Casting rod recommendations

[spindle]

I'm looking to get into brush pile fishing and want to know what rod and reel combo do y'all recommend that I can cast to the piles with. I want a fairly long one with good backbone that I can cast a long distance.

[skeetbum]

There’s lots of choices, and budget comes into play. I have lots to choose from when I go, but my favorite is a 6’6” medium light with a 2000 series reel for the bigger spool loaded with 4lb hi vis mono. Cast a 1/16 a very long way and does very well with a 1/32. The Shakespeare micro series is a good starting point, they make em from 4’6” to 7pm. At less than $20 it won’t hurt the budget. Whatever you get, stick with it for a while and you’ll learn to feel your way through branches and such and how well it will cast. Have fun, this is a fun learning curve to go through.


Also, for close quarters, a shorter rod is easier to use. My 5’6” gets a lot of play up under branches and such.

[Ketchn]

if the distances are pretty far you might consider a 7 foot fast stiff rod with a larger capacity reel instead of a smaller micro reel .
the medium size cheaper Shimano reels cast well . and rods with slightly enlarged eyelets let line pass thru easier as well .the Shakespeare 7 foot 2 pc rod and the Berkley cherry wood are reasonable price wise and hurt fish pretty well at a distance .
Heck old Sk uses a Shakespeare 7 all the time on the docks with a right deadly result .
my 2 cents

[Crestliner08]

You'll be hard pressed to find a better rod than the B n' M Sam Heaton Super Sensitive (SHSS) in either 7' or 9' lengths. Great pricing at Grizzly Jig Co. too. Rod is light, with plenty of backbone. Will handle anything you want to catch with it. And she'll cast a 1/16 oz. jig quite well. I find I can cast a heck of distance with the 9' model as well.

[Grainraiser]

There are so many choices for a good rod that would be difficult to narrow down the list. Your post is a bit confusing because you ask for a brush pile rod that you will be casting with. They are not one in the same IMHO. For a casting rod I like a 7 or 8 footer. For a vertical brush pile rod I like a 10 footer with good backbone. I like using a low diameter braid with a thin wire hook. This way I can straighten out the hook when I hung in the brush. I would rather be fishing than re-tying jigs all day. The Sam Heaton Super Sensitive is a great rod. I can get the 7 footer at my local Walmart for $35.

[skeeter96]

I use a 8' ACC crappie stix rod to cast with. It has the length to cast small lures and still has enough back bone to sling a 2 1/2 pound crappie in the boat without worrying about braking it. It is a super lite 2 piece rod that cost about $59 and you can get the top replacement piece for $20 if you brake a tip. Best lite rod with backbone that I've found.
Pflueger Arbor has a small big spool that will cast very good with that rod. If you want a very lite rod with good backbone ACC is hard to beat. Good luck and hope you find one you like.

[BobC]

You'll be hard pressed to find a better rod than the B n' M Sam Heaton Super Sensitive (SHSS) in either 7' or 9' lengths. Great pricing at Grizzly Jig Co. too. Rod is light, with plenty of backbone. Will handle anything you want to catch with it. And she'll cast a 1/16 oz. jig quite well. I find I can cast a heck of distance with the 9' model as well.

The SH 9 ft is a nice rod for the money. I have cast (not real far) 1/64 with it. A pretty long handle - I think vertical jigging would be its best forte as opposed to casting.
Bob

[spindle]

There are so many choices for a good rod that would be difficult to narrow down the list. Your post is a bit confusing because you ask for a brush pile rod that you will be casting with. They are not one in the same IMHO. For a casting rod I like a 7 or 8 footer. For a vertical brush pile rod I like a 10 footer with good backbone. I like using a low diameter braid with a thin wire hook. This way I can straighten out the hook when I hung in the brush. I would rather be fishing than re-tying jigs all day. The Sam Heaton Super Sensitive is a great rod. I can get the 7 footer at my local Walmart for $35.

I am wanting to stay as far from the brush pile as possible and cast to it.

[skeetbum]

Then I think a 7’ would be your best choice. Handle before you buy, all are not created equal.

[CrappiePappy]

Then I think a 7’ would be your best choice. Handle before you buy, all are not created equal.

Exactly .... and not to mention that a larger reel will balance out a longer rod, and the bigger spool will help increase casting distance.