LAST EDITED ON Sep-21-00 AT 09:26 AM (PST)

LAST EDITED ON Sep-21-00 AT 09:21 AM (PST)

I've been freshwater bass fishing primarily in small bodies of water (streams, ponds, etc.) for nearly 20 years. I primarily use 5 - 6 ft. rods.

I feel the main reason I use the shorter rods is because of casting accuracy. Because I primarily fish these small bodies of water I'm usually close to cover making relatively short casts. With a 5.5 or 6' rod I can usually drop the bait on a dime.

Sensitivity may be another issue but my 8' 2" Loomis HS983 that I use for halibut is very sensitive so who knows.

It is also easier to control the fish once it's close to the tube with a shorter rod.

My typical setup for tubing small bodies of water for bass are (I typically bring three rods):

Loomis SJ721 (6 ft.) or SJ641 (5.33 ft.) - Shimano 1000 reel - 8 lb. test - I use this for fishing small plastics (under 6 inches) with 1/16 - 1/4 oz. weight. I use R & R Strokers 3 inch Beavertail grubs in the amber color probably 95% of the time.

Loomis C723 (6 ft.) or Loomis C663 (5.5 ft.) - Quantum E600ti - 12 lb. test - I use this mainly for throwing buzzbaits and spinnerbaits but will use it for crankbaits if I'm in tight.

Loomis P843 (7 ft.) or Loomis C662 (5.5 ft.) - Calcutta 150 - 10 lb. test - I just started using the P843 over the C662 for throwing cranks such as Rat-L-Traps and Rebel Crawfish. I built it for light halibut fishing but it has turned out to be one of the best rods for fishing cranks for largemouth because of the "not-so-fast" action.

It does feel a little strange when I'm fishing halibut and seabass one day and largemouth the next going from 8' to 6' foot rods but after a few casts I'm used to it.

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You can't catch tomorrow what you kill today - please practice catch and release.