Fishing With Kenny | The Importance of Rod Selection

article by  KENNY COVINGTON

Over the years I have heard, in bait shops, tournament weigh-ins, and just in general fishing conversation, everything I ever wanted to know about lures, techniques and everything associated with how to catch a bass.  One of the few topics ever discussed at length and can be one of the most important elements to your fishing success is your choice of rod.  Most of the bass fishing scene focuses on the reels, I believe the choice of rod to much more important.

In this month’s article, I want to share with you my thoughts behind the rods I chose and the techniques for which they are best suited.  But more than that, I want to dig a bit deeper into specific rods for different scenarios that will help make you a better bass angler.

First of all, don’t feel like you need a dozen or more rod and reel combinations to become a good bass angler.  If you can afford a couple of set-ups, make sure you can use them for multiple techniques.  A good seven-foot rod, medium/heavy action rod paired with a quality 6:3 gear ratio reel will serve you well for a majority of the basic techniques used in bass fishing.

In my boat, on any given tournament day, I have up to thirty rod and reel combinations.  My logic behind this is not only time management, but situational specifics.  I carry rods from 6’6 in length all the way to 8’ flipping rods.  Each rod length has its own job and a technique I prefer to use it for.  

I always keep three spinning rods in my boat, one is 6’8 and the other two are seven-foot versions, for various techniques that require lighter line.  I can drop shot, use a shaky head, throw lighter topwaters, small crankbaits like a Shad Rap in the wintertime, or skip a wacky rig around trees and docks.  The possibilities are endless, so these rods have their place.

Being a spinnerbait fisherman, my spinnerbait rods are anywhere from 6’6, 6’8, 7 foot and 7’3 in length, and the choice of rod is based on two factors, the size of the spinnerbait I am throwing and where I am throwing it.  If I want to make accurate presentations in and around thick cover, I need a shorter 6’6 rod to work with.  If I am throwing a larger ¾ or one ounce spinnerbait, I have to go to the longer 7’3 rod, which allows for better casting control and is critical for taking up line when it comes to hooksets.

Lighter actions rods, like glass rods are technique specific; it is important to note they play a critical role when it comes to fishing moving lures like crankbaits, as well as topwater lures.  The forgiving tip of these lighter action rods are important in playing fish hooked on smaller trebles, but the overlooked aspect is how much more effective your lure presentations are due to the overall rod build.  When it comes to using certain topwater lures, like a Pop R or a Yellow Magic, it is a game changer.

Also of note, glass rods are especially good when paired with lighter braided lines, like 20/30 lb. tests.  The diameters of these lines are equal to regular 8 lb. monofilament, so you get the size of the line but the strength of the braid.  When I choose this type of set up it is very lure specific, like throwing walking topwaters such as a Spook or if I am throwing a chatterbait or Rat L Trap on grass flats.  The glass rod and braid combination allows me to hook and land more fish.

I like to throw buzzbaits, and other bigger topwater lures on a 7-foot medium heavy rod, and my bigger squarebills, crankbaits, and whopper plopper style lures on a heavier 7’6 crankbait rod.  I throw a wobble head on a 7-foot medium action rod that I also use for throwing swimming worms and flukes on.  Each lure I have tied on is not tied on at random, there is a thought process behind it.

When I am flipping and pitching a jig, creature bait or a big twelve-inch worm, the rod I choose plays an important role.  Unbelievably, in the spring when fish are spawning, I catch more fish flipping with a shorter 6’8 rod than I do with a 7’ or 7’6 model.  The shorter rod allows me to not move the bait as far, keeping it in the strike zone longer.  I use my 8’ flipping rods for longer pitching presentations but I have found my catch ratio is better when I flip a tube on the heavier, longer version.  Scenario specific indeed.

When considering what rod matches what lure, think about the presentation, where are you going to be fishing, are the hooks small trebles or large flipping style hooks, am I flipping a big jig or a small creature bait?  Is my choice of line braid, mono, or fluorocarbon?  There are a lot of thoughts that should go into your choices and while this may seem a bit extreme, it is vital to angling success.  The fish in our area lakes are harder to catch than any in the country, when you get one to bite, you want to put them in the boat.

Note: While they do not sponsor me, I consider Dobyns rods to be the best rods on the market for their price, and 95% of the rods in my boat are this brand of rod.  Their low-end Colt series of rods, for the price, is the best bargain in bass fishing.

Well, it looks like we have run out of time again for another month.  Time sure flies when we are having fun!  Please be careful while out on the water this summer, as our waterways get extremely crowded, and make sure you catch one for me!  See you next month!