Rod handles -kinda long

[oneshotbandit]

Guys,
I've just got back into bass fishing w/a hunting buddy of mine that has a bass boat (191 Stratos). Well, my 20 year old graphites along w/ my 20 year old Ambassaduers are outdated fer sure! I bought off E-bay a couple of Shimanos Curados: 2-100 series and a 200 series w/St. Croix rods: one 5-1/2 ft w/a cork pistol grip and a 6' w/a 7, 71/2" cork round grip. Both are med. power w/a fast action (Premier Series)? I can't believe how much more fishing is enjoyable due to the lighter and stronger equipment! Why did "we" go back to the conventional grip? I seem to cast the "old school" rod more accurately then the 6 footer. BUT I like the 6 footers feel (hook setting) as far as wormin' and using a Yamamoto. My buddy uses 6-1/2 ft G. Loomis rods ($$$$) they are lighter more livley, but that 9" handle gets in my way! I'm only 5'-7" if that's any help. I noticed that St. Croix makes a 6' pistol conventional rod: med. power fast action and a med-hvy fast action(Avid Sreies). Am I being stubborn by keeping to the old school style rods? I'd like to hear some feedback, thanks!:)

[Treehugger1971]

Not saying your old fashion, but it wouldn't hurt to up date some. The new rods will give you a lot more (feeling) than the ones you currently have. I fish with St.Croix and All-star. My flipping rod is 7ft and got it at Bass Pro for under $100 and love it. All my cranking roads are St.Croix, their alittle more but you get what you pay for. If you like what your fishing with though, stick with it and enjoy. Take care and good luck

[oneshotbandit]

Not saying your old fashion, but it wouldn't hurt to up date some. The new rods will give you a lot more (feeling) than the ones you currently have. I fish with St.Croix and All-star. My flipping rod is 7ft and got it at Bass Pro for under $100 and love it. All my cranking roads are St.Croix, their alittle more but you get what you pay for. If you like what your fishing with though, stick with it and enjoy. Take care and good luck

I am currently using (for two years now) St. Croix Premier series rods and Shimano Curado reels. My post was aimed at why the switch back to the long round rods? I don't and my friend doesn't use a two hand cast(s). I like the 6 ft. length rods, but don't like the longer handles. Probably could have them cut down, though. Thanks Th'71 for yer input. By the way I was wrong as the current St. Croix website no longer list the Avid Series 6 ft. pistol grip rod.

[fordgo6]

Pistol grips have went by the wayside in recent years, I used to use them several years ago, and loved them, but got away from them as time went on and as I went to longer rods (all my rods are 6'6" except for two 7' flipping sticks). I use G-Loomis for slow fishing when I need feel (jigs, worms etc.) and Castaway rods with faster baits (crankbaits, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, jerkbaits) when I don't need as much sensativity. With the longer rods, longer handles give you more leverage and balance, and the rods are lighter now which makes it easier to fish with a longer rod for hours without wearing yourself out. Some say you are more accurate with a shorter pistol grip rod, and you are if thats all you've used, but you will be just as accurate with the newer rods and handles after you get used to them. Good fishing!

[oneshotbandit]

Makes sense. As posted my buddy uses 6'-6" G. Loomis rods. Yes, the first well one of the first things I noted is how much lighter my St. Croixs w/the Curados were compared to my 20 year old Fenwick HMG (USA made)w/the Ambassduers. I have to admit his outfit: G. Loomis rods ($250 +/-) and Shimano reels (the ones that are a step or two above mine) are very comfortable fishing with, but I ain't that serious about fishing!:fish: Thanks for the reply. :coolgleam

[treehugger]

Makes sense. As posted my buddy uses 6'-6" G. Loomis rods. Yes, the first well one of the first things I noted is how much lighter my St. Croixs w/the Curados were compared to my 20 year old Fenwick HMG (USA made)w/the Ambassduers. I have to admit his outfit: G. Loomis rods ($250 +/-) and Shimano reels (the ones that are a step or two above mine) are very comfortable fishing with, but I ain't that serious about fishing!:fish: Thanks for the reply. :coolgleam

...you will be if you spend 8-10 hours chuggin' baits all day...you'll wear yourself out with heavy equipment.

[oneshotbandit]

I used to fish club tournaments back in the early-mid 80s! We now only fish 6-7 hrs! For the record I ain't no cherry-I just gave up bass fishing for 10 years and am now just getting back into it.

[JL]

If you fish for long hours every day, the longer-handled rods will definitely take less of a toll on your body and arms than the pistol grips. I use all 7' rods with long handles (mostly G-Loomis - they ARE worth the money). Longer rods means longer sweep and better hit-to-hook-up ratio IMO.

[oneshotbandit]

If you fish for long hours every day, the longer-handled rods will definitely take less of a toll on your body and arms than the pistol grips. I use all 7' rods with long handles (mostly G-Loomis - they ARE worth the money). Longer rods means longer sweep and better hit-to-hook-up ratio IMO.

James ,
I noticed that w/the 6 footer. I may just look into the mid priced G. Loomis rods as I've noticed they are even lighter then the entry level Loomis and St. Croix rods. I would like a 6-6 or 7 ft for plastics and a 6 footer for topwater plugs and crankbaits. Good info, Guys!:coolgleam

[Poundsy]

I can't help it. Everyone knows the longer your ROD the more FISH you will catch.

[JL]

James ,
I noticed that w/the 6 footer. I may just look into the mid priced G. Loomis rods as I've noticed they are even lighter then the entry level Loomis and St. Croix rods. I would like a 6-6 or 7 ft for plastics and a 6 footer for topwater plugs and crankbaits. Good info, Guys!:coolgleam

I have both St. Croix and Loomis rods. The St. Croix are Premiers and Legends, and the Loomises are IMX models. There is no comparison...the Loomis is head and shoulders above the Croix. If I were going to get just one, I'd get the Loomis for plastics. You know it's a good rod when you can feel bites on a slack line, and that is the case with the Loomis.

[midwesthunter]

my favorit combo is my $450 loomis rod and $200 curodo. I won it so it didn't cost me a thing but man is it light. I like the long handels on a spinning set up. and shorter on bait caster un less using heavy lure

[1javelin]

I do a lot of fishing now, mainly tournament related, and find that the longer rod handles may seem too much, but at the end of the day they are worth it. You have tons more control when fighting fish, and they don't break your wrist like the pistol grips will. I agree that the lighter the better, as I have Kistler rods, and am going to be going away from my Quantum Tour Edition reels this year as they are a little too big for me, I am only 6' w/ small hands.

[oneshotbandit]

I can't help it. Everyone knows the longer your ROD the more FISH you will catch.

'cuse me, but "short and fat is where it's at- long and thin doesn't win!" Dirt Bike magazine Aug. '72 :yikes: :evilsmile

[hunter47331]

For the record I ain't no cherry-I just gave up bass fishing for 10 years and am now just getting back into it.

For the record... I am a cherry. Enjoy fishing, but know nothing about nothing... especialy regarding top of the line gear. Good dicussions for the un-educated. Thanks.

[crookedlake92]

Sounds like I better get a second job...... so I can upgrade my St. Croix to a Loomis......

[stuckonbuck]

Guys,
I've just got back into bass fishing w/a hunting buddy of mine that has a bass boat (191 Stratos). Well, my 20 year old graphites along w/ my 20 year old Ambassaduers are outdated fer sure! I bought off E-bay a couple of Shimanos Curados: 2-100 series and a 200 series w/St. Croix rods: one 5-1/2 ft w/a cork pistol grip and a 6' w/a 7, 71/2" cork round grip. Both are med. power w/a fast action (Premier Series)? I can't believe how much more fishing is enjoyable due to the lighter and stronger equipment! Why did "we" go back to the conventional grip? I seem to cast the "old school" rod more accurately then the 6 footer. BUT I like the 6 footers feel (hook setting) as far as wormin' and using a Yamamoto. My buddy uses 6-1/2 ft G. Loomis rods ($$$$) they are lighter more livley, but that 9" handle gets in my way! I'm only 5'-7" if that's any help. I noticed that St. Croix makes a 6' pistol conventional rod: med. power fast action and a med-hvy fast action(Avid Sreies). Am I being stubborn by keeping to the old school style rods? I'd like to hear some feedback, thanks!:)

Go with what you know if the old stuff feels good then use that

[Piggyn]

You crazy old timers and your rods. This is how the modern angler catches fish!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cEYvLV0C0c