Rod Recomendation
Submitted by Paully on Wed, 2010-05-26 11:19
I know this seems to be a generic question and I apologise for that. However I am looking at getting a graphite rod - 8ft or thereabouts to be used mainly for popper/plug throwing and bait casting (mulies/gardies) from the stones, targeting mainly tailor. Im thinking of a line rating of up to 8kg, maybe 10kg. I'm willing to spend some good money i.e pay for quality. Im thinking that a 4500 size reel would be a good match with such rod. I made the decision to do this having just spent a few days bait casting at Chinamans (Kalbarri) with a 12ft glass rod and Pen 950ssm reel (Bloody hard work!!) Any advice appreciated. Thanks crew.
hlokk
Posts: 4290
Date Joined: 04/04/08
Might need to specify good
Might need to specify good money. Can think of one that would be perfect but not cheap.
Paully
Posts: 3246
Date Joined: 15/08/09
What are your thoughts mate
I don't want to pay several hundred dollars !!
Paully
Posts: 3246
Date Joined: 15/08/09
I was considering checking out
the Xzoga mastery range!!
garethgkr
Posts: 317
Date Joined: 16/12/09
starlo stix
i have one and it hasn't failed on me.
Paully
Posts: 3246
Date Joined: 15/08/09
Thanks garethgkr
I believe they are reasonably cheap as well, thanks again.
hlokk
Posts: 4290
Date Joined: 04/04/08
Well there goes my
Well there goes my suggestion of a dorado 80s which would be perfect :p smith make some nice stuff too.
The Starlo stix (as mentioned) are cheap and have a lot of fans so would be worth looking at. 9' but not that that's a bad thing in this case. There's the nexave southern spin which is a bit heavier rated.
Have a look at the hearty rise syphlys as well ( should be some on special at tackleshack this weekend). Hearty rise do some others like the seabass but depends how heavy lures you want to chuck. Then there's the catalinas but I forget what the lightest size is. Pretty sure there's a daiwa saltwater and sol available in 8' too and about the right line rating. There's a few 7'6 rods as well (e.g. The raiders).
If only 8-10kg line, a 4000 sized reel will be a fair bit lighter and hence nicer if you're casting lures all day.
hlokk
Posts: 4290
Date Joined: 04/04/08
(double post)
(double post)
Paully
Posts: 3246
Date Joined: 15/08/09
Thanks Hlokk
Who builds Dorado, never heard of them and what sort of money, do you know. I'm guessing I shouldn't get tied in knots over this, just a bit hard when there are so many options I guess.
hlokk
Posts: 4290
Date Joined: 04/04/08
It's a daiwa saltiga rod and
It's a daiwa saltiga rod and as for price, if you need to ask....
Paully
Posts: 3246
Date Joined: 15/08/09
Thanks mate
Just did a search, discovered they are a saltiga rod. I'm actually thinking now - Well should have said initially, that I actually prefer a 1 piece rod and with cork grips. Having said that, from what i have read (If that's any guide) those Dorados sure do sound good. I'd be prepared to forgo the cork grips if it came to the crunch, would still prefer a 1 pc though.
Paully
Posts: 3246
Date Joined: 15/08/09
I am aware
that I will need to go into a shop and get a feel for few different rods before I shell out, that's obvious I guess. Iv'e been told by the minister of finance I can get a Certate to put on a rod if I want one, so that's a good start.
hlokk
Posts: 4290
Date Joined: 04/04/08
Excellent reel - would be my
Excellent reel - would be my choice.
Most 8' rods are likely to be two piece so not sure how many you'll find that are single piece. You'll find for most decent rods that the join is in a reasonable place and isn't really a disadvantage (plus you can store them a lot easier once they start getting over 7' and under). Best bet is trying them out as you mentioned. Just don't discount 2 piece rods (especially as it would reduce your rod choice a lot)
Paully
Posts: 3246
Date Joined: 15/08/09
No worries mate
Yes I am beginning to think, I am cutting down my choices wanting a 1 pc. Might have to buckle and look at the 2 pc's as you suggest. Thanks
hlokk
Posts: 4290
Date Joined: 04/04/08
Also don't discount non-cork
Also don't discount non-cork grips. While some foam grips are spongy and large, a lot of better quality graphite rods have very lightweight grips that are still reasonably hard so you still have good sensation. Eg the grips used on the saltwater or saltigas. So worth at least having a feel before discounting
Davy_G
Posts: 525
Date Joined: 17/03/09
can't say i have ever used
can't say i have ever used one, but from what i have seen and heard, the starlo stik gets my vote. getting one for myself soon
Paully
Posts: 3246
Date Joined: 15/08/09
Gday Davy_G
Thanks, you know I have never heard anyone say a bad thing about the starlo stix, for a rod in the price range that it is.
ruste13
Posts: 249
Date Joined: 07/02/10
hey paully, were you up
hey paully,
were you up at kalbarri with a bloke called justin??
The starlo stix are fantastic value for money, i use mine with a symetry 4000 but will be upgrading that soon, you should be able to pick up a 9 footer for about 100 bucks.
i can cast lures with that all day long and will handle a 2oz rhicter no problems, 20 pound braid is a nice match up from the shore but the rod fast enough to go lighter if you want.
They come with cork grips which is nice, and are a 2 peice which i prefer as it makes carting rods aroung heaps eaiser and means that you can stop at the pub on the way home and not worry about somone lifting off the roof rack.
hlokk has give you some really good suggestions if you want to get somthing a bit better quality, and from reading his posts on forums for sometime would trust his advice.
take it easy and good luck.
hlokk
Posts: 4290
Date Joined: 04/04/08
Sure you're not confusing me
Sure you're not confusing me with someone else, haha. Mostly just info I've found that might help rather than specific recomnendations. Went through the process of finding pretty much the same rod, though for mostly boat based casting (had nothing right length and casting weight) and settled on the 80s and have been very happy with it. The sylphys were my other choice (but didn't have exact model and didnt have time to pick up before a trip).
A few other things to consider: 9' will give you better casting range from the shore which can be quite useful. Also consider the rod grip arrangement, some have quite a long butt configuration. One thing I like about the saltiga is that it's a bit shorter so easier to use one handed. On the other side though, some rods have longer grips which make casting further a lot easier (I know my 9' can fling a lure 90m or so for example). However, longer butt rods mean they can be harder to work (have to hold under my arm rather than in front). Not so bad for poppers, metals/plugs just mean you need to hold it under your arm but lures or plastics are a lot harder to work. Just my personal findings. It depends how you like holding a rod and how long your arms are :p just something to be aware of perhaps so you can find a rod that siota you best
Paully
Posts: 3246
Date Joined: 15/08/09
Gday ruste13
No mate, I was with my bro in law, who's name is Paul also. I intend spending a lot more time there especially as the greenbacks come on the chew. Are you from Kalbarri?? You might have read my post where I said I wanted a 1 pc rod, have always preferred them but now I am starting to realise that a 2 pc will probably be the way to go. Like I said, I have yet to hear a bad thing about the Starlo Stix, they are going to have to come into the equation now I guess. I did handle a couple some time ago in a shop and there was just something about them that wasn't quite right form me, cant really put my finger on it though, i know that sounds strange, but true!!
Kris
Posts: 194
Date Joined: 03/09/09
Look into the Xzoga range
Look into the Xzoga range mate, Got the a Mastery in a 10ft and love it!!!
Ben Derecki
Posts: 1926
Date Joined: 10/10/07
few of ours
I took an 8ft Lemax Black Rose chasing salmon in April, it would be perfect for what you're looking for.
The tip is light enough for flicking unweighted or lightly weighted mulies but still suitable for larger hardbodies like X-Raps and 1-2oz Richter Plugs. At the same time it's got some real grunt in the bottom half of the rod when it loads up. A few guys here use them and I'm sure they could vouch for their quality.
There are a couple of Ajiking rods which would be suitable too - the Sonar and the Sonic. Both are pretty similar and are light but ballsy rods.
I've heard a lot of good feedback on the Starlos like a few others are saying above, haven't used them but not sure if it's the sort of rod I'd be putting a Certate on...
Paully
Posts: 3246
Date Joined: 15/08/09
Thanks Kris & Ben
Im going to do my head in over this, well nearly. Plenty to think about,, thanks again.
Johnyy_Boii
Posts: 328
Date Joined: 20/04/09
also look at the lemax
also look at the lemax range, I have a 9ft lemax president royal and love it, very light and strong, for around $150 you cant complain.
jono.s
Posts: 440
Date Joined: 27/07/09
I've got the 8 ft Daiwa
I've got the 8 ft Daiwa saltwater and it sounds like what ur looking for it's very light and casts a mile . Good for tailor and salmon
Dale
Posts: 7930
Date Joined: 13/09/05
I've got an exceptional rod
I've got an exceptional rod for this type of fishing but alas, the blanks are no longer made like this one, a Sabre GF220, a truly magnificent rod that has tamed some very big fish, rated 8-10kg.:)
Cheers
Dale
"Just because you are a Character, Doesn't mean you have Character."
Mr Wolf
Kris
Posts: 194
Date Joined: 03/09/09
Got the Lemax Black Rose as
Got the Lemax Black Rose as well, awesome rod and it's the size your after.
Paully
Posts: 3246
Date Joined: 15/08/09
Thanks fellas
AAaagghhhh - This is not getting any easier. hehehe. thanks very much fellas, for your input. I want to sort this out quick and get me some greenbacks at Kalbarri !!