How long is your rod?

[clawman]

I've been using the red Jared Johnson Kokanee special rods. I did a stupid thing the other day and broke one so am replacing it. Scheels has St. Croix Kokanee rods on sale at a pretty good price so I am going to pick up a couple but not sure if I should go to 8' rods or buy the 7'6". Will it make any difference in my downriggers with 53" boom?

 

[SuperD]

I had my hands on a St. Croix 8' one piece and had to have it. It just felt so good in my hands. After trying it for a season, I found it too cumbersome on the boat. I now have a 1 piece Lamiglass in 7'-6" and don't feel as ackward with it. If your 8' is a 2 piece and your boat can handle it, longer can be nicer.

 

[clawman]

They are both two piece. I bought the 7'6" and 8' rods and gave them a run this weekend. It is really surprising the difference in backbone between the two. The 8' rod feels considerably stiffer than the 7'6" rod. Compared to the Jared Johnson 7'6" Lamiglas (red) rod both are much stiffer. I kind of like the more power but need to baby the fish more in fear of losing fish. With the JJ rods I very seldom lose a fish yet I lost 3 this weekend on the new St Croix. The fish in Hayden Lake, where I was fishing, are 16"-18" so the extra power was fine but the fish that are this years plant are only 10-12" and these rods overpower those little guys. I still plan on finding an 8' JJ (white) Lamiglas.

 

[mtncat1]

that's a pretty personal question , but the 7'6 and 8 footers have both served me well

 

[Bduck]

that's a pretty personal question , but the 7'6 and 8 footers have both served me well

That is personal. This can sure heat up with a little more bragging!!!!!!!!!!! laugh hyst I use 7'6" and 8' rods too. 101superman101

 

[KokeRook]

They are both two piece. I bought the 7'6" and 8' rods and gave them a run this weekend. It is really surprising the difference in backbone between the two. The 8' rod feels considerably stiffer than the 7'6" rod. Compared to the Jared Johnson 7'6" Lamiglas (red) rod both are much stiffer. I kind of like the more power but need to baby the fish more in fear of losing fish. With the JJ rods I very seldom lose a fish yet I lost 3 this weekend on the new St Croix. The fish in Hayden Lake, where I was fishing, are 16"-18" so the extra power was fine but the fish that are this years plant are only 10-12" and these rods overpower those little guys. I still plan on finding an 8' JJ (white) Lamiglas.

Are the St. croix graphite? I have found that the graphite rods feel much stiffer when compared to glass..or combo rods.

I have also found that st. croix rods often feel much stiffer when compared to same weight class of other mfg. At least this has been my experience when salmon and steelhead fishing on the rivers

I have two white JJ and two red. The whites 8' have more backbone...but I often find myself using them this year over the reds. That being said the Kokes on the home lake this year are FAT 16-17" currently.

 

[kok-head]

I've been using the red Jared Johnson Kokanee special rods. I did a stupid thing the other day and broke one so am replacing it. Scheels has St. Croix Kokanee rods on sale at a pretty good price so I am going to pick up a couple but not sure if I should go to 8' rods or buy the 7'6". Will it make any difference in my downriggers with 53" boom?

i run shorter rods, 6.5' and 7' rods, but only because they are cheap non-kokanee rods, if i bought brand new rods today i'd buy 7.5', and the 8' vs 7.5' won't make much difference on your downriggers except one will take up slack a bit better when the line pops from the release

 

[SuperD]

So far, I'm very, very happy with my Velocity 7'-9" glass rods. I guess that splits the difference between 7'6" and 8'-0".

 

[DLM]

I have been looking at a 8' Tica Kokanee rod at a local outlet and really like it. It will probably be in my boat soon as one of my 7'6" got stepped on lately.

 

[mrmike]

I personnel prefer 7 to 71/2 ft solid rods works best out of my sled never was a big fan of two piece rods no other reason than personnel preference

 

[mtncat1]

I had a one piece rod and hated trying to store it. so it 2 pieces for me never have really had a problem with the performance of the 2 piecers.

 

[SuperD]

I had a one piece rod and hated trying to store it. so it 2 pieces for me never have really had a problem with the performance of the 2 piecers.

I've always felt the same way. Now, my one piece just stays on the boat all the time. When I go fishing with my buddies, I take my 2 piece rods.

 

[mtncat1]

yeah I here ya there just not for me

 

[jekern1015]

My wife and I picked up 2 of the Berkly dough bait rods in UL action at Walmart for 34.99 each. One is 7'6' and the other is 8'. They are a 2 piece rod and so far we really like them.

 

[SuperD]

My wife and I picked up 2 of the Berkly dough bait rods in UL action at Walmart for 34.99 each. One is 7'6' and the other is 8'. They are a 2 piece rod and so far we really like them.

Being "dough bait" rods, are they bait caster or spinning rods?

 

[jekern1015]

They are spinning rods, but that first guide is the smallest first guide of all my other spinning outfits.

 

[froggie]

We both have a 8' white JJ and love them. Thanks to TRoy! I also have a red JJ kokanee special and love it!! Used them at the Gorge this year and caught lots of kokes.

 

[Petty4life]

ive run almost every koke rod out there with the exception of one brand, and I prefer the kufa rods and the new tica kokanee rods

 

[clawman]

View attachment 7532They are spinning rods, but that first guide is the smallest first guide of all my other spinning outfits.

Did you know rod blanks have a "backbone"? This is only a factor in high quality rods and part of the reason for the expense. Using a spinning rod with level wide reel you are essentially bending it backwards. You can see how straight your guides are on the blank by placing the butt on a smooth surface and one hand on the tip or upper portion of the rod. Now apply pressure in the center portion of the rod. You will feel a slight jump, that indicated the backbone of the rod. Quality rods will have guides tied on the appropriate side of the blank true with the backbone.

 

[callelk]

"the new tica kokanee rods"

I have mostly Lami salmon rods but the Tica has more backbone than the Lami Kokanee rod IMHO.