This is a video that I shot with Josh Sutton from Southern Wind Guide Service. I asked him what his favorite combo is. I use 6 foot rods because they are easier for my kids and fit in my rod holders easier. I use PIscifun Chaos 5000 reels for the same reason, they have the thumb bar. Prior to that I used ugly stick GX2 medium heavy 7 foot spinning rods. I prefer not to use high end rods because my kids and I have several at the bottom of the local lakes…. What is your go to combo for Striper? Do you alternate when you dead stick versus fish live bait?

https://youtu.be/HrQBv1ip5dg

Good question Scuba ! Being a dye in the wool dead stick " junkie" ! Medium fast bait casting reel affixed to 6 and half foot sensitive tip rod. I turn rod upside down as to feel the line especially when fish come up and just hold bait in mouth, we call this " heavy line" whereby one must constantly monitor their rod . There are many options to use stinger hooks and setups which help when fish short strike your bait.

Yes , live bait rods are longer in an effort to put said bait away from boat 7 foot is ok as long as free spool and clicker are an option via reel. Planer boards, balloons or free lining .

Nice technique to hold the rod upside down! We acid wrap our saltwater poles to do the same thing…

I have not heard of acid wrap, if you don't mind enlighten me.

I've really come to like the 7' and 7'6" Okuma Shadow Stalker rods. They've held up really well over the last two years, battling both striper and eater sized blue cats. They handle the fish really well, and won't break the bank. I'm not affiliated with Okuma, just basing this off of what I've seen on our boats.

Wow. What I don't know still amazes me. Thanks

I have used Okuma reels and seen heavy rods for bluefin…