1st I'd like to thank Dan Kimmel for helping me pick up some tubes and dropshot baits at the novi show.THANK YOU!.
I'm fishing my 3rd year on lake erie and I'm looking for some help to pick out a 7-71/2' spining rod to fish 25' and deeper with tubes on lake erie for smallies. All help is appreciated.
Thanks Mike.
mlb my tube rod and i use it every time i go fishing is a 7 1/2 foot medium actio B & R outlaw spinning rod combined with a wavespin dhxl spinning reel and 10 pound p line floroclear line. I have used this combination for about 3 years and it works for me...
I use the G Loomis SJR902 for dragging and when you need to make long casts when they are spooky, I dont think there is a rod that casts a tube further than this one. This rod is 7'6" with a moderate mid section so not ideal unless you need to move alot of line to get a good hook set and you rarely lose fish when hooked up. For verticle deep water or any other times I am throwing a tube I am going to use the G Loomis BSR852 that I just bought. It is 7'1" with alot of backbone and a extra fast tip. Was going to use it as a dropshot rod but I think it is to stiff for that, still will give it a try though.
I use the same rod for t-rig and tubes. 7' Medium Heavy fast tip St. Croix Avid spinning rod.
Dobyns DX 742 SF or 743 SF (7'4"), or DX 783 (7'8"). I'm a huge fan of longer spinning rods (7'+), and these rods were pretty much designed for the Great Lakes.
I think that Bender may still have a Loomis tube rod that he was trying to sell.
I have a 7" B & R Outlaw Medium spinning rod that I think I'd like to sell. I was thinking around $65.
I sold those two Bronzebacks last fall. Now I just have one 7'6" Mag-Light GLX. It launches tubes a mile but is a little light on hooksets. I need to remember to set it like a jig and then I'll be doing a lot better.
For deep water tubes and drop shotting I use 7'6" BPS Extremes in medium action. I like the longer rods for moving a lot of line on the hookset, and better control with lighter line.
I also use 7'6" rods for cranking and spinnerbaits.
I would recommend you take a look at the 7 1/2 foot Grandt Rod All American's here also: http://www.grandtrods.com/store/proddetail.asp?prod=AMPS-Spinn-76
I have 4 Grandt rods and love them all. I don't have a special tube rod yet. I have a lighter 7 1/2 footer I use for lighter tubes and drop shot. It's a medium light XLH70 series, but all my other rods are the All American's. Very nice rods, made in the US with a lifetime warranty.
In case you do call them, make sure you mention you are a GreatLakesBass.com member.
Thanks for the info.fiker I sent you a email.
I have another question how do you tell how sensitive a rod is.
Thanks Mike
I use a Quantum KVD 7 1/2 ft Medium Heavy Action spinning rod for fishing tube baits.
BD ;D
I use a St. Croix 7'6' legend elite.. I'm also looking at a BPS 7'6" johnny morris elite.. The Bps rod comes with recoil guides and felt pretty nice.. Most likely have 1 shortly.. Slimm
In the past few seasons i have use the Shimano Crucial 7'2"MH ds rod for my tube fishing its a great rod for it at a reasonable price. Buts as trends have it i am falling into the GLoomis loop and plan on Purchasing a 803 GLX jig worm 6'8"MH that i think will work wonder for me..im vertically challenged and that rod feels perfect. for me. Id say dont indulge into a huge investment until u know what feels right for u
Thanks for the info.fiker I sent you a email.
I have another question how do you tell how sensitive a rod is.
Thanks Mike
Ha well to be honest with ya the price tag..
For every day tubing I use my trusty Kistler 6' 9" Med/fast, but when I want to get them out there a bit farther or with heavier tubes I use a Kistler Helium LTA 7' 6" Med. Heavy/fast, my next rod will be a 2009 Kistler Helium LTA 7' Med. this rod has been discontinued but they have a few left. Guess I had better find a few more side jobs.
I also use at times the Daiwa Tony Bean Smallmouth Series spinning rod. It is a 6 foot 6 inch rod specifically made for smallmouth fishing. You won't find them. Daiwa discontinued them about 10 years ago or so. I still have two or three of them.
BD ;D
I'm looking for a tube rod also.
I'm tossing around the idea of a Rogue based custom rod at 7'9
Otherwise I'm torn between the 7'4 and the 7'7 Bronzeback rods from Loomis.
I think Rogue makes a 7'6 Spin Jig rod. These are great rods. Probably the most underrated rods built today.
Lon- if you are looking for a rogue rod. Check out Dan at Eliterods.com. He makes custom rods out of rogue blanks with the new micro guides. Tell him Luke sent you.
Quote from: LonLB on January 18, 2010, 01:39:51 PM
I'm tossing around the idea of a Rogue based .
custom rod at 7'9
Otherwise I'm torn between the 7'4 and the 7'7 Bronzeback rods from Loomis.
I think Rogue makes a 7'6 Spin Jig rod. These are great rods. Probably the most underrated rods built today.
My favorite rod is a 7' 6" spin jig rod with the recoil guides Med. I dont throw a tube very much but I do throw an erie darter ALOT and that is the rod that I use for that. I have not found a rod that can work as well as it. I would highly recommend it.
Well I have it narrowed down to four choices.
Any help or recommendations appreciated. I need a rod for split shotting, drop shotting and tubes. A bit of a compromise I know, but I'm only getting one more rod this year.
Loomis 7'1 Mossyback BSR 852. 7'1 M XF, 1/8-3/8
Loomis Bronzeback rod 7'4 M F 1/8-3/8
Loomis Bronzeback rod 7'7 MH F 1/4-3/4
I am happy with Loomis rods and have others. I've checked out both bronzeback rods in person, I like both. Have not checked out the Mossyback rod but I understand it's a very fast action similar to the Mossyback BCR casting rods.
The last choice is a Rogue Spin/jig in 7'6 M F 1/8-5/8. For an extra $30 I'll have recoil guides put on it.
I also have a Rogue spinning rod and am happy with it. I honestly think it's a better rod than the Loomis offerings. What's making it a hard decision is the fact should I break it I will be out another $240 vs if I break a Loomis I'll be out $50.
The Rogue has a lifetime warranty, but it's not a no questions asked warranty.
I like the longer and heavier Loomis for tubes, But I also need a split shot/mini Carolina rig rod, and a finesse jig rod for jigs smaller than what I would use on my baitcasting jig rods.
Quote from: LonLB on February 03, 2010, 09:53:53 AM
The Rogue has a lifetime warranty, but it's not a no questions asked warranty.
If it's an unconditional warranty you're after, check out Grandt Rods and Madwags, you will not be disappointed!
Stick with Loomis! That BSR852 might be a little heavy for split and drop shotting. Its got alot of backbone but a nasty extra fast tip so you might still get away with those techniques but perfect for tubes or any other soft plastics in my opinion. I just got the GLX version for $300 shipped and could probably find you a similar deal on a new one. Im sure you could get the mossyback for about $180-200 if you check out ebay and BBC.
http://cgi.ebay.com/G-Loomis-BSR852-Mossyback-Bass-Senko-Rod_W0QQitemZ230414116869QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item35a5c06805
The best deal I can find on ebay for the mossyback. A power seller, brand new rod, and $11.55 for shipping so $191.55 to your door. There are a two sellers with the GLX version who are asking for best offer you might be able to get for around $300.
That rod might be my best choice the more I think about it. It will honestly get used for other plastics more than for tubes. And I'm concerned the extra length of the 7'7 model will make it cumbersome for some of the plastic presentations.
How does it handle lures on the higher end of it's rating? 3/8oz for instance.
I have not used it on the water yet but I think it will handle up to 1/2oz just fine since it has more backbone than your normal medium spinning rod. My intentions is for an all around spinning rod for plastics so I don't need to bring as many rods being a co-angler. A couple of the guys that fish the bfl swore by the 852 for tubes and dropshot so I checked it out at a store and loved the action on it. One of the guys was the points leader so it must work well for those techniques since that is what he throws on Erie/st clair.
Well I think that sells it for me.
I'll wait and get the 7'7 rod if I start fishing the great lakes more and drag tubes there.
I have a mossback 853 casting rod and love the action of it. I think this spinning rod will be spot on for what I want to do with it.
Maybe I can convince myself to step up from the regular Pflueger Supreme that I normally use to an XT model to team up with this rod.
Not to confuse things for you, but there are two rods that will do everything you're looking for very well and then some in the Dobyns lineup. The DX 742 SF and DX 743 SF. They're both 7'4", extremely balanced, and not cumbersome to fish with at all. Not sure where you're located, but Lunkers in Edwardsburg should have them in stock now, as does Mike's Rx Baits. They have the $60 no hassle warranty along with their standard limited lifetime warranty. I spent a lot of time fishing with Chip Harrison last summer/fall, and he told me the 742 is his new favorite rod for St Clair tubes and drop shotting. He had 3 of them out on the deck at all times. The rod really loads up nice and has a lot of backbone. It could even be used for spilt shotting depending on your preference. The 743 might be better for that and it's an awesome finesse jig and heavy tube rod.
Both of these rods are faster than the 7'7" bronzeback but not as fast as the BSR 852, and have more power IMO. In fact I cut the tip down on my 7'7" Bronzeback to make it more to my liking. I had a BSR 852 both GLX and Mossyback and thought I'd really like them when I first got them, but they were way too fast for me so I got rid of both right away. It really boils down to what you like, which is why there are so many options out there.
I gotta say I am about sold on dobyns myself, that DX742SF might be my next rod purchase. I need to use one on the water before I pull the trigger though. I doubt you can get a deal on any but atleast retail is about $70 cheaper than the GLX.
Tcook--I'll tell you I am really impressed with that 742. If you ever get a chance to talk to Chip Harrison, ask him about that rod. I really think the actions of both the 742 and 743 are what you're looking for. They actually make a 782 and 783 (both 7'8") too. I have the 783 and it's a real nice tube rod for 3/8 oz on up if you like longer rods. When you hook one on that rod, you own 'em.
Maybe Chip would take me fishing and let me try out his Dobyns rods hahaha.
Can someone post a link to the 742-743... I can't find them... Thanks slimm
dobynsrods.com
They're in the Champion Extreme series. Not sure where you're located, but GLB Sponsor Mikes Rx Baits has them in stock as does Lunkers if you want to put your hands on one. Al & Bob's should have them shortly.
OK, here's my .02
Can't say as to the other mentioned rods, haven't used them. I've got two "big water tube rods" based on the Rogue 711SJ2. Excellent distance casters. Work like a big shock absorber on a fish, but with plenty of power in the butt to manhandle one if needed. We've caught multiple big smallies on these, and never felt overpowered.