NAGG
23-02-2009, 07:32 PM
I was pretty excited to have the opportunity to use the new 451 Samurai Reaction baitcast rod over the weekend.
The rod was to be mated with my Steez 103 but the delay in my new Erskine drag upgrades meant that I had a chance to fish the rod with my new HLC Zillion.
within just a few casts ...... I was singing its praises - both rod & reel :) It was easy to throw long casts throwing lures like X rap walks & 5 & 6 inch hollowbellies .......... I was even managing reasonable casts throwing 4" weedless HBs .
The first fish landed on the new out fit was a nice Mondy barra of around a meter ......... the fish was managed & turned fairly easily - yes a really good mid weight out fit.
Several other 70s & 80s were encountered at Awoonga ......... which the rod handled with no fuss till lures were either thrown or leader broken .
42523
in summary ...... The rod is a cracker , extremely light & comfortable to use ....... At 6'6" the rod is long enough to offer a good casting base but short enough to take advantage of leverage during the last moments of a fight :) Mated with a quality light baitcaster ...... you have a rod that is smick to use with plastics & HBs around points/weed beds- no dramas throwing it all day........... In Fact it was very hard to pick to pick up my Loomis / Zillion combo & use it inplace of the Samurai::) . ......
The only downside is - As the outfit worked so well with the HLC - I better get another Samurai for the Steez :P ;)
Cheers
Chris
The rod was to be mated with my Steez 103 but the delay in my new Erskine drag upgrades meant that I had a chance to fish the rod with my new HLC Zillion.
within just a few casts ...... I was singing its praises - both rod & reel :) It was easy to throw long casts throwing lures like X rap walks & 5 & 6 inch hollowbellies .......... I was even managing reasonable casts throwing 4" weedless HBs .
The first fish landed on the new out fit was a nice Mondy barra of around a meter ......... the fish was managed & turned fairly easily - yes a really good mid weight out fit.
Several other 70s & 80s were encountered at Awoonga ......... which the rod handled with no fuss till lures were either thrown or leader broken .
42523
in summary ...... The rod is a cracker , extremely light & comfortable to use ....... At 6'6" the rod is long enough to offer a good casting base but short enough to take advantage of leverage during the last moments of a fight :) Mated with a quality light baitcaster ...... you have a rod that is smick to use with plastics & HBs around points/weed beds- no dramas throwing it all day........... In Fact it was very hard to pick to pick up my Loomis / Zillion combo & use it inplace of the Samurai::) . ......
The only downside is - As the outfit worked so well with the HLC - I better get another Samurai for the Steez :P ;)
Cheers
Chris