Hawk Talk - Matching Rods to Applications

Posted by Roy Hawk on Oct 4th 2021

By Roy Hawk

Roy Hawk displays his line of fishing rods

I’ve been getting asked a lot lately about how I match my rods to different applications and techniques. My general philosophy is that I like to be able to cover as many bases as I can with just five or six different rods. So many guys have 20 rods in their boat and all of them are different. I prefer to have four of one model, then four of another model, and so forth, so they are all kind of the same.

Anytime I go to throw a jig or a Carolina Rig, that rod feels the same all the way across the board. If I'm fishing a crankbait, jerkbait, or topwater, its all on the same rod. I want the rod to have a broad enough range where I can cast, hook, and land the fish but still keep it simple enough where the rod feels the same in my hand, its the same casting stroke, and the same mechanics for fighting and landing the fish.

I have fished a lot of different rods during my career and today I am proud to have a signature line of rods that I developed with Taipan Rods. All Taipan Rods are built in-house at their factory in Yuma, Arizona. Owner, Simon Apodaca is a master rod builder who designs and produces all of his blanks. He uses Fuji guides and reel seats. The handles have a Winn Grip Wrap and casting models are spiral wrapped.

For the most part, I can cover 85-90 percent of my fishing with my four different Roy Hawk Signature Rod Models. I do however have other Taipan Rods in my arsenal that I use to fill in the gaps.

A Heavy Spin Stick - TRS723RH

For my fishing style, I really saw the need for a heavier spinning rod. Many spinning rods are designed to be too light in my opinion. The tips are designed for drop shotting and similar presentations. I wanted something that was heavier that I could throw a small jig, like a ¼ oz Hula Grub, or a shakey head, or a tube with—something that could fish 8 to 10 lb fluorocarbon line and a light wire hook but still have enough power to handle the fish.

In the end, we developed a 7'2” rod that is rated for ¼ to ¾ oz baits. It's also the perfect rod for skipping a Senko under a dock. When I'm using a 3/0 or 4/0 hook, it takes a rod with some power to be able to drive a hook like that. I can use braid with a big 5/0 hook heavy wire Sugoi hook and that rod gives me the ability to hook'em and land'em confidently.

I really like the fact that I can fish straight fluorocarbon line and this rod is stiff enough to be able to drive the hook home. There are times when I want use straight fluoro and there are other times I'll use braid, it just depends on the application, but the rod gives me the ability to do either.

*Roy’s recommended bait selection for the TRS723RH*

A Pair of Reaction Bait Rods – CB723RH and CB746RH

I fish a lot of reaction baits and I’ve found that you really need the right rod to properly fish moving baits, especially ones with trebles. Working with Simon, we developed two great reaction bait rods. My rods are rated for hook size more than anything. They need to have a softer action to better hold smaller treble hooks in place. Generally speaking the hook size will match the weight of the bait, so I'll still get a good load out of the rod. When I step up from one rod to another it is directly because of hook size.

The CB723RH is designed to be a finesse reaction bait rod. It works great for poppers like the old Sugoi Splash or the Rico or even small walking baits. It also works well when fishing small jerkbaits, spybaits and crankbaits. This rod is perfect for anything with a size 4 or 6 treble hook

The CB746RH is my heavy reaction bait rod. At 7'4”, it is 2” longer than the CB723RH and is designed for larger baits with size 2 trebles. At the recent MLF Bass Pro Tour Event on the St. Lawrence River, I used the 746 to fish a bladed jig with a Swimmin' Senko Trailer. It is the perfect size smallmouth blade bait.

*CB723RH and CB746RH product recommendations*

The Perfect Five Power Stick – TR745RH

When I set out to help design a power stick, I knew I wanted a heavier frog rod. Something stiff enough that I could pull fish out of the inside of cover. A lot of rods fish like broom sticks and others are just too light. At 7'4”, this fast action rod has the perfect combination of tip and power. I soon found out that this rod also was just perfect for pitchin'. It has a shorter handle and it fishes so comfortably in my hand. I can use any type of Texas rig or single hook type bait with it.

It just does everything well: frog fishing, pitchin', Carolina Rigging to football head jigs. Everything inside or outside that is heavier duty. I'll put on a ½ oz Pepper Football Head Jig with a 5” Double Tail Grub and fish it with 10lb Sugoi Fluorocarbon out on a ledge or I'll spool up with 65lb braid and pitch a Flappin' Hog into grass clumps.

‘Til next time.