Overhead rod questions
Hi guys,
I currently have a broomstick of a boat rod, well more accurately a short stroker trolling rod (daiwa ninja 15kg ring tip) and found the styles not for me. Bit too hard to keep the pressure on the fish and recover line especially with braid and my lack of skill :p. The combo is a bit heavy to use as well. Passable, but could be better if you're holding it all day (and a lighter rod would help a lot)
So looking for a stick with a softer curve with a more parabolic action, so perhaps a jig style rod. Current reel is a torium 30 with 50lb on it, but I may get another instead and delegate the current setup to trolling duties (leaning towards saltist 30/40 for reel, but open to other options especially lighter ones). I've got a calcutta 400 with 30lb and tcurve 10kg for shallower work, drift baiting and light paternostering. When the depth increases over 40-50m or the wind/current picks up, or its really big fish (like the infamous dropzone) it wont suffice, so thats where the 50lb setup comes in.
So, what I want to do with it is heavier bottom bashing and maybe a little bit of jigging. Have needed 24-30oz sinker weights at times, so needs to support that. Mainly looking at the ugly stick bluewater 24kg rod. Others I was looking: tcurve 200/400, monster mesh, jigwrex, etc.
So a few questions:
1. How does length matter for my situation? e.g. jigwrex at 5'2", monster mesh 6'3" and a few inbetween. Some shorter rods seem to have a butt length half of the rod, so any rods than bend more into the butt to make more use of the shorter length/different usability. Boat maneuverability, lifting fatigue, etc? With longer ones, I guess you could chuck lures a short dist in a pinch (i.e. from a boat to big fish fairly close by)? Obviously not specifically for casting though.
2. How would max jig weight correspond the sinker weights I wanted? (obviously sinkers can be heavier than jig weights as you arent jerking the sinkers up). How stiff does the rod need to be for the sinker weight (i.e. will it bend to much?)
3. Any recommendations?
Been going into tackle shops and loading up rods which is the best way to decide whats right, but considering how much i'll use the rod, I want to make sure its actually what I want and lots of opinions help (mainly in usability tips). Budget perhaps around $300
fishcrazy
Posts: 1235
Date Joined: 27/01/07
t curve
gidday matt if u dont like broomstik type rods the t curve 200 overhead would probably do it , bit more give than the 400 but they are both nice
hlokk
Posts: 4293
Date Joined: 04/04/08
Heard the 200's are a
Heard the 200's are a completely different rod to the 400s and having more flex is a good thing (and 200s seem to be a 'better' rod than the 400s). Not sure how the 200 is going to handle the heavier sinkers though.
Does anyone have a t-curve 200 jig rod? If so, how does it handle larger sinkers?
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Dreamweaver
Posts: 4688
Date Joined: 01/12/07
Agree fishcrazy!
I have a T-curve 200 OH, lovelly little rod and stong as, as long as you set the line to the rod. Pulled that 20Kg Sambo in, no probs. As long as you don't believe in skull dragging. Light as too.
As for sinkers, don't fish more than 50m down here (yet) so our snapper sinkers aren't that heavy. Jig weight rating is 170-250.
Colin Molloy
(Colin 2 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)
Soon to be de "dreamweaver" ed!
Tim
Posts: 2497
Date Joined: 26/09/06
Got One
Ive got one but rarely use it now. Was Ok with sinkers up to 24oz while bottom bouncing.
My preference is now the Daiwa Saltist (Catalina) 56b. Much better rod imo and lighter than the TCurve 200. Youl find pretty much everyone will have their own favourite rod tho so this could get confusing.
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sherbert
Posts: 4717
Date Joined: 10/09/06
Three lions
Has the 200 overhead t curve and a saltist to go with it, And that looks like a great outfit
I think the 400 is a bit hard on the back, I went for the strudwick 24 to37 jig stick, A great rod with the saltist 50, But if i got another reel i would get the 40
steve
Born to fish forced to work
Assassin landbase fishing club
Maverick
Posts: 1261
Date Joined: 06/06/06
Jigwrex
If it was me I would go the jigwrexPE5 up to 8 nice and LIGHT , tuff as old boots , look sexy , and can handle the work much better than the old school 200/ 400.
Saltist is a god reel , some say don't go a star drag but I crank it on when I start fishing and back it off after washing it down when finished fishing , if you fish 50 lb braid you will never break the line while fishing unless you clamp down on the spool.
I have not changed my Bimini in my reel for at least 3 years ( leader yes bimini no), and I do a bit of fishing with it ,
Short rods are better than long rods when muscling fish , if you don't need the length then don't bother .
A PE 8 jigwrex is light as a feather , strong as an ox and cheap as chips and can handle anything you can dish out, big baits, big jigs , light jigs even driftbaiting , Herring to Hapuka .
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SPESS
Posts: 3356
Date Joined: 29/12/06
Around the $300 mark id be
Around the $300 mark id be looking at the monster mesh or maybe a jigwrex if you can get one. Im currently using a diawa saltiga 56b deep but have also got a jigwrex pe3 which is sweet and can handle well over the 50lb mark. ive found that alot of my rods even though alittle more expensive the most compact and lightest combo are the ones you want to use all the time.
50m and less im using a bluebacker 300bb and thats teamed up to a saltiga hiramasa 60b and thats more than enough grunt top stop everything your going to come accross in perth if not its good fun trying.
Over 50m is only when "like you say" youd want to go heavier but i gather you already know this. ive heard nothing but good reports with the tcurve 200 as a bottom rod but shit to jig with. If it was me with $300 id still go the monster mesh or maybe save that bit more for that saltiga.
PS ive got a brand new uglystick gold 15 to 24kg stroker for sale which isnt a bad rod either....just a thought.
Keep it tight, reeeeeeel tight!
*****RECFISH MEMBER*****
max199
Posts: 812
Date Joined: 09/05/06
Jigwrex
"A PE 8 jigwrex is light as a feather , strong as an ox and cheap as chips and can handle anything you can dish out, big baits, big jigs , light jigs even driftbaiting , Herring to Hapuka ."
.......Maxy.......
SPESS
Posts: 3356
Date Joined: 29/12/06
HHAHAHAHAHA maxy that a
HHAHAHAHAHA maxy that a custom jigmaster i think.
Keep it tight, reeeeeeel tight!
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Kasey L.
Posts: 1390
Date Joined: 02/03/06
oh *snap* pun intended ;)
oh *snap*
pun intended ;)
Faulkner Family
Posts: 18182
Date Joined: 11/03/08
sounds crazy
i know it sounds crazy but we have found a decent rod / reel combo .the penn 330gti running 50 lb braid .we have caught some nice fish on it fishing from 30 to 200 mtrs with leads up to 24 oz .you can pick them up for around$200 at most tackle shops .as i said might be crazy but it works well
RUSS
"A family that fishes together stays together"
RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together
hlokk
Posts: 4293
Date Joined: 04/04/08
You must be buying your
You must be buying your chips from some real swanky places mav :p.
Btw, SPESS, looks like we have the same driftbaiting setup
T-curve 200 -some say ok, some say better rods. not sure on sinker weight.
Jigwrex - usually regarded as good rods. bit expensive and a little short (may not be a prob). PE5 is one piece so hopefully good curve. If its the rod for me then price is np.
Mav, guessing the PE8 is a spin stick? Theres a 3 4 and 5, but the first two look like they might be a little light from specs.
saltist 56B/catalina - havent played with yet. seems quite light, but maybe a bit soft?
Ugly stick bluewater - maybe a little stiff, but need to check again
monster mesh - bit long? bit too stiff perhaps?
Going to load up a few rods tomorrow. Might try bringing a reel and loading up some sinkers and testing the drag setting.
Looks like a parabolic rod is what I need. Pretty sure that means it loads up right to the grip, or does it mean the butt flexes as well? I would imagine the 1 pieces load up better in the grip than the 2 pieces but will have to play around with them.
edit: missed some replies. the 200 over the 400 is what i'm thinking. The 400 is too stiff from what i've heard (well, for 50lb at least). Thought the 200's may be a little soft for the sinker weight, so will find out tommorrow.
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Always interested in someone to go fishing with
Tim
Posts: 2497
Date Joined: 26/09/06
Soft
You wont find the Saltist/Catalina soft. Can bottom bounce 32oz with it no problem at all. Run a Torque 200 and 50lb braid on mine.
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SPESS
Posts: 3356
Date Joined: 29/12/06
yeah upgraded since then
yeah upgraded since then mate but the old calcutta and t-curve still have a home now.
Keep it tight, reeeeeeel tight!
*****RECFISH MEMBER*****
hlokk
Posts: 4293
Date Joined: 04/04/08
Was just guessing from the
Was just guessing from the weight, plus i've had a play with another saltist/saltiga rod, super thin, but very flexy.
Will give give one a curve tomorrow Tim.
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Always interested in someone to go fishing with
hlokk
Posts: 4293
Date Joined: 04/04/08
As an idea of the stiffness
Thanks for all the comments guys
As an idea of the stiffness of my rod:
28 oz
http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/7784/28ozwy2.jpg
40oz
http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/7821/40ozsz1.jpg
The T-curve barra has a massive bend on 28oz (perhaps a little worryingly so as it needs to pull more drag load than a 800g weight). Will load it up properly under supervision along with all the other rods I want to test.
Would make a good trolling rod (what the rod is actually designed for) with mono.
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Always interested in someone to go fishing with
honsu chin
Posts: 2086
Date Joined: 20/09/05
Not all JigWrex models come
Not all JigWrex models come in overhead. Only the following are available in overhead. PE3, 4, and 6
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sherbert
Posts: 4717
Date Joined: 10/09/06
maybe i should
Put my bottom bouning reel on my 10/15 livefibre, What do you think.
steve
fibreBorn to fish forced to work
Assassin landbase fishing club
Dean
Posts: 1943
Date Joined: 23/02/07
you get a replacement on the
you get a replacement on the rods if they break?
NOHA
Posts: 914
Date Joined: 24/06/07
I have the monster mesh and
I have the monster mesh and saltist both pe6 rated. The mesh is a softer rod rated for 150gm lures and the saltist is stiffer at 300gm.
I use the monster over the saltist now unless I realy need some heavy lifting power.
I have battled 7ft whalers to the boat on the monster with a saltist 4500 no worries.
.
.
No Orange Hats Allowed
V8 twin turbo diesel....Ohh what a feeling!
Twin turbo..V8 diesel..Ohh what a feeling!!
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Belly17
Posts: 21
Date Joined: 28/05/08
Just remember that the
Just remember that the monsta mesh comes in 2 lenghths 5'8" and 6'3" and soon 7' not including the 8'3" the 5'8" is beautiful to use
He Who Dies With The Most Toys Is Still DEAD!!!!
hlokk
Posts: 4293
Date Joined: 04/04/08
Belly17, theres 3 monster mesh
Belly17, theres 3 monster mesh overheads. 2 lighter 6'3 and the PE6-8 is 5'8" (but probably a little heavy).
Had a play around with some rods today. Tested them out with a 28oz sinker, a light pull and a heavy pull. Unfortunately didnt have a lot of time though.
The T-curve 200 is off the list as it bends way too much with the sinker.
Didnt have the right size monster mesh, but above and below bent allright with the sinker weight, so the PE5ish would be fine for that.
Saltist catalina. fairly stiff, dealt with the sinker fine, but a bit too stiff perhaps.
Didnt have the right size jigwrex to load up unfortunately (would have been fine testing the size down, but the PE5 one is one piece so may bend differently).
There were a few other more expensive rods that I loaded up as well. The pick of the bunch being the alutecnos. Excellent rod. Didnt bend too much during the sinker test (I forget how much now though). i.e. less stiff than others but not like the 200. The best thing about this rod is that it bends all the way into the butt and nicely so. Some others did bend but mainly above the reel seat and not as much. The thing I really liked about it was that when you loaded it up a little it felt like nothing was there. Tryed to do the same to the other rods and it was a lot harder to hold the rod with the same (or less bend in it). I.e. would be great for keeping pressure on smaller fish without straining your arms much. Still had serious power to put some hurt on the fish though. I would have walked out with it if it wasnt more than double what I was hoping to pay
I've got a better idea of what I want now, which helps, but still dont know what rod to get. Basically I want something that doesnt bend a massive amount with a decent size sinker, bends right through the butt and doesnt take a lot of arm pressure to put a little bit of a bend in it, but still can deal with a fair bit of pressure. Now to find that rod for a reasonable price.....
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Always interested in someone to go fishing with
seansurfy
Posts: 475
Date Joined: 09/08/06
If bottom fishing with bait
If bottom fishing with bait is going to be what you use the rig for mostly, then any number of cheaper rods will do the job....however, if you want to do more jigging, then my advice is to save your money for abit longer and get a proper jig rod and reel suited to the species you want to target and the jig weights you intend using the most. Better parabolic jigging rods are not cheap, but they are very effective fishing tools.
Maverick
Posts: 1261
Date Joined: 06/06/06
Van Stall
Have you checked out the Van Stall rods ??
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Oatsfishwest member 88 .
OFW member 088
Sponsored by no one and I work for myself so my comments are my own.
hlokk
Posts: 4293
Date Joined: 04/04/08
Checked out one today mav.
Checked out one today mav. Was a spinning rod, but the overhead would be the same blank I would think (for the same rating). Damn thats a nice rod. Nice flex for the 1-2kg range (what most of my fish are :p). Bends nice right through the grip and strong as a ummm, well a van staal reel. Bit expensive but still $100 cheaper than the alutecnos. Very nice.
Had a play with some other rods as well and the berkley dropshot was actually pretty nice too. Bent fairly similar to the staal. I.e. not a lot of pressure in your hand for a reasonable curve at that 1-2kg mark. Didnt bend much in the butt and the grip is a little large, but quite good considering the price. Just a pity it didnt have alconites.
No problems, I'm going to get to borrow STAAL lovers staal setup so might land a few GTs with a bit of luck. Though, the existing rod is pretty stiff, so if I do need to borrow that dogfight at least I have a bludgeoning tool, lol.Well, off to try some more rods. At least I have a much better idea of what I want in the rod though. Though with all this time i'm spending looking for one, i shoulda just worked and paid for a really expensive one, hehe.
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Always interested in someone to go fishing with
Three Lions
Posts: 152
Date Joined: 15/08/07
T-Curve 200
As sherbs said, I fish a t-curce with a saltiga z40 and rate it as a great combo. The rods light and strong and is more than comfortable fishing all day. The 400 is alot stiffer than the 200 and is over kill for anything but jigging. For about $200 the 200 will serve you well, and being two piece it is good for traveling.
hlokk
Posts: 4293
Date Joined: 04/04/08
Thanks for all the help
Thanks for all the help guys. A few options mentioned to look into and some help/advice
Picked up a rod yesterday and a reel today. Bit more than I was otherwise going to spend, but I was taking too much time researching it all, so thought bugger it, i'll just get what I want and just do some extra time at work. Plus its nice to have some bling
For a bit of fun lets see who can guess what the rod and reel were (no cheating if i've talked to you at a tackle store today or yesterday)
http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/2156/silhouettefa0.png
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Always interested in someone to go fishing with
boofhead
Posts: 533
Date Joined: 13/03/08
i reckon it was the dressed
i reckon it was the dressed jarrah with galvonised eye bolts...... hahahaha....
what more type of bling do you want
hlokk
Posts: 4293
Date Joined: 04/04/08
The dipped bolts are a bit
The dipped bolts are a bit shinier though :D
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Always interested in someone to go fishing with