Fishing Rods

While we're at it, let's hear your opinions on rods for soft plastics in the grass!!!

He70MC for me.


Dan

Hey Lightninrod, I keep hearing you guys say HE70MC but how can that be??? I am not doubting you at all, but how in th world can you turn a big fish in the grass with a medium action rod??? This isn't the first time I've heard this, and it is why I keep asking! Convince me please! Is using to heavy a rod why I was having problems breaking line???

My favorite rod is the He70MC. For the grass I would say like Cal the 76HC

Andy wrote:Hey Lightninrod, I keep hearing you guys say HE70MC but how can that be??? I am not doubting you at all, but how in th world can you turn a big fish in the grass with a medium action rod??? This isn't the first time I've heard this, and it is why I keep asking! Convince me please! Is using to heavy a line why I was having problems breaking line???

Heavy line? Dang, Andy, go with a med action rod and a tad bit lighter than normal heavy line. If you got a rock-and-roll baitcaster or spinning reel that have smooth drag, let your drag take care of business. Heavy line is not needed. It's all about confident of a fisherman. *looks up Lightninrod* He's confident. Consider me crazy and outta mind, fellas, but I've used a lot of spinning reel applications and barely have problems getting big fighting fish out of grassbeds/beds. It's not about the line, Andy. It's about how you "play" the fish and "baby" it, you're gonna give'em bass a lot of "Jimmy Houston's finest" sugar booger.

Come to a wild imagination, Andy: fish ask, you tell'em, "Jimmy Houston's gone to play somewhere else, I am his replacement to give y'all plenty of sugar booger."

You must have miss-understood. I asked if using too heavy a rod was causing my line break problem.

Andy wrote:You must have miss-understood. I asked if using too heavy a rod was causing my line break problem.

I didn't misunderstood what you've asked. You assumed. I've already emphasized what action of a rod. I don't know if you've fished such bigger fish as northern pikes and muskies as much as I do. From my experience is rule number one: check reel drag and line knots before making such cast. Some days you'll have unexpected reckonings from BIG fish.

1. Check your reel drag. If you haven't set up your drag, Andy, then that's what causes your line to break because you did not give or feed your line.
2. Did you check your line knot? If you did, Andy, look up number 1.

I don't have a problem setting the hook and getting my fish out of grassbeds/weeds like I've explained earlier with a lighter than normal line.

test

Hello,

Sounds like great advice on this subject and I would agree that the He7'6"HC is a great choice for most grass applications. However, if you have thick and/or deep hydrilla you may want to consider the He7'6"XHC.
As to Andy's questions, first, I do not believe that a heavier action rod causes the line to break. There are many factors that can cause line breakage....nicks in the line from fishing in heavy cover is a major cause but, many people do not realize that most grass will cause nicks and abrasions. I will re-tie my line as much fishing grass as I do wood. Also, make sure to use a high quality abrasion resistant line.
As to the other ?, one must use a MH and preferably a H action rod for grass.( I know SD likes the 7' MC rod and at times with steady pressure you can land a bass but, you will lose many also.) The heavy rod allows you to apply more force in turning the bass. This is key for grass bass because a grass bass will dive down to the grass instead of trying to jump at the surface.
My rule of thumb is to hit them hard, fast and get them in the boat.

Good luck,

Demetrius

Thanks Demetrius, That is my philosophy also. Last year I ahd trouble all season breaking off at the hookset. I went through several different flourocarbon lines and settled with "P" line, but still had numerous break-offs during tournaments no less. I have since switched to SunLine and haven't broken off since. I use the HE76HC for my grass rod with a HE76XHC as my back-up!!!

No problem Sdesign....

-Demetrius