Soft Plastics Rod for Trout and other Beefy Reefies

[benno_r]

Fellow Ausfisher's,

I am looking for a 7 foot rod (or blank) suitable for heavy soft plastics work for trout and other brutish reef fish.

Looking to run 30-40lb line on a 5000 Twinpower. The rod must still be tippy enough to work lightish (5/8 - 3/4) jig heads, but beefy enough to turn the trout away from the reef.

Want the rod to be more of a casting style, than a jigging/bottom bouncing style rod.

Currently looking at the Samurai SP602 rod/blank, or possibly the St Croix 2SWC70MF blank. While Eric Grell is out of action, Egrell are a no go, as I don't like cork grips at all.

Thanks,
Ben

[TimD]

Was gonna say an Egrell Bear Essentials rod but as you say Eric is out of action.


For rods (not blanks) you could look at a Smith KGS 70MH or a cheaper option would be a Fin-Nor Ahab 7' 20-30lb or the 30-50lb rod (ask Horse about these rods there light with plenty of grunt)


cheers tim :)

[benno_r]

For rods (not blanks) you could look at a Smith KGS 70MH
cheers tim :)

Just found out that the Smith KGS 70MH is available as a blank, so I'll add that to the list too. Worried it might be a bit heavy though.

Cheers,
ben

[Si]

Just found out that the Smith KGS 70MH is available as a blank, so I'll add that to the list too. Worried it might be a bit heavy though.

Cheers,
ben

it shouldn't be too heavy being a 20lb rod i thought. if anything maybe too light for coral reefies. i will be interested in this thread. I have just purchased a Gary Howard built North Fork Composite SW768, rated to 30lb fast action for soft plastic work with reefies. i also wanted to cast with it too. While i havent used it, It feels a very nice rod and more than capable of turning a nice trout before they reef me.

[MattChew]

I'm wanting a rod of that ilk. Currently waiting for the new 2011 Saltiga S-Extreme 76 Game to show its face ... 7ft 6" PE 2-4 with a 14kg drag rating and will cast up to 90g ... Will be matched up with a 5k Stella or 4k Catalina.
Definitely worth a look for an off the shelf rod.

Ta
Matt

[benno_r]

it shouldn't be too heavy being a 20lb rod i thought. if anything maybe too light for coral reefies. i will be interested in this thread. I have just purchased a Gary Howard built North Fork Composite SW768, rated to 30lb fast action for soft plastic work with reefies. i also wanted to cast with it too. While i havent used it, It feels a very nice rod and more than capable of turning a nice trout before they reef me.

Just been checking some specs, and it says PE5?? That would be way too heavy, plus I have a Daiwa Demon Blood 64CJ for the mega heavy plastics. Looking for something a bit lighter and longer, say PE 2/3 max.

Thanks for the heads up on the SW768. That's on the list too! So is a CTS blank as well!

Cheers,
Ben

[Si]

Just been checking some specs, and it says PE5?? That would be way too heavy, plus I have a Daiwa Demon Blood 64CJ for the mega heavy plastics. Looking for something a bit lighter and longer, say PE 2/3 max.

Thanks for the heads up on the SW768. That's on the list too! So is a CTS blank as well!

Cheers,
Ben
oh ok, i did see 20lb reference to it with PE5 which is strange? I saw a 30lb bobby loomis gary howard rod at tackle warehouse for about 600. some of saltiga rods as mattchew said would be a good choice too. plenty of cheaper rods around too that would do the job.

The sw768 casts 1/2 to 3oz i think from memory.

[Daintreeboy]

The best factory rod in this class I've had the pleasure of holding in the Salitiga Hiramasa 63S. It's only 220 grams and is such a beautiful rod. Most of the tackle shop guys up here have got one and I can see why. If I didn't opt for a custom job I would have one of these. There are also the Catalina version (250 grams) and Seagate versions of the Hiramasa 63S plus the Combi Jerk range in all of the above but none I've seen match the Saltiga.

[benno_r]

Daintreeboy,

What did you get built instead of the Saltiga?

Cheers,
Ben

[Daintreeboy]

A big scale down in comparison. I got a Samurai NV8 built up. Also a little lighter line class but I'm more than happy. It's my favourite combo with the Stella 5000.