What type of rod for stripers

Some custom rod makers use very cheap handles, guides, and other materials, while others use nothing but the best stuff on the market. As with all fishing equipment, let the buyer beware.

Check things out carefully and talk to people you respect before investing hundreds of dollars in any rod. Real hard. I frequently break tips, wear out guides, handles, etc. At the core of the concept of light tackle fishing is the use of rods designed for large and smallmouth bass for stripers.

Unfortunately, very few manufacturers design rods for our kind of fishing. The biggest problem light tackle Chesapeake Bay fishermen encounter is durability. Before buying a rod, check the warranty carefully and hold on to your receipts. You will need them. Over time, you will develop your own personal rod preference that fits your individual fishing style. If you frequently change the type of rod you use you will always find yourself making mental adjustments because of the varying sensitivities.

The only time I consider a rod with more than one section is for traveling. One-piece rods are more sensitive because the flow of energy though the graphite is uninterrupted.

My light tackle method consists of three primary one-piece rod types. All the rods I use for striped bass fishing are variations on these three styles. For casting top-water plugs I use a six-foot six-inch or seven-foot medium action rod with medium heavy power. This rod gives me enough leverage for long casts and is stiff enough at the butt to handle big fish.

It provides lots of flex in the mid-section and tip so I can really get it moving and put lots of action in the lure. For jigging lightly weighted jigs up to one ounce I use a six-foot to six-foot six-inch fast action, medium power rod. This rod is light enough so that I can feel the jig well, but not so heavy that it wears me out casting it. The fast tip provides plenty of sensitivity.

For jigging one to two ounce jigs, I use a six-foot six-inch to six-foot-eight inch medium power rod with extra fast action. These are my most frequently used rods in the Chesapeake Bay. Most of my casts are short wrist flips targeted toward where I think the fish might be. There are rare instances when I might use seven-foot or longer rods. This is usually in situations when I need to cast spoons, top-water plugs, or slashbaits for long distances. A good example is spring on the Susquehanna Flats.

I insist that all my rods weigh as little as possible. Even my heavier rods weigh less than five ounces. Lighter rods paired with high-quality lightweight reels make casting less strenuous, provide added sensitivity, and reduce fatigue.

I was recently fishing with a very good angler who asked how I kept from getting tired after hours of non-stop jigging using two-ounce heads.

Good luck picking out the perfect rod! Remember, start with relatively inexpensive equipment until you refine your techniques and know exactly what you like.

Pinging is currently not allowed. I appreciate all the time you take to post on your site, and on TidalFish! Looking forward to meeting you one day out on the Bay. I have a pretty good arsenal of tackle geared toward LTJ. I think my rods are the weakest link and am looking to upgrade. I am interested in rods you described with less cork and access to the rod blank from the handle.

I use spinning and baitcasters. Could you direct me to mid-priced rods that you feel comfortable recomending? Line is 20 lb PP. I have a Stev F rod med-heavy BC that did well for me at the rips this winter when 1. Any links to rods you reccomend would be helpful. I dont need high priced ones, just smart priced functional equipment.

It would be great to see the makes and models of your rods and reels. This way, I could avoid searching and just buy what you recommend. As a newbie, the options are overwhelming. I was pleased to find out that light tackle Striper fishing is actually a thing down on the Peconic.

Even in the back bays I see many guys using surf rods. I, however, love light tackle Striper fishing on calm back bay waters. I used to use Large Mouth rods like you mentioned. Then I came across the Coastal at the tackle shop one day. Just I would shout out the rod in case you are interested in checking it out. I typically use a 10lb. Light jigs and the smallest soft baits, such as the Hogy Skinny Series and the smallest Pro Tails or Paddles, are ideal for this outfit.

I get far more use out of a medium power rod over a light power rod as it can handle keeper-sized fish taken that can medium size soft plastics such as the seven and ten-inch Hogy Originals and a variety of top water plugs.

I typically would recommend pairing a medium power rod with a or class reel filled with 30lb test braid and a 12 or 15lb test fluorocarbon leader. This is an excellent spring rod for casting small to medium sized jigs, plugs and softbaits. I use a medium heavy powered rod as much as I do a medium, but I tend to do so later in the spring for me, where on Cape Cod bigger bait moves in with bigger fish and larger softbaits, plugs and jigs are called for.

My name is Jeff and I have been hunting and fishing for over 40 years. I am an avid archery lover, bass fisherman, and all-around outdoorsman. Currently, I'm obsessed with elk hunting but I'm sure I'll move onto a different favorite soon. You gotta love hunting for that reason : If you have any questions, or just want chat about your latest hunting score or big catch, you can reach me at admin biggamelogic.

Read more about Big Game Logic. Best Striper Rods of — Complete Round-up. Striped bass, commonly known as striper, is a super fun fish to hunt nowadays. Comparison of the Best Striper Rods. Best Budget Option. Sabiki Fishing Rod Bait Rod. Ugly Stik Striper Round Combo. Spinning Rods Spinning rods are made to be used in conjuncture with a spinning reel. Baitcasting Rods Baitcasting rods are a common choice for anglers with a little more experience in the fishing world.

Trolling Rods While not as common as the previous rods, trolling rods are a popular pick for offshore ocean and freshwater anglers. Why Are These the Best of the Year? Most, if not all, great bass rods will take the following into consideration: Length A great striper rod will be somewhere between seven and nine feet in length.

Power The power basically has to do with the stiffness of the rod. Perks of Getting a New Rod We know that purchasing a brand new rod can be daunting. Quality For the most part, rods that are a little more spendy tend to be more thoughtfully made. Durability It is no fun to take a rod out to the water for the first time and have it snap on you. Ease of Use As mentioned above, quality-made rods tend to be more thoughtfully crafted. Jeff My name is Jeff and I have been hunting and fishing for over 40 years.

Our Top Pick. Super light and portable. Best overall striper rod on our list. Super strong construction. Very sensitive, great for shy fish. The best pick for anglers on a budget. Several different rod styles to choose from. Strong and durable. Provides excellent control.