30lb Stand up blank for Marlin fishing - Calstar v Seeker
Submitted by Tagman on Mon, 2009-05-04 11:59
I want to make up my own 30lb game rod for hitting the marlin at Exmouth and I am after some advice about the right blank to buy.
I am looking for a rod that will end up 6'6" including gimbal with a moderate action - I prefer a rod that bends more than the top one third.
Calstar look like the goods - highly rated - I was thinking about a Black West Coast E Glass blank - BRT30, RT30 or T500.
Seeker have got a few options as well - MLB30, T555, BT30 and JB70.
Can anyone help and tell me what they know of these rods and their suitability, plus any other potential blanks from other suppliers.
Cheers,
Tagman.
SHizz
Posts: 1556
Date Joined: 07/08/05
Hastings might be another
Hastings might be another brand worth looking at, I have one built up for 50lb and its mint. Very similar to the Calstar.
Tagman
Posts: 3
Date Joined: 29/04/09
Marlin Blank
Do Hastings do moderate action / taper and standard glass - not composite?
vuking1
Posts: 9
Date Joined: 01/03/09
blanks
You could also look at the lemax barbarian blanks.I amcurrently building one up for LBG it is rated at 50 lb has a fast action and suits casting, its weight is lighter than the seeker and some calstar blanks
Paul N
Posts: 480
Date Joined: 09/11/06
Re Blank
The Skipper and crew you go to Exmouth with are that good , all you need is a 6'6" tagpole and they will do the rest for you. lol
Any day fishing is a great day !!
sunshine
Posts: 2555
Date Joined: 03/03/09
Sabre
Would be my recommendation
RobN
Posts: 14
Date Joined: 15/04/07
Marlin Fishing
Sounds like you are right into Marlin fishing Tagman.
I can only imagine how many big blue and black marlin you have landed over the years, and the stories you could tell.
Any tips you could offer would be appreciated.
By the sound of the rod you are building you must have a keen sense, a delicate touch and maybe a slight height impairment. Something, I,m sure your skipper could fix by supplying a box for you to stand on.
Paul N
Posts: 480
Date Joined: 09/11/06
Nice One
Nice one Skipper.
Is there a rod length limit , or a crew height requirement on the charter ??
Any day fishing is a great day !!
Tagman
Posts: 3
Date Joined: 29/04/09
Skipper, your right - I've
Skipper, your right - I've hooked some monsters over my time and alas when I recount the stories to others its a tale of woe.
I remember hooking my first black marlin and the then tagman (now crew), took hold of the leader and came up empty handed - claimed that I had been fighting for 4 hours on my 20lb outfit against a peice of seaweed.
I remember hooking another giant black on a gardie back of the reef at Exmouth - the fish took off like a bat out of hell and all the skipper could do was look at me in awe. After about 5 minutes and my TLD25 almost spooled of 20lb line, the skipper decided that we should give chase - at about 50Mph. Needless to say we had a belly of line in the water the size of Subiaco oval and wow - the fish managed to get off - good one skipper.
I could tell more stories, but I'm in tears as I write this, just thinking about the loss of these monsters.
My tip - get hold of a great skipper and a great crew and hang on to them - I'm still trying to equate the word great with both my skipper and crew. I count my season based on how many Marlin they have lost for me, rather than the number that we land.
The box - okay so I may not be 6'2", but I certainly don't weigh 135Kg undressed (what a sight) - looks like Mr PuffinFresh at the wheel. And when I move from one side of the boat to another it doesn't tip over as if we are about to get swamped - its a hard day on the boat when you spend your time hanging off the outrigger to the balance the boat.
Paul N
Posts: 480
Date Joined: 09/11/06
OK Fair comment
Skippers have a knack of finding the biggest waves , the most baron ground and think nothing of working the crew into the ground . Insult the skipper at your own risk but leave the poor old crew alone.
If not for the skill and professionalism of the crew you would probably have lost that seaweed as well .
Moving the balast around is an integral part of game fishing. Most are aware of this but the arty farty nancy boys tend to shy away from hanging of the outriggger ( MAN UP or MAN OVERBOARD )
Tip No 1. When the skipper backs down on a fish , try winding in some line.
Tip No 2. We can only find you the fish - we can't catch them for you.
Tip No 3. Refer to tip's 1 & 2 .
Any day fishing is a great day !!
RobN
Posts: 14
Date Joined: 15/04/07
Gee. The SydneySider is a
Gee. The SydneySider is a little touchy.
Anyway, what's the problem.
I always got you back to the ramp, maybe a little bit worse for wear and a little damp, but at least in one piece.
I know when the water swishes around your feet(In a 6m Tinny) it can be a little bit of a concern. But I now remember to turn the bilge pump on, so it's all good.
Just remember the alternative. Beach Fishing.
I wonder what the BillFishing is like from the Beach.
I have heard of sailfish just out the front of exmouth marina.
Might be worth investigating further tagman.
Have to leave it there mate.
I'm off to the Gym.
barneyboy
Posts: 1392
Date Joined: 08/01/09
Have a sabre e glass. 6455
Have a sabre e glass. 6455 its 5ft 6 in but they do longer. love it. nice light tip with a progressive curve that stops about a 20cm from the front grip. a cut 670 could be the go.
FEEEISH ONNN!!!
mako magic
Posts: 5785
Date Joined: 03/08/05
ive got the 6455's as well i
ive got the 6455's as well i think up to the xxh's and they are top stand up rods, i love the sabres, about to build a new one soon myself atm
The Tackle shack, for all your fishing needs
huge range of stock to suit any fisherperson.
PH:9248 3800 unit 3/11 Alexander drive Malaga
sunshine
Posts: 2555
Date Joined: 03/03/09
Agree a 670
With only an inch or two (sorry 40-50mm) cut off the tip - I have a 670 and can state that I have had a black alongside the boat capable of being either gaffed or tagged .....................Exmouth in the 70's ...........trouble was the boat was only 12.5 feet long, the 15hp Johno was running flat out just to stay alongside. Fight lasted many sea miles, we left the anchor attached to one of two life jackets on board to give chase, and it was hooked on a floating mulie at the third attempt, it had bill hit the first three of the flexi-gang before dropping back line had secured the hookup. Total length of the fish including bill was only a fraction short of the boat.
Can still clearly see the look in it's eye before it finally bill wrapped the trace and vanished in the distance. SPECIAL!