Tiger rods

[morgan]

I have been fishing with ugly stik tiger medium action rods and abu garcia 6500 reels. I originally had penn squalls on the rods but took them back and got the abus and I am ten times happier. I like the medium action rods because I really enjoy fighting bigger fish on lighter tackle. Sometimes I even fish for channels with ultralight spinning combos. I also run circles often so I like the medium actions for the tip when fishing for channels, but the rod can handle any catfish I have caught so far. If I were to get a medium-heavy action, would it be ok to run circles for channels on? I am thinking of getting a heavier action for one reason only, to cast more weight a farther distance. With the medium actions I can cast a good distance with about an 8 ounce sinker, but not with big baits also. If I were to cast a heavy sinker, say a 10-12 ounce, with a big bait, I couldn't cast to the deep holes. I could with the medium-heavy but I'm worried about being able to run circles for channels too, since I like my rods to be able to detect the lightest bite, but fight the biggest fish. The reason for the amount of weight is the ohio river main channel current, lol. My 8 ounce sinkers don't do a thing in it. What would be a good reel to mount on the rod? I really like the 6500s but I need more line capacity if I'm gonna be casting that far and maybe hooking big fish. I can cast off close to my entire spool of 30 lb. monofilament with them. I would like for a reel to be as close to the abus as possible just with more line capacity. Sorry for the long post

[Smoothkip]

I run the Shimano Tekota 600s. Casts great and plenty of line capacity.

[Skyline1506]

med heavy will be absolutely fine to detect light bites. most likey your tip will have a very similar ation to your mediums. the med heavy will just have more backbone. your tip section will be shorter if that makes sense, but very similar action. hell i use heavy action rods and fish for eater size channels. most catfish rods are going to have a sensitive enough tip for channel cat fishing since it is the most common use for most anglers

[mexicanthreat]

Sometimes when your throwing bigger baits you just have to go with what will hold it. But if your throwing big baits, you won't have to be able to worry about detecting small bites. However, there are different levels of rods still in a medium action. Medium action rods all have awesome tips for channels. but some have more backbone than others.
I do use a medium/heavy rod for channels in current. It has a sensitive enough tip for channels. I'm not sure about eater size though. And it has plenty enough backbone for heavy baits and weights.

[Skyline1506]

i have never met a MH rod that is too stiff for eater sized channels other than snagging style rods like the shakespeare sturdy sticks or eagle claw ozark snaggers. thats all we have ever used for channels. got my first medium rods last year through a sponsorship deal, they were the first ones i ever owned that werent for walleye or other game fish

[morgan]

Aug 5, 2014 19:42:21 GMT -5 Skyline1506 said:

i have never met a MH rod that is too stiff for eater sized channels other than snagging style rods like the shakespeare sturdy sticks or eagle claw ozark snaggers. thats all we have ever used for channels. got my first medium rods last year through a sponsorship deal, they were the first ones i ever owned that werent for walleye or other game fish

what is your personal favorite flathead rod?

[Chuck]

I know you didn't ask me, but my favorite flathead rod right now, and I've tried a TON of rods, is the Okuma EV-x Musky EVx-C-741H.

[Skyline1506]

my favorites are The Quantum-Zebco big cats 7'10 Heavy action

[luckeywade]

10 4 roger that

[abudoc]

I have to agree with mexicanthreat if your throwing big baits, you won't have to be able to worry about detecting bites from small channels. For reels maybe a Tekota TEK500 or the Penn Squall 15 More line capacity than the 6500 without getting to big.

[morgan]

Aug 17, 2014 10:03:46 GMT -5 abudoc said:

I have to agree with mexicanthreat if your throwing big baits, you won't have to be able to worry about detecting bites from small channels. For reels maybe a Tekota TEK500 or the Penn Squall 15 More line capacity than the 6500 without getting to big.

I have just decided to go with the 7000ic3. I understand that they're made in China but I love my abus so much I'm going with it. My friend has 4 and they never let him down or disappoint. I also like abus for casting, which I need sometimes especially on the river bank.