Having some reel trouble...

[Creel Limit Zero]

Yeah, that is probably just from wear and tear of breaking down the rods for storage.  Just one more thing to break on the rod.  If you don't have that connection, that part will never break.  One thing you could consider to fix it, is maybe some glue.  This, of course, would make it permanent though.  No more breaking it down.   

[integra2k20]

Yeah, that is probably just from wear and tear of breaking down the rods for storage.  Just one more thing to break on the rod.  If you don't have that connection, that part will never break.  One thing you could consider to fix it, is maybe some glue.  This, of course, would make it permanent though.  No more breaking it down.   

it doesnt happen all that often just yet. one piece rods would be nice, i had the tangles that sometimes result form breaking them down (i like to keep lures on my rod and breaking them down like that can be a hassle)...which one of those reel models for the combo would you suggest? i usually fish 8lb test...i dont know much about gear ratios, my power graph is 5.2:1

[integra2k20]

quick question---do i want MORE or LESS bearings? i saw a nice quantum reel (ive heard theyre good) combined with a cabela's rod, and it was talking about how great it was that it had 5 bearings??


http://cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0032435120044a&navCount=1&podId=0032435&parentId=cat20287&navAction=jump&cmCat=MainCatcat20166&catalogCode=6IS&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20287&hasJS=true
i like this combo, price makes me wonder though...

ive picked out a few in my price range that might be good, anywhere from 30-70 $ or so, including the one you showed me (which i still really like, especially if i can get the rod in a two-piece).

The combos are:
- shimano sidestab/sojourn combo
- shimano sonara/scimitar combo
- quantum hypercast Hp Pro spinning combo
- Shakespeare ugly stik lite spinning combo
- mitchell avocet/berkley cherrywood combo
- shimano sedona/cabela's tourney trail combo

[Creel Limit Zero]

I don't know too much about that particular combo, but I'm sure you will be more happy with the IM-6, IM-7, or IM-8 graphite rod.  The less bearings the better, assuming that the less bearings mean less moving parts, so less things to break.  All the ones you picked look pretty good, and will be able to do well.  Go there and pick them all up, see which ones feel more balanced to you and are lighter.  Grab something that you will be able to cast all day.  I hope you find something you like.   

[Creel Limit Zero]

One more thing, the gear ratio is how fast you pull in line, so a 5.2 - 1 gear ratio would mean your reel will turn 5.2 times for every complete revolution you do on the handle.  This is a preference on what you prefer, but around 5 or so is the norm for spinning rods.  The baitcaster's can get a higher ratio to them...

[integra2k20]

One more thing, the gear ratio is how fast you pull in line, so a 5.2 - 1 gear ratio would mean your reel will turn 5.2 times for every complete revolution you do on the handle.  This is a preference on what you prefer, but around 5 or so is the norm for spinning rods.  The baitcaster's can get a higher ratio to them...

thanks, i printed out all the ones i was interested in--and im going to ditch the idea fo the berkley/mitchell combo, i'd like to get something nice. Im guna try out all the combo's there if htey have em in stock, so i can see which combo of rod/reel i like best. what does IM-6,7,8, etc mean? ill keep in mind that thats important. how do i know if the rods im looking at fit into one of these categories?

[integra2k20]

speaking of cabelas, it appears they dont have the bass assassins i wanted to get, or the mann's baby 1-minus crankbait  (at least according to the site). think i should wait till i get to the store and check if they actually do have them, or should i order them off bass pro now?

[Creel Limit Zero]

I am surprised they don't have those lures.  They are popular.  You might want to do a search on them, because the site when you go through the links does not always show everything...

As for the IM-6, IM-7, IM-8, it is a composite material that is all from the same company.  Basically, the difference between these three rods is small between each one.  There is a difference in that the IM-6's should weigh a little more than the 7, and the 7 a little more than the 8.  It is perceived by some, that the IM-8 is the superior rod since they are generally lighter, but it is a newer composition, so it also might have a few more defects.  The IM-6 has been out for a long time.  I have not heard of an IM-9 but I'm sure it is around the corner one day.  I'm sure there are some on here that can break down the difference more, but it is a whole lot of technical mumbo jumbo if you ask me.  They are all pretty similar in my opinion, just a little bit different...  Use the one that feels right, has the right action you are looking for, and has a good balance with the reel that is on it.  That's more important than getting the IM-7 vs. the IM-8...

[Creel Limit Zero]

Oh yeah, and the IM-8's will be a little faster action too I believe too.  It is a very small difference though, keep in mind.  Between the 6's and the 8's, I think each of the differences is about 10%.  10% lighter, 10% smaller diameter, and less than 10% faster action. 

[integra2k20]

Oh yeah, and the IM-8's will be a little faster action too I believe too.  It is a very small difference though, keep in mind.  Between the 6's and the 8's, I think each of the differences is about 10%.  10% lighter, 10% smaller diameter, and less than 10% faster action. 

my head is spinning. i still dont understand what fast action, etc means. what should i be looking for? fast action? fast tip? if this rod is for cranks and heavier lures, should i consider a moderate tip?

[Creel Limit Zero]

The weight, light, medium-light, medium, medium-heavy, and heavy is all the backbone of the rod.  Think of it this way, the light action is for a very limp rod, while heavy is going to be more like a pool stick.  Very heavy for horsing fish out of think brush and pads.  The action, slow, medium, fast, ultra fast, is where the bend starts occuring in the rod.  A fast action tip will bend more at the tip of the rod, while a slow action rod will bend about the same throughout the rod.  So when you have a fish on, fast action will look more like a 7, with with most of the bend at the top, while the slow action will look more like ), where it is uniform throughout.  I like fast action on most of my rods, you can cast lures further because you can load it more. 

  Okay, are you officially confused yet?  I think we could be throwing too much info at you.  You probably will want a medium rod with fast action.  It is the best for a one rod application.  It can be used with everything.   

[Pferox]

I wouldn't really chuck the Berkley/Mitchell setups, they are nice reels, and the cherrywood rods are nice too. I have checked them out a few times.

My Mitchell reels have stood up to some tough stuff to tell you the truth.

[integra2k20]

The weight, light, medium-light, medium, medium-heavy, and heavy is all the backbone of the rod.  Think of it this way, the light action is for a very limp rod, while heavy is going to be more like a pool stick.  Very heavy for horsing fish out of think brush and pads.  The action, slow, medium, fast, ultra fast, is where the bend starts occuring in the rod.  A fast action tip will bend more at the tip of the rod, while a slow action rod will bend about the same throughout the rod.  So when you have a fish on, fast action will look more like a 7, with with most of the bend at the top, while the slow action will look more like ), where it is uniform throughout.  I like fast action on most of my rods, you can cast lures further because you can load it more. 

  Okay, are you officially confused yet?  I think we could be throwing too much info at you.  You probably will want a medium rod with fast action.  It is the best for a one rod application.  It can be used with everything.   

reason i wasnt sure was because htis rod will be a 2nd rod to my current setup (smaller 6' shimano with the powergraph) and this new larger rod (7' probably) will be for crankbaits, big topwater lures, spinnerbaits,
etc....thought maybe moderate action was supposed to be better for stuff like that

[Pferox]

If your present rod is a medium, go for a medium heavy, this way you can try a different action, when using bigger baits, the extra backbone would help.

Almost all of my bass stuff is medium heavy, but most of my bass have to come through thick weeds to get to the bank, and I need the extra heft in the rod to do this.

Like many others mentioned most of my rods have a fast tip, and are longer, about 7 to 8 foot, this gives me extra casting distance from the shore, and allows me to throw weightless stuff also.

You might also want to look into riggin up a roof rack on your car to carry the longer rods. Is is quite normal around the coast to see guys haulin 12 foot rods on the roofs of little hatch backs near the coast. Yours wouldn't be so unruly with just a 7footer on the roof.

I have seen simple rod racks made out of a length of PVC drain pipe with a threaded cap on each end, strapped to a roof rack. It is pretty inexpensive, and protects your combo well, and can be painted to match your hot rod. 

[integra2k20]

If your present rod is a medium, go for a medium heavy, this way you can try a different action, when using bigger baits, the extra backbone would help.

Almost all of my bass stuff is medium heavy, but most of my bass have to come through thick weeds to get to the bank, and I need the extra heft in the rod to do this.

Like many others mentioned most of my rods have a fast tip, and are longer, about 7 to 8 foot, this gives me extra casting distance from the shore, and allows me to throw weightless stuff also.

You might also want to look into riggin up a roof rack on your car to carry the longer rods. Is is quite normal around the coast to see guys haulin 12 foot rods on the roofs of little hatch backs near the coast. Yours wouldn't be so unruly with just a 7footer on the roof.

I have seen simple rod racks made out of a length of PVC drain pipe with a threaded cap on each end, strapped to a roof rack. It is pretty inexpensive, and protects your combo well, and can be painted to match your hot rod. 

ill check what my current rod is, and no matter what i buy ill buy in fast tip--sounds good if it lets u cast weightless stuff better. my car would be a real pain to get a roof rack on--its a hatchback, so the roof section between front n rear windsheilds is tiny, throw in a sunroof and youve got zero space for one. plus i really wouldnt want to do that to it haha...

[Creel Limit Zero]

Oh, so it was you whipping around those winding roads last weekend.  I recognize that car.     Just kidding, nice ride, bet it is fun.  I would agree with Pferox, if you have a medium, go with a medium heavy.  You will need it when you are fishing in those ponds as the summer progresses.  Where you don't see much weeds now, will probably be full of them by August.  And being on the bank, means you will probably have to horse some of those fish through the weeds to bring them to you...

[integra2k20]

Oh, so it was you whipping around those winding roads last weekend.  I recognize that car.     Just kidding, nice ride, bet it is fun.  I would agree with Pferox, if you have a medium, go with a medium heavy.  You will need it when you are fishing in those ponds as the summer progresses.  Where you don't see much weeds now, will probably be full of them by August.  And being on the bank, means you will probably have to horse some of those fish through the weeds to bring them to you...

hehe yea i love my trip to marsh creek...10 minutes of windy back roads, awesome! i dont drive fast tho, just like to test out the handling once in a while, ya know?

ok, so this is what i have on my shopping list for the rod: 6.5' – 7' Medium-Light or Medium Heavy Action, Fast Tip

[Pferox]

sounds good, although medium light might be a little wimpy in the weeds.

[integra2k20]

sounds good, although medium light might be a little wimpy in the weeds.

medium heavy is underlined in teh word document thats the shopping list ill get the med-heavy. i checked my rod now. its 6'0", 6-15lb test, didnt say nething about the action or tip. but the back section of the rod was pretty inflexible, and i'd say the top HALF of the upper section was flexible,  more flexible at the tip than further down, so the tip is i guess fast? idk. i like the way that rod works tho, so ill get the medium heavy fast tip 7' or 6.5' at cabelas. did anyone figure out if that cabelas tourney grail rod is a one piece or two yet? the good news is my parents gave me some forgotten allowance from past months to take down the beach with me this week, and whatevers left over becomes cabela's money

[Pferox]

Sounds good, sorry can't help ya with that particular rod.

I have both 1 and 2 piece rods, and they both work ok for me, of course I don't take them apart, and eventually the 2 piecers fuse together, proly can't take a dang one of em apart anymore. lol.

[integra2k20]

Sounds good, sorry can't help ya with that particular rod.

I have both 1 and 2 piece rods, and they both work ok for me, of course I don't take them apart, and eventually the 2 piecers fuse together, proly can't take a dang one of em apart anymore. lol.

i like the two piecers cuz i can break em down and put em in the trunk. altho my 6' fit no problem with both peices together w/ seats folded down

[Pferox]

I have a standard cab pickup, and can fit 7 foot rods in the cab when I want to secure em. Of course, nobody else can ride in the cab either then.

My truck is a short bed so I have to hang the tips of the rods out the back, but haven't had a problem doing that yet.

Sharon's rods are around 6 foot so they haul easily.

[bassmaster350]

I like the one peice caz they have more backbone and are less likely to break in half

[Pferox]

Thinking back, I have only broken two rods around the joint, of course I don't take them apart much and I feel that has an effect on it too.

One of the two that broke for me I know for sure was because the sections weren't fully mated together. Not sure if I didn't seat em fully or if it started seperating when casting.

Most of mine have broken just under the tip, or the just above the reel seat.

[conniek]

WoW! that's some good stuff. well, here's what i think for what it is worth. using that older model Penn is probably ok, but I  sure would c-heck  with your tackle repair shop or contact Penn directly to see if parts available if you should ever need them. Some companies discontinue making and stocking parts for older reels. You might think also about buying a video"Fishing Reel Maintenance" that teaches anglers how to dis assemble, clean parts, re-assemble the parts in proper sequence and orientation. Sure glad to see all the good advice on here,. great reading and very informative.  ~c~Taking good care of your fishing reels is probably one of the most important things a angler can do and saves money in the long run as well,conniek