Rod stiffness and Length for 4lb test.

[Scoot549]

I am thinking of loading a rod up with 4lb Fluoro for bass fishing the NorCal clear reservoirs. What type of rods would you guys recommend. I am not concerned with what brand so much but the stiffness, actions and length. I may as well as which Fluoro as well but I am leaning towards P-line.

Thank for your help.

[Vince Borges]

I would say a ML or 2 power or less. and i think a fast rather than extra fast to help absorb some of the impact of a hook set or surging fish.

[elfish16]

i have been using some 4lb line lately fishing at Castaic lake and been using a light action rod, 6'6" made by Phenix rods. one of the original phenix rods. for the line I use, 4lb Seaguar Invisix is great line...very strong!

[dvl181]

I have been using a loomis sr781 imx for many years to dropshot with 4lb. It's also great for throwing small flukes.

[Kevin Evans - Kap]

I would say a ML or 2 power or less. and i think a fast rather than extra fast to help absorb some of the impact of a hook set or surging fish.

+ 1 on what Vince said...

Good luck,
Kap

[Oldschool]

The more parabolic the rod bend is the more forgiving, however you loose hook setting power. There isn't any standards for rod ratings amoung rod manufacturers. Fenwick started the power rating; 1 to 6 based on the rods lifting power, 1 power can lift 1 lb before being fully loaded. How fast the rod bends from the first guide to the tip can indicated it's action; very fast bends primarily at the upper 1/4 of the rod lenngth, fast the 1/3rd, standard for most bass rods and moderate fast about 1/2 the rod length.
Dobyns rods appear to use similar numbers as Lamiglas power and action ratings; 2 power medium or moderate fast, 6'6" to 7' would be a good choice; 662 or 702 S=spinning, C= casting.
I would go up to 5 lb, it's 20% stronger and bass are not as line shy as we are lead to believe. It is more important for the lure action to work with the line diameter you choose.
Set your drag at 1/3rd the line strength and add pressure us as needed.
Tom

[sker13]

701 powell.

[resqd1]

782DS Rosewood Matrix from Denali rods. Pm me if you want some more info.

Or 782DS Jadewood, both great rods

[Gary Dobyns]

[quote="Oldschool"] The more parabolic the rod bend is the more forgiving, however you loose hook setting power. There isn't any standards for rod ratings amoung rod manufacturers. Fenwick started the power rating; 1 to 6 based on the rods lifting power, 1 power can lift 1 lb before being fully loaded. How fast the rod bends from the first guide to the tip can indicated it's action; very fast bends primarily at the upper 1/4 of the rod lenngth, fast the 1/3rd, standard for most bass rods and moderate fast about 1/2 the rod length. Dobyns rods appear to use similar numbers as Lamiglas power and action ratings; 2 power medium or moderate fast, 6'6" to 7' would be a good choice; 662 or 702 S=spinning, C= casting. I would go up to 5 lb, it's 20% stronger and bass are not as line shy as we are lead to believe. It is more important for the lure action to work with the line diameter you choose. Set your drag at 1/3rd the line strength and add pressure us as needed. Tom [/quote]

Very good info here. If using 4lb no room for error at all. I would look at 1 power rated rods for this. They must have some give and I like a fast tip, but the mid section must not shut off. Also, dang spotted bass teeth will factor in here as well. I make both a casting and spinning rod that fishes 4 lb great. DX 701 SF or DX 701 C I have caught some big blacks while crappie fishing but it takes a while to land them. On Lake Fork (about 2 monthes back ) a customer caught a 11.76 lb largemouth while crappie fishing with DX 701 SF .... Now that's a catch!!

[Hipster]

The one and only rod for you is...................

Lamiglas Competitor Series 663 or the 681 both awesome rods for the application you speak of and they are moderately priced for a very high end quality rod.

Most folks who know me know that I am a witch with a fairy wand!!!

Please try one you will not look back

[fishinman]

I would say a ML or 2 power or less. and i think a fast rather than extra fast to help absorb some of the impact of a hook set or surging fish.

surging fish fine,drag set pulling power. Set the hook no way, you will breakem off almost everytime on 4lb. I always use a reel set with rod high for leverage for the set with ultra sharp lightest wire hook you can use with bait

[basslayer]

I fish 4lb for most of my light line applications. A Powell 6101L or the 712ML in the Endurance line with 4lb seaguar invizex or tautsu would be a great choice. I like the 1 power rods for drop shotting, the softer tip works well with a reel set or sweep set of the hook while protecting the light line. The 2 power for everything else like jigs and shakey heads. The slightly stiffer rod helps to drive those hooks into the fish.

[froteur]

I use a lami 661 (the one with the graphite handle) for 4 lb test line.

@Gary. My PB bass was 14 lbs and caught on 4 lb test line and an ultra light trout rod (0 power). Oh yeah .... and on powerbait. Was trout fishing at San Pablo. The rod had light enough action to protect the line.

[mark poulson]

I use a lami 661 (the one with the graphite handle) for 4 lb test line.

@Gary. My PB bass was 14 lbs and caught on 4 lb test line and an ultra light trout rod (0 power). Oh yeah .... and on powerbait. Was trout fishing at San Pablo. The rod had light enough action to protect the line.

Wow!!!!! That's pretty amazing. Congrats.

[Gary Dobyns]

[quote="mark poulson"][quote="froteur"]I use a lami 661 (the one with the graphite handle) for 4 lb test line.

@Gary. My PB bass was 14 lbs and caught on 4 lb test line and an ultra light trout rod (0 power). Oh yeah .... and on powerbait. Was trout fishing at San Pablo. The rod had light enough action to protect the line.[/quote]

Wow!!!!! That's pretty amazing. Congrats.[/quote]

Plus 1......A 14 pounder that eats Power bait deserves to get caught on 4 lb line!!

[froteur]

I use a lami 661 (the one with the graphite handle) for 4 lb test line.

@Gary. My PB bass was 14 lbs and caught on 4 lb test line and an ultra light trout rod (0 power). Oh yeah .... and on powerbait. Was trout fishing at San Pablo. The rod had light enough action to protect the line.

Wow!!!!! That's pretty amazing. Congrats.

Plus 1......A 14 pounder that eats Power bait deserves to get caught on 4 lb line!!

It only happens at San Pablo (so it seems). I believe the lake record bass (Northern California record too @ 18+ pounds) also came on powerbait.

[Oldschool]

Occasionally a big bass is caught by trout anglers soaking floating dough baits like Power bait. This happens more than you know; lake Miramar SD area anglers fishing from the fishing docks would catch a bass now and then back in the 70's & 80's. My belief is the big bass are attempting to eat the small trout near the bait and engulf the bait by accident.
The fact remains that the trouters are skilled enough to land these big bass on light tackle with very light leaders.
Since the line mfr's came out with 5# line, I can't see any reason to go lighter when bass fishing. Unless I can pick up a 1 power rod and test the strength, I also can't see any reason to lower than a 2 power. Maybe we should fish for bass with trout tackle and floating trout bait and save a lot of money; a 14 & 18 in one thread on power bait, something to consider.Ultimate finesse; flipping crappie jigs.
Tom