"Huck P" wrote in message
...
Properly cared for a Curado will last a lifetime. The upper end BPS rods
are pretty good too. Combo savings of $50. makes it a good deal. Rule of
thumb is start with a 6-6 MH and move up or down in length and action for
different applications.

I have read that rule of thumb many times and I don't understand it. I've
found a 7' medium power fast action rod to be the best happy medium if using
it for multiple techniques. I can cast moderately light stuff with it, and
pitch small to medium plastics with it. That being said, that is actually
not the rod I use most. I find myself using a 7' MH F for pitching senkos
or a 7'11" XH MF for flipping. For most of my topwater and jerk bait I have
gone back to spinnig tackle on a 7' M F Quantum Tour rod.

6'6" rods just feel too short to me. When fishing in tight quarters I go
for a rod spring forward pitch that seems to work even with a 7' rod. You
guys have seen some pictures of what I mean by tight quarters too. I
suppose I might concede to Joe's 5'6" pistol grip if fishing relatively open
areas between close tall standing trees, but I respectively disagree about
the "standard" or best compromise rod for multiple techniques.


Are you able to go to a BPS and check it out to see how it feels?

Absolutely. BPS rods are decent though, and they have an excellent
return/warranty policy. I actually have two of their cheap (29.95) flipping
sticks that I keep in the boat for loaners when I decide to flip and the guy
in the back of the boat doesn't have one.

A baitcaster takes several hours to get dialed in if you've never used one
and can be quite frustrating at first, and may take several outings to
master.

Another trick, that I have learned, but don't recall having been mentioned
hear before is that lots of them need to be "burned in." I've got half a
dozen bait casters in my aresenal that I use regularly, that I hated when I
first got them. An older angler I know (some of you may know Lannes Brock)
told me when you get one of those crank the spool tension down hard and tie
on a 1 oz weight and make 12-50 casts with it. Then cut off the weight,
adjust the reel for what you plan to use and set your brakes accordinly. IT
WORKS.

Bait casters certainly do some things better than spinning reels, and most
guys who mostly use baitcasters will try to tell you they do everything
better than spinning tackle, but realistically they do two things hands down
better. They work great for pitching heavier weights, and they don't twist
line.

A no splash pitch with a 3/4 oz jig is almost impossible with a spinning
rod, and keeping your line twist free after 3-8 casts/pitches a minute for
eight hours is impossible with one.


--
Bob La Londe
Fishing Arizona & The Colorado River
Fishing Forums & Contests
http://www.YumaBassMan.com



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