Rod Recommendation

Looking for recommendations on a live bait rod will be used mainly for stripers in lakes. Size, weight, spinning or bait caster.

Thanks for the help.

Pat R 

Looking for recommendations on a live bait rod will be used mainly for stripers in lakes. Size, weight, spinning or bait caster.

Thanks for the help.

Pat R 

pat, you don't cast 'em, you just drop 'em down, right? So heck any rod that can pull in a striper would work, no? hopefully you don't already have such a rod,  .

J

J I think I do have such a rod I am sure one of the twenty rods I have would work just fine. Just was wondering what every one else was using, maybe I was missing out on something.

Pat R   

J I think I do have such a rod I am sure one of the twenty rods I have would work just fine. Just was wondering what every one else was using, maybe I was missing out on something.

Pat R   

only twenty?  .  seems like rod selection gets complicated when you are casting something light and catching big fish, or something heavy for small fish, or the bite is real light or some combination of the above, but anything will work when you are dragging bait around for strong hard hitting fish.

Baitcasting

Looking for recommendations

  Your are going to want about an 8' rod, get a steelhead rod. Type of action matters a lot.
I like a rod with a moderate taper while trolling,but I like a fast taper while sitting still. So if I was only buying 1 I would have to go with a fast taper in a lighter rod 8/15 or 6/12. If you want a fast taper rod buy a good one if you want to spend less go with a more moderate action it will last longer. I have a Loomis HSR 930C and its a great multi use rod I use it for pulling plugs and drifting for steelies. Mendo,Delta Stripers,Mooching,trolling (1lb ball)for Salmon,Halibut, Rockies,Sturgeon and swimbaits for LMB. I has a fast taper but is a lighter rod so it feels a little softer, but it has a stout butte and can turn a big fish like a much bigger rod. I've been going lighter and am now using Kokanee Rods with 8lb test a lot of fun if you are trolling.

Mickfish   I trolling with two Lamiglas Kokanee Specials for trout, love these rods for trout but I thought they would be a bit on the light side for the stripers. they are 2 to 8 lb test I use 6lb. It would not be so bad if you where targeting just one fish, but at lake Del-Valle you can troll one side of the yak for trout and the other for stripers. I have caught stripers while trolling for trout and you are right it is a lot of fun on the light stuff.

J  only twenty but it seems to be growing by leaps and bounds, dissections dissections.

Pat R     

When you need a rod...you need a rod, and no doubt!

But don't overlook handlining.
Handline is FUN...!!!....
Talk about sensitive...!!!!...you can feel the tiniest thing.

CAVAET:   You absolutely MUST have something to "snub" the line on.
You catch a big one and there is utterly no-holding-him without a snub.
If you KNOW you're going to catch a big one, wear gloves.

But handlining........is fun.

Judd

I trolling with two Lamiglas Kokanee Specials

I'm using a Lamiglas MBC 702U1 7' 4-10 lb line with a shamino 100 casting reel

and a Shimano Compre CPS-F-80L2B 8' 4-10 line with a Penn 420SS spinning reel.
both match up well with 6-8 lb line and are a blast with fish on. I'm rigging them now for the AM.

I trolling with two Lamiglas Kokanee Specials

I'm using a Lamiglas MBC 702U1 7' 4-10 lb line with a shamino 100 casting reel

and a Shimano Compre CPS-F-80L2B 8' 4-10 line with a Penn 420SS spinning reel.
both match up well with 6-8 lb line and are a blast with fish on. I'm rigging them now for the AM.

how big of fish will you use those rods for?

Pat, check out the Shimano Clarus rods 

I use 'em for trout,bass,stripers and salmon.

I also have Lamiglass "NorthWest Special" for Steel Head, Stripers and Catfish.

Can't really beat Gloomis....just too expensive 

I've actually narrowed down my fishing rods to 7 (saltwater & fresh water rods)

how big of fish will you use those rods for?

  10/12lbs

Thanks Joel I will check then out do you thein spinning is better then baitcasters for live bait. and Joel I think you need to get a fly rod  hope your new job is going good.

Pat R

Thanks Joel I will check then out do you thein spinning is better then baitcasters for live bait. and Joel I think you need to get a fly rod  hope your new job is going good.

Pat R

For live bait, I prefer spinning reels - I'm not very good with casting light stuff with baitcasters.

The Fly Fishing I'll save up for when I'm ready to retire 

Joel witch Shimano Clarus do you use the 8.6 med light 6-12 or the 8.6 medium 8-17 and picking up the fly rod would be a good thing to do when you retire, I cant wate .

Pat R

Joel witch Shimano Clarus do you use

I'll have to get back to you on this. I'll list the model # and let you know what I use it for. So far, I've been very happy with these rods (paired will shimano spinning and bait casting reels). I even had Erik kunz replace the tip of my favorite Clarus salmon rod - car door slammed it :smt01