Your Unbiased Placcie Rod Verdict?

[Scalem]

Hi all.

" A fishing Rod only needs to be good enough to catch you the fish" in the hands of someone who knows how to use one. How true is this statement? If I wanted to better the fishing experience by using a lighter, more sensitive rod than my trusty 7ft glass blank that is at least 20 yrs old, why do I need to spend huge amounts of money to upgrade for plastics? If I was to buy a decent plastics rod, there is so much to choose from.

Someone I know loves the Shimano Raider,another loves the ( I think the spelling is right) reddington, another would go an Egrill, and there's the Loomis $150.00 guarantee. I would spend over $200.00 if I can be confident of getting a rod that will "blow me away" more than the fish I chase. If I am already having a ball of fun on Snapper, why should I spend more money on a new rod? Will it really make that much difference?

Opinions?


Scalem


P.S No I am not going back to bait before anyone decides to try humour this thread

[turley]

It's very much IMHO how much you are prepared to lay down initially. Spend 300+ and you get great service, a replacement garantee and a nice rod to work with. Spend less than that and you get a nice rod, don't get to pick the exact characteristics as much (less options), have to pay more for replacements, heavier, not as sensitve but you dont' have to pay the initial amount. You are also not generally going to cry if you break your cheaper rod aswell....

Best option, is to use a bit of both. I have a Blackdiamond Clearcut 1-3kg and a nitro crankbait which are both 300+ rods and use them as I enjoy them but, I am always careful with them. For creek bashing, kayak fishing I have a shimano rack raider which is a great rod for the money, but if I break it, I am not about to cry about it as it wasn't the huge expense. I also chose a raider barra mauler as again it is in the sticks/rocks for barra and cod, specially walking/climbing in Northern NSW it can get a knocked around a bit so, I didnt' spend as much.

For the application you have said, I woudl say the biggest difference you will feel from your old fibreglass is the sensitivity of a graphite rod, especially if you chose a fast taper rod.

[dagwood]

Scalem, I am pretty new to plastics and just shouted myself a new 6'6 Berkley Dropshot as per previous thread. I have other older rods that I have been using but broke the tip off my favourite. Have found that a rod, whether old or new, either feels comfortable to use for various fishing methods or it doesnt. Mainly fish plastics in the creeks at present but have just bought new 4.45 Stessco and hope to have a go at Snapper (I have never caught one) this year. Some of my older rods will have to suffice once I come to grips with what gear is suitable for this species. Any tips will be greatly appreciated.
Regards Darryl

[t4topcat]

Scalem,
I just purchased a ATC Hardstick 3-6kg 7' spinnerbait spin stick, they're graphite and from a bit of research I've found that the manufacturing side of the company is run by Bob Loomis (G's brother who after 19years in family business moved on apparently), they do have a range of models and they only cost $119.00 with a lifetime replacement warranty, if they fail under normal usage (at no cost from what I gathered from my tackle shop). The rods have a great finish feel crisp and responsive and they're decked out with full Fuji Componentry and cork grips.

Cheers

Chris

[blaze]

I got a hand line I will part with for a couple hundred, you wont get more in touch with your chosen quarry than with that, feel every little bump and I reckon with practice it would also work with them plastic things
cheers
blaze
ps am I shownin my age cause I am only a youngin

[BilgeBoy]

Scalem you gotta go get an Egrell IMO. These guys make a brilliant rod and are top people to talk to. Have a talk to Frank00...he will set you straight!!

Regards

BilgeBoy

[Deiter]

G'day Scalem. On the subject of rods and cost, I just bought 2 the other day. great to use on the spastics and they flick a 1/4 ounce jighead about 50 yards. They're 2.4m, carbon, light, sensitive, stiff enough tip to jig with a small twitch, cork grips, and the price? Well, lets just say the lot cost me less than $60.

Granted, the guides aren't silicon carbide, and its probably not going to last me 10 years, but not many carbon rods will. And i don't have to worry about it breaking/ dropping/ scratches etc. and that suits me fine. My first fish on plastics was on one of these rods 8 months ago, a little kingy of 6kg, caught on 6kg mono at the kneerings off Mooloolabah in a very rugged 14m of water.

I don't need expensive delicate rods anymore, not when these do the same job. I don't fish comps, so i am not after that extra 1 or 2%. I get 'em cheap coz i know the importer. I'll see if he will let me get rid of a few to Ausfishers' if your interested. Heck, for that price you can throw it away or give it to the kids if you don't like it.

cheers,
Damo

[Blackened]

G'day

I use a live fibre lightning strike 10, which is a 7' 2-4kg spinstick with cork grips.

I use to have a 6'uglystick and still fish with it but after going from a glass rod to the lightning, the difference is massive.

I performs really well for me and when you make the switch, you will wonder why you didn't before.

They retail around the $129, I got mine for around $65... I have contacts within wilsons

In the short, go and get yourself a quality dedicated plastics rod, they were designed for the job

Dave

[B_E_N]

just got 2 shimano sss 1-3kg, graphite rods ht eother day, nice 7' spins with cork, fuji guides and look great nice and light aswell, only $50 each!

[Jeremy87]

Yeh a good rod isn't going to necessarily catch you more fish, but it can make casting easier, reduce fight time, reduce wear on line etc. It all comes down to making your day out on the water easier and more enjoyable. It can also be a bit of a wank saying look at my shiny new rod and reel but i think everyone is guilty of that in one way or another. My advice if you want to spend some money on a rod is make a list of features that you want in a rod, and then go to as many tackle stores as you can and pick up and play around until you find one that you like, this could take a couple of weeks (do not walk in and buy the first and most expensive rod the salesman shoves in your hand). Don't get tied down with brand names, i for one feel that loomis is overpriced and in terms of componentry you don't get much bang for buck. There are alot of good australian made custom rods out there and you'd be surprised how far some of the mass produced rods have come. I recently opted for a pflueger medalist as a new light spin rod over the likes of loomis feeling that they were outright a better rod and nearly half the price as a bonus.

[Deiter]

Yeh a good rod isn't going to necessarily catch you more fish, but it can make casting easier, reduce fight time, reduce wear on line etc. It all comes down to making your day out on the water easier and more enjoyable. It can also be a bit of a wank saying look at my shiny new rod and reel but i think everyone is guilty of that in one way or another. My advice if you want to spend some money on a rod is make a list of features that you want in a rod, and then go to as many tackle stores as you can and pick up and play around until you find one that you like, this could take a couple of weeks (do not walk in and buy the first and most expensive rod the salesman shoves in your hand). Don't get tied down with brand names, i for one feel that loomis is overpriced and in terms of componentry you don't get much bang for buck. There are alot of good australian made custom rods out there and you'd be surprised how far some of the mass produced rods have come. I recently opted for a pflueger medalist as a new light spin rod over the likes of loomis feeling that they were outright a better rod and nearly half the price as a bonus.

Well said Jeremy, some good points made there, couldn't agree more.

[marty+jojo]

Get yourself as good a quality rod as you can afford,as they say "you get what you pay for". I own G.Loomis,E.Grell and Strudwick rods, all are good... the best... I like the E.Grells. You pay more for higher quality graphite and better components. The higher quality graphite translates to more sensitivity, quicker hook sets and further more accurate casts. My opinion anyway. For fishing sp's in the bay i use an E.Grell S2... 7foot 2-4kg 1piece with a Daiwa Sol 2000 with 6 pound fireline. My other rod is an E.Grell S4...7 foot 4-6kg 1 piece with a Daiwa Certate 2500 custom R with 10 pound fireline. I highly recomend them both.
Marty.

[Scalem]

Thanks for your replies Guys, I'll reply individually.

Best option, is to use a bit of both. I have a Blackdiamond Clearcut 1-3kg and a nitro crankbait which are both 300+ rods and use them as I enjoy them but, I am always careful with them.

Mate, this is the top end of the scale for me, but I have not seen or heard of these brands. Where are you located? You are right about the sensitivity of the rod, which should be the instant differentiator if I purchase one. I'd love to give your rods a test drive.

Scalem, I am pretty new to plastics and just shouted myself a new 6'6 Berkley Dropshot as per previous thread. I have other older rods that I have been using but broke the tip off my favourite. Have found that a rod, whether old or new, either feels comfortable to use for various fishing methods or it doesnt. Mainly fish plastics in the creeks at present but have just bought new 4.45 Stessco and hope to have a go at Snapper (I have never caught one) this year. Some of my older rods will have to suffice once I come to grips with what gear is suitable for this species. Any tips will be greatly appreciated.

I've heard the dropshot is a good choice too, now that you have the right gear (both boat and rod) feel free to drop me a line ( no Punn intended ) and I will give you any tips I know to help you, if new to the bay and Snapper. My personal opinion is that if you have used plastics in the creeks, you will be blown away at how easy the Snaps are to catch by comparison.

The rods have a great finish feel crisp and responsive and they're decked out with full Fuji Componentry and cork grips

Chris, this sounds a good deal, I am very interested in seeing one of these if they are similar quality. Can you PM or let me know where to see them?

I got a hand line I will part with for a couple hundred

LOL Throw in some rubber bicycle tubing and how could you resist a deal like that!!

Scalem you gotta go get an Egrell IMO. These guys make a brilliant rod and are top people to talk to. Have a talk to Frank00...he will set you straight!!
Regards
BilgeBoy

Who you been talking to Bilgeboy?? Don't answer that! I know, I have spies!! Frankoo was the person I was referring to when I said Egrel at the beginning. Why would I have bought some of Franks' gear at good prices ( one was a Wilson Live Fiber) because now he uses nothing else!!

Dave, Marty, Jeremy, all good advice and all good quality gear, I have run out of time setting up in the format above, still getting used to it, but thanks!


Scalem

[LostNearBribie]

Mate the ATC rods that are around at the moment are great value for money.
Light, great components etc.
There is another couple of posts on here about them.
Just another option.

[Noelm]

people where catching fish on cord and home made hooks long before any new age "thermo nuclear, triple black, chemicaly sharpened, double turned down eye" stuff was ever invented and it all worked and probably still would, it all comes down to money, advertising and enjoyment of your "sport" i have more gear than you could poke a stick at, but one of my favorite rods is a kind of cheapish Silstar 6 foot light action thing, that I use for bream from the boat, plastics wading and working the shore, Whiting with bait and a whole lot of other stuff, something YOU like and suits your needs is far better than anything some Celebrity is using on a fishing show but as with all sporting loves, you can never have enough equipment, and there is always something new out there that will hopefully make up for your lack of skill!