More FUN? Medium power, slower action rods with braid

Which rod power and action provides the most fun?

  • Light Power Med/Slow Action

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Light Power Fast Action

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Medium Power Med/Slow Action

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Medium Power Fast Action

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Med-Heavy Power Med/Slow Action

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Med-Heavy Power Fast Action

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Heavy Power Med/Slow Action

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Heavy Power Fast Action

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • X-Heavy Power Med/Slow Action

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • X-Heavy Power Fast Action

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    0

JohnSam

New member
I like having and seeing a full bend in a fishing rod. Having to wrestle the angle and clearly seeing small vs bigger bites. Quietly freaking out when it comes to landing a fish with the rod bending almost in two hoping it won't snap and always going to the line instead of just lifting the fish clean into the air.

I have a Daiwa BG Heavy power, Fast action 11.6ft rod paired with a Penn Fierce II 5000 20lb Grinder and a new untested setup of Assasin Spin Heavy power, Slow action 8ft rod paired with Penn Fierce II 3000 20lb 0.1mm Gatorbraid.

The Daiwa absolutely bludgeons things. Its very stiff, accurate (and also unforgiving). It feels like cheating once hooked and hooking up is almost automatic. This has left me feeling a little alienated from the experience. Braid does help to improve the connection to the experience by allowing you to feel everything through your finger on the line though.
The Assasin 8ft is for experimenting closer to the debate topic whilst starting out with dropshotting.

I wonder could I not have a better connection to the experience of fishing with a Medium power rod with a slower action?

The debate: Can we have more fun with Medium power Slower rods?
The context:
Maximum FUN (not highest success) in casting,fighting and landing.
Bait fishing rocks and shore.
Occasional wade just for funzies.
Occasional Spinning for funzies
Occasional Dropshotting again for funzies

Example:
A two rod setup (give or take 9ft and 12ft covering up to 1oz with the 9ft and 1-3oz with the 12ft.
Grinder reels with braid.

I see this option ideally represented in the Assasin range:

Rockhopper Light 9ft/1oz/6-10lb
https://www.basilmanning.co.za/assassin-rock-hopper-15660.html?cat=43830

Rockmaster Pro Spin Medium 12ft/1-3oz/20-30lb
https://www.basilmanning.co.za/assassin-rockmaster-pro-spin-707897.html?cat=2548


Let the debate rage on.
 

Tackle-holic

Sealiner
Observation: a slow or c curve rod does not equate to a soft rod with no pulling power, this is a mistake many make.
The most powerful surf rod I have ever owned is a Century Elliminator T1200 4-8oz. It bends into a deep C under FULL load, but lordy the force required to do this...

Fast action rods with more flexible tips show bites, think feeder rods.
 

JohnSam

New member
Excuse my ignorance but what is a feeder rod? And yes my intention is a rod that bends when either a big fish or a pan size fish is on. Maybe its just because I don't fish enough and mainly catch smaller fish.

I actually got the stiffer rod to catch bigger fish but haven't been successful yet. I am however going to try for some kob at Strand reefs on both rods and will update this topic thereafter.

Also going to try for a houndshark (first inedible eek) with the Daiwa Heavy and if successful I might just be very greatful for the added maneuverability it provides.

If I inadvertently hookup a really big fish on the soft 8ft I guess I'll find out just exactly how much fun it will be...

(He says while nervously wondering if he's gotten things terribly back to front...)
 

Tackle-holic

Sealiner
No prob.Feeder rod is a FW rod with a very soft tip to show bites, but strong enough to pull back.
You are (like me) stuck in land...
Do you have any FW bank angling rods?
 

Tackle-holic

Sealiner
Big powerful rod.
Slow / C Curve.14'6" Okuma Makaira 6-8oz under load from 125g/4.25oz
 

Attachments

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    C Curve.jpg
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JohnSam

New member
Yes terribly landlocked... I see now what you mean by a feeder rod ie a Carp rod cause they just feed the fish LOL !

Nope don't get the bank angling thing. I am an avid fly-fisherman hence the surprise at the stiffness of my 11ft. Im used to very bendy rods. I have a 9 weight saltwater setup for fly too but its not had many chances to be used since I use it with a 5/6 reel and floating line and it just doesnt gel. Going to put a sinking line on a cheapie reel and given the chance will give that a go off the reefs too depending on conditions.
 

JohnSam

New member
That looks awesome! I just bought a new setup and already dreaming of a shore surf setup featuring that rod and a Penn Spinfisher...
 
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