Soft Plastics Rod - What's good?
Submitted by DazSamFishing on Sun, 2011-06-12 11:11
I've been in the market for a soft plastics rod for a while now. Still unsure what to buy.
Here's some info on the type of application it needs to be suited to:
south: snapper/dhu/baldies & occassional rat; north: tuna, queenies, reefies etc
2500/3000/4000 sized reel (certate/stella)
Line: pe1.5 - pe2
Length: min. 6'6"; max 7'
Jig weight: 0.5oz - 1.5oz
I currently use a daiwa saltwater 7' which I find quite ordinary (I've actually been using a light pe2 jig rod to better effect)
I've also looked at some gloomis rods, but they didn't really stand out.
I'd appreciate some suggestions. Budget: up to $500
Daz
Dale
Posts: 7930
Date Joined: 13/09/05
I've got the Shimano Starlo
I've got the Shimano Starlo Stick that I use for most of my placky stuff, this is the Campbells link to it.
http://www.campbellsprotackle.com/store/product.asp?ID=4239
Cheers
Dale
"Just because you are a Character, Doesn't mean you have Character."
Mr Wolf
DazSamFishing
Posts: 1518
Date Joined: 19/08/09
I should also mention, I'm
I should also mention, I'm trying to steer away from the short 'bream' like grips. This may be where I need to make a compromise though.
till
Posts: 9358
Date Joined: 21/02/08
Shimano T Curve Saltwater
Shimano T Curve Saltwater Spin 5-10kg
Smith KGS Series?
I think there is also a Samurai 7' I'd like to have built up for same.
Brody
Posts: 1024
Date Joined: 06/02/07
Okuma Trinus is a good one to
Okuma Trinus is a good one to look at, at the cheaper end but a nice rod. The Samurai 402 10-20lb is excellent,but maxes out your budget.
hlokk
Posts: 4290
Date Joined: 04/04/08
Will be interesting to see
Will be interesting to see what the replies are. Wouldnt mind a similar rod myself. I have a saltwater too and its a brilliant rod, but due to its very fast action it sucks majorly for deep plastics. I have a identical rated tierra that is much better as the action is much more akin to a jigging rod, so at least using those two I recon something that has a jigging rod curve is what you want. What rod that would be in that length I dont know. Question is though, is how much will you be flinging plastics with it? The ideal actions for topwater and bottom are going to be different hence some compromise somewhere.
At least have a look at the saltigas as there are a few rods that would suit the specs at least. E.g. the old 70s, whatever the new equivalent is. The saltiga bay jigger could be an interesting one to try out as theres not a lot of difference between a 1.5oz jighead and a 1.5oz bay rubber. Probably wouldnt excel at casting though.
Otherwise, just get a salty fighter. I know it might not be expensive enough, but its perfectly suited :p
DazSamFishing
Posts: 1518
Date Joined: 19/08/09
the rod I'm after will be a
the rod I'm after will be a dedicated soft plastics rod - when north, I can also use it for top water soft plastics. The saltwater however, I find better for top water light stickbaits & poppers. I find it useless for lighter plastics work. I've even used the saltwater for jigging 75g cap kids & it's performed admirably, despite it's 7' length.
I should also mention, I'd like to purchase a rod locally - I have a $300 credit note for allboats which I've had for almost a year.
hlokk
Posts: 4290
Date Joined: 04/04/08
Just saying that a bottom
Just saying that a bottom plastics rod you're looking for could be quite different from a topwater plastics rod. If you're keeping the saltwater as well for the heavier stuff (would agree that its better for lures around the 30g range, but 1/2oz'ers still go pretty damn well IMO) then would be a lot easier picking a rod. To me, the preferred actions are different as I like a more progressive jigging style rod when using deep plastics, but for more surface stuff i like a lot faster action rod with more twitching finesse. They kind of work against each other unfortunately. You could get one to do both no problems, and do one great and the other well. Just my personal preference for a topwater plastics rod would be something like the saltwater (which really sucks for deepwater stuff).
For allboats (and in general), i'd strongly suggest at least looking at the KGS as Jamie mentioned. Might be a little over budget, but at least you'd knock over the credit note and less money out of pocket. TBH, it should definitely be on a shortlist regardless of the above q's. Awesome rods. Rats, now I want one, haha.
Brucesta
Posts: 1721
Date Joined: 29/05/09
i quite like the action of
i quite like the action of the Fin Nor Ahab Spin rods for SP's, a mate has one and i'd prefer that over my PE1-3 monstermesh as it's a little taller.
Las Vegas - Rolling the dice and trying your luck. 1M+ Barra summer target. 100kg Black Marlin winter target
JohnF
Posts: 2836
Date Joined: 07/07/10
Onya Daz, i am after the
Onya Daz, i am after the same. My 7ft Tierra has too short a butt, and the jig rods too long a butt. My young blokes salty fighter is nice for Softies, but a bit short......ahhhhhh, very hard to work out the best rod for this application.
Boston Whaler 235 Conquest......getting the flogging it was built for.
Albee Mangles
Posts: 985
Date Joined: 20/05/08
I have a Nitro Viper
JoRn
Posts: 368
Date Joined: 20/11/07
Daz, I use the Smith KGS 68.
Daz,
I use the Smith KGS 68. I find its pretty good for SP work. Have it matched to a 5000 stella which is really nice.
Can be had for much cheaper then what the shops sell her for approx 400ish
Ryan C
Posts: 1575
Date Joined: 08/07/10
64cj(combi jerk)
the 64 combi jerk in either the saltiga or the cheaper demon blood range are very nice!! i have a demon blood 64cj and it is sweet, also the tcurve 701 snapper 1 piece is sweet i have my 4000 stella on one and it has caught a lot of big fish , decent grips on both options too! cheers
DazSamFishing
Posts: 1518
Date Joined: 19/08/09
thanks for all your input.
thanks for all your input. I'll have to check out the samurai, tcurve & nitro viper. The KGS68 doesn't fit my application. It's a rod suited to heavier line class & probably better balanced with a 5000shim/4000daiwa.
appreciate some more suggestions if there are any out there.
slam
Posts: 168
Date Joined: 09/09/09
Agree with Ryan
The 64 cj is a great rod for deep plastics & flicking a stick bait around. Got mine matched with a Sol 4000. Will be testing it out soon in Exmouth!! Bring it on!
Lucky Tim
Posts: 2536
Date Joined: 28/11/07
I can vouch for the Nitro
I can vouch for the Nitro Viper and the T-Curve 5-10. I'm running the latter and like it a lot but have also knocked over some real nice fish on SP using the Viper including GT's and dhuies. Both more suited to the 4000 reels though.
kane
Posts: 1752
Date Joined: 07/12/08
Been considering getting
A 3000 morethan branzino reel and matching morethan branzino rod for this purpose as well as barra lure use, only just started looking but might be a light option that would work well? What do the soft plastic experts think?????
Gooooone Fishin!
Bodie
Posts: 3758
Date Joined: 05/11/07
im int he same boat, but im
im int he same boat, but im yet to decide on the reel as well.
Line class is around the 25-30LB
Application is for bottom plastics fishing in metro waters, and shallower plastics fishing in the northern waters.
It's either the Stella 5000 - or 8000, but im guessing the 8000 will be too big for what im looking for.
Downfall is the 5000 is high speed retrieve which i wanted to stay away from!
till
Posts: 9358
Date Joined: 21/02/08
A stella 8k is a 50lb reel at
A stella 8k is a 50lb reel at least.
There are Stella SW 4k PG, 5k PG or HG and 6k PG reels available.
Or you could go the new Daiwa Saltiga 3500 or 4k.
Bodie
Posts: 3758
Date Joined: 05/11/07
not on the simano AU
not on the simano AU site?
overseas maybe? 6k prob would be spot on!
hlokk
Posts: 4290
Date Joined: 04/04/08
None of the stellas Jamie
None of the stellas Jamie mentioned are available in AUS. Go go Shimano!
spanishmackeral
Posts: 940
Date Joined: 05/01/11
They're the jap ones aren't
They're the jap ones aren't they?
Mitch Keys
Posts: 83
Date Joined: 27/01/11
Daiwa Certate
The new Daiwa certates have the same drag system as the Salitigas and are abit cheaper, otherwise the stellas would be Boss.
Soft plastics + Light Gear = Big Fish + Big Fun
--Marine Biologist (UWA), Worked at BCF for 3.5yrs--
Paul G
Posts: 5215
Date Joined: 12/12/07
Lol you guys need to go to
Lol you guys need to go to KMart and check there rods out .we have some good plastic rods and only cost $20. The fish don't give a rats what rod you use..plastics will work just hanging 4m of the bottom True but I guess the pic looks better when your holding a $300 rod.
Active Gyp-Rok solutions ,Residential and commercial ceilings and walls
hlokk
Posts: 4290
Date Joined: 04/04/08
True the fish doesnt care
True the fish doesnt care about the rod, but using a nice rod makes it such a more enjoyable experience fighting the fish.
Paul G
Posts: 5215
Date Joined: 12/12/07
I haven't noticed the fish
I haven't noticed the fish fight any different on cheap rods they still go hard.i must say I do have one good rod and reel .but don't use it much unless its droping the fish down on the release weight .it the only reel that will pull the 100oz of lead back to the top
Active Gyp-Rok solutions ,Residential and commercial ceilings and walls
hlokk
Posts: 4290
Date Joined: 04/04/08
Its not that the fish fight
Its not that the fish fight differently, its that it feels differently through the rod for the angler. In much the same way a old bomb and a nice luxury sedan will get you to the same location, but ones going to be more enjoyable than the other. Though, some dont care or see what the fuss is about.
As long as you're having fun, it doesnt matter. I just find nice rods and nice reels more fun (that being said, two of my favourites are about $100, not massively expensive).
MattMiller
Posts: 4171
Date Joined: 15/06/09
Good point Paul
and your dead right but for some of these guys even a $300 rod is an elcheap heap of shit
Don't get it myself.
DazSamFishing
Posts: 1518
Date Joined: 19/08/09
what's there not to get?
what's there not to get?
Quality counts. Whether it be; how the rod works a popper, a stickbait, a soft plastic, a jig, a lure being trolled (skirts, jetheads or hardbodies), there are rods out there suited to a specific application or variety of applications. Ultimately, there are rods that do better than others.
Sure there's a multitude of inexpensive glass or low quality graphite rods, however, I'd prefer to use a rod I can rely on (whether that be how the rod can handle & fight a fish, cast a lure or work a lure). I'm sure others would agree to... actually, I know others share the same reasoning.
Lets also talk reels; why do some choose to purchase a good quality reel?
Rods & reels go hand in hand too.
That'd be like fitting a high flow turbo without a high flow exhaust. Or, driving a performance car & filling it up with 91 RON ulp. Or, towing a 3 tonne boat with a toyota camry. Or, head out to town with the blokes & forget to check out the birds.
MattMiller
Posts: 4171
Date Joined: 15/06/09
Don't get me wrong
in a perfect world we'd all used $1000 rods and $1000 reels but most of us arn't blessed with an endless budget.
My thoughts are that you don't have to use this stuff to catch fish and have fun doing so nor am I saying you should use Kmart specials either.
A setup that is mid-range and good quality eg. $300-800 can be just as much fun to use and just as suitable. Personally highend gear is less fun due to the stress levels involved with being careful with it.
Not having a go Daz just my opion.
DazSamFishing
Posts: 1518
Date Joined: 19/08/09
No harm done Matt. I wasn't
No harm done Matt. I wasn't having a dig either. As Troy said, each to their own.
I actually remember fishing Exxy in 2009, ended up using a 100lb handline as my rod & reel couldn't cop the punishment.
MattMiller
Posts: 4171
Date Joined: 15/06/09
Yeah mate,
everyone different opions are what makes this site great.
To be honest I have only ever use a couple of higher end $1000rrp+ setups and while I was impressed with the build quality, sensitivity and smoothness didn't see/feel a hell of alot difference between them and say a $600 setup. My own attitude may change in time as I come across more of these setups, unfortunatly my budget/mrs will never allow me to own one.
This is where this site comes into it's own when you can ask questions and get a wide variety of answers which help you make the right decision.
troy fuller
Posts: 411
Date Joined: 30/08/10
Totally agree with that daz.
Totally agree with that daz. But each to there own.
seasport
Posts: 115
Date Joined: 15/08/10
Hey Daz,Check out the Shimano
Hey Daz,
Check out the Shimano Trevala, Terez and Tallus range of rods, Ive been using a 7" Trevala for about a month and it shits on a Salty Fighter
DazSamFishing
Posts: 1518
Date Joined: 19/08/09
interesting, cheers Whitey.
interesting, cheers Whitey.
seasport
Posts: 115
Date Joined: 15/08/10
cracked 10 species in one day
cracked 10 species in one day on jig last week mate. Happy days.
DazSamFishing
Posts: 1518
Date Joined: 19/08/09
congrats! I'm overdue for a
congrats! I'm overdue for a visit. I'll be up in July! Mako time.
seasport
Posts: 115
Date Joined: 15/08/10
make it august, Im away for
make it august, Im away for most of July
Paul G
Posts: 5215
Date Joined: 12/12/07
I to am not having a dig .I
I to am not having a dig .I guess the other thing for me I don't look after or treat my gear to well so Im not about to go spend the big $$$$.I give them a wash with fresh water after each trip and put them in the shed.I seem to spend the money in upkeep on the boat .no good having any sort of rod if the boat won't get me out to the ground .As for the handline great fun and only $15 rigged with hook and sinker ,now that is value for money.oh and bunnings have gloves out for $1.50 in the gardening section LOL All good guys look forward to hereing what you end up getting just incase i win lotto.
Active Gyp-Rok solutions ,Residential and commercial ceilings and walls
Luke R
Posts: 401
Date Joined: 03/01/09
Few options Nitro
Few options
Nitro Magbutt
Nitro Viper
Daiwa Sol
Daiwa Steez Hotdog(my Favourite)
diabolical
Posts: 28
Date Joined: 22/12/07
A different Tcurve to the
A different Tcurve to the others suggested. Shimano power spin 5-10kg, a bit shorter at 6'7"
DazSamFishing
Posts: 1518
Date Joined: 19/08/09
Went into Allboats & saw Luke
Went into Allboats & saw Luke R today - he suggested a saltiga game s68 3, which is probably the best rod that will suit my application. I personally haven't come across another rod like it (good for light jigs, heavy jighead plastics & bay rubber) - action isn't fast, it's parabolic & the fore & butt grip is perfect. Problem is, it is exe!
southcity104
Posts: 1659
Date Joined: 27/01/09
yep..
as are all things Saltiga
"Its a life style job"
Dicey
Posts: 912
Date Joined: 23/07/10
Never thought i would buy a
Never thought i would buy a "Lemax" rod after selling one ages ago, but decided to have a go at them again so i went to Angler Spot in Willeton searched through their whole range, i would say give it a look if your after something at a decent price, some of their rods have the parabolic bend and have a high cast weight, have no doubt in my mind you will find the rod to suit your application.
Seaquest
Posts: 1131
Date Joined: 22/10/09
Just brought a Evergreen
Just brought a Evergreen Poseidon spin jerker PSPJ603L for a SP rod. Only 6'3" but should still be able to cast lighter jigs with it. Mainly using it for SP in deeper water.
Haven't seen it yet but have seen the baitcast version and was very impressed.
gt4me
Posts: 7
Date Joined: 09/06/11
azusa
If you want something similar to saltiga rods, check out azusa rods! made by Mr saltiga himself.....
Check them out at www.azusa.com.au
JohnF
Posts: 2836
Date Joined: 07/07/10
Apparently there is a Daiwa
Apparently there is a Daiwa Catalina 68S that is very similar to the Saltiga 68S but a fair bit cheaper. No doubt it will have lower grade hardware, but has anyone seen or used one? The Saltiga is a SWEET rod!!!!
Boston Whaler 235 Conquest......getting the flogging it was built for.
hlokk
Posts: 4290
Date Joined: 04/04/08
Pretty sure I have some good
Pretty sure I have some good shots of one loaded up on a big cobe out at the Abrolhos. Very happy owner on the rod. Didnt get a chance to play with it myself, but watching the action it performs very well.
STEVE231
Posts: 1443
Date Joined: 05/01/10
I actually bought the
I actually bought the Saltiga Game for plastics fishing, I thought it may have been a tad on the heavy side for what Daz was looking for, hence the reason for not commenting. I don't really use the plastics all that much so the rod doesn't really come out often. I've managed to land a couple of dhuies on it and it loads up nicely.
I have a picture of it loaded up but I don't know how to include it in this thread.
JohnF
Posts: 2836
Date Joined: 07/07/10
Steve, easier to post picture
Steve, easier to post picture in new thread, I did manage to insert picky a few weeks ago but a pain. Would like to see it loaded up, would be appreciated if you can post it up.
Cheers john
Boston Whaler 235 Conquest......getting the flogging it was built for.
STEVE231
Posts: 1443
Date Joined: 05/01/10
John, I have emailed it to
John, I have emailed it to Jamie, so it's in his capable hands. I can't for the life me work out how to do it myself.
till
Posts: 9358
Date Joined: 21/02/08
(No subject)
JohnF
Posts: 2836
Date Joined: 07/07/10
The Saltiga game looks sweet.
The Saltiga game looks sweet. Not quite parabolic but more progressive than most so called plastics rods..exactly what I expected. Ta Steve and Jamie.
I did a very thorough soft plasrtics rod review this arvo.......well, as thorough as my current rod selection allows ....and given I dont have a dedicated plastics rod yet, it was pretty limited.....and also limited depth.....in my pool, as the proposed skipper for today was a bit scared of 3.5m swell and 15 knot westerlies.....haha.
Anyhoo, rigged up my Tierra 7ft which I have really only used for flicking light stickbaits and halc twisties at tuna, oh, and one PE2 jigging session where it was terrible....(I compared a Tierra 7ft in the shop the other day against the REAL soft platics rods and it felt to me to be as nice as a lot of the proper and MUCH more expensive plastics rods like the nitro viper etc....), a salty fighter my young bloke uses as a PE2 demersal jig rod (which also by the way felt better to me in the shop than all but the Saltiga game.....) and my PE2 demersal jig rod a Majorcraft Alexander 603. These were the only 3 rods I have that could even be considered for plastics work, and luckily I had back to back dry tested 2 of them against the better plastics rods in the shop previously.
The winner....hands down the salty fighter. Prefect butt length, nice and light, a tad short though. In the real world, it probably wont have the strength to pull a good snapper off the reef, but man it feels very comfy...and at way less than $150, a good cheapier???
Next, the Tierra......I had a 4000 size Tierra reel on it previously and it was horrid in the one attempt I tried on softies in Jurien, but with a 3000 Tierra, feels much better balanced. A bit long, and butt too short, but usuable.
The Alexander (which is THE sweetest demersal jig rod) did not feel right caressing 3/4 oz jig heads, as the butt was too long and rod too short, but it possibly will be better in deep water with say a 1.5 oz jig head than the others.....
A pretty poor selection, but interesting none the less as it supported the "in shop" findings, albeit I did not have the chance to use the Steez hotdogs, Nitro Viper etc that did not feel that good in the shop, but it did confirm the cheaper rods that to me felt better in the shop actually did feel quite good on softies.
This rather piss poor comparison, together with the nice loading of the photo above, tends to suggest to me the Saltiga Game 68 is going to be a VERY nice platics rod, simplistically half way between a parabolic jig rod and a fast action, short butt length rod like the Nitro Viper, but it would be nice to use one in the real world before you shelled out $700 bucks for one......
Next phase of this ocmprehensive report (haha) will be actulally taking the rods out for a proper softie sess......next good weather.
Bring on the tar and feathers......
Boston Whaler 235 Conquest......getting the flogging it was built for.
Ryan C
Posts: 1575
Date Joined: 08/07/10
once again
check out the saltist demon blood 64 combi jerk, at around $280/300 it is awesome!! very similar to the saltiga 64 cj i think you will be impressed by it !! cheers
grayzeee
Posts: 2283
Date Joined: 09/07/09
isn't the demon blood a bit
isn't the demon blood a bit bulky for the .5 - 1.5 oz weight range he's looking for??
it seemed a fair bit heavier than that??
If I spent half as long fishing , as I do reading this bloody forum , I'd be twice the fisherman I am.
JohnF
Posts: 2836
Date Joined: 07/07/10
Spot on grayzee.
Spot on grayzee.
Boston Whaler 235 Conquest......getting the flogging it was built for.
DazSamFishing
Posts: 1518
Date Joined: 19/08/09
some of the new saltist bay
some of the new saltist bay rubber rods are very nice... probably a touch on the light size, but would be very fun.
John_M
Posts: 967
Date Joined: 17/01/10
did you check out the lucky
did you check out the lucky craft rods sam?
Dicko
Posts: 219
Date Joined: 07/10/10
Diawa Saltwater
Dunno why the Saltwater bashing, me and I mate of mine both have one, he has a 7' with a stella 5000, and mine is 6'6" with a Stradic Ci4 4000.
Both are the 12-20lb class.
He used his bottom fishing alot, and I have caught just recently 2 chinaman up to 10kg, Brassy & Golden's to 9-10kg, and during summer, plastics for barra, jacks.
For the price I love it
nana nana nana nana fishing!!!
hlokk
Posts: 4290
Date Joined: 04/04/08
Saltwaters are great rods. I
Saltwaters are great rods. I really like mine, but its much better suited for topwater fishing than deep bottom fishing. Its really fast which makes it great for applying pressure and controling the fish (plus really crispy when working plastics/lures/etc), but its a royal PITA when the fish is below you for the whole fight as it puts a lot more strain on you than a rod thats more progressive in curve. I've caught a few fish deep and topwater on a saltwater and the same another much more progressive rod, both with the same rating/length, and the other rod is a lot more comfortable to fish with when the fish are below you. Topwater, its the opposite.
Dicko
Posts: 219
Date Joined: 07/10/10
Explains alot
I rarely fish any more than 10-15m so thats why it suits me!
nana nana nana nana fishing!!!
DazSamFishing
Posts: 1518
Date Joined: 19/08/09
saltwater
yep, as matt explained. I like mine, but only for a a specific purpose.
Jelle
Posts: 142
Date Joined: 21/12/11
So... what did you get? :)
So... what did you get? :)