[canoe]

I am new to trout fishing. Went to Pungo yesterday. Caught a couple of keepers. Using mr17. Thats the report. Nothing spectacular...but hey I got a couple on my first trip. My question is this what kind of rod do you guys use when throwing the mr17. And what lb test are you guys throwing. While I could feel the bite well I could not feel the bait or keep in touch with it as much as I would like. What can you guys tell me

 

[Brenardo]

Rod manufacturers vary a great deal. Some Medium actions are equal to Medium Heavy and visa versa.

If you can find a 6'6" Medium action Shimano Convergence, that's what 80% of my trout have been caught with. It is a little stiff but it works for me.

It will give you a base line to compare other rods.

 

[dogsandwolves]

I use 7' ML with fast action. the secret to feeling those lite bites is keepin the slack outta your line . that will allow you to feel more bites no matter what rod youre using.

 

[canoe]

Thanks guys for the help. What lb test are you guys throwing

 

[Brenardo]

10# powerpro

 

[canoe]

I use 7' ML with fast action. the secret to feeling those lite bites is keepin the slack outta your line . that will allow you to feel more bites no matter what rod youre using.

WHo makes you rod big Dog

 

[canoe]

10# powerpro

Do you put floracarbon leader on

 

[Brenardo]

Yes normally 15#

 

[dogsandwolves]

WHo makes you rod big Dog

I use a bunch of different ones, allstar tfo kistler w&m. best thing to do is go to the store and feel the ones they have and see what fits you best. youre welcome to come check mine out since your nearby.

 

[c.lane]

Ml fast tip rod in the 6'6 to 7' range with a 2000-2500 series reel 10 lb braid and a 12 lb floro leader. The reel matters. You get up there in size it changes the retrieve and sometimes you may be retrieving too fast and think your not. Like stated above keeping slack out and being in touch with your bait is 90% of it

 

[trigger22]

7 foot medium light extra fast action rod and a 2-3000 series reel. 10 pound braid and 20 pound mono leader. Our water even in dead of winter isn't clear enough to justify the expense of fluorocarbon at least not imo. I buy the quarter pound spools of Sea Striker mono and use them for leader.

 

[sundrop]

Ditto what Trigger said. I also like a slower speed reel for winter trout as I have a habit of impatient retrieve. So it automatically slows me down even more. My $35 Kunnan rod feels good, my $200 Carolina Customs (by our very own Brett Hinson) rod feels better but both give me a good feel with old power pro (not the super slick) braid. My custom rod has a split butt so I can touch the rod blank itself and feel every little thump and lose no touch through the grips.

 

[pamlicoknk]

I use a light action 6'6" rod with 6 lb test mono line. Forces you to play the fish and not horse them. Rarely lose a hookup, plus the fight is a blast!

 

[canoe]

Thanks for all the help guys. This puts me heading in the right direction. Looks like the wife and kids will have something on the CHristmas list

 

[Brenardo]

Might end up with some coal!

 

[canoe]

Might end up with some coal!

I might...but thats not what I hoping for lol.

 

[Milligan6487]

I use a abu garcia bait caster reel on a skeet reese 6-10" jerkbait/top water rod it feels good on the retrieve i can throw it 100 miles and feels the best when the fish loads it up!

 

[sundrop]

I use a light action 6'6" rod with 6 lb test mono line. Forces you to play the fish and not horse them. Rarely lose a hookup, plus the fight is a blast!

If I got to fish more often I would go lighter for sport but I don't, so I want the odds reasonably in my favor.

 

[Crystal Coaster]

7-7'6" ML fast tip rod, rated for 10-20# braid. Money not being an issue when I purchased them, I still use:

1. G Loomis Greenwater GLX 7'6", paired with a Shimano Stella 4000FE with 20# Samurai braid and a 20# flouro leader
2. G Loomis NRX Inshore 7'4" medium/light, paired with a Shimano Stella 3000FE with 20# Samurai braid and 20# flouro leader


Both rods are super sensitive, work equally well from a boat/kayak/paddleboard/shorecasting, and will last for years and years with proper care.

 

[joe the plumber]

I like a couple different reels for specks and reds. Shimano Stradics, Shimano Stradics, Shimano Stradics, Shimano Stradics and Shimano Stradic CI4'S...LOL 20 lb Power Pro original braid. 7'-7'6" medium to medium light fast tip rods. Shimano, TFO, St. Croix are a few good ones but there are many out there. Pick the ones that feel the best to you.