How To Choose The Best Fishing Rod For Weedless Soft Plastic Lures

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How do you know if you are using the right fishing rod for the soft plastic lure you are throwing?
Does it make a difference what rod you use depending on the soft plastic lure?
In this video, we talk about how to select fishing rods based on the type of soft plastic lure you are using!
You'll also get to see what indicates the power and action of a fishing rod and why they vary across different manufacturers and companies!
Check it out!
Please let us know down in the comments if you have any questions!
What is your go-to fishing rod for using soft plastic lures?
Find the information mentioned in the video and more in the Fishing Tips blog: bit.ly/3dGXNpj

[@Saltstrong]

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[@mthomas2953]

Yes we need more of this when it comes to Rod Selection

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for making time to post the nice comment Marcus!

[@vernervanschalkwyk2280]

I am a bass angler in South Africa fishing mostly from the bank but your channel is awesome and your advice often work even in fresh water for bass. Great channel.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks so much!! The tactics definitely apply!

[@seangoff9578]

Yoooo. I can already tell you that rod position in the first minute is a huuuuge determining factor in the fish you keep Losing. Your rod is already halfway to your shoulder when you initiate your hooksets. If the rod was pointing at your lure, you’d have had the hook set by the time it got 60% to your shoulder. I’d be happy to meet you one day to demonstrate with the same rod you’re using.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for the tip!

[@nozrep]

only thing i own right now is a medium heavy 7’ abu garcia combo. It has worked pretty well from what I can tell, being a newer less experienced angler, for specks. And my current plan for next rod is to get a straight medium action medium power 6’6” or 6’8” spinning reel and rod as an “all-arounder” for fresh and salt, big fish and small fish, well not super big, but like, crappie size up to maximum slot sized reds.

[@bluefish537]

That intro is the greatest demonstration of why action matters!

[@Saltstrong]

No doubt!

[@ericdurst9715]

You should try a falcon costal xg. I use them with a bait caster and also try a waterloo rod as well.

[@comfortablynumb9342]

I recently got a 7' all graphite Ugly Stik 7' medium action rod with a fast tip and it's about a bazillion times better than the composite Ugly Stiks. It's far more sensitive and sets hooks with weedless soft plastics instead of missing the fish or losing them. It's also a lot lighter than the GX2's and other composite rods, and it casts farther.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for leaving this comment!

[@FishingwiththeOz]

Thanks for this video - Great info!

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for making time to post the nice comment!

[@walter992]

Plenty of operator error in those hook sets. You're sweeping your rod way back behind your head and when you bring it forward you are putting a ton of slack in your line. Yes, rod selection is important, but technique can be more important. Just some food for thought.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for the insight!

[@Engineer_Heathen]

I bought a G Loomis E6X inshore awhile back after you recommended it, and it's such a killer rod. Easily the best rod I own. I had a St. Croix prior to that and it was a piece of crap in comparison, in my opinion.

[@dirtyharry7616]

agree totally st. croix quality has gone down hill my 100$ simano clarus is better then my 160$ st. croix premier

[@elioavila8456]

No body makes better rods than st croix. You may like a different rod better for the action etc but to they they are crap then you either bought a cheap one or don’t know much about fishing

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for sharing your findings

[@2003zq8]

@@dirtyharry7616 I agree 100%... those Clarus rods are str8 quality. I own two, one is a 7' M and the other a 7' MH. My other 2 set ups are mated to 6'8 Shimano Convergence rods. They're my inshore work horses.

[@bottomlinebassin2001]

I know everyone likes to give Duckett a hard time, but the inshore series spinning is a great rod option on a budget.

[@colesheehan9929]

Dose the 7’6 medium heavy sniper feel the same as a tfo medium?

[@user-dd2op5rt3p]

salt strong are nlbn paddle tails weedless soft plastics

[@Saltstrong]

Yes!

[@user-dd2op5rt3p]

including being rigged on the kid gheaf

[@user-dd2op5rt3p]

including being rigged on the jig head

[@edbranch3239]

Thank you for explaining the importance of action and power for specific uses. The tutorials you have been putting out are awesome!

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for making time to post the nice comment Ed!

[@mikec4032]

Fantastic content! I wish you could recruit some coaches/content producers in the NE Florida (Jacksonville) region. That’s where I primarily fish and it would be awesome to learn tips and tricks from my local area. Great job!

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks Mike! We actually recently hired a full time coach who lives in Jacksonville and will be making many tips showing your region as the example. Here's one of his lessons: www.saltstrong.com/articles/fall-flounder-in-marsh-systems/

[@floridaman3043]

Boys have you tested the bull bay banshee? I plan on purchasing one for the extra-fast tip for weed less plastics.

[@elioavila8456]

I bought one in July for my bday and so far so good. I recommend them

[@Saltstrong]

I felt one in a local store, and it's a bit too tip-soft for my liking to use weedless soft plastics with (I prefer their Stealth Sniper for weedless soft plastics). The Banshee did feel nice for exposed hook lures and/or for live bait fishing.

[@peteluce5342]

It’s a good rod for weedless soft plastics, you just want to go with maybe a the 10-17 med-heavy model. Not sure they’re talking about with the “soft tip” mentioned above. They’re extra fast actions, compared to the fast actions that come on every other bull bay model. I fish the banshees and the stealth snipers, my banshees are slightly stiffer compared to the stealth snipers.

[@chrismiller5959]

I'm a huge fan of your channel. I recently bought a Shimano Zodias 7'2 medium heavy fast. I paired it with a Curado 200K and I like it. I would like to pick up another Zodias 7'6 in medium. They only come in moderate fast tip. Will I have a problem with the moderate fast tip of I'm casting 1/2 ounce lures all day? I fish for redfish, trout, and flounder inshore.

[@Saltstrong]

Thank you for your question! We have a massive library of fishing tips on our website along with a search feature to let you quickly filter down to find help you're looking for, so just go to www.saltstrong.com/ and use the Search feature in the top menu. Note: If you don't see the exact answer you're looking for, just leave a comment in the post that most closely matches up with your search and one of our coaches will respond to your question... our coaches only make time to answer questions that get submitted to our website.

[@oniinparadise9620]

Really put things into perspective. Good info. Live salt strong. Love you guys ❤

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for posting the nice comment!

[@bfytw2125]

I went with the Stealth Sniper. Love that rod

[@Saltstrong]

Solid choice... that's a great rod for weedless soft plastics.

[@whalerlife53]

Interesting, I use St Croix Avid Inshore rods too. So far no issues.

[@Saltstrong]

Which weedless soft plastic lures do you like using with it?

[@MsBettydog]

Braided line should be the equalizer. I fish soft plastics all the time hitting up docks in the Loxahatchee. I use a 1/16 ounce jig head. I need a light tip to load the rod with such a light jig head. Braided line keeps me from doing the Bill Dance hook set

[@Saltstrong]

The light jigs with exposed hooks are great for light tip rods... the time when a stiffer tip is needed is when using weedless soft plastics like the weighted hooks with jerk baits as shown in this video.

[@mustafakoray4797]

I will fish with the boat at a depth of 5 meters and in salt water. I will use "Zerek Live Shrimp", "Daiwa Duckfin Shad" and rarely "Fiiish black minnow". I will use 5-15gr lead weight. The fish I will catch is a maximum of 5 kg. usually 1-2 kilograms. What do you think is the BEST baitcasting rod in the WORLD for this?

[@Saltstrong]

Thank you for your question! We have a massive library of fishing tips on our website along with a search feature to let you quickly filter down to find help you're looking for, so just go to www.saltstrong.com/ and use the Search feature in the top menu. Note: If you don't see the exact answer you're looking for, just leave a comment in the post that most closely matches up with your search and one of our coaches will respond to your question... our coaches only make time to answer questions that get submitted to our website.

[@jeffreybabino8161]

Hi great video what if you are using jig and plastics

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for your question! Make sure to ask this over on the actual blog or in the Community where the coaches spend their time. The blog can be found here: bit.ly/3dGXNpj

[@CrazyCranker]

If I like a particular rod line like the St.Croix Avid Inshore in the video, couldn't I just step up to a MH F rod? What if I like a casting rod? Is a casting rod better for this type of Inshore fishing?

[@Saltstrong]

Not always... in the example you used of the Avid Inshore, the MH version is a much stronger rod to the point where it won't be able to cast the lighter lures very well. The casting vs. spinning seems to be a personal preference.

[@gennerobootz6490]

Agreed 110 %

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks!

[@Sunbeachsmile]

I live in Sarasota. Mostly fish reds, snook and trout on the flats. What’s your view on Star Stellar Lite rod SG817FT70. Clearance at Bass Pro $69.

[@Saltstrong]

Check out the full blog on our website and post your question there. That way, our coaches can respond back directly with their input on that rod. You can find that here: bit.ly/3dGXNpj

[@Sunbeachsmile]

@@Saltstrong I clicked on the link but based on the last comments they are a year old with no reply. I do enjoy your podcast and KZbin channel and the knowledge that you share with everyone.

[@D0olzBeatz]

So when you say soft tip and stiff tip, is that basically the action of the rod? I only have 2 rods at the moment, 1 UL ugly stik gx2 7' and doesn't even tell me the action, but i tend to lose quite a bit of fish using it. And a MH fast action quantum octane 7'. I do love the feel of the quantum and I've caught way more with it than the ugly stik..way more.

[@Saltstrong]

👍👍

[@dirtyharry7616]

nice trout luke love rootbeer

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for making time to post the nice comment.

[@AshtonF168]

Can I ask what part of the tide you were fishing? I fish that spot regularly I was just curious.

[@Saltstrong]

Not sure, that video was created a while ago. Feel free to visit the full blog on our website bit.ly/3dGXNpj and post your question there. Luke may have some input/advice for that area.

[@davidleekalbjr.3035]

Hook sharpness? No doubt the action.

[@Saltstrong]

The same hooks as normal were used in this video.

[@user-dd2op5rt3p]

are nbln paddletails weedless softplastics because i have a avid and i wanna know if i should use them

[@Saltstrong]

Any lure that is soft is likely made out of a type of plastic. It can be rigged weedless or on a jighead. Give them a try!

[@byronquinley1400]

So medium heavy on the Avid would be the ticket?

[@Saltstrong]

For fishing weedless soft plastic lures, yep!

[@joepizzurro3329]

Would the g loomis green water be a good all around option. Or would the e6x be better.

[@Saltstrong]

Their greenwater rods are excellent. I lean towards the E6X series though because they feel similar in quality while costing a good amount less. Just make sure to get their MH or Heavy power options if you go with the E6X... they are much softer than their rating compared to most other rods.

[@michaelinraleigh]

So the avid would be better with trebles?

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for your question! Make sure to ask this over on the actual blog or in the Community (www.saltstrong.com/) where the coaches spend their time. The blog can be found here: bit.ly/3dGXNpj

[@StaticRome]

So in power…. medium heavy in avid st croix is similar to e6x Heavy and TFO medium ?? 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@Saltstrong]

It's unfortunately not that simple since the power ratings often aren't even consistent within brands across their various rod series. For the E6X, I actually like their 7'6" Heavy power rod which feels very similar to the TFO Professional's Medium power rod... if only the rating system was standardized. Note: For St. Croix, I haven't yet found one that I like for weedless soft plastics... per the specs of the MH St. Croix Avid, it appears as if the MH version is too stiff based on the lure weight recommendations for that rod.

[@mistermatsuda]

I would say that's a good guess. I have a TFO ML that's more like my Loomis Med. but E6X is different from my GLX. My old Avid Inshore is nothing like he describes at 7'6" Med but it's the older brown blank which is stiff and super fast.

[@Camh1968]

Hi. Does the Shimano Zodias 270MH have the fast tip action adequate for soft plastics? Cameron

[@drunknnirish]

All Shimanos are pretty fast, and the Zodias is no exception to that.

[@Camh1968]

@@drunknnirish thank you

[@jacobcameron1885]

What about live bait?

[@Saltstrong]

This might be helpful: www.saltstrong.com/articles/best-live-bait-rig/

[@gabrielarce371]

Tell us what is the casting weight of the rod and what is the best lure weight for for this rod! Finding ways to mislead people.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for your question! Make sure to ask this over on the actual blog or in the Community (www.saltstrong.com/) where the coaches spend their time. The blog can be found here: bit.ly/3dGXNpj

[@overseas971]

This St Croix would be better for hard bait or top water lures?

[@Saltstrong]

I personally prefer the TFO for topwater lures and hard baits too because the tip of the St. Croix is a bit too soft for my liking for using lures. I prefer the St. Croix for live bait fishing since the soft tip helps make sure I don't cast off the bait.

[@overseas971]

@@Saltstrong thanks a lot for your reply!

[@gennerobootz6490]

When it comes to inshore fishing rods, the only brands I use is jigging world and tsunami

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@adamfox4765]

Wish you would show what you're talking about. I can't see the action of a rod by your lips. You talk about how each rod can label their action differently. Pretty much a useless tutorial.

[@Saltstrong]

The details for a rod's action are on the rod itself just above the handle. It is different for each rod and rod manufacturers. The purpose of this video is to show what the best rod pairings are for specific soft plastic lures when fishing weedless rigs.

[@MJ-km3qz]

This is great! You can waist so much money and ruin fishing trips guessing at manufacturer’s rod rating.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for posting the nice comment Mark!

[@onniheadhunter2890]

I generally dont like to use soft plastics. Never have, never will. Seldomly i will put a soft plastic on a jig for bottom bass fishing, but even then i dont prefer it. Im a swimbait dude. I will use swimbaits for bass and saltwater snook redfish and jacks. I too live in florida and i can honestly say that swimbaits are a great alternative to soft plastics. Also, you dont get pricked while rigging which is a plus

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for sharing the feedback!