ML|F

Corky/Suspending Baits: 6'6" M|MF

Popping Cork: 7'M|F spinning rod

Croaker Soaking: Same as popping cork

Wade fishing vs Staying in the boat: Use the same rods

 

Johnsons 1480 got it covered, but I like a 7 1/2 ft. rod for popping cork and croaker soaking, just for casting distance.

 

Me too except I like the 7-6 for all situations AND I'll add, I like a short handle in the 7 to 7 1/2" length... Going to try my first split handle/reel seat this year soon as I make up my mind what details I want... on it...

 

Johnsons pretty much nailed it. I like at least a 7' stick for all applications. Casting: med-light, all lure types. Spinning: prefer a 7'6" stick, med-MH depending on rod, corks and croaker.

-SA

 

To be fair, 7' is about the longest rod that will fit in my expedition. That's why I don't own any 7'6" rods.

 

I travel a lot and used to fly a lot on fishing trips... I'm the worst in the world at breaking tips off rods. I had 4 custom rods all 7 1/2 footers done in 2 piece. Made me a heavy wall PVC case for 'em and have been using them for a long time without issue. Gonna get a new one of this next generation materials done here pretty quickly, and it will be made to fit that same rod holder... They will fit under the back seat of my truck or in the trunk of a rental car... Almost no one makes 2 piece bait casting rods any longer... going to get a spinner blank made up into this new rod.

 

All I do is throw plastics and my fav is 6'6 medium light, but I also carry a 6'6 medium with me for topwaters. Both for boat and wading.

For WHEN I use bait/popping cork, I use a 6'6 medium heavy.

The only rod I own that's not 6'6 is a Shimano Compre jig rod that a friend gave me (7'6.) Never use unless I have a jig tied on for bass fishing

 

Anytime I use live bait, I go for my 8' rod. If I get a chance this year I plan to make a 9' rod and see how that works. Slinging live bait is just that, "slinging". A longer rod with a slower action will help you get distance without throwing bait off the hook. It's frustrating when you are down to the last few baits and you sling one or two off. Especially the last one.

 

There are no answers to your questions that will work for everyone. Everyone has their own opinions about what they think is best, but all that matters is what you think.
When I chose a rod for inshore fishing, I don't care about action, length, brand, or price, all I worry about is how it feels in my hand.
I probably own at least 1 rod from every manufacturer there is, plus several custom rods, and there are 2 main things I've learned. 1. They will all catch fish, and 2. They can all break.

 

No I get that. I'm not looking for definitive rules that say you MUST use X length rod, using X weight line or you will not catch redfish. But rather, _______ length and weight rod is better suited for throwing topwaters because ____________.

I know everyone is going to have opinions about what works best for them personally, I'm just looking to see if there are common practices for the different fishing situations. (I know there are otherwise we'd all just have one rod for everything and I KNOW that ain't the case lol) Most of us on this board aren't going to go target trout in the bay with a heavy, 8ft, slow action rod. Could we catch trout with it? Absolutely. Is it the best tool for working lures all day? Eh I think the consensus on here would be that you could choose better tools.

But you're right, we complicate things a lot when it comes to gear and I bet if the only rod we could all buy was a heavy 8ft, slow action rod...we'd all still catch plenty of fish and enjoy it all the same. But we're spoiled though and have options lol.

 

7' Falcon LowRider M/L Salt for the fish finder top water.

6'9" Laguna Redfish Special for a wading rig.

7' Falcon M/L Falcon LowRider for a backup wader rig.

7 1/2' M/L American Rodsmith Croaker Smoker for chunking cork rigs. Not to be confused with the Castaway weenie croaker smoker.

If you are young get a Ugly Stick. Suffer like the rest of us did back in the day.

 

Travel rods? Yes we do!

This is in reponse to a couple of multi-pc rod posts above... I think 2 to 4 piece rods are great options and fish very well when done correctly with top quality components. Laguna Customs has built many full custom travel rods both spinning and casting (and fly rods of course). We secure the best quality blanks to fit your application and build to your specs.

As for the original question...

I prefer wading and use a 6'6" or a little less ML with a mod fast action, very light overall weight paired with a light baitcasting reel and 30-40 lb braid. Used the new Ande Braid all weekend and it is fantastic!

For boat fishing I like 7' or longer rod usually a medium power, med fast for popping corks and gulps chasing reds. Use 40-50 lb braid no line issues ever with good knots.

 

artys only here



I'm an artys only guy and do not own a rod over 6'10". I go as ultra light as possible, including not using a reel any larger then a core 50. Skitterwalks are my go to bait, worked as aggressive as possible, actually leaving the water most of the time I work it.

 

I believe Sharkchum has it dialed in...what works for others may not be the best setup for you.

I use lures 100%, predominantly soft plastics, but also use spoons, Corkys, and topwaters. My preferred rod is 6'-6" medium-light/fast for everything up to medium size surface plugs; i.e. Top Dog Jr and Skitter Walk 11. While I can use this rod for larger surface plugs - full size Top Dog and Super Spook - I opt for the 6'-6" medium/fast if I have one handy. Likewise, running the smaller baits on the medium/fast rod, I can can do it if I have to but it's not my favorite.

 

i like the 6'6 and 6'9s for lures.. ML/F for plastics, Med for Lures.. But the right ML fast tip with high modulus blank can do it all.. except croaker. that's where you need the 7'6 +