Quote:
Originally Posted by RavYak
So many factors to consider. You mention bait fishing, what sort of weights do you need in your regular spots? If you can get away with 2 oz then you have a lot more options but if you need to chuck 3-4 oz then you need a heavier rod in order to cast the weight properly.
Is the rod only going to be used for bait fishing or do you want to cast with it too. If casting lures will you be using it to cast bigger spoons/crankbaits for pike or do you want to be able to cast light spoons, spinners and jigs for goldeye and walleye? No rod can do all of this stuff well, you either need to get multiple rods so you always have the right one or you need to make a compromise and pick what you plan to do primarily then live with having a mediocre rod when you decide to do something else with it.
My first recommendation no matter what type of rod you go for is to buy something at least 7' long if not 7'6 or even 8'. You will get much further casting distance. I also prefer slower action rods myself and try to find a mod fast if I can.
I have 3 rods that I use now when fishing the river. A 9' gloomis heavy power salmon rod that I use for sturgeon/bait fishing. A 7' fenwick methods spinning rod usually set up in MH mod fast(sometimes M mod fast) that I use for walleye, casting lures etc. Also a 7' fenwick eagle ML mod fast I use for casting small lures to goldeye, walleye etc.
You could get by with using something like my fenwick methods or any other similar rod(example 7' ugly stick MH) but it won't allow you to cast the 1/8-1/4 oz lures very well and isn't ideal for chucking 3 oz weights although can be done carefully with a loss to casting distance.
Which brings me to another point. You need to pick your line based on your technique too. For bait fishing I would probably use a 30 lb braid(50+ if going for sturgeon) and for light lures you want 10 lb braid. For my regular casting usually use 20 lb. Those weight of lines work good for what I use them for but not good if you change it up(20 lb line way too heavy for light lures and vice versa).
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I'm not as serious a fisherman as you, so I'm not necessarily concerned about all of these aspects. I'll answer your questions chronologically.
2oz weight, max. Usually 1oz.
Almost solely for casting bait set ups (slip sinker rig). Want the ability to be able to cast spoons and spinners if necessary, but the rod will be a dedicated bait fishing rod.
Want to keep it under 8ft, preferably a max of 7ft. Just a personal preference.
Good point with 30lb braid, might as well play it safe!