What sort of rod should I get (pike)

[Pikehead]

Hi!

I have a 6" rod now, but I`m thinking about getting a longer one. What should I look for and what type of rod is ideal for fishing for large freshwater fish?

Thanks for any and all help!
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[Fishhound]

[black][size 3]Hey Pikehead,[/size][/black]
[black][size 3][/size][/black]
[black][size 3]A good sericeable rod (and they are fairly inexpensive) would be a Shakespear Ugly Stick. I would look for something in the 7 to 7.5(or even longer) foot range if you are going to be bank/shore fishing. That will give you some casting range and leverage.[/size][/black]
[size 3][/size]
[size 3]Oh, by the way, Welcome to BFT - If I haven't mentioned that before.[/size]
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[fish_a_holic]

I'm a shore fisherman 95% of the time, it's important to know if you're using a spinning or baitcasting rod - but, either way, I'd opt for a 7' BPS Bionic Blade with a fast taper...IMO they're priced right, very sensitive and they deliver.
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[Pikehead]

Thanks Fishhound and fishaholic!

I`ve just won a bid for what looks like a good spinning rod on ebay (all I know is that it looked cool and has 9+1 bearings).
I think my 6" pole is a little short for shore casting which is what`ll I`ll be doing (at least until I can convince my father to invest in a boat at our cabin )
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[fish_a_holic]

...it's all about balance, like I said, I fish from shore approximately 95% of the time and I fish between 120 - 160 times a year. I use a 6' bionic blade spinning rod, a 6' Fenwick fast taper fiberglass spinning rod, a 5' Berkley Lightning spinning rod, a 6.5' Cabela's heavy duty ultra fast taper baitcasting rod and a 6.5' medium heavy Shimano baitcasting rod.

I have other rods, but these are the ones I usually carry with me when I fish from shore.
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[Pikehead]

How about these telescope rods? Are they any good? They seem very practical.

How about this one?:

Pinnacle power pr tip spin surf fishing rod 9' 12-30 lb
http://cgi.ebay.com/Pinnacle-Power-Pro-T...dZViewItem

Seems very good, but isn`t 9' a bit hard to handle for a novice?

Maybe something like this?:
8ft surf/pier spinning fishing rod southbend
http://cgi.ebay.com/8FT-SURF-PIER-SPINNI...otohosting

Or this:
Penn Reel Power stick 8' medium action fishing rod
http://cgi.ebay.com/PENN-REEL-POWER-STIC...otohosting

Couldn`t find any ugly sticks and there are so many factors other than spinning/baitcasting and length that I have no idea about.
If any of you know anything about any of these rods or brands I`ll be very greatful for any help; I`d hate to spend my student loans on something that isn`t good.
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[Fishhound]

[black][size 3]Hey Pikehead,[/size][/black]
[black][size 3][/size][/black]
[black][size 3]OK, I am starting to put your picture together now.[/size][/black]
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[black][size 3]On your other thread(the one about the reel with 9+1 bearings) and on this thread about the fishing rod; it appears as though you are putting together a set-up to fish for large species in fresh water. [/size][/black]
[black][size 3][/size][/black]
[black][size 3]Is that about correct ?[/size][/black]
[black][size 3][/size][/black]
[black][size 3]The new spinning reel you just got should be matched with a new spinning rod - like the ones you are looking at(they should be balanced - like [#0000ff]fish a holic[/#0000ff] mentioned). That reel is a fairly robust instrument so you should get a rod that will match it and be suited to the kind of fishing you will be doing and to the kind of fish you will be targeting. From what I have gathered so far, an 8 or 9 foot medium rod would work. [/size][/black]
[black][size 3][/size][/black]
[black][size 3]However, what are you fishing for and where ?[/size][/black]
[black][size 3][/size][/black]
[black][size 3]After you can fill in a little more info, we can get more specific with recommendations. [#00bf00]Here's my disclaimer: all vehicles need tires - but a 13 inch volkswagen tire won't work well on a semi-tractor trailer and vice versa[/#00bf00].[/size][/black]
[black][size 3][/size][/black]
[black][size 3]To directly answer your immediate questions about the rods in your links: [/size][/black]
[black][size 3][/size][/black]
[black][size 3]1. I could not recommend any of them. I have a large number of rods that I can recommend, but I specifically would recommend that you get your rod at a store - not on the internet.[/size][/black]
[size 3][black]2. Do not - that is, [#ff0000]DO NOT[/#ff0000] consider a telescopic rod for any real fishing. [/black][/size]
[black][size 3]3. A 9 foot rod is fine for a novice - I have several of each; 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, and 12 foot rods. Depending on the situation, they could be perfectly suited for a novice to use.[/size][/black]
[black][size 3][/size][/black]
[black][size 3]If you are surf fishing, you want a [#000000]LONG[/#000000] rod. If you are shore / bank fishing, it depends on where you are and what you are fishing for.[/size][/black]
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[size 3]Let us know some more of the specifics of what you want to fish for and where.[/size]
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[Pikehead]

Hi Fishound!
You are absolutely correct!
My grandfather and great grandfather were both great fishermen, unfortunelately they are both dead (R.I.P.) and my father doesn`t know much about fishing himself. I have inherited a lot of equipment, but most of it is from the 70s or earlier (if anyone wants fly fishing rods from the 1930s give me a PM, I even found some stuff from the late 1800s *lol*).

My great grandfather was a big fly fisherman, but his stuff is pre-WWII and it seems my grandfather was more into smaller freshwater fish than what I`ll be going for so I have to add to my vintage collection without having much to go by except what I can find on the internet and tips from my friends who are about as green as I am.

I will mostly be fishing for pike (90% of the time) and some trout.
I already have a decent reel from the 80s that`ll go with a pair of 6" rods I have from gramps, but for pike fishing I`ll need something with a bit more power (I`m a competetive powerlifter so you can imagine how much I love power [])

I`ll be fishing in Norway so I doubt you are familiar with the places I go (if you are I`m impressed ).
Our cabin is located at a big, shallow lake with plenty of big pike so I think I need to be able to throw pretty far to catch the big ones. I have cought a 2pounder with my 6" and an 8pounder in a stream, but for consistant big ones I need more length to my throws, I guess.

1) If I buy a rod in a store here in Norway I`ll probably end up paying about $100 even for a cheap model (average income in Norway is insane and so are the prices for everything. Buying on-line is like buying tequila in Mexico: dirt cheap in comparison). That`s why you guys are so handy

2) Thanks for the advice, I almost went for one that looked really good, but know I wont (why aren`t telescopic rods any good, by the way?)

3) The difference is that when surf fishing you`re out in the water letting the waves bring your lure back? Well, I often have to swim out to get my #)`/¤&¤(?)&"# lure back and then I tend to "surf fish" as I might as well stay out in the water for a while in case I get stuck again. But no seriously, I prefer to stand on land and fish for fresh water fish (preferably pike).

Thanks again for walking me through this. I really feel like a fish out of water (yeah, I know, great pun, huh?)
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[Pikehead]

This is the kind of enviroment I`ll conduct my fishing in:
http://www.storsjoen.no/morten5.jpg
http://www.storsjoen.no/tor3.jpg
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[gdn443]

Welcome Pikehead, fishhound has some good advice. Post a picture or a link of the reel you bought and perhaps we can match the rod to it. Surf fishing is about useing heavier equipment and getting distance on the cast. Again matching the reel to the rod. I've caught Pike with 7" Med/Heavy rods on 10lb test, but I wouldn't use it if I was to target Pike only. Heck of a fight though.[]
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[Pikehead]

Hi gdn443!
Here`s a pic of the reel I won on ebay:
http://i24.ebayimg.com/01/i/07/1c/b3/ef_1_sbl.JPG
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[Profishing]

The Ugly Stick is my choice yeppers they are affordable strong.i think they lack a lil back bone in some hooks sets in some ways but they always comes through. I had one for years and still works today. If you could only see how many fish this rod caught. It would fill a tanker.[] They are not fragile and thats what matters they take a licken and keep on ticking. You dont have to worry about a broken tips when your at a remote location and are casting for that trophy Jack. 9.5/10 for the ugly stick in my books.
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[gdn443]

I can't tell if your reel takes 8-12lb test or a larger line. If it only handles 8-12 I'd get a 7ft Med/Heavy. If it takes larger line get a 7 1/2 - 8ft. The guys here seemed to like ugly sticks but any rod will do the trick. The hard part for you is to find a rod on e-bay that matches the size and weight. But get a Med/Heavy for Pike. Good luck
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[TeamHyperStriper]

I also recommend Ugly Stick, they are Great, Cheap and Strong!
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[Pikehead]

I got my reel today and now I won the auction for a new rod as well.
Ok, here goes *drumroll*:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...0024980789
[size 6]
2 Piece 7 Ft Fishing Rod [/size]
[size 4] Graphite Composite Blank 2-piece Rod is for medium action and a Line weight of 10-20 lb. test. featuring a Stainless steel reel hoods, 6 black framed eye guides with hardened aluminum oxide insert. Black non-Slip EVA foam handles. Reel Seat is approximately 13 inches from the bottom of Rod. This Rod is a Beauty with Lasting Quality.[/size] Yeah, I know that medium/heavy would have been better, but Its graphite, the right length and the line weight matches my reel pretty good. I think I can get some big pikes with this rod and I only paid $10 for it on ebay.
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[gdn443]

Sounds like a plan. I have pulled in Pike with a med. rod and you'll have a ride. Hang on and enjoy.[]
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