Gerry, here's my opinion.
I would like to touch off on a couple topics that do not apply to rods first, then get to rods.
A good fisherman: I'm sure we see a sharpy now and then kickin ass and we assume, "hey this guy is a 'good fisherman'. Being a good fisherman requires that you are "focused", and practice the sport regulary. You eventually develop a "confidence" that helps you know what to do in certain situations. How to work drag and rod taper, when to strike, how to fight bottom feeders, versus topwater fish.
Luck: This is a small but important part of it. I have seen numerous times where one angler catches three in a row, starts to shoot his mouth off, and for some reason gets cold. What happened, he was good ten minutes ago, but now the other guys are catching.
Don't worry about the otjher guys. Just fish.
Now the rod. The most common argument is Graphite versus glass, or composite, a mixture of the two. Industry advertising makes it sound like graphite is "lighter, stronger and more sensitive".
Lightweight: A graphite rod blank weighs maybe an ounce or two less than a glass blank. If that little weight concerns someone, they should join the senior women's sewing club. How are you going to catch the BIG FISH if you are worried about something as little as a couple of ounces.
Stronger: I have never in my life seen a graphite rod that is stronger than glass. This "FACT" has been pushed on us for years and it's just not true. In fact not even close. How many broken graphite rods do you have?
Sensitive: Another advertising HOAX. Sensitivity is an ABILITY. You learn from experience I have fished the Mud Hole for many winters in around 200' water. Glass rod/mono/all the wrong stuff. Go out in a stiff Northwesterly in January, on a cold deck and you learn real quick how to "Feel". It has been, and always will be an Ability. Yes the graphite material is "more sensitive" but, is it an advantage? NO! Keep in mind that any one, of any skill level can say, "I use braid, I use Graphite, I feel the fish fart", but if that guy has that much confidence he will catch, he is focused.
Gerry, good question, but the question should be "how do I catch a Blackfish"?
Here are a few tips that will make most guys more productive.
Flat footed: You can tell when an angler doesn't have a prayer when they stand looking at the horizon. You want to stand sideways to the rail, rod tip low, towards the water. This allows a strong 'PIVOT' when lifting the rod tip. You are able to use your wrist action to lift FAST and more importantly FOLLOW THROUGH. Follow through is the key. No different than swinging a baseball bat or golf club, or throwing a ball.
Check Swing: This is the failure of most anglers. They get a bite and they lift up HALFWAY, and drop the tip. What they did was pull the BELLY out of their line, and just let the fish know there is trouble above. They chased the fish away. Keep the tip low, when you think it's the right time to strike the fish, lift hard and follow through. As the tip bends while the fish is being hooked, you have the momentum on your side. Keep the tip up, start cranking, and slowly lower the tip when you feel he is far enough off the wreck. This is where I like the use of E-glass. It has a softness to the shaft that acts as a shock absorber that helps to control the fish, and helps prevent line breakage, or a lip hooked fish from coming dislodged.
3-6': when you have the fish about 6' off the wreck you can keep the rod a bit more level and when the fish surges you can give and take as you see fit. I do like to use a bit of slippage on my drag, again to act as a shock absorber. Never drop the rod tip quickly.
FOCUS: Don't worry about the other guys. Watch the tip, if you get the slightest bite, you will both feel it, and SEE IT.
