Can a rod be too light for long lining?

A few years ago I wanted to try spider rigging and bought some HT panfish specials. 12 footer and 10 footers. My boat is a aluminum fishing boat without a deck and I troll out the side. Until recently I was using a medium weight bass rod for my center pole and I was noticing I was loosing a lot of fish as compared to the 10 foot HT rod. I think it was a little stiff and the fish were feeling the resistance and letting go. My 10 foot ultra light HT panfish rod seems about perfect. Yesterday I got my 12 footer out which I hadn't used since I had tried spider rigging which I didn't like. It seemed like every time I would get a bite I couldn't get the hook set because the 12 foot is so flimsy as compared to the 10. Do you think the 12 footer being more flimsy is not a good choice for long lining? I'm thinking maybe I should try something like a 8 foot b&m trolling rod for my center rod.

I have long lined with 14 ft flimsy poles with no problem you may need to just set hook harder th flimsier the rod the more it takes the move the hook . Jmo

road to long ?

I use up to 16' longlining and have no problem hooking fish.

Maybe your hooks are too large. I loose less fish wit 1/16 oz with #4 hooks as compared to #2 hooks. With the smaller #4 hook, the fish take the bait inside the mouth resulting in roof of the mouth sets.

Monk

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Originally Posted by glasseyes

road to long ?

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Spelling error. Meant to say "rod too long" :biggrin

I use light fishing tackle for long lining, 6/7" rods for the fun of it. 6# line, Works great, but some days Crappie just fight the jig. Most of the time at .8mph, they hook there selves. Set hook ASAP.

I forgot, bluegills may be your problem, tie a small jig on and see.

When you get old, 12ft is a mile. When I try to land fish, it's like the fish is on a teeter totter or a aerial merry go round. You'll know what I mean. Admit it.

I've got an old wimpy fiberglass rod ..... not a long rod though ..... I always catch twice as many fish on that rod than any of my others when trolling a crank bait. I think the extra flex in the rod gives the lure better action. The tip of that rod is always a lot "happier."