Hi everyone,

My rod collection was recently stolen, so I need to replenish it, and thought now would be a good time to build my first rod. I'd like to build a rod specifically for trout fishing from shore using Powerbait/worms. We use a rig that involves a 3/8 ounce egg sinker on the main line, a swivel, and a 12-18" leader with hook and bait. The rig is cast out as far as possible, the bait floats just above the weed line, and then the rod is placed on a holder.

I've read a FAQ list re: rod power vs. action, but I'm still a bit uncertain about what type of blank would be best. Sensitivity in the butt is not that important since the rod is generally left in a holder, but the tip should be soft so that the trout doesn't feel much resistance when it picks up the bait, and so that the fisherman can see the take. Most fish are in the 2-4lb range.

I think a 7' or 7'6" spinning rod (two piece) blank with medium-light power and a slow or moderate action might be appropriate. Is there a better suited style of rod for this type of fishing? Do you have any specific recommendations on an affordable blank/guide combination?

Thanks for the help,
Stirling

You don't want a slow or medium action if you want a light tip. Only a fast action rod will give that to you.

Hmm, I guess I misunderstood what I read about power vs. action :) OK, let me see if I understand this now. If you had two rods with similar power (= ability to exert the same maximum force before breaking?) and mass, then a fast action rod should be able to show more subtle strikes than a slow action rod because a smaller portion (= smaller mass) of the rod has to move so there is less inertia to overcome? Is that the correct reasoning?

Stirling, Ive still fished for trout in our local state park for about 25 years off and on. The way most do it around here is a small clip-on bobber is placed on the line between 2 guides so the line can slide through the clip. Pull out enough slack so that the bobber hangs about 10 - 12" bellow the rod. Set the hook when the bobber is on the rise. It is very sensitive if you use a bobber just small enough to keep the line pulled down. I generally catch a lot more fish than people who are just running a straight line. On really windy days I'll use a bigger bobber or fish fish without one. Hope this helps! Good luck with your rodbuilding.

You said "from the shore." Are you talking about saltwater speckled or grey trout? If so, we do plenty of fishing like that in the Atlantic surf, with plastic grubs and about that weight, although the weight is a jighead right at the end of the line with the grub. For that, 7-foot medium-fast rods (freshwater type) are common, you can use a bit longer, to 8 feet, if distance is important. The trout have weak mouths (grey trout are also known as weakfish), so you have to be careful with the fast action rod, especially in the surf. We lose some to the hook tearing out anyway, but still prefer the fast action for the sensitivity.

It's just my opinion but I'd build a 8 to 9 foot 6wt flyrod into your spinning rod. Casts great, and the fight is awesome!

Stirling,

Consider two rods of the same power with different actions. One is a typical fast spinning rod action while the other is a more moderate action. Given the same force from the fish, the fast action blank will bend in the tip section alone while the moderate action will bend further down the rod. When you set the hook, you get a more immediate hookset with a fast rod than a moderate rod because there is less flex in the rod. A moderate rod requires that the top half or more of the rod bend before it 'locks up' and doesn't want to bend any further down while the fast rod has its lock up point much higher and requires less rod motion before it locks up.

For what you want, look at the fast actioned rods with light or ultralight power. The St Croix Avid 7' 2 pc UL is a good choice and a decent price. The SCIV or SCV blank with the same specs is perfect for what you want, though a little pricey to sit in a rod holder.

We fished these rigs for years in the trout lakes around home. Always 7' rods, anywhere between 1/8 and 3/8 oz of weight, and powerbait, small redworms, and small red eggs were the hot fare for us.

Thanks,
Rick

You might want to try a light power popping rod for this type of fishing. It will let you cast power bait without throwing it off the hook. A good choice would be the All Star B843P or B844P.