Is a more sensitive rod really necessary? 2024

Bernie Mac reply :

:-?...This is a spin off from the thread of GLoomis to stop selling their blanks. I was reading the article on Tackle Tour (also was reading the thread on Berkley Amp Rods) and there was a post on tackletog.com that raised this question...Is a more sensitive rod really necessary? The person quoted that they believe sensitivity is overrated. They were saying (for example) that they would get more bang for buck with "say" Diawa Steeze rods, not as sensitive as GLX but that not so much as it would matter. So why spend $400 for a GLX blank for a crank bait rod then "say" spend $60 for a Berkley Lighting Shock Rod? I love my Loomis rods but I'm starting to re-think this whole "sensitivity" thing again :-/

fivesixone reply :

For a crankbait rod, it's a whole 'nother story... No need for extreme sensitivity when you're fishing for reaction strikes. You'll know when a fish is there.

coolhandlala reply :

I don't think anybody in their right mind would say to go out and buy a $400 glx to use for crankbaits. You need to take into consideration what you will use the rod for. A rod used for plastics or jigs yeah you want to most sensitive rod you can "afford" for some that may mean a GLX and for others that may mean a crucial. Is the GLX better? Of course, but if you can't afford it don't even waste your time looking. It is like buying a car, of course you would love to buy the benz but the chevy is still a great car, and if you can afford the chevy but not the benz then don't waste your time.

IT IS ALL PERSPECTIVE!!!!

Bernie Mac reply :

Yeah, you're right, crankbait rod (or any reaction strike bait) was a bad :-[ comparison. But if you're throwing a plastic and wanting to feel that such suttle bite...would it make "that much of a difference"? IMP, I buy a rod on how it handles the fish more than the sensitivity of it.

Lucky Craft Man reply :

Well, I can agree with you guys to a certain extent. But, I do have the GLX crankbait rod and I do notice one difference in it with my old crankbait rod. That difference is not is in sensing bites, but with the GLX, I can actually tell what type of cover I an hitting my lure off of. I don't know how to explain it, but I can tell the difference between wood, sand, weeds, and rocks, which I wasn't exactly able to do before with my other crankbait rod. I am also able to detect the absolute slightest piece of grass or other item on the lure with this rod, where before I wasn't able to determine that slight piece of moss on my hook until the lure got back to the boat. Now, as soon as I feel that very slight piece of debris that might get on the hook, I hopefully rip it free and not waste the whole cast. So, I agree, you don't need a sensitive crankbait rod, but there is a very slight advantage to having one, which may translate into maybe just one extra fish. With that being said, if you have money for just one very sensitive rod, I would get it for a more finesse technique, but if you can afford a very sensitive rod for every technique, I would do it, because it certainly can't hurt your fishing success.

Bernie Mac reply :

Thanks Lucky, that's the kind of reply that I was hoping to get from this thread. I can relate to not knowing what my bait would be running thru to knowing hey, that's a log I just bumped. Thanks Man

SirSnookalot reply :

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I buy a rod on how it handles the fish more than the sensitivity of it

I think Bernie knows what he's talking about. I get way more sensitivity from the braid I use and not the rod itself. I have never been confused if it's debris or even the most modest strike.

It's how the rod handles the fish, not how the fish handles the rod.

Cigarlover 1 reply :

I have to agree with Lucky Craft in general. IMO rod sensitivity isn't about detecting bites it's about detecting what type or the details of the cover your fishing under the water.

If you watch tournament coverage on tv and listen to the experienced pro's they always know exactly what their bait is in contact with when they're moving it along.

I see it as a way of zeroing in on the cover you've found with your electronics.

The_Natural reply :

Yes....for tip-up baits. I don't think you need a $300 rod, but at least a middle-market rod. For cranks...it doesn't matter. All I know is my first 'high-end' rod, a Loomis 844 IMX, improved my C-rig fishing 300%.

KYntucky Warmouth reply :

I originally thought that a crankbait rod did not need to be sensitive and at that time my 6'6''M BPS Crankin Stick was all I needed...This was until I started using a 6'10''MH Carrot Stix Gold for cranks....now it's impossible to go back to that crankin stick, and i've tried. It feels dead, I mean you can feel a bite and can feel if I pick up a leaf or hit something but differentiating between them is almost impossible unless I feel a head shake.

Muddy reply :

QUOTE" Is a more sensitive rod really necessary?

Actually sometime a less sensitive rod leads to a longer ride

KYntucky Warmouth reply :

Quote
QUOTE" Is a more sensitive rod really necessary?
Actually sometime a less sensitive rod leads to a longer ride

The_Natural reply :

Quote
QUOTE" Is a more sensitive rod really necessary?
Actually sometime a less sensitive rod leads to a longer ride

Hammer 4 reply :

Fwiw...I have a BPS (bc) rick clunn also have a Shimano (spin) clarus, and a couple of team diawa's, not the high end modles. With the economy the way it is..my earnings have taken a huge dip to say the least, yet I still enjoy fishing..I usually fish mostly plastic's i.e. ds, ss, trigged ect, with worms and the like..i don't fish heavy cover, cuz they is none where I fish..

So, I see all these guys with their 300.00+ rods, and highend reels, yet I catch fish while they don't, or at least I usually catch more, so do you really need the specialty type rods and reels, imho no, do they help, I would say yes, if I could afford them, I'd buy em, but you can catch fish with a lower cost rig, at least for the weekend fisherman like me..lol just my 3 pesos..

dodgeguy reply :

your not the only one in that boat.there are lots of people including me who feel that way.but i do believe you can buy a rod just as sensitive as a loomis without spending over $170.also a cheap rod with braid is far more sensitive than a loomis with mono or flouro.

Lucky Craft Man reply :

I always love guys who say they outfish guys who use $300 rods with their $20 Walmart special and this is justification as to why high end gear is a waste. The reality is that those guys they outfished who have the $300 gear probably suck at fishing and if the guy with the $20 Walmart gear had the $300 gear, they probably would have caught even more fish. I'm sure KVD would outfish me with a cane pole and worm no matter what I use. Though, I know from my experience, having a sensitive rod doesn't not hurt (unless we are talking about the same rod Muddy is talking about). I don't ever remember hearing someone say that they didn't catch fish, because their fishing rod was just too sensitive. Again, you do not need a high end or sensitive fishing rod to catch fish, but if you have the money to get it, it won't hurt you in any way. Also, I am not talking about $300+ rods exclusively, but whatever rod feels sensitive to you will help your fishing success in one way or another. Disclaimer: This is just my humble opinion based off my personal experience.

Blue Streak reply :

An expensive rod might make you a better fisherman, but it won't necessarily make you a good fisherman. I believe that some people just have a better sense of feel or more concentration than others. And therefor would do better with a cheap rod than a bad fisherman could do with a very expensive rod. You can buy the most expensive running shoe made but you may not set a new world record.

Bassn Blvd reply :

Try this with your $20 wal mart rod. Cast out a worm about 50 feet. let it sink to the bottom and take in all slack. Now, strip of 5 feet of line so your line is very slack.

Do you think you will feel the slightest little bump/tick? I didn't think so but I can. That's why I use Loomis.

I also want the lightest gear/combo I can possibly afford. When you fish/ flip 20 hours a week, the last thing you want is a 2 pound rod and reel.

Here's another way of looking at it. I can pick up girls being unshaven and wearing holy shorts and a stained t-shirt but I'd feel much better doing it in nice designer clothes. If you have the money then go big.

Bassn Blvd reply :

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An expensive rod might make you a better fisherman, but it won't necessarily make you a good fisherman.

What if I'm already very good? Well I now be excellent. Or will I just be better at being good.. :

Hammer 4 reply :

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I always love guys who say they outfish guys who use $300 rods with their $20 Walmart special and this is justification as to why high end gear is a waste. The reality is that those guys they outfished who have the $300 gear probably suck at fishing and if the guy with the $20 Walmart gear had the $300 gear, they probably would have caught even more fish. I'm sure KVD would outfish me with a cane pole and worm no matter what I use. Though, I know from my experience, having a sensitive rod doesn't not hurt (unless we are talking about the same rod Muddy is talking about). I don't ever remember hearing someone say that they didn't catch fish, because their fishing rod was just too sensitive. Again, you do not need a high end or sensitive fishing rod to catch fish, but if you have the money to get it, it won't hurt you in any way. Also, I am not talking about $300+ rods exclusively, but whatever rod feels sensitive to you will help your fishing success in one way or another. Disclaimer: This is just my humble opinion based off my personal experience.

Yup, I'm sure some of those guys did suck at fishing, but not all of em..Look, I'm not sayin a good rod and reel won't help, in fact I agree they do to a certian point, i.e. you fish alot, are a tourny pro ect..all I'm sayin is you can catch bass on a less expensive rig..btw, I have never bought any gear from wally world..

Just for reference, I've been at lakes where bass tourny's are goin on, I'm out there with my inexpensive gear, but well maintained, and in a rental boat..I catch a limit of bass..at the end of the day, I check the weigh in..winner was 22 lbs..I didn't "offically" weigh mine, but would have finished in the $$$$$ where at least 8 boats didn't..not bragging, juts giving an example re: less expensive gear.

Ya know, maybe it's my inexpensive gear that's keeping me from catching that "lunker"..?

Lucky Craft Man reply :

Quote

Quote
I always love guys who say they outfish guys who use $300 rods with their $20 Walmart special and this is justification as to why high end gear is a waste. The reality is that those guys they outfished who have the $300 gear probably suck at fishing and if the guy with the $20 Walmart gear had the $300 gear, they probably would have caught even more fish. I'm sure KVD would outfish me with a cane pole and worm no matter what I use. Though, I know from my experience, having a sensitive rod doesn't not hurt (unless we are talking about the same rod Muddy is talking about). I don't ever remember hearing someone say that they didn't catch fish, because their fishing rod was just too sensitive. Again, you do not need a high end or sensitive fishing rod to catch fish, but if you have the money to get it, it won't hurt you in any way. Also, I am not talking about $300+ rods exclusively, but whatever rod feels sensitive to you will help your fishing success in one way or another. Disclaimer: This is just my humble opinion based off my personal experience.

Yup, I'm sure some of those guys did suck at fishing, but not all of em..Look, I'm not sayin a good rod and reel won't help, in fact I agree they do to a certian point, i.e. you fish alot, are a tourny pro ect..all I'm sayin is you can catch bass on a less expensive rig..btw, I have never bought any gear from wally world..

Just for reference, I've been at lakes where bass tourny's are goin on, I'm out there with my inexpensive gear, but well maintained, and in a rental boat..I catch a limit of bass..at the end of the day, I check the weigh in..winner was 22 lbs..I didn't "offically" weigh mine, but would have finished in the $$$$$ where at least 8 boats didn't..not bragging, juts giving an example re: less expensive gear.

Ya know, maybe it's my inexpensive gear that's keeping me from catching that "lunker"..?

I wouldn't doubt you are a good fisherman, but I bet if I gave you "more sensitive" equipment from what you use now, you might have caught a few more fish that would have had you not only "unofficially" finish in the money, but you may have "unofficially" won the tourny. I think the OP was wondering if having a more sensitive rod helps in catching fish and in my opinion it does, no matter what technique or lure you are fishing. This isn't a "high end" vs "low end" equipment debate, but a "more sensitive" question.

TrippyJai reply :

I love it when this forum has these debates on rod sensitivity and bring up $300 rods. I don't think I can ever come around to throwing down that much money for a rod even if it's that much more sensitive.

To me, catching fish is all skills. Sure, guys who buy a $50 combo might catch more fish, but I still think if you bought a GLX, you will up a few fish.

I've been watching these old Bassmasters videos on youtube and the gear they use in the early 90s don't look very impressive yet these guys are catching fish. So it's all about preference. Back then, there was no braid, flouro, and those combos... u know...

Catt reply :

1937: DuPont files patent for nylon, which later spawns nylon monofilament fishing line

Prior to that all fishing lines were braided Cotton, Micron, or Dacron

I love these discussions to because no one ever considers in whose hands the G. Loomis rod is. On very rare occasions my wife goes fishing with me and I've watched bass strumming on her Texas Rig while she is totally oblivious to the fact. Now is it due to the fact my G. Loomis GLX and Calcutta spooled with Power Pro isn't sensitive enough or is it due to the fact she has early stages of Carpal tunnel syndrome plus she can not decipher what she is feeling on the end of the rod?

Now in my hands my Shimano Crucial CRC-X610MH is every bit as sensitive as my G. Loomis BCR804 GLX ever was and mono is every bit as sensitive as braid.

If y'all really really want to increase your sensitivity fish a Texas Rig in the total darkness of a New Moon night for about a year and then report back.

Sam reply :

Yes.

Bassn Blvd reply :

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I've been watching these old Bassmasters videos on youtube and the gear they use in the early 90s don't look very impressive yet these guys are catching fish. So it's all about preference. Back then, there was no braid, flouro, and those combos... u know...

It's apparent you have not been around long enough to experience the differences between good, higher end quality rods, reels, line and tackle based on your lack of knowledge of what was available "BACK THEN."

No one is saying you won't or can't catch fish on less expensive, lower quality rods. Yes, I can go out and fish with a snoopy rod and reel or wal-mart special and more than likely limit out for the day, but I can guarantee you I would have caught more if I was using a better quality, MORE SENSITIVE rod.

Bernie Mac reply :

Wrong Rod Muddy... ...but thanks for that advice (been married for 7 years + and in my early 30's, but that's another post and another site ) There are alot of opinions that I agree with from my OP here (thanks Snook for the comment). When I first fished with a Loomis, there was nothing else but Loomis that I wanted to fish with, but I've been off and on fishing and wanting to get back solid and see bout going pro (all a dream) and say for the amount that I might pay for 1 GLX I could get say 2 Carrot Stix (not trying to start a new thread on which rod is better). I'm self evaluating with other's opinions and it's been a big help, even with Sam's simple, "YES". (plus the laughs too ;D)...that's why I love this site and these forums.

hawgchaser reply :

Important? yes

Overrated? extremely

VABasser reply :

There's been a lot of good things posted by many who are more knowledgeable than myself but I will put my 2 cents in. First off, I don't think anyone here is advocating going out and buying a "snoopy" or "wally world" combo to replace solid fishing tackle so those posters who are comparing those to Loomis blanks are blowing it way out of proportion. What I imagine Bernie Mac is comparing are the differences between a quality $100 something rod to a $300+ rod. I see this situation as one with diminishing returns meaning for the extra money you pay, the actual increase in quality will be less than say the difference between a $20 ugly stik (or whatever they sell for) and a Shimano Crucial or BPS rod that sells for $100. I could continue but I'd just be repeating what others have already said. I think hawgchaser summed it up nicely important?yes, overrated? extremely.

Maxximus Redneckus reply :

yes for jigs and worms with these its all about rod movement ,with a sensitive rod u can tell the differance in a stick ,rock,grass,mudd or most important a fish

andamtoft reply :

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Important? yes
Overrated? extremely

x2 thats all there is to it. well said in simplest form.

LAO162 reply :

Using a sensitive rod brings me more enjoyment

Captain Obvious reply :

Does a more sensitive rod help Yes!

Is it over rated, No!

You don't need it but it sure makes life much easier. Trust me every one on here has said the same thing " A cheap rod will catch fish just as well as a $300 rod will, only the $300 rod will catch a few more"

Key phrase in that sentence "Few more"

Few more= Twice as many as the cheap rod!

Just my $0.02

Capt.O

coffee reply :

I own a Kistler spinning rod and a few St. Croix Avid spinning rods, these were my first "good" rods that I have purchased and I can very much tell the difference in sensitivity compared with my older cheaper stuff. Does that equal to more fish...yes, I believe it does.

For my fishing budget, more money goes to rod choice than reel choice as I feel the rod characteristics are more important than the reel characteristics (assuming the reel works fairly well). In other words, I would rather spend the money on a lighter, more sensitive rod than a flashy cool reel.

TrippyJai reply :

Quote

Quote
I've been watching these old Bassmasters videos on youtube and the gear they use in the early 90s don't look very impressive yet these guys are catching fish. So it's all about preference. Back then, there was no braid, flouro, and those combos... u know...

It's apparent you have not been around long enough to experience the differences between good, higher end quality rods, reels, line and tackle based on your lack of knowledge of what was available "BACK THEN."

No one is saying you won't or can't catch fish on less expensive, lower quality rods. Yes, I can go out and fish with a snoopy rod and reel or wal-mart special and more than likely limit out for the day, but I can guarantee you I would have caught more if I was using a better quality, MORE SENSITIVE rod.

Of course I haven't been around long enough try and test out all the gear and make opinionated differences, but really, just like all things in life. It's about money and how you set your standards. If I go out and get skunked, I'll still be happy because I got to get out, but to others they might be upset.

When I was talking about watching them bassmasters videos and seeing the gears they were using. They had no trouble putting a limit into the boats through the toughest conditions. I'm pretty sure a crucial/curado combo brought back to 1988 is better than anything they've use. Maybe I'm wrong, but wouldn't the top of the line rod and reels then brought to today be compared to a $100ish combo?

This is just my observation and I'm not stating any facts.

Maxximus Redneckus reply :

like has been noted yes you can go out and catch bass with snoopy rods and ugly stiks.But to be consistent each and every time you fish especially with jigs and plastics you really do better with a sensitive rod ....example your t-rigging a worm in 20 foot of water in stumps .or rocks .you ain't had a good bite all day .you better know when that 8 pounder just BARELY taps your line or your going home skunked or worse knowing there was one there and u didn't feel it.and another thing IMO as long as your using a exposed blank reelseat and a lighter rod you will feel all you need BTW i don't have any rods over 100 bucks all i use are clarus,rapalas,convergence, and falcon rods for jigs and worms

Fish Chris reply :

Is a more sensitive rod really necessary?

No. In fact, the lightest, most sensitive rods on the market can be detrimental, as they are inevitably more prone to breakage, from sudden shock loads {brittle}.

Is braided line neccessary for maximum sensitivy ?

Absolutely, positively, Yes.

Peace,

Fish

bilgerat reply :

Put one of us in a boat with Ike, KVD, whoever. Give them the 'Snoopy' combo, while we get our choice of any rig we want. It's no contest. The ONLY thing high end gear does is enhance the experience. Period.

I fished worms almost exclusively back in the Eighties and early Nineties. Always caught fish. Back before Senkos and the like. I still have most of my gear from back then. I could feel the taps back then, though I've moved on to nicer gear. Nicer gear for me is lighter gear, not so much 'sensitive' gear. My opinion is that a lot of guys get caught up too much in the gear itself, especially the names. I think most of this 'technique specific' crap is just that - crap.

Keep it simple, shut up and go fishing already. The day a fish pokes it's head out of the water and asks "Whaddya fishin' with ?" is the day I'll change my mind on this subject.

The_Natural reply :

I don't think added sensitivity is just for 'pleasure'. I was having trouble years ago feeling bites on my carolina rig. I remembered this when I dove back in to fishing in '04, and splurged on an 844 IMX. It made a big difference, and I could discern bites versus bottom debris. However, most fishermen are bank beaters...fishing texas rigs and such. It's not hard to distinguish bites pitching to structure or cover on the bank. It's the C-rigging and Drop-shotting in deep water that it makes a difference.

Catt reply :

The #1 key to consistently catching bass is between your ears not between the folds of your wallet.

Challenge: Berkeley Lighting Rod vs. Any rod over $150

Where: Toledo Bend Reservoir

Technique: Texas Rigged Plastic

Launch time: 6:00 pm till 8:00 am

5 bass total weight

Entry fee: $100

Anybody want some?

Muddy reply :

What Bilgerat ,Catt and Fish Chris said, except I have no experience with braid, so that part I know nothing about 8-)

roadwarrior reply :

Quote
Yeah, you're right, crankbait rod (or any reaction strike bait) was a bad :-[ comparison. But if you're throwing a plastic and wanting to feel that such subtle bite...would it make "that much of a difference"?

For jigs and soft plastics, rod sensitivity is VERY important.

For "moving" baits, sensitivity is much less important. Single hook

lures still require a firm tip, treble hooks a soft tip.

Length comes into play for casting distance and comfort. I prefer 7'

rods except for topwater and jerkbaits. For me, a 6 1/2' foot rod is

easier to maneuver.

8-)

The Yankee Fist reply :

Quote

Quote
Yeah, you're right, crankbait rod (or any reaction strike bait) was a bad :-[ comparison. But if you're throwing a plastic and wanting to feel that such subtle bite...would it make "that much of a difference"?

For jigs and soft plastics, rod sensitivity is VERY important.

For "moving" baits, sensitivity is much less important. Single hook

lures still require a firm tip, treble hooks a soft tip.

Length comes into play for casting distance and comfort. I prefer 7'

rods except for topwater and jerkbaits. For me, a 6 1/2' foot rod is

easier to maneuver.

8-)

Yeah, what he said. I doubled my fish count this weekend on plastics due to my new GLX Bronzeback. You can feel EVERYTHING and what it is. I fish rivers 95% of the time and in current, even slight current, sensitivity is paramount IMHO.

I'm a convert to super sensitive rods. I'm going to do a review of the new rod today and it will be compared to a 750 Bronzeback, 721 IMX and my ...DO NOT LAUGH! 1996 Bass Pro ML 6'6" ML rod....that old girl, I thought she was SOOOO sensitive, silly man was I. ;D

Fish Chris reply :

I'm having such a hard time following the responses here, because I don't remember who uses braid, and who doesn't :-?

The thing about sensitivity is, its a "grand total" thing. A super sensitive rod quite litterally makes about a 5% difference. The other 95% (no exageration here) is about the line.

I've said this before, but I'll say it again..... a 40 year old fiberglass rod {or what did they use before that ? Split cane ?} with braid, will be a more sensitive combo, that the highest modulas graphite rod, with a big stretchy rubberband between you/your rod and the fish.

If your already using braid, then theirs no need to worry about sensitivity.

Peace,

Fish

Catt reply :

So let me get this straight if I buy a highly sensitive rod, some braided line, & tungsten weight I will catch twice as many fish?

So no one wants in on $100?

I'll use a Berkeley Lighting Rod, mono, & lead weights vs. your what ever rod over $150, braided line, & tungsten weights

Fish Chris reply :

Hey cat,

Tungsten weights, 1% difference

Super sensitive rod, 4% difference

Braid, 95% difference.

Just educated guesses of course, to try and make the point.

Twice as many fish ? Probably not. 20% more fish, for all people, all conditions, and all fishing situations combined, and averaged out.... probably. And well worth it.

Peace,

Fish

Captain Obvious reply :

Chris I don't have half the experience you have, but I still am not buying the braid thing.

Your percentages were wrong so I fix them for you ;)lol

Tungsten weights, ,5 % difference

Super sensitive rod, 95% difference

Braid, 4.5% difference.

Capt.O

flechero reply :

What you guys aren't arguing is the ability of the angler to decipher what he feels. While using braid and tungsten will telegraph more "info" to the angler... often times this sensory overload simply causes a guy to set hook into brush and lumber more frequently. ...lol Braid is a tool, and no one tool is right for every job.

If it were such a simple argument, no angler would ever win a tournament with mono. For that matter, they wouldn't even be competitive.

Bernie Mac reply :

Thanks for the input everyone...I appreciate it alot (may be I should have polled this :-?). I should be back from Iraq by the 11th of May...can't wait to go wet a line (after the family reunion and all )

Bassn Blvd reply :

Well hurry up and get back then. Drive carefully, or should I say fly.

The Yankee Fist reply :

Quote
Thanks for the input everyone...I appreciate it alot (may be I should have polled this :-?). I should be back from Iraq by the 11th of May...can't wait to go wet a line (after the family reunion and all )

Thank you for your service to our country. I hope you catch the biggest freakin' bass on the planet when you get home.

Bernie Mac reply :

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Well hurry up and get back then. Drive carefully, or should I say fly.

I'll try man...14 hours is a long..........long plane ride. Thanks

Bernie Mac reply :

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Thank you for your service to our country. I hope you catch the biggest freakin' bass on the planet when you get home.

Man I'll sure try....thanks for the support from all

The Yankee Fist reply :

No thanks needed bro.

Oh, I'm in on the sensitive rod deal.....GOTTA have a least one super stick. Ck the review I just posted on the GLX Bronzeback. I'm converted, though I can't see having ALL rods like that...just one primo one is nice to have in casting and spinning IMHO.

Some high priced thing if it's in the budget would be a nice present to yourself after coming back from the sandpit. :)

Bernie Mac reply :

Quote
No thanks needed bro.
Oh, I'm in on the sensitive rod deal.....GOTTA have a least one super stick. Ck the review I just posted on the GLX Bronzeback. I'm converted, though I can't see having ALL rods like that...just one primo one is nice to have in casting and spinning IMHO.

Some high priced thing if it's in the budget would be a nice present to yourself after coming back from the sandpit. :)

But still Thanks Man...I'll CK out your post real quick (before my time is up on the computer, shared internet :-[)...Already got one present waiting, MB843GLX custom , been itching since the ole lady said it arrived at the door, have another B/C needing a home :-/ on a new rod and looking to good ole Loomis again (hince the reason I started the post).

DINK WHISPERER reply :

The only rods that i look for a lot of sensitivity out of are my soft plastics rods. Flippin stick, weightless and t-rigged set-ups. Anything else, just a decent mid range rod is fine for me.

skno reply :

after fishing soft plastics and jigs with my loomis imx for about a week for some reason I picked up my old 7 ft MH rod and fished for a few minutes. It was no longer acceptable. There is no comparison get an avid or better and get a great warranty and a great rod.

Bassn Blvd reply :

My brother n law comes home next week from Iraq also. He'll be here for 15 days and back. I wonder if ya'll kn ow each other or will be flying together.

ColtDewd reply :

Recall the video where the guy underwater filming came up and asked the guy doing the fishing why he wasn't setting the hook as the bass were taking the lure in their mouths? It was shot down in Florida I believe. To me, that was reason enough to go to GLX's

Hook 'n Look does the same thing if you've ever seen that show. The guy filming underwater often tells the guy in the boat that "he's got it" So, maybe there is something to be said for sensitivity after all?

Hammer 4 reply :

Is this on the internet by any chance..i.e. youtube.?

Quote
Recall the video where the guy underwater filming came up and asked the guy doing the fishing why he wasn't setting the hook as the bass were taking the lure in their mouths? It was shot down in Florida I believe. To me, that was reason enough to go to GLX's
Hook 'n Look does the same thing if you've ever seen that show. The guy filming underwater often tells the guy in the boat that "he's got it" So, maybe there is something to be said for sensitivity after all?

islandbass reply :

If you guys really want to maximize sensitivty, put away your rods (well, just try it at least once) and fish just with the line. I tried it a few times and was simply amazed and downright surprised at the picture I was getting. I could feel the pulse of every passing wave to boot.

We're talking about maximizing sensivity, right? The first signal goes through the line to the guides to the blank, then to your hands. Perhaps there could be signal/vibration lost along the way so why not take parts of that equation out and go directly from line to hand?

Come on, now. You will have saved a ton of money and if maximum sensitivity is the goal, then it doesn't get more direct than line straight to hand. You will be in awe of how sensitive our hands really are and it is better than any rod out there. God knew what He was doing when he gave us our senses.

I know, we aren't going to give up our rods but give it a try. It's a lot of fun.

As for line, I believe braid certainly does transmit feedback to me quite well. Throw in a rod of GLX caliber and using W (Tungsten) could really be a killer set up in the sensitivity department. With that said, I only used braid for certain applications, and for economic reasons I use lead over tungsten. These items are great to have be not necessary. Shoot, my daughter used to outfish me in her sleep with her Barbie pole when she was younger. Curado schahmado/Loomis rig and I get outfished by a Barbie pole. ;D

I believe all this does is increase our odds at feeling the subtlest of bites and not necessarily guarantee the catch of more fish. That part has always been angler dependent, regardless of the set up used.

Bernie Mac reply :

Well put IB, well put

Bernie Mac reply :

Quote
My brother n law comes home next week from Iraq also. He'll be here for 15 days and back. I wonder if ya'll kn ow each other or will be flying together.

I just might, what's his name? As we all say, it's a small world, smaller military, and even smaller army. I don't think I'll be flying with him, sounds like he's coming home for R&R.

Hey Colt...you have a link to those videos...would love to see them?

ColtDewd reply :

They are VHS tapes, purchased thru BassPro Shop. The first is titled "Bigmouth" and the 2nd is called "Feeding Habits of Bass". I've also got all of the Hook 'n Look videos and in those, Kims' son is constantly telling him when the fish has the lure/bait in its mouth. What I learned from the 1st two videos was that a bass can inhale a lure and spit it out before the fisherman even knows he's there. At my advanced age, every bit of help I can get is most appreciated, thus I tend to use sensitive rods and fluoro or braid to feel the bite.

Simp reply :

Quote
They are VHS tapes, purchased thru BassPro Shop. The first is titled "Bigmouth" and the 2nd is called "Feeding Habits of Bass". I've also got all of the Hook 'n Look videos and in those, Kims' son is constantly telling him when the fish has the lure/bait in its mouth. What I learned from the 1st two videos was that a bass can inhale a lure and spit it out before the fisherman even knows he's there. At my advanced age, every bit of help I can get is most appreciated, thus I tend to use sensitive rods and fluoro or braid to feel the bite.

I can attest to this happening more then we think. We have a hunting and fishing days fair each year and they have seminars for different things. One seminar was by a local Crappie pro on using jigs. He went over fall rates ect. We had large a viewing tank set up for these seminars and over and over again he would get a bite and not know it for several seconds. So of course he often missed the fish entirely.

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Is a more sensitive rod really necessary? 2024

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