Looking for rod information

Spineyman

I am looking to get a much lighter setup now that I am sitting in a yak and fishing for long periods of time. What is a good , inexpensive rod and reel combo that is light and won't break the bank? The Trevala and Spheros 4000 has to be retired!

cpr

$50 calico jack 7-6 and a 3000 (or 4000 for live bait) Shimano Sahara with 15 0r 20# PP.

I don't know anything about this but
https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/webapp/wcs/stores/p/pflueger-purist-spinning-reel-15pflupflgrprstspree/15pflupflgrprstspree

Basstar

Spiney, of course this is one of those Ford/ Chevy debates but unless you're hauling out huge fish, I would challenge you to give a 7' ML rod paired with a 2500 series reel a try. Spool it up with 8 pound fluoro or mono or 10 pound Spiderwire braid (I prefer the braid) and add a 15 pound leader of around 2' to 3'.

Give one of the big box brand rods a try such as Bass Pro, Cabelas, etc. Often they are excellent values. I've heard good things about the Calico Jack mentioned but have never tried them. Here's a Jack I caught using the exact setup I've described here.

mlange

If you like st croix actions but get sticker shock, give 13 rods a look. same action and a much better price. Any of you give nanofill or gliss a try? awsome mono super line!!!

Spineyman

cpr wrote: »

$50 calico jack 7-6 and a 3000 (or 4000 for live bait) Shimano Sahara with 15 0r 20# PP.

I don't know anything about this but
https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/webapp/wcs/stores/p/pflueger-purist-spinning-reel-15pflupflgrprstspree/15pflupflgrprstspree

I would love to find a calico jack for 50 bucks.

Basstar wrote: »

Spiney, of course this is one of those Ford/ Chevy debates but unless your hauling out huge fish, I would challenge you to give a 7' ML rod paired with a 2500 series reel a try. Spool it up with 8 pound fluoro or mono or 10 pound Spiderwire braid (I prefer the braid) and add a 15 pound leader of around 2' to 3'.

Give one of the big box brand rods a try such as Bass Pro, Cabelas, etc. Often they are excellent values. I've heard good things about the Calico Jack mentioned but have never tried them. Here's a Jack I caught using the exact setup I've described here.

I am considering a Cabela's for sure, and 2500 is what I am after as well. I used the 4000 offshore for dolphin and kings, and inshore for bull reds. But it is wearing me out.

mlange wrote: »

If you like st croix actions but get sticker shock, give 13 rods a look. same action and a much better price. Any of you give nanofill or gliss a try? awsome mono super line!!!

Which one of the 13's are you familiar with? I can say that the only St Croix I have tried was a buddy of mine and it was a limp noodle that I hated. I am used to serious backbone and it didn't have it.

Spineyman

mlange wrote: »

Any of you give nanofill or gliss a try? awsome mono super line!!!

Tell me what you think of this as well!

Basstar

I am considering a Cabela's for sure, and 2500 is what I am after as well.

During my tournament years I was sponsored by St. Croix and love their rods but a couple of years ago I bought 4 Cabelas Tournament rods (2 piece) for traveling because I saw them on sale for cheap and they've been excellent.

I can say that the only St Croix I have tried was a buddy of mine and it was a limp noodle that I hated.

Don't underestimate a "limp noodle" ML rod, St. Croix or otherwise especially sitting in that kayak. Casting with the flick of your wrist rather than a major arm swing can certainly make a difference after several hours of fishing. My St. Croix ML with both 8 pound mono and 10 pound Spiderwire has caught all sorts of fish including a small shark and one huge stingray. Like most anglers I always bought heavier than needed tackle but once I saw the light and had that "AH-HA" moment I've never turned back. My shoulder loves me for it!

I apologize but I can help you with reel brands as I'm using my low end Shimano bass reels that are probably 10 to 15 years old. There are certainly better choices for saltwater but I'm using these as long as they hold up and I can keep cleaning and lubing them.

Spineyman

Basstar wrote: »

During my tournament years I was sponsored by St. Croix and love their rods but a couple of years ago I bought 4 Cabelas Tournament rods (2 piece) for traveling because I saw them on sale for cheap and they've been excellent.

Don't underestimate a "limp noodle" ML rod, St. Croix or otherwise especially sitting in that kayak. Casting with the flick of your wrist rather than a major arm swing can certainly make a difference after several hours of fishing. My St. Croix ML with both 8 pound mono and 10 pound Spiderwire has caught all sorts of fish including a small shark and one huge stingray.

I personally like 8 # mono as well. What St Croix rods do you prefer? Bottom of the line, middle or top of the line rods?

cpr

**** has them regular for $59, coupons are around.
https://www.dealcatcher.com/****-sporting-goods-coupons

I had a 2500 Sahara which was nice for tossing jigs but my son lost it in a lake last month. I has the 3000 from when they gave the old style a deep discount for $45.

andrewthe1

get the penn battle II combo 2500 size I believe it is aroun $115-125 and worth every penny!

20lb pp braid and your fishin'

Basstar

Spineyman wrote: »

I personally like 8 # mono as well. What St Croix rods do you prefer? Bottom of the line, middle or top of the line rods?

Spiney, I used the Premier Series for my tournaments for years with tremendous success and of course they have an excellent warranty.

GLGF with whatever you select.

jcanracer

I think my lightest spinning setup is a 6'6" star stellar lite and a 4000 size shimano stradic (older model) with 12# mono which I use for yellow tails. I also have a Penn conflict 3000 on the same size rod and spooled up with 15# braid which is my go-to inshore combo.

I wasn't impressed with the Calico Jack rods I saw at my local ****'s; no two blanks seemed alike, some were warped, but perhaps I just got there late in the sale...

kayakerinkeywest

http://forums.floridasportsman.com/showthread.php?253099-Your-Go-To-Brand-for-Inshore-Rods

Star and Calico Jack were mentioned a lot.

Spineyman

kayakerinkeywest wrote: »

http://forums.floridasportsman.com/showthread.php?253099-Your-Go-To-Brand-for-Inshore-Rods

Star and Calico Jack were mentioned a lot.

I have been watching that as well. I just wanted to ask actual people who fish out of kayaks too. I have never had a problem fishing with my current rod but sitting in a yak and fishing is wearing my shoulders out. So I am downsizing in weight and size reel to make it more comfortable to fish long periods of time. I want to see a calico jack in person but can not find one close to me.

Alex from GA

Where do you live? I'm sure someone near you has one that you can cast. I have a 7' ML that I really like.
''

Spineyman

Alex from GA wrote: »

Where do you live? I'm sure someone near you has one that you can cast. I have a 7' ML that I really like.
''

Ft Walton Beach. I would love to try a few out as well!

[email protected]

I use a 7'6"M Blair Wiggins Flats Blue Rod, nice, medium fast action with a lot of sensitivity and touch paired with a 3000 shimano nasci w 200 yards of 10 lb spiderwire and 30 lb fluoro leader. Awesome, long casting and lightt

krash

Spiney... if you are near a West Marine they are having a big clearance sale.. unfortunately it ends today... n but if you are close by one you might want to drop in today and see if they have an inexpensive rig for ya.

I have several Saharas, and while they are good reels for what they cost they just don't hold up that well, many plastic parts in importaht places like the bail, and the line roller bearing especially around salt water.
I also have had a couple Calico Jack rods and they are OK for the price.. I also have a few of the Calico Jack's big borther the Hurricane Redbone which are great rods for the $$ but the tip breaks off very easily.

Spineyman

[email protected] wrote: »

I use a 7'6"M Blair Wiggins Flats Blue Rod, nice, medium fast action with a lot of sensitivity and touch paired with a 3000 shimano nasci w 200 yards of 10 lb spiderwire and 30 lb fluoro leader. Awesome, long casting and lightt

Thanks I will check them out.

krash wrote: »

Spiney... if you are near a West Marine they are having a big clearance sale.. unfortunately it ends today... n but if you are close by one you might want to drop in today and see if they have an inexpensive rig for ya.

I have several Saharas, and while they are good reels for what they cost they just don't hold up that well, many plastic parts in important places like the bail, and the line roller bearing especially around salt water.
I also have had a couple Calico Jack rods and they are OK for the price.. I also have a few of the Calico Jack's big brother the Hurricane Redbone which are great rods for the $$ but the tip breaks off very easily.

Thanks for the heads up on West Marine. I have one 5 minutes away and will go check it out. When you say the tip breaks off of the redbone, are you talking the tip itself breaks or the rod itself breaks at the tip?

Saltygatorvet

Diawa has a couple of light weight lt lines available. Price point seems much lower than shimano. I’ll be giving them a look on the future after buying one of the new bg reels. Good luck.
Here is a link to a guy selling a used star rod, looks good and it’s been for sale for a while. Not to far from you, maybe make an offer.

http://www.fcka.net/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=10629

Spineyman

Saltygatorvet wrote: »

Diawa has a couple of light weight lt lines available. Price point seems much lower than shimano. I’ll be giving them a look on the future after buying one of the new bg reels. Good luck.
Here is a link to a guy selling a used star rod, looks good and it’s been for sale for a while. Not to far from you, maybe make an offer.

http://www.fcka.net/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=10629

I am looking hard at the Daiwa Ballistic LT and the Fuego LT reels. Super light and decent drag for their size. I am done with Shimano.

cpr

https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/hurricane-calico-jack-inshore-spinning-rod-15huruclcjck7ft1prod/15huruclcjck7ft1prod?Clearance=true

krash

Spineyman wrote: »

Thanks I will check them out.



Thanks for the heads up on West Marine. I have one 5 minutes away and will go check it out. When you say the tip breaks off of the redbone, are you talking the tip itself breaks or the rod itself breaks at the tip?

The tip of the rod, last 3 or 4 inches, is very thin and very fragile... will easily break a couple inch's from the end. However I have a few of these rods and love them for the price... Used to get them at Sports Authority years ago when they were in business and before they got rid of their fishing department, they would put them on sale for $79.99, and the Calico Jack was on sale for $49.99. No idea where you'd find them today, but the Calico Jack was a great rod for 50 bucks.
I would still recommend you look at rods like the Terramar, Star Stellarlite, Falcon Coastal... and a few other's already mentioned.

If you really just want inexpensive.. go to Bass Pro Shops and buy a combo's on sale .. you can get the Penn Battle II for like $130.00 for the 2500/3000 size with a 7' rod. If there are any problems you can walk in BPS withe receipt and they are good on their customer service.
I personally don;t like the BPS Gold Cup rods, I've had a couple and had issues with the guides either the rings popping out or one I had the first guide had a sharp nick that shreded braid, don;t like the quality of their Offshore Angler stuff either.

Garysmo

You might want to look at the St Croix Triumph.....Also as they mentioned above the Cabela's stuff is not bad. One nice thing about their stuff is they give a life time warranty. I have 3 reels from them and actually exchanged one in store a few months ago. The handle had a little play in it and they exchanged it without question on the spot. As for the Battle II combo they are great value. You can get a 2500/300 combo for $109 and if you watch the sales it will be $99. I have a 2500 combo and it has been a great setup however it is not the lightest. It has performed real well and it is definitely a setup a take out in my kayak but I usually take 2 with me and the other is lighter. It is a BG 2500 on a Black Tip rod which is West Marine's brand. Its a 6' 6" and with the BG 2500 it is pretty light.

Garysmo

Just saw that Cabela's has their Salt Striker® Inshore Spinning Rods on sale for $39.99 versus normal $79.99.

Spineyman

I must confess I ended up with a G Loomis E6X 7' medium and a Stradic 2500 with power pro superslick 8. I got to break it in today with a few trout and a few reds.

Spineyman

Garysmo

Just saw that Cabela's has their Salt Striker® Inshore Spinning Rods on sale for $39.99 versus normal $79.99.

Spineyman

Thanks, I will need a few more rods, that way I will not have to re tie all the time.

Halon

Hi,

First, I'm cheap, um, er, ah, frugal!!!

My primary kayak set up is a Shimano SIenna RD (approved for saltwater) 2500 reel. Check **** Sporting Goods or Wally World. Usually sells for <$30 ($29.99). Check out **** rod racks for sales, typically <$50. Or check the cheap or budget light rods in Wally World (<$25). I use 15# PowerPro with a 6' length of 15-25# flourocarbon leader. Whole outfit is less than $60. Been using it for several years (less changing line once in a while). Good spray down with a salt neutralizer and its good to go for the next trip. This is a light set up and allows be to cast all day without fatigue.

I got this idea after my young daughter sat on my expensive rod and broke the tip off. Bought another and within a week she broke that tip off!!! Buying inexpensive rods were cheaper than going to jail for murdering my 10 year old daughter!! LOL. No hearburn for loosing or breaking inexpensive rods.

FYI, still have my Speros 4000 and Shimano baitcaster for a sit in one spot bait rigs.

Enjoy and tight lines and safe returns!

Halon

Halon

@Garysmo said:
Just saw that Cabela's has their Salt Striker® Inshore Spinning Rods on sale for $39.99 versus normal $79.99.

Personally, I've found the combos do not meet my needs. Usually, the rods are too stiff and heavy for my liking.

Just my opinion.

Halon