Spinning light: types, test, structure, length, recommendations for choosing a rod

Every man loves fishing. For him, this is not just a vacation, but an opportunity to retire, have fun with friends and take a break from the problems that have accumulated over long and grueling work days. However, in order for fishing not only to be fun, but also to bring a rich catch, it is very important to choose good fishing gear. And in this case, good does not necessarily mean expensive, since cheap ones can also be good. Good gear is one that allows you to fish regardless of the characteristics of the reservoir, time of year and other factors.

If you do not belong to the category of professional fishermen, then you should think about buying a light spinning rod. This tackle is excellent for both summer and winter fishing, allows you to fish from the shore and from a boat, and also perfectly withstands even large individuals.

Spinning light - what is it?

Spinning light is a universal fishing tackle. It is small in size and light in weight, so it is very easy to transport, and can also be used to fish in any type of reservoir. In addition, light spinning rods allow you to use absolutely any type of bait, which allows you to catch almost all common types of fish that live in our rivers and lakes.

There are several different options for light spinning rods that have a narrow focus, for example, universal or jig spinning rods. If you are planning to go fishing in a new body of water that you don’t have the slightest idea about, then you should give preference to universal models, but if you are a supporter of familiar places, then you should think about purchasing a more specific spinning rod that will be ideally suited to the characteristics of a particular river or lakes. Next, we will describe the main nuances that you should pay attention to when choosing a spinning rod.

The best cheap spinning rods for jigging

Elite JIG N' TWICH 25 223 (4171-223)

This is one of the most modern models, which is used for fishing not only with jigs, but also with twitching. The rod has a spaced handle made of EVA material. It has a top nut that is built into the foregrip. The ergonomics of the handle are carefully thought out, so there is practically no strain on the hands during retrieving, and when fishing for fish you do not have to exert too much effort. Forgrip has an original shape, which allows you to place your index finger on the tackle form itself. Due to this, the angler can almost immediately feel the bite and hook the fish in a timely manner. The gear is equipped with anti-wrap rings, which are manufactured in South Korea. They allow you not to be afraid of overlaps even when using soft braided cords instead of fishing line. The performance characteristics are very high.

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The blank is made of ultra-light carbon fiber and is a plug-in design, which in its quality is almost in no way inferior to telescopic gear. There is a screw-type reel holder installed here, so the fisherman does not have to worry about it becoming loose when actively using the unit.

Advantages:

Lightweight carbon fiber tackle;
Retains its original appearance throughout its entire service life;
Can be used for different types of wiring and baits;
Anti-wrap rings installed;
Screw spool holder.

Flaws:

The cost is slightly higher than the average models on the market.

Elite JIG N' TWICH 25 223 (4171-223)

Maximus Wild Power-X SWPX27H

At a very reasonable price, this model is characterized by excellent quality. The products are made on the basis of high-modulus graphite, so their weight is not too large, and they also have a high level of strength and flexibility. The rings are arranged using classic technology, so the load is distributed evenly throughout the rod. The spinning rod's action is quite fast, thanks to which it is possible to ensure the longest cast of the bait. At the top there is a corresponding tulip, made using the most modern technology. With its help, it is possible to prevent possible overlap of the fishing line in a timely manner.

The design is perfect for a wide range of baits and for almost all bodies of water and fishing conditions. The handle is made of fine-pored neoprene, painted in various colors. The shape is anatomical, the grip is very strong and confident, even a novice angler will hold the model in his hand in the event that a fairly large fish bites and begins to tug and go to depth. The tackle can be called practically insensitive to various types of aggressive influences. The material has high elasticity, thanks to which all the declared characteristics will last as long as possible, adding additional comfort while fishing.

Advantages:

Quite affordable price;
High quality workmanship;
Durable and abrasion-resistant rings.

Flaws:

Not found.

Maximus Wild Power-X SWPX27H

Vanrex Jig 21 LJVJ-882MLF

The developers created this rod specifically for jig fishing. The tackle has the most sensitive tip, due to which it was possible to achieve the highest possible tactility, which is necessary for jig fishing. Such products are perfect not only for classic jigs, but also for various types of underwater equipment. The action is fast, due to it you can ensure the correct and easiest operation of the tackle, regardless of the fishing phase. The general appearance of the gear can immediately indicate a high-class product, although the product is not too expensive. The length of the unit is 2.65 m and weighs only 136 grams. When disassembled, the tackle is a two-legged model, its transport length is 135 cm, so it can be carried not only in a car, but also in public transport.

The blank is made from the latest carbon fiber, which is characterized by increased strength and good flexibility. The rings have special polymer inserts. They not only reduce friction, but also prevent the line from twisting or tangling. The reel seat of the tackle is a screw-type design, so the reel is securely attached to the rod, without creating any discomfort when fishing for even the largest fish. The manufacturer recommends using baits weighing at least 9 grams - in this case, you can achieve not only high casting accuracy, but also a good range.

Advantages:

Types of spinning light

Light class spinning rods are available for sale in two main varieties: ultralight and light. In order not to make a mistake when choosing, it is necessary to consider each type of gear in more detail.

The first variety is designed for using light weight baits. The main advantage of such spinning rods is a very thin rod, thanks to which the tackle has very high sensitivity. The length of the rod, depending on the spinning rod model, can vary from 1.6 to 2.1 meters. Ultralight spinning rods are used to catch mainly small and medium-sized fish species. Thanks to the very high sensitivity, fishing with gear of this class is very easy and pleasant.

Lures for ultralight spinning

Lures for ultralight spinning are not much different from conventional spinning baits, with the exception of size and weight. The main baits used for ultralight fishing:

wobblers, most often up to 40 mm long, weighing up to 2-3 grams
rotating spinners, petal size up to 1 number, often even smaller: 0.00
micro-oscillators, up to 40-50 mm in size, weighing up to 2-3 grams
microjig baits, jig heads or eared weight heads with offset hooks, with various silicone baits attached to them: twisters, vibrotails, crustaceans, etc.

Rod length

One of the most important characteristics when choosing a light spinning rod is the length of the rod, which depends on the characteristics of a particular body of water. There are fishing tackles of this class on sale with rod lengths from one and a half to three meters. When choosing a length, you should also take into account the level of vegetation on the shore of the reservoir and the presence of trees near the place where you plan to fish.

If you prefer to fish on small rivers, then you should opt for spinning rod models with a small rod. This is especially true for those rivers whose banks are heavily overgrown with tall grass, bushes and trees. The best option in this case would be to choose gear whose length does not exceed two meters. Spinning rods with a long rod are great for fishing on wide rivers and lakes, where you can swing the rod normally and cast it further away.

Handle shape and material

Unlike the previous parameters, the shape and material of the handle is a very subjective matter. At the moment, spinning rods with EVA polymer handles are popular. The material fits perfectly in the hand and is pleasant to work at low temperatures. Cork is another good handle option, however, over time, rods with cork handles look less attractive. The material darkens, wears out, and microcracks may form on it.

The shape of the handle depends entirely on the preferences of the owner of the spinning rod, but the comfort of fishing and the performance of animation depend on the length of the handle of the rod. A lightweight spinning rod has a short handle, monolithic or assembled in two parts. The length of the handle should be such that the angler can hold the bait at different angles without straining the hand.

Test

The strength test is the second important characteristic when purchasing a spinning rod, which should be given special attention. The maximum size of fish you can catch depends on the maximum permissible weight the rod can support.

The total weight is indicated on the spinning rod with a two-digit number, in which the first digit indicates the maximum permissible weight of the bait, and the second - the total weight of the equipment. It is worth noting that the greater the total weight, the less likely it is that the rod will break while fishing.

As for light-class spinning rods, their test is at a sufficient level and in various models it can range from 0 to 15 grams. The smaller the test value, the less permissible weight the tackle has, however, the higher its sensitivity and the easier it will be to fish. The test indicator depends on the characteristics of a particular reservoir. For example, if you plan to fish on a river that is deep, has strong currents, and has large fish species, the higher the maximum weight, the better.

Spinning test by bait weight

The spinning rod test by bait weight means the manufacturer’s recommendation of what weight of bait can be thrown with this spinning rod. Most manufacturers include spinning rods with an upper test limit of 5 grams as ultralight class spinning rods. Such spinning rods are designated as “ULTRALIGHT”, or often abbreviated as “UL”.

Due to the increasing popularity of ultralight among anglers, two more subclasses of spinning rods have appeared with even lower upper test limits:

"EXTRA ULTRALIGHT" (XUL) with an upper dough limit of up to 2.5 grams
"SUPER ULTRALIGHT" (SUL) with an upper dough limit of up to 3.5 grams

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Speaking about the test of ultralight spinning rods, one cannot fail to note the fact that many manufacturers, in order to improve their sales, incorrectly indicate the spinning rod test, especially often exaggerating its lower limit.

When a spinner buys a spinning rod with the lower test limit of 0.5 grams indicated on the form, he discovers that his spinning rod begins to cast normally with bait weighing at least 2-3 grams.

Manufacturers of cheap, low-quality spinning rods especially suffer from this. Don’t trust what is written on the form of the spinning rod; before purchasing, be sure to read reviews of fishermen on the Internet; try to try the spinning rod yourself before purchasing, by borrowing it from a spinning rod friend.

Rod build

The third important characteristic of rods of this class is the action. How the tackle will behave under heavy loads depends on this indicator. There are models of spinning rods with slow, medium and fast action. The choice of a specific system depends on the fishing style of the fisherman, his level of skill and the characteristics of the reservoir.

In spinning rods with a fast action, when a strong load occurs, only the spinner bends, while the rod retains its even shape. The most striking representative of such gear are jing spinning rods, which have very high sensitivity.

In spinning rods with medium action, under heavy load the rod bends in the middle. Such models are much easier to cast over long distances from the shore, compared to models with a fast action. In turn, spinning rods with a slow action bend along their entire length when a load occurs. On such spinning rods, it is better to use moving types of spoons as bait, which are used for catching large fish.

There is also a fourth category of spinning rods, which use a mixed type of action, combining all the qualities and features described above.

Inexpensive ultra-light spinning rods

Innova Ultralight 562XUL

Fishing using the ultralight method is becoming more and more popular today - it is based on the fact that the fisherman feels the movement of the bait in all areas of the reservoir, and instantly feels the bite of even not very large fish. This is an original series of fishing rods of this class, which are characterized by minimal weight, and the products are characterized by a high level of strength. The rod is equipped with modern guides and a socket for installing a reel. They are all very reliable, selected and placed just perfectly. This spinning rod is perfect for fishing in both still and flowing waters. Anglers claim that pond trout are best caught with this type of gear, and it will also be very useful during paid fishing, when the fish behave as calmly as possible.

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The rod is quite flexible, but the strength level is very high. In particular, it can be practically folded in half without breaking. Cork handle. The device is neutral in color so that fish in the pond cannot notice it above the surface. Spinning works well even with light baits: it can throw them to the chosen place even at a considerable distance. With the correct selection of the reel, all the advantages of this gear will be fully revealed.

Advantages:

Excellent rod flexibility;
The neutral color of the spinning rod makes it invisible to fish, and it remains unchanged throughout the entire service life of the device;
Cork handle;
High-quality reel socket and rings that allow fishing line to pass through;
Reasonable price.

Flaws:

On flowing reservoirs, you will have to constantly keep your hands tense so that the bait follows the chosen path.

Innova Ultralight 562XUL

Silver Creek (SC6102ULFS-AD)

Such products were developed for hunting such cautious fish as trout, but when fishing for other species, this spinning rod proved to be a very effective tackle. The test range allows you to work with baits whose weight ranges from 3 to 14 grams. The fishing rod is characterized by very high sensitivity, so it can be used to retrieve even baits that weigh almost nothing. The blank is made of carbon materials and transmits even the slightest vibrations of the bait to the fisherman. With this effect, the angler will always feel even the slightest bite. In this case, it is necessary to catch the exact moment to hook the fish.

The length of the rod is more than two meters, while it weighs only 98 grams. The handle of the structure is spaced apart, covered with a special combined material, including natural cork and EVA. This substance turned out to be even lighter and stronger compared to just cork. To equip the blank, special KR-SiC rings are used. They have a minimal coefficient of friction, as well as low resistance to the passage of fishing line. Largely thanks to them, it was possible to significantly improve the throwing characteristics of the product. The products were originally created for beginner fishermen, but they are often preferred by experienced fishermen. The set also includes a fabric case, where it is very convenient to store the rod, for example, in winter.

Advantages:

The rod is capable of working with a group of the lightest baits;
Reasonable cost;
Suitable for both beginners and very experienced anglers;
Long service life;
Equipped with a spaced handle with an original cork-based coating;
Rings with minimal friction.

Flaws:

The tackle is sensitive to the headwind - it is not always possible to feel the bite.

Silver Creek (SC6102ULFS-AD)

Spinning rod Maximus Legend Ultras MULSLU20UL

It was developed for ultralight fishing, so it is best suited for fishermen who prefer to use the lightest baits. The rod is characterized by excellent sensitivity. The blank itself weighs very little, has a small diameter, looks elegant, and is practically invisible from the water column. The action is very fast, and the elasticity is high, thanks to which it is possible to provide increased throwing characteristics, achieve ideal range and accuracy of casting the bait. The blank is made from original high-modulus graphite in IMSE format, which is treated with an original “chameleon” coating. The spinning rod has very light, durable and reliable guides, which are attached to the tackle using one AT-Guid Mini Guide System support. They are additionally equipped with Sic inserts. The tulip is characterized by an interesting design, thanks to which the overlap of the fishing line is completely eliminated.

The handle is not only ergonomic, but also well spaced. It is entirely made from cork of the highest quality, which reduces the weight of the spinning rod itself, ensures its balance and increases sensitivity. The reel seat design is also well thought out, and there is also a Super Sensitive System carbon resonator, which also has a positive effect on the overall sensitivity of the tackle. There is also a wire loop on the handle to secure the hook.

Advantages:

The original tulip design prevents the line from tangling;
The rings have a small diameter and low mass;
High accuracy of casting even the lightest bait;
The nozzle can be thrown over a considerable distance.

Flaws:

The chameleon coating begins to wear off after a couple of years of active use of the gear.

Spinning rod Maximus Legend Ultras MULSLU20UL

Ease of use

Good spinning rods should not only have high performance, but they should also be easy to use and transport. For this purpose, fishing tackle manufacturers create models with telescopic rods that can be folded and easily fit into a fishing bag.

There are several types of telescopic spinning rods, among which the most practical are models consisting of two folding parts. They are very convenient and practical, however, their cost is much higher than that of other analogues. Most fishermen prefer gear whose rods are adjusted according to the telescope principle. These rods consist of six parts that slide into each other.

When folded, these spinning rods are small in size, have a durable design and are inexpensive, however, their main disadvantage is their heavy weight.

Rings

When choosing a spinning rod, great attention should be paid to the rings through which the fishing line passes. The thing is that low-quality gear made from cheap materials will lead to frequent line breaks, as a result of which fishing will turn into a nightmare and instead of having fun, you will only waste time replacing the thread.

High-quality fishing line guides should have a hard inner surface. In addition, most models of gear have rings with special inserts that provide better sliding of the fishing line and completely eliminate the possibility of a break. In inexpensive spinning rods, the inserts are made of aluminum, and in professional spinning rods, they are made of ceramic.

Ultralight handles

The handles of ultralight spinning rods can be made of cork or EVA. Cork is a more classic handle material, while EVA is a more modern material. Each of these materials has its own advantages and disadvantages, and each of the materials has its admirers. Choose a handle from the material that you like best.

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The handle can be either single-part or multi-part. Most ultralight spinning rods have a one-piece handle; this handle has a more classic look. A multi-part handle is similar to a single-part handle, but differs from it in its shorter length and in that at the end of the butt there is a knob made of the same material as the handle itself. The knob on the handle of the ultralight spinning rod makes the tackle more convenient to operate and also helps the angler when landing large fish.

Rating of the best manufacturers

Beginning fishermen and amateurs prefer cheaper gear, while professional fishermen do not skimp on buying expensive spinning rods. Undoubtedly, the characteristics of the spinning rod, ease of use, and durability depend on the cost of the gear; however, choosing gear based solely on cost is not always advisable.

The market offers products from many brands engaged in the production of fishing goods, among which some manufacturers stand out. For example, products from brands such as G. Loomis, Shimano, Lamiglas and some others are very popular among experienced fishermen and athletes. The light spinning rods of these brands are made of high-quality materials, so they will serve their owner for many years.

Those who like to relax in nature and just go fishing recommend purchasing gear from manufacturers in the mid-price range. They recommend avoiding Chinese spinning rods, since their quality leaves much to be desired and often does not justify their cost. Spinning rods from brands such as NordicStage, Daiwa and Salmo have received many positive reviews. Their spinning rods belong to the middle price category and have excellent quality and durability. Those who want to save money can turn their attention to the products of the Russian manufacturer of goods for fishermen, Flagman. The products of this brand meet all modern standards and realities, and have excellent quality for little money. The average cost of a good domestically produced spinning rod is about six thousand rubles. And if cost is not the main thing for you, then pay attention to spinning rods from Korean and Japanese manufacturers. They have collected quite a lot of high reviews from professional fishermen.

The best of the best and more

The best spinning rods for ultralight are made by Japanese and American manufacturers.

Rating of good quality models:

Maximus Egoist-X series from the South Korean manufacturer. The price ranges from $100 to $200. All rods are made of carbon fiber and use decent Fuji fittings. The main advantage is low weight.
The Black Hole Hi Light series is one of the best UL lines, has universal specialized models. The price of rods is from 180 to 250 $.
Banax Ultra Spinning is a reliable and convenient spinning rod priced from $150 to $200. Has good balance and casting range.

Rating of budget ultra-light fishing rods:

Favorite is a line of inexpensive spinning rods that have proven themselves when fishing with various micro-lures. Made in Ukraine, price range from $25 to $80.
Shimano Catana CX 210 UL is a good rod from a well-known Japanese company for only $25-30.
Mikado sensei 2.1 is a budget ultralight spinning rod priced at $45-50 from a Polish company with a branch in China.

When fishing with ultra-light tackle, experience is crucial. Even with an inexpensive spinning rod, a more skilled angler will confidently outstrip a beginner in terms of catch.

fisherhook.ru

Last time we talked about some subtle points that can radically change your idea of what kind of spinning rod you need. Now I will try to formulate the basic principles for choosing rods for specific conditions and bait. This is exactly the selection scheme that I always use, whether it’s amateur fishing or competitions.

The process of choice steals a huge amount of time from our lives. And it’s not so important what new thing we planned to buy.

As a rule, in the selection process, each of us goes through the following stages: desire for something, delving into the relevant topic, and then endless advice, consultations, weighing all the pros and cons. This is a very long and labor-intensive path. And probably each of you has eventually encountered the feeling of how to quickly finish it all and finally please yourself with a long-awaited purchase. But even after purchasing a long-awaited new thing, joy does not always come. And then self-reproaches begin, they say, I was in a hurry, I didn’t take into account something very important...

For others, the purchase needs to be made quickly and immediately. As a rule, they come to a professional store, puzzle the seller, and then rely only on his competence. True, not all trade workers are competent... If your “worldviews” coincide with the seller’s, there is no limit to the joy of the purchase. If not, then, as a rule, both are upset: you - from buying an “unnecessary” item, the seller - from returning the goods, or a repeat “friendly” visit to the store.

There is at least one more way to get the goods quickly, and the one you wanted. This is to come to the same store, only, for example, with a magazine article from an author whose opinion you trust... Usually public people who constantly move in the fishing circle avoid unfoundedness.

I want to make a reservation right away: some spinning rods fall into several categories at once according to their purpose. Let's call them universal. Basically, one or maximum two best highly specialized models are selected for specific conditions. Before simple fishing or competitions, I “figure out” what baits and in what conditions I will have to fish. Based on this, I select one (for coastal fishing) or several (if I fish from a boat) spinning rods. And if I need to limit myself to one rod, as a rule, I choose a more universal one - who knows how long the “running fishing” will last and how it will end...

Scheme 1

Ultralight (lures up to 7 g)

Fishing with wobblers, spoons

— Let's start the review with the most universal and irreplaceable... This is the Black Hole Hi-Light 7' 3–12 g. It’s impossible to count how many competitions have been won using this spinning rod alone. This includes the Russian Championship, the Moscow Championship, as well as many commercial tournaments, and, finally, the World Trout Fishing Championship in 2007. A very universal model. One of her main “horses”: varied twitching techniques with classic minnows. Excellent for fishing in still water and in fast flowing mountain rivers. It also copes well with fats and shads. And due to the recent widespread enthusiasm for micro-oscillators, of which a great many have appeared on our market (Bassday, Forest, Smith), the specialization of this spinning rod is rapidly expanding. For oscillating spinners, Hi-Light, if not the best, is definitely one of the most...

— Major Craft AIRock 8'6" 0.5–7 g (Tubular Version). In its essence and purpose, it is a unique thing. It’s worth clarifying right away that its weight is only 100 g. This allows you to perform very accurate casts under the opposite bank of small rivers (with a width of up to 30–40 m). But this, of course, is not its main advantage. Often a powerful flow passes through the center of the river, but directly below the water’s edge there are calms and “micro-returns”. Firstly, with such a length, you don’t need to stretch your arms out in front of you and lean forward with your whole body in order to guide the bait along your bank. Secondly, when fishing in lulls under the opposite bank, the less fishing line at the initial stage of the retrieve is in the main stream, the slower and more correct the retrieve you will get. Often, when fishing, for example, for trout, you have to play for a long time with a wobbler in place under almost every “nice” stone. Which, again, at 8'6" (259 cm) in length, is much easier to do than with a shorter spinning rod.

Initially, what was off-putting was the many small rings and the overall impressive length of the spinning rod itself. It seemed that the line would certainly easily twist around the form. But these sensations arose only “out of habit” and “from rubbing” in a fishing store. The fact is that AIRock is equipped with special rings that prevent the line from twisting. The last four rings in front of the tulip have an elongated, streamlined shape, and, moreover, are located at 45 degrees relative to the form (unlike the classic ones - those at 90 degrees). And the first who came to similar thoughts and conclusions regarding this model was Maxim Balachevtsev, who caught the entire World Championship in Bulgaria with this particular model.

The successor of the traditions and further ideologist was Alexander Vorobyov, who caught all the qualifying competitions for the national trout fishing team for 2009 with this rod. And he confidently entered the team, taking third place. And only after all this did I pay attention to this spinning rod... but, still, it’s better late...

— And there is another method of fishing in ultralight, which stands apart. This is “sports twitching” of deep class minnows. Sports - because he came from sports. What it is and what working properties of a spinning rod we need, I described in detail in the last spinning issue of RnR. Here I will simply indicate the two most popular models for this type of fishing. These are Tenryu Lunakia 6'8" 0.8-5g and Major Craft AIRock 7'0.5-5g (Solid Tip Version). In addition, they are also good for fat, shad and regular microspinners.

Microjig fishing

— Black Hole Hi-Light 7' 3–12 g. Not the only one, but the most popular and favorite for all types of microjig animation. Starting from a jig head of 0.5 g and ending with 6-7 gram eared fish. Works great even with large fish. It was with this spinning rod that Artem Mishin, in the cramped conditions of a small river, pulled out a pike weighing 4 kg.

Fishing with spinners

— Daiko Featherweight 6'6" 0.5–5 g. The best of its kind for spinners, as well as wobblers (if we are talking about “soft twitching” and stop and go). It was with this model that I caught almost the entire World Championship, held in Bulgaria. Good both in currents and in still water.

— Major Craft AIRock 8'6" 0.5–7 g (Tubular Version). Works just as well with turntables. I use it in difficult conditions, when moving slowly along the shore, or when it is necessary to keep the bait longer in the “quiet zone” under the opposite shore.

Fishing with walkers, poppers

— Major Craft AIRock 7'0" 0.5–5 g (Solid Tip Version). I divide all walkers into those that are Smith Towadi and those that are not Towadi. The fact is that this particular walker requires increased attention. It is very small and light, so the wiring must be very delicate. It happens that perch or asp react much worse to other walkers... Therefore (in competition conditions) it is simply vital to fish with him. So, just with its weight of 80 g, the seven-foot AIRock copes with it perfectly. It also works well for micropoppers.

— Black Hole Hi-Light 6'6" 2–7 g. For larger and heavier walkers (Megabass Dog-X Jr. COAYU, Angler's Republic Rapid Pencil Type-1), I use Hi-Light, which weighs the same 80 g, but noticeably tougher and higher in test.

Scheme 2

Light (lures from 7 to 14 g)

Fishing with minnow wobblers

— Fishing with classic and popular minnows (ZipBaits Rigge 70 °F and 70S, Megabass X-70, Cultiva Rip'n Minnow Deep 70SP) in the cramped conditions of a small river, or fishing in deeper rivers requires a decent amount of power for power fishing. Among the “Americans,” my favorite spinning rod is Lamiglas Certified PRO 6’6” 10.5–21 g, and among the Japanese, it is Major Craft Day’s 7’3” 5–14 g.

— Banax Blade 8'6" up to 25 g. I use it for long-distance fishing. Either when a predator does not allow the fisherman to get close (for example, fishing from a boat in the calm), or during coastal fishing, when the choice falls on one rod, which can be used to fish in completely different ways.

— St. Croix Avid IPC 7'6" 4-14 g. A legendary model that continues to firmly hold its place among the leaders, especially after its update - IPC (Integrated Poly Curve). A very popular and versatile model, well suited for both aggressive twitching and smoother deceleration-acceleration wiring. Once the main spinning rod of Alexey Shanin for fishing with wobblers and jigs.

— Talon TX 7'6" 5-17 g. My specialized rod for fishing with wobblers at a "slow pace", usually with a stop and go retrieve. I discovered the very high effectiveness of this method with numerous options for selecting catchable wiring for such well-known wobblers as Tiny Magallon and Magallon. And only the method of slow, unhurried animation of such compounds has brought and continues to bring stable results, where many other wobblers catch an order of magnitude less.

— Black Hole Bassmania 7' 4.5–16 g. There is little that can compare with it when it comes to “hard”, power twitching of minnow wobblers. We will not go into the details of when and under what conditions this style is needed, I will only say that in certain conditions it is indispensable. So for these purposes I choose Bassmania.

Fishing with walkers, poppers

— Banax Blade 8'6" up to 25 g. Just like with minnows, all the laws of the genre are preserved in this section. If you need to cast far, if a predator won’t let you get close, and if you want to fish with one of the lightest and “slender” rods in its class, then it will be Blade.

— St. Croix Avid IPC 7'6" 4-14g. A versatile option that works just as well for topwater lures.

— Talon TX 7'6" 5–17 g. For Russian predators, it is “important” that the walker, when retrieving, moves regularly from side to side, like the pendulum of a clock. And the popper, when jerking, did not fly out of the water, but steadily “slurped.” If something doesn’t work out for you with wiring, or it works, but you don’t like it or it’s simply uncomfortable, start re-mastering this class of lures, only with TX. I use it when a predator pays very close attention to the quality of the retrieve, and there are ripples in the water, which greatly interfere with fishing with surface baits.

Fishing with unhooked baits in the grass

— Lamiglas Certified PRO 6'6" 10.5–21 g. Fishing at close range or in cramped conditions. In this option, I choose the shortest and lightest spinning rods with the necessary margin of safety. Because of its power, it reliably cuts through predators, and its lightness gives overall comfort to fishing. As a rule, I fish with this model more often from the shore.

— Black Hole Bassmania 7' 4.5–16 g. My main rod for catching pike in the grass. Light, sensitive, with a colossal reserve of power. Just like many other spinning rods mentioned in this article, many competitions have been won with the help of Bassmania, the most significant of which is the World Championship in catching predators from boats, which took place in 2007 in the Saratov region.

— CD Rods Blue Rapid 8'6" 10–35 g. It also happens that when fishing in the grass (with light spoons, rubber without weight), the pike does not let you get close. Or he attacks, but there are many “left” exits and misses. And sometimes, only at a long distance the pike violently attacks the bait, reliably being detected. How to be in this case? Take a more powerful rod, a thicker fishing line, and a heavier spoon. And we need the length of the spinning rod not to cast far away, but to prevent the trophy from diving under the grass carpet after a bite in the distance, thereby greatly complicating your subsequent fishing. Of course, this is if it continues... This is one of the lightest and stiffest rods with such parameters.

Fishing with a retractable leash and Carolina

— Major Craft Day's 7'3" 5-14 g. Fashionable and modern "bow". In general, I think this kind of “peg-shaped” system is the future. If we move even a little away from the standard fishing conditions, we will find that this is the system we need, it is the most justified. When fishing from a boat with a retractable leash, when fishing in the current, both with jigs and wobblers... In a word, rigidity and lightness are now beginning to be valued more and more. In our case (retractable leash, Carolina) it is possible to perform a clear retrieve and make really sharp jerks with the rod, when necessary, only with a spinning rod like this. And even the side wind is not a strong obstacle here. Fishing from a boat with a retractable leash is his strong point.

— Banax Blade 8'6" up to 25 g. At the moment, my main spinning rod for the shore outlet leash. Blade is good for everyone. It is light, sensitive and has a very fast action. Even at the maximum casting distance, it allows you to confidently perform jerks of the required strength and amplitude, which was confirmed by two victories at the “Winter Predator” in the fall of 2007 and the spring of 2008. Then I had a prototype of this model in my hands.

— St. Croix Avid IPC 9' 7–21 As I wrote a year earlier, in RnR No. 1/2008 (“Retractable leash FROM and TO”), this spinning rod was and remains my favorite when purposefully catching perch with a retractable leash from the shore . It is necessary when we fish by dragging along the bottom with slight swaying of the rod and very light twitching. But once upon a time, back in the old version, this was my main spinning rod for shore jig fishing for many seasons...