Lew's Laser SG Graphite or ???

[JF660R]

So, I have a Lew's bait caster on an old Shakespeare rod. The rod was a Walmart special I probably got when I was 12. It's pretty soft, and Friday I lost a couple decent fish right at the boat. My partner suggested it might be time for a better rod to improve hook set. 

This will be basically an all around rod for me, although I have a spinning Ugly Stick as well, and ULs for little stuff. It will mostly see the usual bass lures, cranks spinners jigs worms top water etc.

I'm not spendy (20 yr old Shakespeare rod as proof) but I'm trying to move up some. The Lew's Laser SG Graphite at $50 is right in my comfort zone, but I could come up some if you guys think I would ultimately regret the SG for some reason. Its a 20 yr commitment after all ;P

http://www.lews.com/rods-lasersg.php

Thoughts? Something better I should consider?

[Al Agnew]

There's a lot to consider in baitcasting rods. The optimum rod varies with the size and type of lures you plan to use, and one size doesn't fit all, at least not very well.  With crankbaits, you'll get better hook-ups with a "softer" rod, as in a moderate to moderate fast action, rather than a fast action with a stiff butt going far out toward the tip.  Most other lures, especially spinnerbaits, a fast action rod will probably give you better hooksets.  And if you're mainly using 3/8ths ounce and heavier lures, a stiffer rod, say medium heavy to heavy power, will do best with hooksets, but if you are planning on going down to 1/4th ounce lures, the heavier power rods won't load on the cast very well and you won't get much distance, and will get more backlashes.

Expensive rods aren't necessary, especially if fishing hard baits.  The two attributes of expensive rods that can make them worth the money are weight (and perhaps balance) and sensitivity.  You only need the sensitivity for fishing stuff like jigs where you depend in part upon feeling what the lure is doing and when a fish hits, and there's not a huge difference in sensitivity between cheap and expensive rods.  As for weight, it does make a difference if you're fishing hard for a long day.

But you can do well with a less expensive rod.  Get a medium if you're mainly going to be fishing hard baits and plan on possibly fishing some lighter baits like 1/4th ounce sizes.  A medium heavy will work better if you're sticking more with larger baits and plan on doing more jig fishing.

I've often wondered why bass anglers don't do like fly fishermen do, and insist upon actually trying out a rod in the parking lot or something before buying it.  I've bought rods that I quickly found out just didn't feel good when casting, or didn't handle the lures I wanted to use very well, which would have been obvious with 10 minutes of casting in the parking lot.

[RSBreth]

Anything you get to be an "all around" rod will be a compromise. I like a softer medium action for spinnerbaits and cranks and any old 50 -60 dollar rod will work, but like Al said for jigs you need more "feel" and that's more expensive. Ultimately you need a couple of new outfits, really.

[drew03cmc]

I have found that my preferred rod is in the 5'6" M range for creeks. I have two rods in that range now, a Cherrywood HD that is stiffer, not bad for heavier stuff, and an OLD Lightning Rod that I like how it tosses 1/4oz baits a lot with the Revo S on it. Try a few different things out and see what you like.

[JF660R]

Thanks for the responses guys. I went ahead and picked up the Laser SG in a medium heavy fast action. I'll give it a chance and I can always add another if I need to. 

[dtrs5kprs]

21 hours ago, JF660R said:

Thanks for the responses guys. I went ahead and picked up the Laser SG in a medium heavy fast action. I'll give it a chance and I can always add another if I need to. 

Let us know how it works out. I have two of the 7' UL spins, and think highly of them so far, especially for the money.