Rods

When it comes to fishing rods, I don't get crazy.  I don't have a rod for worms, for jigs, for blades, etc.  I basically throw two types of rods with an occassional flipping stick or big swimbait rod.  Here is how I approach my choice of rods:

The two types of rods I throw are a Medium Heavy (MH) and a Medium (M).  90% if my rods are 6'6" to 6'8", and there is a reason for this.  It is all about feel for me, I want to be able to pickup any bait and have the same feel of the rod.  My rule of thumb for choosing MH over M is the type of bait, or more specifically the hook type.  If the bait I'm throwing has a single hook (ie. jig, spinnerbait, texas rig, carolina rig, etc) I will have it on a MH rod.  The extra backbone allows for better hook penetration.  All baits that have a treble hook (ie crankbait, topwater, jerkbait) I will use a M rod.  The extra forgiveness in the medium action acts as a shock absorber from the fish trying to gain leverage on a treble hook.  

The Johnny Morris Signature rods are some of the best on the market, and I will put it up against any of the other manufactures.  It is hard to find a rod made from 85 million modulus of graphite for under $150.  The durability and sensitivity are second to none.  I use the 6' 6" MH for all my single hook applications. 

I use the Crankin Stick (made by Bass Pro) for all my treble hook applications.  Again, I use a 6'6", but use the Medium action for the extra forgiveness that I mentioned before.

I use two different spinning rods, but have leaned towards the new Carbon-Lite series.  They make a 6'8" Medium action with an extra fast tip, that is excellent for drop-shotting.  The other rod I use is the Browning Midas spinning rod.  Unfortunately they don't make it anymore, but I still have a few ready to go.  The Browning rod was made from a composite that used Boron, which made the rod extremely light and sensitive.  It is still a great rod!

If I need a big rod for big swimbaits or flipping, I just go a little bigger with the Johnny Morris series or the Extreme Series.  I have a few of the Nitro rods that Bass Pro made a couple of years ago, but they are no longer on the market either.  It is a great rod, extremely rigid with lots of power and backbone.  I have only gone to 6'10" on my flipping sticks, with an occassional 7' if that is all they have in a Heavy action rod.

This page consists of pictures along with a little description.

85 million modulus graphite.  Click on picture to view details at Basspro.com

The old (blue/black) and the new (brown).  A great rod for under $60

A great rod for under $100

Unfortunately no longer available, but it was a great attempt at an entry level swimbait rod.

Another, discontinued item, but the rod has been replaced the Browning Hi-power Series.  So far, and great rod.

Notice the sizes - pretty much the same with the exception of the Nitro rod for large swimbaits and heavy flipping.

I have taken on the philosophy of the great Rick Clunn.  I have read several articles by many different pros and legends in the sport.  Rick made the most sense by saying he wants a rod and reel combo that feels the same no matter what he throws.  He has said on several occassions that he throws a 7' heavy action rod with a 6.4 to 1 ratio reel.  If something should happen on the water and rod or reel fails, he has more to switch just the bait.  No more thinking you need a jig rod, a worm rod, a spinnerbait rod, etc.  I have taken this philosophy and it works for me, it keeps it extremely simple.  There are so many different combinations, it is whatever you are comfortable with.  Hope this has helped.