Rod Suggestion Please, Thanks!

John Haggerty

My wife is currently using a medium-heavy rod and 35# braid for her largemouth bank fishing.  She insists on fishing the reeds and pads as that is most often where she catches fish.  I want to get her into something heavier.  It must be a spinning rod.  Any suggestions on a 7' or 7'6" heavy rod?  Not looking to break the bank as if she likes it she'll want a few.  I've had enough of her walking into the water and cussing as she's hung up with fish on.  Also tired of wet boots in the truck and house.  Thanks!

DES51

What the hell is she catching?  

capt louie

Heavier rod will not cast as good. I prefer a med hvy  to medium with braid due to no stretch line. My favorite set up for a light rapala is a 6' light with 20# braid. Then again I don't fish from bank much.  Just saying I don't believe a heavier rod is gonna make much difference.?

John Haggerty

DES51 said:

What the hell is she catching?  

Largemouths up to 8 lbs.  We have over a dozen ponds nearby with plenty of fish.  These ponds have large fish.  She has found the heavier the cover the better the fishing.  As she calls it, "Dancing With Reeds".  She doesn't like my flipping set-ups are they are too large for her (she is only 110 lbs and 5 feet tall). 

Android77

A Shimano trevalla vertical jigging rod in m or mh would work for what your trying to do.

Tony Roma

What bait you using ?

mango mike

mhx mb843 set up with a split grip in cork or eva foam with good set of fuji guides will be suffice for what she does . the mb843 is 7' with a med hvy action

captbonefish

Sounds like she has heavy enough tackle. I'd suggest maybe a 7' Loomis, in the 843 series, a light Shimano spinning reel, loaded with 17lb. braid. Give her 30" of 30lb. flourocarbon leader. Tighten her drag. That outfit can beat any bass swimming in the world . 

John Haggerty

Made a change to up the braid to 65#, same as I use when flipping.  She's happier now as she can play tug of war with the reeds and win.  The 35# would break once in a while.  To watch her fish would make you shake your head.  She walks the bank to the heaviest cover on the pond.  Stays at least 10 feet from the edge and overhead casts into the heavy reeds.  She holds the rod as high as she can and works it through.  We she hooks up she yanks the fish out of the water, sometimes shoulder high.  Strange, but I'm going to support the results.  Over a couple hundred fish this past year!