As many of you know.
I am a custom fishing rod builder, and own a custom fishing company called
P. H. Kellner – Quality Custom Fishing.
So, as you might imagine, the fishing rod is an important piece of the
fishing puzzle to me. I have done more on-the-water research than you can
even imagine, testing different fishing rods in different situations. In this series of posts, I will describe how to
choose the best rod for each specific fishing situation and presentation. I will start by going through each lure
category and situation and discuss the best choices for each scenario. I will then help discuss how to choose how to
whittle down your rod choices and decide what to take out on a kayak.
I know it is cliché, but the rod to an angler is like the
brush to a painter. It is a tool, maybe
the most important and overlooked tool that the angler has to make decisions
about. The wrong rod can cost you
fish! And in a tournament situation, or
anytime you’re out on the water, losing a fish can turn a good day bad,
quickly. Here is the how and why of
choosing the correct fishing rod for you specific situation.
Spinnerbaits:
I know spinnerbaits may seem as though they are out of
fashion but believe me, they still catch fish as productively as ever! Dig one out of you box next time you head out
and throw it for a while. Just see what
happens. Spinnerbait fishing does
require the correct tackle, and like every other lure your arsenal, they
require the right rod. The right
spinnerbait rod can lead to more hook-ups and more landed fish. Here is what I like in a spinnerbait rod:
Length: I prefer my spinnerbait rods shorter than the
rest of my rods. Typically 6’6” to
6’10”. I will sometimes step down to a
6’ rod when I am in tight quarters on a river.
The reason I like a shorter rod (under7’) for spinnerbaits is because
the shorter rod gives me more accuracy and maneuverability when I am casting
into tight areas. I use a spinnerbait
most often in areas that have a lot of stumps and trees in the water, or has
scattered reeds and grass. Either way,
these areas often have a lot of overhanging branches or reeds coming out of the
water that I am casting around, under, behind, etc. A shorter rod allows you to work through and
around all “stuff” and lets you be accurate on your shorter “roll” type casts.
Action: Action is probably where you will get the most
debate on a spinnerbait rod. I prefer a
Fast action rod for spinnerbait fishing, where some want a slower Moderate
action rod. This is more about
preference and style of fishing than about any one specific correct
choice. Some anglers prefer a rod that
has a slower action, like a crankbait rod, and some would rather have a faster
action rod, like a worm rod. I prefer a
fast action rod when I am throwing a spinnerbait. The reason is because I throw my spinnerbaits
in areas with a lot of cover, and the sensitivity of a fast action rod helps me
to feel what I am smashing my spinnerbait into.
I like to know when I am hitting a tree, a branch, some reeds, a rock,
etc. With a slower action rod, you do
not have this same sensitivity; however some feel that when you are fishing a
spinnerbait, like when you are fishing a crankbait, the line is tight during
the retrieve and the slower action rod will not pull the spinnerbait out of the
bass’ mouth. I typically add a trailer
hook to the back of my spinnerbait to help eliminate this issue so that I can
use the more sensitive fast action rod.
Power: For most spinnerbait situations I want a
Medium Heavy power rod. A spinnerbait
has a large hook that will take some power to pull through a fish’s lip, and
the medium heavy rod will help with this.
You are also typically fishing a spinnerbait in areas with heavy cover,
and again, the medium heavy rod will help you get the fish out of trouble and
into your boat. I do not go with a heavy
power rod because you are repeatedly making casts all day long, and the heavier
powered rod will weigh more and will fatigue your arms a little quicker. If I am throwing a small spinnerbait or an
inline spinner, I will step down to a medium power rod.
Guides: With a spinnerbait rod, I choose micro-guides. I feel I have a little bit better accuracy
with the micro-guides, and they are lighter.
Any weight you can take off will save your arms and allow you to cast
that many more times.
Handle and Reel Seat: I am typically holding my
spinnerbait rod in much the same way as a crankbait rod while I am
fishing. The tip of the rod is usually
pointed sideways or down. Because of
this, balance in the rod is not as important as in a worm or jig type rod, so I
want to reduce the weight as much as possible.
I use a Minima reel seat to reduce weight and increase sensitivity and
comfort, and I use a split grip handle.
Again, like any other rod, EVA or cork is just a preference in
feel. Nothing feels as good as new cork
to me, but with repeated use, especially in a kayak where it gets wet and
dirty, the cork can dry out and harder fairly quickly.
Only choosing one rod for spinnerbaits is pretty easy. I would choose a 6’6” Fast Action, Medium
Heavy Power, P. H. Kellner – Quality Custom Fishing Rod, with micro guides, a
Minima reel seat and a split grip handle.
Just like every other fishing situation, the right rod when spinnerbait
fishing can make all the difference.
How to choose a rod:
How to Choose a Jig Rod
How to Choose a Rod for Texas Rigged Soft Plastics
How to Choose a Topwater Rod
What is the "Action" of the Rod
How to Choose a Rod for Texas Rigged Soft Plastics
How to Choose a Topwater Rod
What is the "Action" of the Rod
Other posts you might enjoy:
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