Everything else but bottom contact

That is one of the most loaded questions I’ve ever seen. For my part, I agree sensitivity is entirely misunderstood. Feel? Feel what? A nibble, rock vs wood, dead feedback indicating a fish has it in its mouth? All viable feedback. But if we’re being honest, the rod itself is less important than the line strung upon it. There, I wrote it… People can disagree, but I’ll hear none of it. Does the rod matter? Yes, the rod matters. Everybody knows this. But we can change feedback drastically by line selection. To me, a rod serves purpose of placing a bait and landing a catch. People can scoff, but that IS what they are built for. All other consideration secondary. The most ‘sensitive’ stick on the planet is useless if it can’t cast your presentation accurate and/or fails to keep fish pinned. And that’s the truth.

As for your recognition of bottom contact discussion, it’s probably because that’s where most anglers start and many fall back as a comfort zone. Bottom contact is fun, fairly simple, often rewarding. Lots of people focus on it. I’ve been there. Been toying with going back to it actually. Couple that with the way folks sponge up the whole sensitivity discussion, spend funds chasing it, guilty here as well by the way, it makes sense manufacturers focus on it as point of discussion. As such, folks discuss it. But the user truth is in hands of the user. The rod is only part of application. So, to jokingly offer an answer to your question, insert manufacturer and/or product here.

Posted by: @one-love

But if we’re being honest, the rod itself is less important than the line strung upon it.

Very good point! Care to elaborate? Do you mean generally line matters like braid will get you more sensitivity than mono since it has less stretch? Or more into specifics like diameter and brand?

Posted by: @pkn8

Posted by: @one-love

But if we’re being honest, the rod itself is less important than the line strung upon it.

Very good point! Care to elaborate? Do you mean generally line matters like braid will get you more sensitivity than mono since it has less stretch? Or more into specifics like diameter and brand?

All of the above, minus brand. I can't speak for others, but for me there comes a point of learning a rod/reel combo where I ultimately find whatever line I need on it. This depending on what I use it for more than anything, of course. As for brand, I've got my favorites in general. Also have a few favorites in select test rating/diameter I like for certain applications sometimes but not always.

As for type, perhaps I'll lean on this one, but I've never gotten the 'I only use braid' concept. Braid is an outlier, great for boundary application but not general use. Topwater everybody knows. Longlining where you need zero stretch to sink a hook, trolling or deep cranking for depth where smaller diameter provides less line lift, braid is perfect. Or sheer distance casting for that matter. But for bottom contact fluorocarbon is the best option, for me, usually, with exception here or there. Carolina rig, for instance where mono rules. But that's more to the reel hard part of landing fish while doing it really. I doubt I have a stick built to task that I will ever use line other than what I already know I'll use. Once I find what the stick likes or how I use it, line is what allows the stick to do what the stick does.

Fresh quality line at the right test, diameter, fill length (often overlooked) can make a decent stick perform all world in the right hands. Or at least much better if nothing else. I don't mean to harp on it, and I'm certain many won't agree, but that's how I feel about it.

More to point, again in minority I'm sure, a stick matters more for moving baits than bottom application ever could. Placing it, allowing the bait to work as intended, landing a catch. And in doing so, does how 'sensitive' a stick is really matter? To a point, yes, I’ll grant that. But in totality, no it doesn’t. A stick can almost vibrate out our hand and benefit nothing if it can't do what we need it to do. Too often the all ruling ‘sensitivity’ consideration takes precedent.

So, as for bottom contact, I grew up holding line working it. Just the way I was taught. Sticks were comparative junk back then it was a necessity at the time. Not today so much, obviously, but that right there is the crutch. Sensitivity is nice, but not needed.

In truth, I’ve been on the sensitivity chase myself at one time or another, I get it. And I don’t intend to undermine or question anybody’s desire, just being honest. Not too many places online we can be straight without risking ridicule in my experience. Thankfully this is one of those places. And I’m also quite interested to see what this thread becomes, actually. Line is the ultimate catalyst to me.

NOTE: I’ve edited this post since reading again, might have come across a bit rushed because at the time it was. And I’ll let it be known my mind is made up on this one. Sensitivity was not even a remote consideration once upon a time. And guess what? Anglers caught fish back then just the same.

This is a great question. I’ll need to chime in on this one later this weekend 

The never-ending debate has arrived here at Tackle Porn…😆

“Sensitivity” is highly subjective and is based on the sum of all parts. Period. I agree with @one-love on line being a key element, but rod/guide combination still plays a major role, IMHO. As does reel/frame material and knobs/handle assembly. If you are someone that fishes bottom contact with your finger on the line at all times while dragging/moving your bait, then this doesn’t apply to you as much. Regardless, the vibration transmitted through your line is transferred to the guides, then rod blank and additionally to the reel, then to your hands. How much sensitivity is actually needed? Depends on what your fishing for and the scenario, IMO. Without diving too deep into this and getting off track, this is just my humble response the OP’s question. I’ll list a few examples of rods I use for other techniques. 

Jerkbait stick(s) I love.

Jota Dorrum Stick Tune SB, Designo Torque Tune 67MH and X7 Super Elseil. 

Jota: Shortest handle of slants, gets out of the way on the twitch when I want it to, but is there when I need abrupt stops against my forearm to allow my jerk bait to dart freely if I’m twitching to the side. As a bonus, the slant bridge is excellent at providing leverage when a fish is on. Taper is money for trebles. At 6’4”, it’s highly maneuverable, shines in close quarters, and yields more than enough casting distance in almost any case. Also a great topwater stick. 

Designo 67MH….Designo’s ratings are all over the place, but this rod is great for 110s, Pointers, Topwater, and will handle other things as well. Sensitivity is more plentiful than you’ll ever need for this type of rod. 

IF, I go to/need a longer JB stick, the X7 Super Elseil steps in. 

Cranks:

Sedition White Falcon, White Python Slant, Jabberwok Slant, Designo torque tune 68M, various Tomohawks, X7 Destruction, etc. 

Swimmers

I have multiple swimbait sticks, but stand-outs are Fragment Factory, sedition Lion heart, EG SS GT2RS, BJ Punch And Swimbait, Super  Destruction, Torque Tune 74H, TKLC SS, etc. 

Just way too many to list and so many variables. 

Posted by: @rise

The never-ending debate has arrived here at Tackle Porn…😆

“Sensitivity” is highly subjective and is based on the sum of all parts. Period. I agree with @one-love on line being a key element, but rod/guide combination still plays a major role, IMHO. As does reel/frame material and knobs/handle assembly. If you are someone that fishes bottom contact with your finger on the line at all times while dragging/moving your bait, then this doesn’t apply to you as much. Regardless, the vibration transmitted through your line is transferred to the guides, then rod blank and additionally to the reel, then to your hands. How much sensitivity is actually needed? Depends on what your fishing for and the scenario, IMO. Without diving too deep into this and getting off track, this is just my humble response the OP’s question. I’ll list a few examples of rods I use for other techniques. 

Jerkbait stick(s) I love.

Jota Dorrum Stick Tune SB, Designo Torque Tune 67MH and X7 Super Elseil. 

Jota: Shortest handle of slants, gets out of the way on the twitch when I want it to, but is there when I need abrupt stops against my forearm to allow my jerk bait to dart freely if I’m twitching to the side. As a bonus, the slant bridge is excellent at providing leverage when a fish is on. Taper is money for trebles. At 6’4”, it’s highly maneuverable, shines in close quarters, and yields more than enough casting distance in almost any case. Also a great topwater stick. 

Designo 67MH….Designo’s ratings are all over the place, but this rod is great for 110s, Pointers, Topwater, and will handle other things as well. Sensitivity is more plentiful than you’ll ever need for this type of rod. 

IF, I go to/need a longer JB stick, the X7 Super Elseil steps in. 

Cranks:

Sedition White Falcon, White Python Slant, Jabberwok Slant, Designo torque tune 68M, various Tomohawks, X7 Destruction, etc. 

Swimmers

I have multiple swimbait sticks, but stand-outs are Fragment Factory, sedition Lion heart, EG SS GT2RS, BJ Punch And Swimbait, Super  Destruction, Torque Tune 74H, TKLC SS, etc. 

 

Just way too many to list and so many variables. 

JOE-TAHHHH

im so impressed by my dire wolf and its versatility that i may get another  just to have . 

i does every thing. and by everything i mean there is not a technique that i can think about within reason ( like i wouldn't use it for a dropshot casting rod but if i had to use a mag dropshot i would )

i'd really like to get the RSR but for now both or either will have to wait as i had an unexpected buy that was a necessity and i just pulled from my fishing sock.  

Posted by: @goldrod

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im so impressed by my dire wolf and its versatility that i may get another  just to have . 

Everyone that owns a Dire Wolf just sings its praises. It continues to elude me all the while shooting its way up my "next rod" list.