A HB Rod?

[lure_muncher]

G'day guys,

I am looking at purchasing a rod for specific hard body lure fishing in a few months and I am wondering what you guys look for in a HB-specific rod. I'd prefer a rod under 6'10.

The lures of choice range from Smith Camion 32mm through to 50mm Mira Shads. My price range is -$500.

Cheers,
Rohan

[Superduperman]

IF my budget was that big (one day maybe) I'd jump on a Black Diamond Clearcut Plus 6'6" 1-3kg. I like shorter rods (<7') for HBs and the short, almost non existant rear grip is perfect for short sharp twitches and the like.

[Simmsy]

i'd maybe look at the 2-4kg CC, i have a 1-3kg and love it but i think for pure hb rods i'd go the 2-4kg option.

[ruski]

TD Sparrow
TD Cielo
Nitro Powerbream/Ultra Bream Finesse
GLoomis

Too many choices. Take your reel into the shop, put it onto different rods, see what feels best, and go from there.

[Brad Y]

I have two hardbody rods.

One is a Heartland Z Jerking Special. Six foot, slowish taper and very light and sensitive. It has plenty of pulling power for tight cover and is a very accurate rod to cast into breamish looking locations that are full of structure.

For more open areas like sand flats- I have a custom built duffrod that is 7'6. The extra length is to get a bit more distance out of a cast. Its lighter than my 6 foot heartland and has a shaped cork grip with rod wrap for lightness and sensitivity. Has recoil/titan combination of guides and made on a hastings blank (same company as graphite USA) This rod is amazing and has the versatility to be used for plastics. I used it to good effect on the blackwood comp this long weekend gone. Its the most sensitive and lightest rod i have ever felt. Fishing 1/32nd jigs and feeling fish before I ever had has made them so attractive to me. But for hard bodies it loads up nicely and you can feel every pulse your lure makes. They are available in 6 foot, 6'10, 7 foot and 7'6 with the three shorter models available in either the rod wrap style seat or a conventional reel seat with a variety of guide options as well. Within your price range, name brand components and come with a pvc tube. Cant ask for anything better than that.

Give me a pm if your interested mate.

[Bear]

Personally, in the BD range I would look more at the Crankbait or Bream Reaper in the 6'6" ranger and the Quickdraw or Sniper in the 6' ranger. I have each of these rods and they are great hb rods.

[lure_muncher]

Originally posted by ruski
TD Sparrow
TD Cielo
Nitro Powerbream/Ultra Bream Finesse
GLoomis

Too many choices. Take your reel into the shop, put it onto different rods, see what feels best, and go from there.

Hmm, this HB rod I'm planning for is quite some time away, so I don't have a reel yet. I am think rod & then a reel.

Originally posted by Bear
Personally, in the BD range I would look more at the Crankbait or Bream Reaper in the 6'6" ranger and the Quickdraw or Sniper in the 6' ranger. I have each of these rods and they are great hb rods.

I have had a look at the BD Crankbait and it sure does look like a perfect HB rod. What are the lightest and heaviet lure you have plugged on this rod? Has it got enough guts to drag fish from pylons? What reel have you got on it?

Cheers,
Rohan

[Bear]

I've chucked everything from baby vibes to 68 scorps on the Crankbait without too much hassle. It has plenty of beef where needed. I have 2 for places like the Blackwood where you need pulling power.

[Simmsy]

yeah the crankbait would do the job for sure.
i used 35 babyvibes on the w'end down at the blackwood and also had 1/16 jigheads on working plastics. plenty of low down power for turning good size fish away from the snags.