raider or X-Cel weapon

[laney]

hey everyone i posted a thread quite recently asking about a new rod. i recieved some great information which has helped me narrow my descision down to these two rods. i will have a 4000 shimano symetre with 20 pound tufline braid. which out of the shimano xcel snapper or the shimano rack raider snapper both i5 - 8kg would be the better rod? any information would be great thanks Josh

[Mike Delisser]

In that price range I would go for a Sick Stick.

[snipe]

x-cel weapon mate. I have two of them and they have donged plenty of snapper and reefies and the odd big trev ( read 30lb goldie ). Light, powerful, very fast taper with a good spine - they represent good value for money in my opinion and I own a use a lot of more expensive rods than this. That said I saw a new strain of them in a tackle store a month or so ago that looked vey chinese and cheap - the ones I use are dark green - the one I saw was dark blue and looked inferior. Can't comment on how they perform.

[TheSaint]

I would go the raider as a owner of 2 i have not had them fail me yet..

[laney]

well thanks for the comments guys they both sound like awesome rods i have decided i will just go to the shop and see which one feels better. i will let you know which one i purchased thanks Josh

[NeMo84]

mate go the raider for sure, for the money they are about as good as it gets...

[Roo]

the Raiders seem a bit softer than the excel weapon(older green blanks). the hardware is a little better on the raiders, all fuji stuff on both, just higher spec on the raider
The 701 or 702 snapper model in the excel weapon is quite stiff in the tip. I would think the Snapper Raider's softer tip section would send the small slugs used in the bay a bit further I think the excel weapon range has been deleted so could be some good deals out there. either of these rods teamed up with the 4000 symetre would make a good bay combo.


i will just go to the shop and see which one feels better.

but this is the ultimate test. If you can, take your reel with you to feel the balance. the symetre is no lightweight.
Cheers, Roo.

[laney]

cheers orbyroo yeh they both sound like awesome rods so either way depending on the feel i should get a nice rod

[2iar]

I've got a raider and symeter 4000 too. It's a really nice match, well balanced and I'm very happy with it. 20lb braid on one spool and 12lb Super 100 mono on the other - best of both worlds.

I was actually thinking of getting another Raider for my baitrunner 3500 for the snapper season. Let us know how you go - it would be interesting to see how the X-Cel matches up.

Good luck,
Mike