Saragosa 18000...which rod ??

[charaid]

Hi guys,

Am new to the forum (but a long term viewer) and I must say the information/expertise available here is as good if not better than even the best tackle shop.


I am looking for a rod to match to a Saragosa 18000 with 65lb braid. I will b using the rod from a boat on hopefully a variety of applications but primarily livebaiting ,bottom bouncing and trolling. We target kingfish mainly on inshore reefs (I am located in Sydney) , but will also use the rod for bottom bashing in up to 100m of water (snapper leads up to 16oz). I haven’t tried jigging but wouldn’t mind giving that a go as well but I would suspect that this type of fishing would not account for more than 10% of its use.

I’ve searched around the forums and visited a few tackleshops and the rods that seem to fit the bill all seem to fall into that jig spin category, namely (and in no order of preference ) :


WILSON LIVE FIBRE RLFSSTXVS350G DEEP JIG VENOM SPIN ROD
DAIWA MONSTER MESH MAX MXS531-250 SPIN JIG ROD
SHIMANO T CURVE DEEP JIG 200 SPIN ROD
Crystal Blue Power Tip CB-601JSH 6’ 1 HEAVY 25-30kg JIG SPIN
Fin-Nor Offshore 80lb Overhead 6' 37kg
Saltist Demon Blood DB 56-6/8 Spin 167cm Heavy Regular 210-350g PE 6-8


The rod cannot be soft in the tip as dangling 350 gram leads can be an issue…
I want a rod that can put some serious pressure on a decent king (with the rod doing the majority of the work and not me !!) and to be able to bottom fish as well…Im thinking of something around the 6 to 6.5 ft, some of those jig spin rods come in at around the 5.5ft (168cm) .

I would appreciate your expertise on this as I am going around in circles..:'( ..Am I completely off the track with the above rods ? Are there better/more suitable rods that will fit the bill ?

So I guess I am asking for your opinions on what you think would be appropiate.. (let me know if I have left out important info)

My budget is up to $400 approx..


Thanks in advance …



Kev

[Tangles]

Have a look at the Gary Howard GF700 Grafighter Series, quite an alrounder,

http://www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/showthread.php?150366-Calstar-GF700-Series-Experience&highlight=gary+howard+calstar

[charaid]

Havent seen this one as yet but certainly will do..thanks Aigutso

[Billy C]

For what you're after the T-curve 200 jig spin - you can't go wrong.

[Blythy]

I have the 350g live fiber with the 14000/18000 saragosa on it and it goes bloody well, i find the reel can get a bit heavy after a day but it's got the ticker to stop just about anything

[Giveitacrack]

I have the 18000 with the previous model Shimano Jigwrex.I did not like the poxy exposed blank thing on the grip of the new model.A well balanced combo that you can jig,troll and livebait with.

[Horse]

If you like the T-Curve deep jigs then you should be looking at the 400 series if you are dropping 16oz regularly. The 200 series are great rods but struggle to fully pull the kinks out of 50lb never mind 65lb

[thylacene]

For what you're after the T-curve 200 jig spin - you can't go wrong.

Second that, have exactly that outfit, great hd all rounder, 80lb braid, biggest fight it's had was a king with a seal attached, in the end the seal jumped and landed on the line with the drag locked solid and busted off.

[charaid]

Thanks guys for all the input...I went to our local TackleWorld and BCFs and went through a few sticks....

I looked at the Silstar JSH, the Fin-nor, Monster Mesh Max, the Demon blood and T curve Jig spin 200..All are good rods and I dont think you could go wrong with either of them...

Loaded up, they all had a distinct parobolic character to them and the entire stick down to the butt was in full use.. Have to say though that the standouts (IMHO) were the Silstar stick and Fin-nor in the 80lb.. both 6 footers...the Demon blood in the Pe 6/8 is also a very good stick,tough as nails but at 5ft 6" was a little short for me. The least expensive was the Silstar, but it didnt feel as though it was any less able to complete the task...The Fin-nor 80lb weighed bugger all as well...

Didnt have a chance to give the LF Venom a go...but have read that these rods are absolute bullet proof

so decisions decisions....I'll have to give them all another go and see

thanks again for all the advice...I'll give the Tcurve 200/400 another go as it got a couple of thumbs up here..will keep you posted...

Kev

[Horse]

The Fin-Nors are a great option. where did you get to try an 80lb spin as they are few and far between

[Scott79]

Hi Kev,
I ended up getting the Calstar GF700H, as mentioned in a link someone posted. I do like the rod alot, but I actually think there are others better suited to your needs. I specifically wanted the extra length to do some popping with.
I haven't tried most of the rods you mentioned, but I do have a Tcurve 200 which I run 50 pound on, and I have used the 400 also. I think if you are fishing 80 then the 400 is the pick, out of those 2 anyway.

Scott.

### Edit ### Just read you are using 65pound not 80, I still recommend the Tcurve 400 over the 200 in this line class, especially for those big jigs.

[whiteman]

I have the tcurve 200 and 400. My 18000 started out on the 200 but it now sits on the 400 - a much better match for bottom bashing the reef with 8oz lead.

[poshmed]

I have two saragosa 1800's on fin nor off shore spin rods and have to say they make excellent rigs, handle everything thrown at them. Ian
Both rods 80 lbs

[Lancair]

Dragging up an old thread.

I have exactly the same question as the original poster, except I have a T-Curve Jig Spin 200 and while its an awesome rod and has been my most used offshore, it is a little lacking for more than 8-12oz of lead. I was using mine today with a Spheros 18000 and 50lb braid in 85m with 16oz to get down in the current and it was too soft.

What is the pick of the current crop of jig rods ? Has anyone tried the Terez Jig Spin rods ?
I have a new Saragosa 18000 waiting for braid and a rod.

[Tangles]

I have the Wilson Venom 350 and love it, a lot of the boys are using the 450 for bottom bashing as well

Mike

[warti]

Mate, I was pretty happy with the Finn nor 50lbs jig rod until I snapped it the other day. Has an 8000 Stella on it and 30lbs braid. Not happy jan. If it didnt break i would own more of them. i dont think you can go past a live fibre either. i love them.went and seen a local bloke who tells me he has heard of a few of the snapping aswell. I have now ordered a custom rod for not too much more than some of those rods mentioned. (Mid $400).