I suppose it depends - a good 7-foot rod today has enough backbone certainly, and 7-8 foot rods are good for soft plastic. But 9+ feet certainly gives you more pulling power and more room to play fish through the rocks. But are more guys using smaller rods? Certainly. So as a topic it is pretty strong.
I'm not going to critique other writers - there is no upside to it.
The problem with content in the mags is that they don't pay enough so you see stories that can be banged out in a few hours. One full page ad just about covers all the content cost paid to the freelancers for any given issue. They got the money to pay more - but they choose not to. Cripes - I paid Tim the same as The Fishermen would have - and I'm not a very big enterprise by any stretch.
I am a huge fan of the lighter tackle 7 ft set up. I fish heavy at night with plugs and eels but once it gets light I switch to my 7ft st croix with a shimano reel. 10lb line. As Tim's article says,walking the beach at night in shorts and catching blues or bass is a blast. I don’t believe in the big bait = big bass (except for eels), most baitfish in the area I fish are small and this combo lets me present smaller lures. I have landed decent fish on this rig and a 20lb bass or 10lb blue is a battle. Here is a pic from a few weeks ago with my son casting for blues with the 7ft. I wouldn’t give up my sissy rod for anything.
I love Tim Coleman To put him in the same sentence as FD is a great diservice to Tim.He is old friends with alot of the guys That where my mentors yrs ago when I started.I was biting my lip on the jig article as i have to keep somethings to myself.Well my lip got numb.
His rubber on a jig article is right on the money.One of my favorite ways to fish.no question.Like DZ said.That single hook is the Best way to land a giant.I make my own jigs.Only the best hooks an biggest hooks.My molds are all dremelled up.Most of the smaller weights get a big hook an a sinker eyelet. U would not believe the hooks I put in a 1/2 head.How bout a 7/0 Gami Siwash.has a 1" gap razor sharp an it will not open.One of the best fish I landed came on a fish trap.Nice plyable baits with a big paddle to help em stay up.They come in a great array of colors an sizes..A little pricey i watch em with the bluefish.Seems every yr i get a good one on the jig.One of my favorite's for the fall is a 3/4 smiling bill with a 5" white shad body threaded up on the hook.I wrap the shank of the hook with Size E thread.I make little nobs an krazy glue it.They act like grabbers to hold the rubber bait on good.kill fish on these.Way before anyone knew what a storm was.Dummy baits.Good luck with those hooks an a good fish.
Thanks for the Article Joe.Ur a good egg.
FORE!
It's usually darkest just before it turns Black..
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