Rigging rod - length.

[REW]

As we move closer to the time of ice free lakes in these northern areas, I am curious as to the lengths that various folks use for their rigging rods.
I agree that the rigging rod, is going to be of an action to balance with the weight being pulled, and that you will have a soft enough - and sensitive enough tips - to see the bites and react, but what about lengths.
Are you using 6, 6 1/2, 7, 7 1/2, 8, 8 1/2, 9 or longer?

In past years - many folks were using a 6 foot rod for everything. As the years have gone on, it seems that the 6 1/2 foot rod has become more common, and I find that many folks are using 7 or 7 1/2 foot rods for rigging, as I do currently.

However, has anyone gone to longer rods, and if so, how are they working for you. If you are working longer rods, what are you gaining and what are you giving up?

Take care

REW

[Kelly]

Hi REW I don't know if it's so much the length or the action when it comes to a rigging rod.I used to be one of those guys that fished a six footer for everything.Now I use all seven to seven and a half footers.I just happen to like the action of those particular rods(Loomis 8400,Loomis 902).The extra length helps on those long hooksets,but I think it just comes down to personal feel.The long rods do get heavy after a long day of fishing and are a pain in high winds.I have six footers in the locker but they never see the light of day.I also have a Loomis 9000 7 1/2 footer I bought as a rigging rod and did'nt like it,it felt slow and cumbersome and was uncomfortable to fish.It's now a bobber rod.

[gerry]

I favor a 7 to a 7.5 ft rod for rigging as I feel that when you are "feeding" line back to a finicky fish, you have more rod for a long sweeping hook set once you sense it is "time". There is a noticable difference between a 6ft and a 7.5ft when it comes to setting the hook.

[FJH1]

I use the St. Croix Avid (AC62MXF) 6'2" extra fast tip. Not too long and not too short. I like the set-up.

Best Regards,

FJH

[Fin Addict]

I have used everything from 6' to 7-1/2' and have settled on a
6-1/2'. I wanted the additional hook setting ability of the longer rods but found I had to give away sensitivity as I went longer. Also find the them to less comfortable to hold over a long time stretch. (But I know you would have yours perfectly balanced, so the comfort may be less of an issue) I felt it was more important to feel the taps than to gain the hook setting advantage of the longer rod so I have settled on a 781 Loomis IMX which is very nice for light rigging. Can't say I have lost many fish due to the shorter rod but I know my sensitivity is greatly improved.

[Dave in Mpls]

I use a 6 1/2' and a couple 7' rods for rigging - St. Croix PS66MLF and PS70MLFs. I own way too many rods, but when heading to Mille Lacs, these are the three I grab :)

Regards

[Eyez]

I use 6'6" to 7' for all of my rigging. I like to counterweight my rigging rods, I think I get a better feel of the bottom and bites that way. Anything much longer than 7' requires too much weight to counterweight properly, and gets too heavy for me. I've never been able to make myself buy any of the real expensive (real lightweight) rods for rigging. My favorite rigging rod of all time was my Berkely 7' safari series. Relatively inexpensive rod (compared to loomis and st. croix), but it felt great when it was balanced right.


Eyez

[RANGER]

LAST EDITED ON Apr-18-01 AT 11:30AM (CST)[p]REW,

For the riggers I'm running two different rods: 1) Shakespeare Ugly Stik BWD110184 Big Water Downrigger Rods in 8' 3" version. I like these for all around rigging (cranks, bait and spoons). 2) 8' 6" Dipsey rods. Don't have the model number here. I use these for the cranks mostly and switch them off to run Dipsey Divers for a water column spread. In addition, I'll spread my 6' 6" and 7' IM-7 rods out for flat and long lining. These IM-7 rods serve as my drift-fishing and jigging/cranking rods, too. Then I have bricks and dynamite as a back-up. :P

I like the longer rods, more forgiving and excellent control, boat side. They do whistle a little more in the wind but not badly. Stren XT in 20lb on all rigger rods. Flat liners - 4 to 12lb test XT or Fireline (depends on how I feel that day). Fireline will always be in my arsenal, I wouldn't be without it!


RANGER


"KEEP YOUR LINES WET, YOUR POWDER DRY and THE BEER COLD"

[dave]

Ranger allthough that was great input, I think REW is refering to live bait rigging rods.Thanks that cold beer sounds good!

[RANGER]

dave,

Thanks, point taken.

However, (and not to argue) when I hear "rigging" it means downrigging or "diver" rigging type of fishing for me. Drifting, live bait rigging, cranking, deadsticking and jigging are the "other" methods. This is where I use the IM-7 rods and I have them to 8' 6". I love the sensitivity of the high-modulus graphite rods but I back the drag way off to compensate for the stiffness of the graphite. The longer rods do give me a better feel or sight assessment of a "take" or bite. I have an 11' 6" noodle rod for the weeds and river hydraulics. Works nice!

Now that you mentioned it - I'll go have a cold BEER! :-)


RANGER


"KEEP YOUR LINES WET, YOUR POWDER DRY and THE BEER COLD"

[eyewinder]

REW:
I fished a few years ago on Oahe with walleye legend Bob Propst, and he was rigging with the longest, "noodliest" rod I had ever seen that didn't have a fly reel attached to it.

We were fishing in high winds and he was dead-sticking (a bottom bouncer) with the rod in a holder as he maneuvered the boat. My partner & I were fishing over the sides, holding our shorter, stiffer rods.

Bob caught more & bigger fish on the deadstick. There were times when the fish would take the baited hook, the rod would make a big bend, and all Bob had to do was crank the fish in.

I picked up a 10-foot steelhead rod this spring and am planning to give it a good try.

[800proX]

nothing but Fenwick MH 6' Gold Wings for my live bait riggin'. i like the shorter poles over the longer ones, and find the cycles of length are like the dog chasing his tail. maybe that is how the mfgs keep selling new stuf, hehe ;-). best to find what suits your need, try 'em from your friends if you can, and make the right decision.

i use the 6'6" Fenwick HMG for my jigging stix and night bobber poles. there again personal preference.

jeff

[Walleye Guy]

If I could only own one rigging rod it would have to be my G.Loomis 8400 IMX.Its sensitive,light,forgiving and has alot of backbone.Plus it has a lifetime warranty.

[REW]

It is interesting to hear your comment on the GLoomis 9000. I did exactly the same thing and felt the same way about the rod.
Although, I do use if for a bobber rod, I did find that it actually works very well indeed for a spinner rod pulling spinners and worms. With the beefiness of this rod, it works well for pulling the heavier weights that are required, when running spinners.

Take care

REW

[Kelly]

REW give the 7 1/2 foot Loomis 902 a try,its everything I hoped the 9000 would be but was'nt.This rod is great on deep water flats with 1/2-3/4 oz wieghts.I think you'ed like it.The 9000 IMX turned out to be an expensive bobber rod!Good fishing.

[Dave]

Understood,Think I'll join ya in that cold beer:-)

[steve(IL)]

I've settled on Pinnacle 662SPML's for rigging (soft but sensitive - Pro Bass on 65 in Fridley still had a bunch a few weeks ago). I also use Shimano 70ML Crucial's. Rod length can be deceiving..... depending on if the rod has a softer overall flex or just soft tip. The thing I try to remind myself when rigging, pulling spinners or float fishing is to use a sweep set. My hook-up percentage has increased dramatically.