Is it possible to effectively fish Stickbaits or Swimbaits with a stiff popping/chugger rod?Share

ShadowCaster

So if I have a stiff popping/chugging rod like the FCL 80Extreme, is there any technique that I can acquire to effectively fish Stickbaits and Swimbaits with it without having to buy another rod?  I've heard arguments on both sides, and the ones arguing that I need a new rods tends to be tackle shop owners!  

Please share your views, especially those who frequently and successfully fish Stickbaits with chugger rods.

Thanks in advance!  

Strider

haha hi again. I am definitely no popping expert.

but i think u should be able to. just reel and the swim baits will do its job wiggling and swimming through the water. once a while tug it and the bait will dart.

even gt bites when the swimbait is still. in maldives u can see them darting about and when you pause, they hit it.  so ya i guess u can say swim baits can be used on stiff rod.

now...the stiffness will affect the fishing feeling and your back. haha so i guess it comes to feel.

but a soft rod will be on the other hand be harder to work a chugger that needs that splash effect on the water which requires more control i guess.

anyway i may be wrong, so i leaving the popping expert to chime in.

so fun can experiment popping too.

Michael Lim

As some would put it, there is no right or wrong way to do things.  But it might just make things more comfortable sometimes...  it's also a matter of preference occasionally when it comes to stiffness vs suppleness of fishing rods to make the different lures work.

And I would suggest that you try asking a fren who does have a Stickbait rod to let you try it side by side with your rod and see if you would feel that the difference does actually matter enough for you to invest in one.

Do beware that more times than not, a setup designed for the specific purpose will generally do exceptionally well and poison you badly.

LoL

sharkbait

ShadowCaster said:

So if I have a stiff popping/chugging rod like the FCL 80Extreme, is there any technique that I can acquire to effectively fish Stickbaits and Swimbaits with it without having to buy another rod?  I've heard arguments on both sides, and the ones arguing that I need a new rods tends to be tackle shop owners!  

Please share your views, especially those who frequently and successfully fish Stickbaits with chugger rods.

Thanks in advance!  

​
Yes. You can work stick bait on a popping rod.

Give more slack when sweeping or shorter your sweep stroke, the swimbait should be able to dive for short distance. But it will not be as beautiful as a delicate swimbait rod. Also the lure buoyancy affect the action of the swimbait. 

I cannot really advise through words. You really have to find time for practice at local reservoir. 

Hope this helps. 

nelsonlimjinwei

If you are free, make a trip to lower mandai, sometimes there will be ppl practicing there and most are friendly enough to let you give their rods a try. 

As most of the kakis here have said, there no right or wrong. No one will stop you from using a chugging rod to swim stickbaits/swimbaits but the action will be different. Some use heavier lures to counter this. Some will leave more slack. Each will have their pros and cons when using that technique. 

Having a specialized for each will still be the answer but not everyone has deep pockets. Hope this helps. PM if you have any questions. 

Anyway where you heading? Maldives?

ShadowCaster

nelsonlimjinwei said:

If you are free, make a trip to lower mandai, sometimes there will be ppl practicing there and most are friendly enough to let you give their rods a try. 

As most of the kakis here have said, there no right or wrong. No one will stop you from using a chugging rod to swim stickbaits/swimbaits but the action will be different. Some use heavier lures to counter this. Some will leave more slack. Each will have their pros and cons when using that technique. 

Having a specialized for each will still be the answer but not everyone has deep pockets. Hope this helps. PM if you have any questions. 

Anyway where you heading? Maldives?

​Hi Nelson,

Thanks for your sharing.  Will certainly drop by Mandai one of tese weekends to learn more from the more experienced anglers.  Maldives is certainly one of my potential destinations, including other possibilities such as Alor, Rote, PNG and Oman.  

Happy New Year!