So I have had a ultralight Shakespeare Dimension reel for quite some time (I have larger version of the reel on two other Ugly Sticks) and was going to pick up the 5' ultralight in moderate fast action but Bass Pro Shops is out of that one and I have a gift card so I am wondering how much different would the 2 piece 7 foot model be in the weight and action? I do not know a lot about fishing poles so thank you for any help given.
I do not like 2 piece rods, ever, unless there is a good reason to have one (like stowing somewhere when broken down-say as a rod for a camper or something).
I love 7' rods, but there will be a huge difference going from 5' to 7'. It will give a totally different balance to the reel/rod combo. I do not even mind heavy if a rod balances well. And I am no rod/reel snob. I fish Shimano reels (not the bottom end, but low end) and various rods. The 7' will outcast a 5' and give you more backbone to fight a fish as well. Since you use the rod to tire the fish, 7' is better than 5'. But if you want a light little bream rod, you will be disappointed with a 7' rod.
Quote from: g8rvet on May 29, 2020, 05:01:41 PM
I do not like 2 piece rods, ever, unless there is a good reason to have one (like stowing somewhere when broken down-say as a rod for a camper or something).
I love 7' rods, but there will be a huge difference going from 5' to 7'. It will give a totally different balance to the reel/rod combo. I do not even mind heavy if a rod balances well. And I am no rod/reel snob. I fish Shimano reels (not the bottom end, but low end) and various rods. The 7' will outcast a 5' and give you more backbone to fight a fish as well. Since you use the rod to tire the fish, 7' is better than 5'. But if you want a light little bream rod, you will be disappointed with a 7' rod.
I do not know the term "Bream rod", what does it mean? Just looking for a bit of a fight, when I moved here 30 years ago I had to get used to these smaller fish, I grew up fishing Lake Ontario and Erie and the fish were bigger and had a lot more fight to them normally, the fish here in the Finger Lakes to not seem to fight much so I would like something that would let me feel that a bit more without having to worry about snapping the rod.
Both lengths have their advantages at times. 7 ft will take up slack quicker for hook set and you should be able to control a fish better with the longer rod. The 5 ft rod is nice if fishing from bank and there are trees over head and you are making short casts close to bank.I don't mind 2 pc rods for ultra light rods one of my favorite ways to fish for crappies is a 10 ft crappie rod and a jig. Whatever you get you will get used to it . Bream is a bluegill
Quote from: Chris O on May 29, 2020, 05:20:54 PM
Both lengths have their advantages at times. 7 ft will take up slack quicker for hook set and you should be able to control a fish better with the longer rod. The 5 ft rod is nice if fishing from bank and there are trees over head and you are making short casts close to bank.I don't mind 2 pc rods for ultra light rods one of my favorite ways to fish for crappies is a 10 ft crappie rod and a jig. Whatever you get you will get used to it .
Thanks bud, I do wish they had the 1 piece 5' in, I have the gift certificate and enough points on my BPS credit card that I could get it for free.
Steve the word Bream is what we call fish, at least where I come from, that are from the Sunfish family. So when I take a couple of my favorite " bream rods" and "take to fishing" at the pond, I expect to come back with a whole "mess of breams and robins". Now to speak in lingo more known above the Mason Dixon line, swimming in that bucket would include Bluegill, Redbreast Sunfish, Green Sunfish,Redear Sunfish,Redspotted & Spotted Sunfish Longear Sunfish, Pumpkinseed,etc. Now if I'm lucky I might even have a couple of "goggle eyes" in the mix. Once you catch one goggle eye, you could catch a half dozen if you're patient because they kind of school up that way in the Springtime. The more proper name for this fish in other parts of the country could be either Warmouth or Rock Bass. No matter what you call them, when you " dress 'em up" they fry up mighty pretty. You'll need a "right smart mess" of 'em too to find a family that's used to this kind of eatin"!!!
Oh yeah, I like the one piece rods for these little critters too. In lengths of 5' 5 1/2 or 6' with light action and a fast tip will give you a nice outfit with 4 lb. line to throw the small baits you need for this fun also. Of course fly rods and cane poles or "bream busters" are another option to target this crowd also. Good luck to you!
Quote from: 310 gauge on May 29, 2020, 06:12:39 PM
Steve the word Bream is what we call fish, at least where I come from, that are from the Sunfish family. So when I take a couple of my favorite " bream rods" and "take to fishing" at the pond, I expect to come back with a whole "mess of breams and robins". Now to speak in lingo more known above the Mason Dixon line, swimming in that bucket would include Bluegill, Redbreast Sunfish, Green Sunfish,Redear Sunfish,Redspotted & Spotted Sunfish Longear Sunfish, Pumpkinseed,etc. Now if I'm lucky I might even have a couple of "goggle eyes" in the mix. Once you catch one goggle eye, you could catch a half dozen if you're patient because they kind of school up that way in the Springtime. The more proper name for this fish in other parts of the country could be either Warmouth or Rock Bass. No matter what you call them, when you " dress 'em up" they fry up mighty pretty. You'll need a "right smart mess" of 'em too to find a family that's used to this kind of eatin"!!!
Quote from: 310 gauge on May 29, 2020, 06:20:48 PM
Oh yeah, I like the one piece rods for these little critters too. In lengths of 5' 5 1/2 or 6' with light action and a fast tip will give you a nice outfit with 4 lb. line to throw the small baits you need for this fun also. Of course fly rods and cane poles or "bream busters" are another option to target this crowd also. Good luck to you!
Thanks for the explanation bud, I do appreciate it. To be honest I throw back in what I catch, it just hurts my hands and back to much to clean them anymore, I really miss eating Bullhead but now it is just a for fun thing for me. A friends son gave me a mess of Bullhead that he had cleaned last year, man were they good when I friend them up. I am going to see if Cabela's has the shorter rod, I can use my stuff there too.
I totally understand the catch and release, and the sport and conservation of all that for the future! If you were a lot closer I could have done a good job of stocking your freezer through the mild winter we had with Speckled Trout. A creek across the river from my home was loaded with them as they have started wintering there more the last few years. They are one of the absolute best frying fish you will ever sit down to. Some homemade cole slaw, fresh fried taters, hushpuppies using Sweet Betsy's mix,homemade lemon meringue pie,washed down with sweet tea and that's one of those last meal requests a convicted man would literally die for!!! Hahaha!
Hello my friend. Did some searching for you. Cabelas has some 5 ft rods in stock. At least on line. They also take Bass Pro gift cards. Hope this helps. Good luck....
310 - you will appreciate this. My brother tore his ACL and while doing rehab he got in a discussion about redfish. His PT guy said it was not possible to catch a keeper redfish on 2 pound test. Challenge accepted. We all outfitted our little bream rods with 2 pound test and hit our favorite redfish hole. It took us quite a few trips but we all landed keeper reds on 2# test. My brother managed an over (28"). I lost way more lures casting than I did fighting the fish. We also set a no net rule to make it more challenging and lost many others right at us trying to lip them.
g8rvet , that's pretty cool right there! Had a blast taking on that challenge too! You might have set some kind of State record with that 28" baby on 2# test too. You know most fish stews around here are cooked with Rock or Stripers as some folks call them. But to me a mess of Puppy Drum or smaller Reds make a great stew also. Firm, white and flaky,,,good eatin'. Thanks for sharing!
Quote from: 310 gauge on May 29, 2020, 07:45:22 PM
I totally understand the catch and release, and the sport and conservation of all that for the future! If you were a lot closer I could have done a good job of stocking your freezer through the mild winter we had with Speckled Trout. A creek across the river from my home was loaded with them as they have started wintering there more the last few years. They are one of the absolute best frying fish you will ever sit down to. Some homemade cole slaw, fresh fried taters, hushpuppies using Sweet Betsy's mix,homemade lemon meringue pie,washed down with sweet tea and that's one of those last meal requests a convicted man would literally die for!!! Hahaha!
Man that all sounds fantastic, but I would have to pass on the coleslaw part, I have never met a coleslaw I didn't dislike. lol. Really does sound quite good and one thing I sure love about The South is Sweet Tea, my GF and I get into arguments over that one because she like nasty bitter iced tea and I would sooner drink sand.
Quote from: Tom007 on May 29, 2020, 08:03:41 PM
Hello my friend. Did some searching for you. Cabelas has some 5 ft rods in stock. At least on line. They also take Bass Pro gift cards. Hope this helps. Good luck....
Thank you bud I will call them shortly, I got out this morning and for the first time all season I heard a gobble. Unfortunately I was getting sick, I knew I was not right when I left the house, had to leave only a few hours into the morning, tomorrow is the last morning, hope things work out. I have been seeing so many more birds this year that I bought a bird on books today, look forward to figuring out what some of those birds are. Also going to buy a book on trees, used to know a little but my meds have made me forget so much. Sure was good to hear a gobble though, he was REALLY far away though.
Quote from: g8rvet on May 30, 2020, 12:50:27 PM
310 - you will appreciate this. My brother tore his ACL and while doing rehab he got in a discussion about redfish. His PT guy said it was not possible to catch a keeper redfish on 2 pound test. Challenge accepted. We all outfitted our little bream rods with 2 pound test and hit our favorite redfish hole. It took us quite a few trips but we all landed keeper reds on 2# test. My brother managed an over (28"). I lost way more lures casting than I did fighting the fish. We also set a no net rule to make it more challenging and lost many others right at us trying to lip them.
Quote from: 310 gauge on May 30, 2020, 02:23:05 PM
g8rvet , that's pretty cool right there! Had a blast taking on that challenge too! You might have set some kind of State record with that 28" baby on 2# test too. You know most fish stews around here are cooked with Rock or Stripers as some folks call them. But to me a mess of Puppy Drum or smaller Reds make a great stew also. Firm, white and flaky,,,good eatin'. Thanks for sharing!
Enjoyed reading both your comments though not to me, sounds like that fishing challenge was fun. By the way we call them Rock Bass here.
Hey Steve, hope that Gobbler cuts his distance down considerably in the morning and you feel well enough to wait him out. The only flora I make sure I identify before I nestle in for a sit is the dreaded poison ivy. I manage to get a small dose of it every season somehow. Our season ended 3 weeks ago today, and my biological clock is still waking me up by 4:00 a.m. everyday. Good Luck in the morning, be safe, and come back with a tale to tell!!!
Quote from: 310 gauge on May 30, 2020, 06:56:15 PM
Hey Steve, hope that Gobbler cuts his distance down considerably in the morning and you feel well enough to wait him out. The only flora I make sure I identify before I nestle in for a sit is the dreaded poison ivy. I manage to get a small dose of it every season somehow. Our season ended 3 weeks ago today, and my biological clock is still waking me up by 4:00 a.m. everyday. Good Luck in the morning, be safe, and come back with a tale to tell!!!
Thanks bud, I am feeling better now, had a hard time on the drive home, could not keep eyes open and felt horrible. I hope he does as well, I will have some more calls with me, did not want to bring many because of weather last night made it wet out. I will share the tail if there is one to tell.
Quote from: Sir-diealot on May 29, 2020, 05:13:29 PM
Quote from: g8rvet on May 29, 2020, 05:01:41 PM
I do not like 2 piece rods, ever, unless there is a good reason to have one (like stowing somewhere when broken down-say as a rod for a camper or something).
I love 7' rods, but there will be a huge difference going from 5' to 7'. It will give a totally different balance to the reel/rod combo. I do not even mind heavy if a rod balances well. And I am no rod/reel snob. I fish Shimano reels (not the bottom end, but low end) and various rods. The 7' will outcast a 5' and give you more backbone to fight a fish as well. Since you use the rod to tire the fish, 7' is better than 5'. But if you want a light little bream rod, you will be disappointed with a 7' rod.
I do not know the term "Bream rod", what does it mean? Just looking for a bit of a fight, when I moved here 30 years ago I had to get used to these smaller fish, I grew up fishing Lake Ontario and Erie and the fish were bigger and had a lot more fight to them normally, the fish here in the Finger Lakes to not seem to fight much so I would like something that would let me feel that a bit more without having to worry about snapping the rod.
If youre looking to feel more you're first prob is you're using ugly sticks. They work and are tough but very insensitive.
Quote from: Bowguy on May 30, 2020, 08:17:49 PM
Quote from: Sir-diealot on May 29, 2020, 05:13:29 PM
Quote from: g8rvet on May 29, 2020, 05:01:41 PM
I do not like 2 piece rods, ever, unless there is a good reason to have one (like stowing somewhere when broken down-say as a rod for a camper or something).
I love 7' rods, but there will be a huge difference going from 5' to 7'. It will give a totally different balance to the reel/rod combo. I do not even mind heavy if a rod balances well. And I am no rod/reel snob. I fish Shimano reels (not the bottom end, but low end) and various rods. The 7' will outcast a 5' and give you more backbone to fight a fish as well. Since you use the rod to tire the fish, 7' is better than 5'. But if you want a light little bream rod, you will be disappointed with a 7' rod.
I do not know the term "Bream rod", what does it mean? Just looking for a bit of a fight, when I moved here 30 years ago I had to get used to these smaller fish, I grew up fishing Lake Ontario and Erie and the fish were bigger and had a lot more fight to them normally, the fish here in the Finger Lakes to not seem to fight much so I would like something that would let me feel that a bit more without having to worry about snapping the rod.
If youre looking to feel more you're first prob is you're using ugly sticks. They work and are tough but very insensitive.
Please extrapolate.
That was also my thought as well. It it hard to adequately explain the difference that you feel when using a full graphite rod. The sensitivity goes all the way down to the butt of the rod. Better felt strikes lead to more hook sets and more catches. I fish a lot of jigs with swim baits and it is a lot like worm fishing for bass. When you can feel a strike on the fall you are way more prepared to set the hook. I think it helps some for fighting the fish as well, but more of the benefit is in the sensitivity of full graphite vs glass or glass composite rods. I have not owned a glass rod in 30 years. Cabelas makes very affordable graphite rods that are no where near top of the line, but very serviceable.
Quote from: Sir-diealot on May 31, 2020, 04:57:44 PM
Quote from: Bowguy on May 30, 2020, 08:17:49 PM
Quote from: Sir-diealot on May 29, 2020, 05:13:29 PM
Quote from: g8rvet on May 29, 2020, 05:01:41 PM
I do not like 2 piece rods, ever, unless there is a good reason to have one (like stowing somewhere when broken down-say as a rod for a camper or something).
I love 7' rods, but there will be a huge difference going from 5' to 7'. It will give a totally different balance to the reel/rod combo. I do not even mind heavy if a rod balances well. And I am no rod/reel snob. I fish Shimano reels (not the bottom end, but low end) and various rods. The 7' will outcast a 5' and give you more backbone to fight a fish as well. Since you use the rod to tire the fish, 7' is better than 5'. But if you want a light little bream rod, you will be disappointed with a 7' rod.
I do not know the term "Bream rod", what does it mean? Just looking for a bit of a fight, when I moved here 30 years ago I had to get used to these smaller fish, I grew up fishing Lake Ontario and Erie and the fish were bigger and had a lot more fight to them normally, the fish here in the Finger Lakes to not seem to fight much so I would like something that would let me feel that a bit more without having to worry about snapping the rod.
If youre looking to feel more you're first prob is you're using ugly sticks. They work and are tough but very insensitive.
Please extrapolate.
The materials used are insensitive. Pick up almost any other rod and you'll be better off. You'll lose the toughness though.
Get yourself a St Croix and be done
I know I probably got a lemon, but I will never buy another St. Croix rod. Two of the eyes messed up (were abrading the line) within 2 months of purchase. Oh well, poo happens, I will just get the warranty done. Can't return it local, had to send to St. Croix. They wanted $25 plus I pay shipping for a 2 month old rod!
I have bought custom since - same or less money and warrantied until the custom maker or I croak, whichever is first.
Quote from: g8rvet on May 31, 2020, 09:04:00 PM
That was also my thought as well. It it hard to adequately explain the difference that you feel when using a full graphite rod. The sensitivity goes all the way down to the butt of the rod. Better felt strikes lead to more hook sets and more catches. I fish a lot of jigs with swim baits and it is a lot like worm fishing for bass. When you can feel a strike on the fall you are way more prepared to set the hook. I think it helps some for fighting the fish as well, but more of the benefit is in the sensitivity of full graphite vs glass or glass composite rods. I have not owned a glass rod in 30 years. Cabelas makes very affordable graphite rods that are no where near top of the line, but very serviceable.
Thank you much for the explanation. Right now I have to get what I can afford and those rods the last time I checked were over $100.00 and I just can't justify that for something I only do a few times a year. Hunting gear is different, I am always out hunting something so I spend more on my hunting gear.
Quote from: Bowguy on June 01, 2020, 05:31:40 AM
Quote from: Sir-diealot on May 31, 2020, 04:57:44 PM
Quote from: Bowguy on May 30, 2020, 08:17:49 PM
Quote from: Sir-diealot on May 29, 2020, 05:13:29 PM
Quote from: g8rvet on May 29, 2020, 05:01:41 PM
I do not like 2 piece rods, ever, unless there is a good reason to have one (like stowing somewhere when broken down-say as a rod for a camper or something).
I love 7' rods, but there will be a huge difference going from 5' to 7'. It will give a totally different balance to the reel/rod combo. I do not even mind heavy if a rod balances well. And I am no rod/reel snob. I fish Shimano reels (not the bottom end, but low end) and various rods. The 7' will outcast a 5' and give you more backbone to fight a fish as well. Since you use the rod to tire the fish, 7' is better than 5'. But if you want a light little bream rod, you will be disappointed with a 7' rod.
I do not know the term "Bream rod", what does it mean? Just looking for a bit of a fight, when I moved here 30 years ago I had to get used to these smaller fish, I grew up fishing Lake Ontario and Erie and the fish were bigger and had a lot more fight to them normally, the fish here in the Finger Lakes to not seem to fight much so I would like something that would let me feel that a bit more without having to worry about snapping the rod.
If youre looking to feel more you're first prob is you're using ugly sticks. They work and are tough but very insensitive.
Please extrapolate.
The materials used are insensitive. Pick up almost any other rod and you'll be better off. You'll lose the toughness though.
Get yourself a St Croix and be done
I just looked up the price of St Croix rods and from what I saw the cheapest was 120 and that is just more than I am willing to spend on fishing gear, I just can't justify that for something I only do a few times a year with friends. If I were into fishing the way some of my friends are that may be different. I do thank you for your suggestion though.
I understand if it's higher priced than you want. Any full graphite type rod would be better than a glass one. Try the cabelas as suggested above
Quote from: Bowguy on June 01, 2020, 04:30:02 PM
I understand if it's higher priced than you want. Any full graphite type rod would be better than a glass one. Try the cabelas as suggested above
I will look into them, thank you very much.
https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/berkley-lightning-rod-spinning-rod
or splurge a little
https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/bass-pro-shops-micro-lite-graphite-spinning-rod
Quote from: g8rvet on June 01, 2020, 08:47:23 PM
https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/berkley-lightning-rod-spinning-rod
or splurge a little
https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/bass-pro-shops-micro-lite-graphite-spinning-rod
Thank you for the links, it would not be much of a splurge, I have a $25.00 gift card and about the same in rewards on my credit card. I am going to have to stop at a friends house and handle one of his fishing poles before I commit, I seem to remember having a problem with poles with cork handles but it has been so long I do not recall what it was. I feel rude saying that and I am sorry, it is the reason I tend to buy the same things over and over, with the hand problems some things can be uncomfortable that you would not think would be. I truly do appreciate you trying to help.
Do you have an idea of what sort of hooks I should use for catch and release? I understand there are some that will do less damage. I seem to remember I always used Eagle Claw hooks but I am not married to them and would be more than willing to chance to help the fish.
Quote from: Sir-diealot on June 01, 2020, 08:56:09 PM
Quote from: g8rvet on June 01, 2020, 08:47:23 PM
https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/berkley-lightning-rod-spinning-rod
or splurge a little
https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/bass-pro-shops-micro-lite-graphite-spinning-rod
Thank you for the links, it would not be much of a splurge, I have a $25.00 gift card and about the same in rewards on my credit card. I am going to have to stop at a friends house and handle one of his fishing poles before I commit, I seem to remember having a problem with poles with cork handles but it has been so long I do not recall what it was. I feel rude saying that and I am sorry, it is the reason I tend to buy the same things over and over, with the hand problems some things can be uncomfortable that you would not think would be. I truly do appreciate you trying to help.
Do you have an idea of what sort of hooks I should use for catch and release? I understand there are some that will do less damage. I seem to remember I always used Eagle Claw hooks but I am not married to them and would be more than willing to chance to help the fish.
For catch and release go barbless hooks, either purchase barbless or use a pliers and bend the barb down or file if off. I do all catch and release, actually wild steelhead are. for the most part. required to be release unharmed,at least one state requires the fish not be removed from the water.
Quote from: NCL on June 02, 2020, 07:40:47 AM
Quote from: Sir-diealot on June 01, 2020, 08:56:09 PM
Quote from: g8rvet on June 01, 2020, 08:47:23 PM
https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/berkley-lightning-rod-spinning-rod
or splurge a little
https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/bass-pro-shops-micro-lite-graphite-spinning-rod
Thank you for the links, it would not be much of a splurge, I have a $25.00 gift card and about the same in rewards on my credit card. I am going to have to stop at a friends house and handle one of his fishing poles before I commit, I seem to remember having a problem with poles with cork handles but it has been so long I do not recall what it was. I feel rude saying that and I am sorry, it is the reason I tend to buy the same things over and over, with the hand problems some things can be uncomfortable that you would not think would be. I truly do appreciate you trying to help.
Do you have an idea of what sort of hooks I should use for catch and release? I understand there are some that will do less damage. I seem to remember I always used Eagle Claw hooks but I am not married to them and would be more than willing to chance to help the fish.
For catch and release go barbless hooks, either purchase barbless or use a pliers and bend the barb down or file if off. I do all catch and release, actually wild steelhead are. for the most part. required to be release unharmed,at least one state requires the fish not be removed from the water.
Thank you very much.
Steve,
One other thought, look at the used market for a rod. I only fly fish and those rods are very expensive and I have purchased several rods that were in like new condition for a about half of what they would retail. The down side to the used market is finding what you want so you have to be patient. Just google fishing site and many have classified sections. I visit a few but those are fly fishing oriented so those do not have much conventional gear.
Quote from: NCL on June 03, 2020, 10:15:27 AM
Steve,
One other thought, look at the used market for a rod. I only fly fish and those rods are very expensive and I have purchased several rods that were in like new condition for a about half of what they would retail. The down side to the used market is finding what you want so you have to be patient. Just google fishing site and many have classified sections. I visit a few but those are fly fishing oriented so those do not have much conventional gear.
Good idea, thank you very much.
Pretty much have changed to non offset circle hooks for almost all live baiting. No need to set the hook and it goes right in the corner of the mouth 99% of the time. Buy or have someone make up a long shank dehooker and you can flip the fish right off without touching them.
Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
Quote from: roberthyman14 on June 03, 2020, 08:48:10 PM
Pretty much have changed to non offset circle hooks for almost all live baiting. No need to set the hook and it goes right in the corner of the mouth 99% of the time. Buy or have someone make up a long shank dehooker and you can flip the fish right off without touching them.
Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
Thank you much, picked up my license earlier this week and the GF will be getting hers tomorrow.