I plan to fish a few tournaments next year and currently have two 7' MH casting rods and an additional 7' MH spinning rod. One of the casting rods has more graphite and is more sensitive so generally I use it for bottom baits and use the other for crankbaits and spinnerbaits and such.

I borrowed two additional rods and reels the last tournament and I really liked having the 5 options for having more baits at the ready. So I'm asking if anyone has any advice on what the next two rods should be? Primarily in lenght and weight and what they would be used for, rather than a specific brand but brand suggestions are fine as well. For example should I go longer and get a 8' H for flipping and perhaps a shorter rod as well, or just what would be the best two rods to fill in my collection?

Thanks!

-Wm

Man give Kit a call at Texas Sidewinder Rods a call they are awesome. I use the 6'6 MH in the spiral wrap for spinner baits,Crank baits,and the big senko and the horny toad. The other rod I use the most is a 6'3 fast action wackey rod and I use it for flukes and the small 4 inch senkos and the no brainer wackey worm. Kit will make any rod you want that's the good thing about custom rods you get them how you want them. If you need anymore info please feel free to call me at 713-201-4753 or just shoot me a e-mail Thanks.

Thanks Grant2. Very helpful. I'll do that.

Regards,

-Wm

From what you posted It appears to me that you're looking for two more rods for Christmas. Based on this here are my recommendations.

A.) I'd go with some sort of medium power, extra fast action rod for weightless soft plastics. Typically these rods are between 6 feet 7 inches, and 6 feet 10 inches in length. A couple of examples would be the St. Croix Avid AC68MXF, and the Falcon Lowrider LFC-5-167 (Clark Wendlandt Weightless Worm Special). These rods have a lot of backbone, and a soft tip. They are the only way to fly when it comes to throwing a Fluke, Senko, or similar soft plastics weightless Texas Rigged, or fishing a Trick Worm etc. whacky style. This category of rod ought to receive you highest priority.

B.) You also might give consideration to something like the St. Croix Avid AC66MM. I use this rod for Yellow Magics, and smaller shallow running crankbaits, as well as small (1/4 ounce or lighter) spinnerbaits.

C.) Crankbait rod. This ought to be a medium to medium-heavy power, medium action I'd go with a seven footer, but a six and a half footer would work. A couple of examples are the St. Croix Avid AC70MHM, and Falcon Lowrider LFC-4-17 (LR Mansfield Special). I use an AC70MHM for DD-14 and the like. FWIW I've also got a Falcon Lowrider LFC-4-18 (Outtasight) for DD-22, Mann's 30+s, and the like. This last rod is an eight footer so you can really sail a big crankbait out there. This is a speciality rod and not something that a lot of people would give that much consideration to.

If you choose to go with all three of these types of rods then I'd recomend that you go with a medium-heavy crankbait rod as the 'topwater' rod will do nicely for smaller crankbaits.

FWIW
TFP

Thank you TFP. I appreciate the input. I think targeting the weightless plastics is a good idea as well as the lighter crankbaits. Those are two areas I could improve for sure. I'd prefer not to have to rely on my spinning outfit as much as I do for weightless. For option "C" above, I feel like I have that one covered for one crankbait rod (in that I like one of my current 7' MH for crankbaits) but I have noticed that it is nice to have more than one crankbait tied on at a time in tournaments so perhaps I need to think about that as well and I could see the benefit in the 8' specialty rod for sure. That gives me a lot to think about.

Interesting no one has suggested a larger heavy rod. I had it in mind that I might get a lot of use out of a 7'6" heavy, or something along those lines, for flipping and pitching and heavier C-rigs and maybe the occasional heavy swim bait. Although I have made out OK with my 7' MH's in this area so far, that was just my thinking. I've only fished late summer and fall tournaments so far so next year will be my first full season and I was having trouble thinking through if a big stick might be a high priority. It looks like the consensus is that I should concentrate on high quality rods for mainstream crankbaits and plastics (especially weightless) before going off into other areas of specialization.

Whew! Decisions decisions!

Thank you for taking the time to comment.

-Wm

i would go with in this order.
1. Castaway
2. Allstar
i use Castaway i love them. and i have heard alot about Allstar.
in my opinion these two are the best without spending alot of money.
I hope i could help.

TFP named some good rods that are affordable. The rod that I liked most that he mentioned is the St. Croix Avid AC68MXF. That is a great rod and will work well for tossing light lures to med lures. I used one this weekend for catching Jack Crevelle, trout, smacks, reds, you name it. This rod will toss everything from flukes, rapalas, pointers and pointers without a problem. Good well rounded rod, especially if paired up with a new curado. It will make your cast effortless and will allow you a full day of fishing with little work.

For chunking large cranks or flipping, I like to use a longer rod with some backbone. Anything from 7-8ft is good but a 7'6 would be about perfect. The GLoomis GL3 FSR904X is a nice one for chunking some large baits. Can be used for throwing big lures or flippin for bass. Other nice rods to check out are the shimano crucial rods, they are nice and fairly inexpensive. Falcon rods are also worth a look.

after these next two purchases, you might still be short one more freshwater rod.....A Nice Ultra Light!! You probably already have one..lol

Hey, I've got a new St. Croix Avid ACC66MM for sale! Check out the Trading Post, if interested. It's a great rod to go with a Shimano Scorpion 1000, if you are into some finesse fishing (have a used one of those too!). Cheap plug, I know, but FYI. Steven

Good ideas and Good Luck!

7' MH Airrus Ultra XL. It has two interchangeable butt sections or you can use it pure pistol. You won't find a more versatile rod IMO.

Forgot to mention the no questions asked lifetime guarantee!

Just my .02 and I won't mention brands but a good MH six foot Bait Cast rod has a place in my arsenal. It's handy for up close to the bank and when your in and amongst them with overhanging tree limbs and such.

Good Luck! Looks like Santa's going to be good this year

Go to the Falcon website and check out their rods....each rod is listed with info on that rod and what it is designed for....the weightless worm rod mentioned above is a great rod...I have three...great for using all types of light baits...flukes, wacky wormin...chicken rigging...anything weightless...personally I would be looking at getting all my basic rods before investing in a 7'plus flipping stick...I have two and do not use them near as much as my other rods...I would not be caught without a good carolina rig rod...a 7' heavy and T-rig rod as well....also..Brannans Bass Shop I beleive has all there Falcons on sale till the 3rd

There are so many good rods out there. I have used Gloomis for much of my fishing and its at the top of my list for replacement rods but to be truthfull I only get one every other year or two. I can't comment on all the others but you will get a good rod with Gloomis.


You have two good casting rods that can be both Texas rigged and Carolina rigged quite well.
If it were me I would get one flipping stick which is 7'6" long. Price range can vary from 60 to whatever you want to pay. Eighty dollars would get a fine flipper/pitcher. I pitch alot but if you don't or don't like heavy rod combos this wouldn't be for you. A good 7 footer is significantly lighter than most 7'6" rods and you can use that for pitching.
A 6 foot 6 inch rod in MH makes a better overall Texas rigged rod in my opinion so that is something I would get. With your other 2 seven footers I might just get 2 six six's.

My favorite spinning rod is more in the 6 foot to 6'6" inches also. Medium to Medium light depending on of the lures you will be using on it. I have started using some light baits and a medium light with an even bend works good for me.

Thank you everyone! This is such a great resource and great group of generous folks to share you expertise.

I think I'm going with one of the Falcon LFC-5-167 Clark Wendlandt Weightless Worm Specials for one rod. And something Bass Border said really rang true to my experience this past year; so I'm leaning toward a 6' to 6'3" St. Croix or G-Loomis for the other rod. Maybe, God willing, next year I'll be in a position to expand out from there.

I know this discussion will save me money in the long run and I really appreciate the advice!

Regards,

-Wm