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ziacatcher · Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2019 6:49 pm Post subject: Rod questions

Couple of my favorite rods that I've been using are st.croix 7 foot TRS70MF rods that I got at Roy's. In the last year I've had both of them break in the same way. Bringing in decent sized trout and it snaps about a 10in down from the tip. The one last year were still under warranty but this one is out. I like it because it's lightweight and yet I can bring in good sized fish with it. It is under $100. Any suggestions for other rods that are lightweight and strong and under $100 that you would suggest. I know I'm going to get a gazillion answers but I thought I'd ask.

BayFly · Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2019 8:04 pm Post subject:

My favorite rods are Falcon, and you can probably find what you need in your price range at Academy or Roy's. Most of mine have come from Academy or online, and I use casting rods and my wife uses spinning. We've never broken one, but I don't catch as many or as big of fish as you do! Laughing

I hope that Power Pole is still working OK?

A_A · Joined: 15 Sep 2015 Posts: 9

I agree that Falcon rods are very good, but my favorite rod is a 7 foot two inch Tsunami Airwave Inshore series rod that is rated for .25 through 1oz. It is incredibly light and is still the most sensitive rod I own. I have abused it significantly for about 5 years and have purposely hooked up with bull reds just for enjoyment on the light tackle. It regularly sees duty in mountain streams for finesse trout fishing, in a kayak inshore, doing bait rod duty in a rod holder at the surf, or wading for slot reds, etc. This exact series of rod does not seem too easy to find but a link is below

https://www.capitolfishing.com/mobile/Product.aspx?id=49651

bulldog1935 · Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2019 8:40 pm Post subject:

Will state up front I've fished Falcon rods since the 80s.
Here's my daughter with a big sheepshead on a Falcon 166 Open Hook Special.

Light tip rods, especially with fast mid tapers have a tender spot at that transition - better to fight with the rod low and use more of the butt.
I my broke my favorite 7'ML 13Fishing Omen on a redfish this fall, when I was lifting the lure out of the water and the fish took it in front of my face.
Honestly, this is the first rod I've broken in my life.
Together we did the two things that would break the rod - I put my thumb on the spool and set with the rod high at the exact moment the fish exploded.
Still landed the fish - all you need is the butt for that. While I could call it abuse, 13Fishing gave me a full warranty and had a new rod to me in 10 days.

Here's the same Omen ML rod being used properly on a lower slot red.

Catching big fish on light tackle is kind of my thing - been doing it for a long time, including big tailwater rainbows on antique cane rods.

With the rod low you use the rod butt and reel drag to stop and turn the fish.
The high bent rod thing may look exciting, but it loads the rod where they're supposed to cast, not horse fish.
A good MM or MH rod will probably take it, but also won't cast light lures (1/8 oz) or be as fun on small fish.
You can also look for rods with moderate-slow tapers. St. Croix Legend Glass is a pretty nice one, that will take the bend without breaking.
And still very light in hand because it's S-glass.

Likewise, the St. Croix Mojo series 7'6" medium-light (ML) moderate action is probably a rod that will take abuse without breaking - add $30 to your price limit, and Academy sells this rod.

Tsunami rods (and everything they sell) is a good buy. But it's not really the brand that matters. The thing to think about is the rod taper and how you want to fish. Medium-light/medium/medium-heavy power and fast/moderate/slow action.
E.g. MF on the rod marking indicates Medium power, Fast action.
ML (light tip) fast action rods are a blast to fish, but may require a little more thought in how you use them.

ziacatcher · Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2019 8:58 pm Post subject:

Just read about the tsunami and it sounds very interesting.

gkrane · Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2019 6:06 am Post subject:

I love St. Croix Rods and use them for most of my long surf rods and shorter 7' rods that I walk out onto the bars to fish the guts. I usually get the higher end ones due to the 15 year warranty. Their customer service is unbeatable.

Halffast · Finger Mullet Joined: 20 Oct 2011 Posts: 46

Another Falcon fan here. While the Coastal series are great, my favorite line in the $100 price range is the BuCoo SR series. They're primarily designed as bass rods but I haven't found anything they won't do in the salt. My favorite is the 7 and a half foot Cranker II. I've caught some huge reds on this rod and never felt outgunned. Roy's carries them.

HTH,

David

ziacatcher · Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2019 8:29 am Post subject:

I just heard from st. Croix customer service and they will replace my rod for $55.

bulldog1935 · Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2019 8:35 am Post subject:

that's a good buy for you to replace the rod in kind.

The 13Fishing warranty would be similar, e.g., if you broke the rod in a car door. With my Omen breaking under questionable fishing, all I had to do was cut the piece of the blank with the rod specs, mail it in, and they sent me a new rod under full warranty - 10-day turnaround including the outgoing mail.

HungerBuster · Flour Bluffian in training Joined: 07 Mar 2006 Posts: 371

I dunno about bay rods per se, but in the surf, I go with Nick's. The breakaway rods (both smaller cast and long cast), can't be beat...you can spend a lot and get something "just" as good, but Nick has fixed my stupid "I forgot to turn the bail over" breaks (no pun intended) more than once...for what I would call a nominal cost. I still have LDXs and MDXs that I've been religiously using for over a decade. Cant beat it. And the service on them is beyond reproach. And he's right here. Just saying....
_________________
Fish ON!

grasscutter · Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2019 1:45 pm Post subject:

Zia,
My wife just let me pick up a Falcon 7' Coastal XG MH yesterday at Tackletown for $90. Seems like that's the price wherever you look. Haven't tried it yet, but it feels nice. Hope to try it out in the next couple of days.

Donnie · Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2019 2:36 pm Post subject:

ziacatcher · Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2019 2:56 pm Post subject:

Does Nick have inshore rods. Not looking for surf stuff

bulldog1935 · Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2019 3:26 pm Post subject:

Quality offshore rods are made of E-glass - the lowest-slowest-modulus fishing rod MOC ever - because they're essentially break-proof, and no one cares about the weight because they're not casting all day.

Certainly custom rods are made with quality blanks, and hopefully the guy who is offering them has thought about fishing situations and matching the correct blank.
The custom inshore rods that get recommended most often by experienced anglers on TKF are Waterloo Rods
https://www.waterloorods.com/collections/high-performance-rods
you'll also note he offers a range of blanks from different sources (certainly doesn't make them), range of actions and finishes.
It still requires identifying what you're looking for in a rod.

Notice I haven't once said Lamiglas, but now I will. St. Croix rods are very good, but Lamiglas are the best rod blanks handmade in the US, and a spendy G1000 Pro is worth the price.

Donnie · Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2019 4:00 pm Post subject: