Just purchased a calico special heavy action rod, feels as if it is a bit too stiff for my tastes, bites hard to pick up. People think this is just a matter of getting used to or should i go down to a medium action, medium heavy rod? opinions appreciated. thx

i use a seeker inshore series rod. 8.5 feet. great rod. ive got yellowtail, bass and halibut on it. awesome rod for 15-20#.





joe

If you are mainly going to use it to target calicos with lures such as swimbaits you want a rod that is fairly stiff. There are two reasons for this: 1) Pulling the fish away from cover as quickly as possible (you'd be amazed how fast a 2 lb. boiler calico can rock you) and 2) to get the hook set in deeper water.

Sounds like the problem with your rod is not the action but the sensitivity of the rod. I'm not too familar with the Calico Special rods but the Shimano Calcutta XFAs (in my opnion the best swimbait rods you can buy) are very stiff and yet extremely sensitive.

I've got the calico special also, it is stiff but as stated that's probably it's asset, but for sensitivity, it sucks...
Bruinfootballfan!!!

The sensitivity of a graphite rod is subject to the quality and quantity of the graphite. You do want a fast-action, stiff rod for calico fishing around rocks and kelp as mentioned. I bet yours is more sensitive than any 'glass rod though. I fish the shimano calcutta series too and am pretty stoked on them. If you want a ultra-sensitive rod, try a Loomis GL3 or IMX. They are what I use for freshwater bassing since the bites are sometimes very subtle. They do cost more though. You might be able to increase sensitivity by using a stiffer line or by how you hold the rod. Hold the foregrip ahead of the reel and rest the line between your index finger and thumb to feel bites better. Or, buy another rod :-)

Big Hammer Swimbaits-Hammerhead Jigheads
www.swimbait.com
Pro-Cure Scents
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I just bought a Californian Calico Special, too. It's the 8' 12~30 lb heavy action rod. Monday I used that rod on a party boat and caught 9 sandies/calicos ranging from 14"~20" and 4 sharks. Teamed with Shimano Cardiff(17lb line) with livebait handle, I felt this rod overpowered those fish. Probably I've been used to small rods. That rod has a lot of back bone and can give you good hookset. I think I can handle good size yellows without much problems which is what I would also use it for. If saltwater bass is your main target, then I think "medium" action is more suitable for better fight.

Another good bargain saltwater bass graphite rod: Daiwa Inshore 7'9" heavy action 10~20 lb. This rod is slightly less stiff than my Californian and is only $79.99. I introduced my friend to buy this rod with a Daiwa Millionaire S yesterday then we went to a park and threw some casts with 1 oz sinker. This combo cast much farther than mine. Note, he has only 12 lb line. I think it's the reel that's making the difference. Anyone has this rod would like to report?

i've got the lamiglass version of the calico special and find it suffers from the same problem, its light as hell and not really bad on the sensitive side but stiff! for calicoes i found it was waaay to much rod, as it is i found it harsh on the albies.

if anyone is interested on a serious war stick i'm selling it, used about three times 9 footer with alwr cork grips and trigger reel seat.

Yeah just returned the rod... really too stiff for my tastes and purchased another one of turners brands.. starts with an s, cant remember it but definately more sensitive and has a quicker taper. Hope they didnt trick me, but they would only give me store credit anyhow. Taught me this neat trick on how to tell the sensitivities on the rods though... put the tip of the rod at someone voice box and have them talk normally. Sensitivity on the rod will be shown by how well you feel the vibrations of the persons voice. Sure didnt feel it on the calico special.

A freind of my grandpa has a permanent scar from getting bumped while a rod was being tested on his throat. OUCH!
Tight lines,
Wade

Good warning, Wade. I think a safer method is to rub the tip along a vinyl tile floor (if available) to try to feel, through the rod, the slight transition from tile to tile. There must be other safe methods too.

Bob

Easy sensitivity test is to have the sales person lightly flick the tip of the rod with his finger/nail and compare each rod.

The flick method isn't consistent enough. The salesmen will invariably flick the most expensive one slightly harder. The tile idea is good. I'd guess any kind of "smooth" surface with a few almost microscopic variations would work, just remeber to pull towards you rather than push.
Tight lines,
Wade