Help new rod

[Ugly Stick]

Hey guys, I picked up a rod the other day pretty cheap from a guy at work. I just have a question on what the best way to fish with this rod would be. Its a shakespeare catera IM-8 10'6" light action 2-8 pound test. It feels like a nice sensitive rod kinda whippy though. Just looking for some ideas on how to best use it. thanks

[Mitch]

I have a couple of the exact same rod, they are great for fishing the beach and/or pier. A nice feel for a cheaper rod and enough backbone to throw some weight. For me the "touch" of the rod isn't near good enough for drift fishing, but that's just me, I'm sure it'd work just fine if you're just getting started.

Mitch

[MSUICEMAN]

you can drift with it, may not have the sensitivity of a higher end rod, but put a 2500 shimano reel on it with 6lb or 8lb test mainline and you are in the steelie game. you can also throw some bobber setups with it in tight quarters with a decent float, a splitshot or two, hook and spawn or a jig and spawn.

for bottom bouncing (this is the method i prefer, there are others), main line to 3 way swivel, off the three way you havea dropper line with either splitshot, slinky, or pencil sinker as weight, and off the other lead a leader to a fly or a hook with spawn. want just enough wait that you tick bottom time to time.

steve

[ForestFisher]

I don't use a very wide range of rods , just because I can't afford it . I have two or three very good ones that I am comfortable with in almost any situation , fishing most any set up . I just fish the crap out of them and just adjust my self to whatever set up the situation call for . Its nice to have a different rig for different situations , but its much more important to have your equipment be an extension of your arm . The only way to get to that point is , as I'm sure you know , by time and getting it dirty . But as soon as I get rich , I'm gonna buy 10 more set ups you can bet on that , LOL . Good luck with your new rod . -FF

[fishing addict]

I just picked up an 8'6" Caterra,at Gander Mountain,for $40.00.Though I haven't landed any fish with it yet,I have had a nice King on for a few minutes with it.
Mine is a medium action,and seems like it is going to work just fine,for what I got it for.It seemed to have enough feel to drift yarn eggs at Tippy.
If I hadn't let my buddy talk me into over-tightening my drag,after I had the fish-on,I would probably have landed it.

[toto]

Sounds like a noodle rod to me, and those are great off the surf, if the wind isn't too hard. They can be worked well drifting, but it wouldn't be my choice. The problem, I think at least, is that they are too soft for drift fishing so by the time you feel the subtle "TAP,TAP" of hit, tis probably too late to set the hook. Thats why I like something in a moderate action. Enough give to absorb a sudden shock of setting the hook, but with enough backbone to handle the run of a large steelie.

[MoJoRisin']

Yea, I have 2 sets of noodle rods with those specifications...just a different brand. I use them exclusively for pier and surf. For river and other fishing I typically use a 9' ML action rod as the 10'6" doesn't have the backbone for controlled casting and hooksetting required in the river.

Nice rod though, hope you have good fishing!!

[DonP]

As the others have suggested... that sounds like a really nice pier and surf rod. Just add reel... line... terminal tackle... a nice fresh bag of king eggs...

STEEL ON!!!!!! :yikes: