Preferred rod action - estuary fishing

[Captain_Zero]

Hi all

I do most of my fishing in estuaries targetting bream, whiting, flathead etc. I quite often fish two rods with one in a holder, usually using a variety of baits to see what might be working on the day.

I have a one piece 7 foot Gary Howard Estuary rod which has a slow action, which I was given as a gift and I have found that the tip seems to lack the sensitivity to detect the timid bites of whiting and bream even when I am holding it. A couple of times I have had the rod in the holder and picked it up to check the bait and have had legal bream and moses perch hooked but the rod tip is not giving any indication of a fish on? My other cheaper rods (Jarvis Walker), with faster actions have tips that seem to indicate the slightest touch and hook up rates seem greater?

I know the Gary Howard rods are considered quite good and I have tried to like it but I much prefer the feel of my two piece cheaper rods. Is there another type of fishing this rod would be suited to? I am using only light line of about 2-3kg.


What are others opinions on the best action for estuary rods?

Cheers

Chris

[Lymphocyte]

Hey Chris,

My belief is that slow action rods (or noodles) were initially designed for freshwater trout fishing, since they offered a lot of shock absorption to buffer their jumping and quick changes of speed. The slow action is also less likely to pull the hooks out of soft mouths.

As for estuaries (bait fishing), noodles would better allow the fish to take the bait with minimal resistance. They are also better suited to casting (or heaving) bigger weights, whereas faster action rods are more designed for flicking smaller weights.

But in the end it all comes down to personal preference. If you don’t like the noodle, you definitely won’t be alone.

[Captain_Zero]

Thank you for the reply - this is the rod description from the website:

ESTUARY RODS

This range of rods has been built to accommodate the needs of bait anglers working the tidal ranges of the bays and estuaries. Built on locally manufactured blanks, duralon rod grips, Fuji guides and fittings these rods these rods have been favourites for anglers over several decades. All models are available in low mount form to suite Alvey reels or as a mid mount for use with spinning reels.
ESTUARY 7'slow action3-5kg7'

Not sure if it is a noodle style rod as it is quite stiff in the tip?

Cheers

Chris

[Stuart]

The best estuary rod is built on a super slow CR3126 blank.

Stu
Precision Rods

[MudRiverDan]

Gary Howard 3-5 Kg is worth a look, faster action.

Some of the new Starlo sticks feel good too, not as elegant as your minimalist high range rods but they have the right feel and would be a fun rod to use.

I don't own one BTW so can't comment on if they are robust or not.