Gear Advice

Replies

• johnD WC FLPosts: 6,425 Admiral

  April 2014 #2

  gettinwet wrote: »

  I posted this over on the East Coast forum but figured here would be a good spot as well since I'm an avid wade fishermen - almost exclusively inshore in the Indian River/Mosquito Lagoon (Titusville, FL). I currently use a gloomis ultralight IMX rod paired with a shimano sustain, a medium GL2 with a stradic - both spinning outfits - and an ugly stick inshore with a catala baitcaster (my live/cut bait rod). All my outfits are now 7+ years old so I'm been researching for replacements and really like the Quantum Smoke PTi (inshore saltwater model) combined with either a St. Croix Tidemaster Inshore or a 13 Fishing Green Omen The 22lbs of drag and light weight sold me on the Smoke - and both the rods had the features I wanted - but the Tidemaster I believe is made in the USA. Anybody have experience with any of these? Your insights would be much appreciated!

  
  You'll never see full use of 22lbs of drag from a inshore rod , nowhere even close..Drag ratings are marketing gimmicks. Stick with the Stradic FJ 3000 and a Tidemaster TIS70MF , 10lb mono or braid.

  0 · Share on TwitterShare on Facebook
• BridgeRod Posts: 211 Officer

  April 2014 #3

  johnD wrote: »

  You'll never see full use of 22lbs of drag from a inshore rod , nowhere even close..Drag ratings are marking gimmicks. Stick with the Stradic FJ 3000 and a Tidemaster TIS70MF , 10lb mono or braid.

  
  thats the truth. drag setting should generally be 1/4 to 1/3 the breaking pound test. if you put that on a scale with say 65lb test braid you're not going to like how it feels and odds are that something will break--the hook, line, leader, or rod

  0 · Share on TwitterShare on Facebook
• Beached angler Posts: 196 Officer

  April 2014 #4

  When I went to a new **** grand opening I was just looking , and enjoying, when I came up on the quantum inshore. I was sitting there and playing with it forever, I honestly loved it, very light, good drag( but there is no way your using all the 22 pounds of drag) as a avid wader my self you don't want to horse them in, i got a hook in my side because a trout went haywire with a top pup in its mouth. But the reel if I get the money it will be on my list to buy. I have a diawa ballistic, and the only differance is that the ballistic spins longer, but if I had a choice to do it over I would of got the quantum. Rods, I like the falcon coastal, 7'6" with the split grip. Light rod, that fits into your hand

  0 · Share on TwitterShare on Facebook
• gettinwet Posts: 1,366 Officer

  April 2014 #5

  Thanks all for the insights and advice! I usually set my drag really light anyway to avoid the braid binding then cup the spool when I want to apply additional pressure.
  
  Beached Angler - I've had the same thing happen to me - the trout hit the plug 6 feet in front of me and because of braid I ripped the plug right out of the its mouth with the hookset - I was lucky - caught me in the ear - though I looked funny walking around with a skitterwalk ear ring for awhile!

  There are only so many casts in life, so shut up and fish!!

  1 · Share on TwitterShare on Facebook
• congoman775 Posts: 1,395 Officer

  May 2014 #6

  If you're used to the IMX I think you'll be disappointed with the tide master, it's pretty dull in comparison. That Omen you mentioned uses a decently high modulus blank and will be plenty sensitive.
  
  Another option to consider (especially if you can visit a Bass Pro which just started carrying these) is the new Seeker Aquadream series. I can tell you I've got a couple rods built on these exact same blanks and the 6-12lb version is the best true Med-light inshore action I've ever handled, over my Legend Inshore or GLX rods. They make a 6'8 and a 7'2 in that rating, so I'd recommend whichever you're more comfortable with.
  http://aquadreamliving.com/camiaqdrgrro.html

  0 · Share on TwitterShare on Facebook