Rod Reccomendations

[eazie]

Hey All

I recently got back into bass fishing and picked up a yak which means I am replenishing my rod / reel collection slowly that I sold off years and years ago. Hoping this group can shoot me some recommendations. I searched the forum but the hits all are from a few years ago....

Looking to fill two slots soon....

1. Weightless Senko/Light T Rig rod/reel combo. I used to use an old Shimano Cumara with a Shimano Core and loved it. I want to say it was a MH Fast and was of the shorter length which actually would be ideal since I am on a kayak.

2. Punch rod and reel. I used to just throw these on a GLX Jig rod which seemed to work, but also wasnt going over 1oz so looking to get something dedicated to it.

Any specifics you recommend for these use cases or even specific models? I fish mostly in Folsom or the Delta but also will venture to Clear Lake or Berry if i can get up early enough lol.

[WRB]

Welcome back to bass fishing. I am not a kayak angler so consider that in this reply.
Today’s world you can a lot of money buying from Asian Portals, fast shipping.
Shimano casting reel with Core technology is Metanium MGL 150B.
The lighter weight lures like a weightless Senko you can use Metanium or use it for punching.
The BSF reels are amazing and can cast very light lures. Shimano Curado BSF is popular.
Rods are a wide choice.
Gary Loomis is now making Edge rods and his Black Widow series would be ideal.
BWC MBR 735-1 is MH, fast, 7’3”, 1/4-3/4 oz lures.
Megabass Orochi XX Perfect Pitch 7’2”, 3/8-1 1/4oz, is a good pitch/punch rod,
Don’t know your budget? Take look at the above.
Tom

[eazie]

Welcome back to bass fishing. I am not a kayak angler so consider that in this reply.
Today’s world you can a lot of money buying from Asian Portals, fast shipping.
Shimano casting reel with Core technology is Metanium MGL 150B.
The lighter weight lures like a weightless Senko you can use Metanium or use it for punching.
The BSF reels are amazing and can cast very light lures. Shimano Curado BSF is popular.
Rods are a wide choice.
Gary Loomis is now making Edge rods and his Black Widow series would be ideal.
BWC MBR 735-1 is MH, fast, 7’3”, 1/4-3/4 oz lures.
Megabass Orochi XX Perfect Pitch 7’2”, 3/8-1 1/4oz, is a good pitch/punch rod,
Don’t know your budget? Take look at the above.
Tom

Thanks Tom

It would have been helpful to list my budget, I apologize for leaving that out. For the Senko rod I am imagining around $250 max for the rod and for the punch rod around $200 just based on how much I find myself wishing I had a dedicated setup for them. TBH I am probably going to stay away from the JDM stuff just because of the price and the fact I am a weekend angler and currently am not able to dedicate time to even consider tournament fishing.

I have to admit I thought you were pulling my leg with name "Gary Loomis", but these rods are freaking beautiful. Unfortunately, the Delta line is more within my price range. I would love to have the higher end rods but the thought of flipping the yak and losing them makes my stomach hurt lol...

I did pickup a Megabass Levante rod a few months ago for drop shotting and it's ok, nothing I am disappointed with but also not the "I'm keeping this rod until my last breath" either.

For the reels I do like Shimano as my go to. I had some quality issues with older Daiwa reels to the point I just stayed away from them eventually and stuck to Shimano or Quantum. I was looking at the SLX or Curado K MGLs but wasn't sure how the handled sending a weightless Senko. I do have a couple DC SLX's and a Curado K 200, both of which are totally good for me and I don't find myself wanting more out of them.

Ideally the Senko setup would be on the lighter side since I find myself defaulting to that very often and spending some good hours with it so willing to go a little extra on that setup if the gains justify the extra money.

Punching I love to do but just don't get to the Delta as much as I would like where I would really need it. That being said if I ran into a can't pass deal then it is what it is and I now have a good reason to get my butt down to Bethel Island! lol.

[Kelly Ripa]

The edge rods are very nice but after all that I personally hyped them on this site. But after purchasing 3 rods a few years back ( 2 Black widows and a silver widow)... I will never do business with them again. Gary Loomis makes great rods but after that part you'll find yourself alone. The worst Customer service in America. That said follow Tom's advice and IMHO you might want to talk with someone at Dobyn's rods as they pretty much can match you and your prices with something you'll enjoy using and owning...Best customer service I know of.

Rip.

I throw my senko's on a GLX Loomis spinning rod. It is short and tough. I use 10 pound braid and different fluorocarbon #test combinations as the situation dictates. I fish a senko like 10 months out of the year. I like the spinning reel because I never get a backlash pitching anything light and since I basically only fish a wacky rig it's easier for me anyway to let the bait fall on a slack line while I'm watching that braid for my bite.

[WRB]

Not a fan of DC reels. Shimano SLX MGL 70 is a bargain and performs very good casting Senko’s and light T-rigs.
IRod Gen 3 are light weight , well made at $150 price point. IRG 693C paired with MGL 70 would be a good combo.
Tom

[eazie]

The edge rods are very nice but after all that I personally hyped them on this site. But after purchasing 3 rods a few years back ( 2 Black widows and a silver widow)... I will never do business with them again. Gary Loomis makes great rods but after that part you'll find yourself alone. The worst Customer service in America. That said follow Tom's advice and IMHO you might want to talk with someone at Dobyn's rods as they pretty much can match you and your prices with something you'll enjoy using and owning...Best customer service I know of.

Rip.

I throw my senko's on a GLX Loomis spinning rod. It is short and tough. I use 10 pound braid and different fluorocarbon #test combinations as the situation dictates. I fish a senko like 10 months out of the year. I like the spinning reel because I never get a backlash pitching anything light and since I basically only fish a wacky rig it's easier for me anyway to let the bait fall on a slack line while I'm watching that braid for my bite.

Thanks for that insight. Bad customer service is good to know ahead of time. I’ve heard good things about the Dobyns rods but haven’t looked much at them. I’ll check them out tomorrow or give them a ring.

Thank!

[eazie]

Not a fan of DC reels. Shimano SLX MGL 70 is a bargain and performs very good casting Senko’s and light T-rigs.
IRod Gen 3 are light weight , well made at $150 price point. IRG 693C paired with MGL 70 would be a good combo.
Tom

Think I’m going to swing by Fisherman’s Warehouse and check out the iRods. I saw them there before but had t heard of them so did t look too much at them.

Yeah the DCs seem to help in the wind a little but I tried pitching and flipping just to see and they didn’t seem to do well lol.

[Kelly Ripa]

I have an I-rod "magic stick" It is an incredible value. One of my favorite Non -Loomis rods.Very reasonable price but that rod is to long for your yak.

Rip

[JVGondal]

Edgerods customer service is not bad.
They respond to email quickly

They build them one at a time here in the United States
The quality can not be beat
I will buy more as the delta series are affordable and very nice
Black widow for certain rods that need the most sensitivity
You can keep that china made brand
Buy American or sell out
That’s just me

[Kelly Ripa]

I could go on for three hours about how bad edge customer service is. I Paid and Waited 4 months for a rod and never got it.They cancelled the order...No argument. I made the mistake of asking where the rod was...My mistake....Never Again....Luckily I'm so old I'll never need another....Great rod.But They are to small and LIE constantly from the person who runs the phones,the Rod Manager, And Gary isn't in charge!!!...The Final insult was the owner of North Fork Composites.....Never Ever again.
You can tell it was a great experience.
Rip

also took another 3 months to get my money back!

[mark poulson]

First, shorter rods are definitely the ticket when fishing from a kayak. 7' and under.
Second, every kayak fisherman I know has dunked is his tackle at least once, expensive stuff sinks just like the cheaper stuff. I would suggest you invest in a good "beater" tackle lineup, like folks back east who put their Mercedes in the garage every winter, and bring out their old Buick to play bumper cars with on icy roads.
Check out a brand like 13 Fishing's rods and reels. They make high end stuff, but their cheaper stuff is still good quality and value, and you won't hate yourself if you wind up taking them for a swim.

[eazie]

First, shorter rods are definitely the ticket when fishing from a kayak. 7' and under.
Second, every kayak fisherman I know has dunked is his tackle at least once, expensive stuff sinks just like the cheaper stuff. I would suggest you invest in a good "beater" tackle lineup, like folks back east who put their Mercedes in the garage every winter, and bring out their old Buick to play bumper cars with on icy roads.
Check out a brand like 13 Fishing's rods and reels. They make high end stuff, but their cheaper stuff is still good quality and value, and you won't hate yourself if you wind up taking them for a swim.

yeah thats my biggest worry is losing stuff either knocking it off or flipping. I was actually looking at the 13 fishing reels for the punching application, they seem like winches lol. I have only seen them on youtube lol... they seem good and last from your opinion?

[mark poulson]

First, shorter rods are definitely the ticket when fishing from a kayak. 7' and under.
Second, every kayak fisherman I know has dunked is his tackle at least once, expensive stuff sinks just like the cheaper stuff. I would suggest you invest in a good "beater" tackle lineup, like folks back east who put their Mercedes in the garage every winter, and bring out their old Buick to play bumper cars with on icy roads.
Check out a brand like 13 Fishing's rods and reels. They make high end stuff, but their cheaper stuff is still good quality and value, and you won't hate yourself if you wind up taking them for a swim.

yeah thats my biggest worry is losing stuff either knocking it off or flipping. I was actually looking at the 13 fishing reels for the punching application, they seem like winches lol. I have only seen them on youtube lol... they seem good and last from your opinion?

I don't have any experience with their lower price reels.
I have a dozen+- of the original Concept Z reels, bought new, and have never had a issue regarding durability or performance. I'd give their https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/13_Fish ... e-TFI.html a shot. If you dump it, you're only out $70 bucks. Same with their lower priced rods. Kast King is another low priced reel that performs.
Good luck.