Noodle Rod Help

Airborne · 01-20-2004, 11:08 PM

I was given a 4-8lb 10' noodle rod, yet to try it but how in the heck do you set the hook on this thing? and what type of lure set up is it designed for? It sure does feel like a noodle with no back bone, just wondering if anyone here has any pointers... as always thank-you

glassblower · 01-21-2004, 12:16 AM

Always make sure you do not have a belly in the line and when you get a bite come back on it long and hard to set the hook, it will not set easy but keep the rod tip up once you have it hooked and dont let the line slack up at all to help keep it from shaking it, as you fight the fish the hook will work it's way in deeper. Noodle rods are a blast to catch fish on but the hooksets are never easy. Steelhead are a blast on a noodle rod but try the south jettie at Newport sometime for seabass, use a black backed shad jig with blue pearl sides, it is loads of fun and you will hook allot of fish in a day.

mophile · 01-21-2004, 12:51 AM

I have a 10.5' that I use for float/jig fishing. I love it. I tend to bend the barbs down on my hooks and keep them extra sharp, hoping that may partly compensate for a bit of missing backbone.

SilverFly · 01-21-2004, 04:09 AM

A sweeping hookset and using barbless hooks are good advice.

I like noodle rods because you can throw a very light lure (such as a fly) a long ways with a few split shot. It is also great for line control in moving water. The only downside is it is easy to play a fish too long and you might end up killing a native fish if your not careful.

My favorite place for the noodle rod is in the surf. Redtails are a blast on 4lb line!

fishnpray · 01-21-2004, 04:47 AM

Airborne-

Those noodle rods are about pointless, and I heard they're doing a recall on them anyway, so you can just mail that over to me and I'll handle it from there...

No, as everyone has mentioned, there are distinct advantages to both the length and the wispy-ness of a noodle rod...don't give up if you miss a few your first shot out. S.F., I'd love to hear how you set up a noodle rod for surf fishing!

Bait Bucket · 01-21-2004, 05:22 AM

Welp, I spend more than a couple of C-notes on a 9 1/2 footer yesterday (based on a recommendation). I'm hoping it wasn't a mistake. I'll see how it works in a few hours from now. Stay tuned.

[ 01-21-2004, 06:23 AM: Message edited by: Bait Bucket ]

tag-a-long · 01-21-2004, 06:07 AM

I have a 10 1/2 footer but it is medium action. Not sure if it classifies it as a noodle, but it is a blast to play springers on the santiam with. I love it for working the bobber and eggs. I do agree that keeping the belly out of the line will be a great asset to your fish catching abilities.

greenbuttskunk · 01-21-2004, 07:20 AM

airborn,
I've used noodle rods for years. I have to I built at home and love them. They are however, really only effective for certain types of fishing. Originally fishing steelies in the great lakes tribs., they were great for fishing spawn sacks with 4lb test, small jigs, small flies. You can land a monster steelie on 4lb test and a 10-11' noodle. Let's hit that favorite river of yours and I'll bring mine so we can field test.
GBS

Airborne · 01-21-2004, 07:23 AM

Lets see keep the belly out of the line, sweeping hookset, try going barbless, how light a line we talkin here? its only rated for 4-8lb. do you over rate it like at 10 or 12lbs. I guess I'll have to put down the fly rod long enough to learn this new set-up... thanks for the info

SteelieSlammer · 01-21-2004, 07:40 AM

I have a 6-10 lb, 10.5 foot Lamiglas certified Pro and I think its great. Although with any rod you have to fish it with the right kind of water. If i have to through it out a long ways and use a lot of lead i will go with a rod that is a bit more back bone. I also have a 10ft 8-17lb medium action and a few 8.5ft rods at different weights. The long rod also help for mending line when jig fishing. The other positive thing about these rods is that the rod is really sensitive and you can use light line and still put a lot a pressure on the fish because the rod picks up so much of the force. I really like mine and I think if you give yours a chance and are fishing the right water conditions you will like yours too.

Siwash · 01-21-2004, 08:13 AM

Lots of good points here. They definitely take some getting used to, but i've landed fall chinook on 6-lb line with a noodle (although my preference is for summer steelhead; usually too much bushwhacking in the winter for such the long rod). I first got exposed to them when I was stationed out in the Great Lakes area; they're pretty much standard over there. I've watched folks who were obviously pros with the noodle, and they can be deadly. Especially in low-water conditions or when there's a lot of crowd pressure, so you can drop your tackle down a few sizes for spooky fish. Once you get a hookup, the key is to make that puppy work for you by really putting the full C-bend on; at first it'll probably feel like you're afraid of overloading it, but it should be fine if you haven't exceeded the line rating. Because it helps you to keep constant pressure on, i've been surprised how fast you can subdue a fish with the light line. Good luck and have fun with it.

SilverFly · 01-21-2004, 05:09 PM

The only thing I might add is that my N-rod should have come with the following warning label:

CAUTION: DO NOT use in fast moving water containing large, aggressive Coho salmon, as you WILL get your butt kicked!!!

Fish Hawg · 01-21-2004, 06:12 PM

I was looking a a G-Loomis 1141s, for summer steelhead. And or for low flows in the winter.Does anone have one,how do you like it? I want to use it for drift fishing and floating a jig off the bank. I thought it was a litle on the whimpie side

Thanks in advance.

Rakkasan · 01-21-2004, 06:33 PM

Airborne,

Bring it over and I will shorten it up for you

mophile · 01-21-2004, 11:22 PM

Some more info: I got the 10.5' Shimano for $59 at Sportsman's, so you do not have to pay $200+. For jig fishing there is over 10.5' and there is "making do" with less. This was the advice I was given as I was using a 9.5', and true it was! No comparison at all. The Shimano is rated 4-6, but I am using 8lb currently and see no problems.

Akuracy503 · 01-22-2004, 06:09 AM

Softer long rods are great for boondogging methods for steelhead ...bait bait is the method of presentation.

I just make sure my rod loads up (bend) fully when the hook set is swinging, thumb on line. and take a few steps backwards while reeling.

Akuracy503 · 01-22-2004, 06:14 AM

If your using a long rod for jig fishing, I personally prefer a 10'5'' or more..but it doesnt have to be soft moderate action..faster action is preferred so I can get a quicker firm hook set.. since fish wont feel the resistance of the rod - rather the float , action wont be a factor, just make sure to have a subtle float..

glassblower · 01-22-2004, 07:04 AM

I personaly would not waste my money on a Loomis when you can get a Shimano (made by the same company) for $70.00 or less, and some of the Shimano rods look and feel identical to the Loomis rods (same blank). The only real differance is the guides and handle. I was just looking at a Loomis 11'6, it is identical to my 12'6 Shimano just a foot shorter with diferant guides and handle. The guy at sportsmans even said he would bet it was the same blank with a foot of the lenght cut off. They were the same rootbeer brown blank with a slow action, ballance was the same, feel, everything. If you were handed them blindfolded you would not be able to tell one from the other. So with a Loomis priced at $325.00 you could buy about 5 Shimano rods $69.00 each for the cost of one Loomis. I do not know about you but I am going with the Shimano.

Akuracy503 · 01-22-2004, 07:16 AM

I havent picked up a shimano rod for steelhead applications...but I do enjoy loomis rods for the feel and sensitivity...

I highly doubt they would use the same blank used for loomis on a shimano for shimano price...

seems alot of people knock the loomis for its price, i dont blame em..but there is a reason for the price, or else id be the first one to come out and call G loomis a blatant thief..

It is unforunate loomis sold out to shimano...now ive heard instances of loomis casting rods with guides put on backwards as if a spinning rod...doesnt sound like a normal loomis problem...rather a shimano manufacturer.

Wannabe · 01-22-2004, 07:54 AM

I have several of the long rods up to 11 1/2 feet and my new favorite is the Lami Esprit 6-10 in the 9 1/2 size. (spinning of course)
I use small light hooks and yarn and have been quite successful over the years and sincerly believe you can land them on these rods just as quickly on 6# as most other people do on 8 and 10. Plus the long rods don't seem to rip out hooks so easy either. A good reel with a quality drag is also key.
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