Rod Help

  • jason26
    Cedar Falls, IA
    Posts: 380
    #1314804

    I am looking for imput on a good rod to throw #5 and #7 shad raps on. Right now I tried my 7′ medium action berkley bionix rod with a shimano sedona 2000 reel spooled with 14lbs fireline. This set up does not throw these little cranks very well, way to much arm movement for little distance. I plan on buying a rod for throwing these but dont have a clue what action or lenght to buy. Please let me know what rod and reel setup you all would use to throw these baits.

    Thank you,
    Jason

    dustin_stewart
    Rochester, MN
    Posts: 1402
    #341528

    Jason,

    I use a St Croix Avid 6’6″ medium fast action spinning rod on these little cranks and it works very well for me. I have the reels spooled up with 10lb/4lb diameter fireline.

    This rod makes a great multi purpose rod. It’s a great jigging rod as well.

    fireflick
    Alma WI
    Posts: 875
    #341530

    Jason,

    For me I like the 7’Medium Fast action St.Croix Tidemaster with a Pflueger President reel. I like the longer rods because I can really reach out when working wingdams. Longer the cast the deeper those cranks will drop.

    fishingscout
    Saint Paul
    Posts: 156
    #341553

    Shad Raps normally cast pretty nicely. I have not fished a Shimano reel before but I looked up the specifications and it looks like a reasonable tool for what you are doing. Likewise the bionix spinning rod looks like a reasonable tool also.

    I just have two questions. First, is your reel spooled properly? A reel with too little line will have difficulty casting a lighter lure, the resistance of the line coming off the spool will shorten your casts dramatically. Second, do you need 14 pound test line? Depending on what you are targeting, species and depth, you could consider moving to 10 pound test which will allow you to cast easier and get that bait down deeper.

    jason26
    Cedar Falls, IA
    Posts: 380
    #341556

    The reel is spooled correctly. This is why I thought it may be my rod. The 14lbs line is not nesissary for this application. I am not sure what the 14lbs fireline compares to in mono but I think it is around 6 or 8 equivilant.. I had the line on the reel for other applications, and is the rod and reel i had picked to try the shad raps with. I think i will try this set up with a different line, though i still think a new rod will be on the way. I just can get enough gear even though most of it never even makes it out anymore.

    Thanks for your imput.

    greg-vandemark
    Wabasha Mn
    Posts: 1096
    #341597

    I have too Ditto Jarrads choice of Reels.

    The Pflueger President 6740..it has a large spool mouth. Which helps with the line memory. I also put backing on all my reels to bring your line up to the top of the spool. These smalll things will help your casting distance with

    small baits. I also use 14 lb test fireline (flame green), which has the diameter size of six pound mono.

    My Rods are custom made and are 7 foot Glass rods with very fast action. When a fish takes my plugs they sledom shake it free..Glass and Fire line work hand in hand I can feel the plug walking over wood and rock and the foregiveness of the glass I hardly ever have a fish pull the hooks..

    Hope this helps and good luck this 2005 season.

    jason26
    Cedar Falls, IA
    Posts: 380
    #342169

    Well I took the line off my reel and put on a line with 4lbs diameter and filled the spool fuller than I normally would. My distance did increase but still short of what i think it should be. Thanks for all your help. Think I am going to buy myself a new St. Croix, I am always looking for an excuse to buy a new one anyways. I may have to check out a new reel with a bigger spool like the president that was mentioned. Once again thanks for your help .

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