Winter bass rod

2 part. First what is a good open water spinning rod for in $100 range +-$50 if worth it, for the cold weather. Tossing jigs with plastics, some flukes, tubes, etc. up in the Monticello area this coming season and lacking a sturdy rod to put in some hooks that comes with the strech of mono. MH would be my guess, got a 610 mxf rage already and thinking those micro eyes are going to freeze up pretty quick, so no rods with micro guides, plus it’s still just a M power. Fenwick, Mojo, veritas, cabelas brand, compre, open to whatever, just got to be available to get my hands on it before purchase. Maybe just a longer M rod to throw the baits better, say 7’6″, and better leverage for hooking?

And what pound test do you guys use for this setup? I have a couple size 30 reels already I would like to put on it, and go with 8# copolymer usually, but casting distance is crucial, with maximizing hooking power. My best days up there were in sub zero temps and love having the river to myself. Any tips and opinions greatly appreciated. Kind of first time tagging myself fishing for SMB, always just told myself I was fishing for eyes with the bass getting in the way, but came to the fact that they just kick butt too!!

Also the more versatile the rod is for summer use is a big bonus. After the wife finds out its the 5th rod this year I’m done for a while

Take a look at the St Croix Eyecon 6’8″ MXF. This should have enough backbone for bass and it has regular guides that won’t freeze up as quick as those smaller type guides.

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Kind of first time tagging myself fishing for SMB, always just told myself I was fishing for eyes with the bass getting in the way, but came to the fact that they just kick butt too!!

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Haha. There is no comparison between walleyes and smallies. I fish a lot of walleyes….when the water gets too cold for the bass to bite. If you’re walleye fishing and the water is over 50 degrees you have problems.

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If you’re walleye fishing and the water is over 50 degrees you have problems.

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Hello, my name is Nick, and I am a walleye-holic. Trying to take the steps here man and kick the habit.

Upon further reviews the 71mh 13 black omens look nice, lews has some but not sure with the foam handles, mojo felt OK in store, trying to go with something other than croix, not too much to pick with Fenwick, the compre 72mh also looks sweet, and shimano gets the edge in the warranty department. The extra inch or two may be better for chucking smaller baits. Haven’t picked up any store brands such as gander series or the cabelas line but heard good things about those as well. figure spread the wealth by buying from a different company.

I have a few of the 13 fishing omen spinning rods and really like them. They are very versatile, I think the 7’1″ is the best all around do anything rod they have in that line. I would suggest them and for 100$ it fishes like a much more expensive rod.

Got it pegged between the 13 omen 71mh, and the shimano compre worm and jig 72mh. They would probably make really good trolling rods for longlining and spinners in the summer, and double as another channel cat rod for when the kiddies join me. Versatility is key plus they both have reviews of softer tips that allow better casts on smaller baits. Yelled to the wife if the extra inch or two would really matter though and she said absolutely, but I think she has other things in mind Shore fishing most my spots if I can use a 6′, ill be able to use a 7′, and going through brush and trees and all that I have carried 7′ rods before and they are just fine.

Either are good rods. The thing I have noticed about all the Shimano rods that I have owned is they are very soft. This meaning the 13 rod will have a little more back bone than the Shimano but thats my experience.