Replacing the favorite rod

[LandyAndy]

OK time to look for a new rod reel combo,I would like advice.
The lost rod was a 3000 size Abu Garcia reel 4 to 8 kg 6'6"carbon fibre rod running 10lb braid.I had more fun with that rod than any other rod,from catching small stuff off the beach boat or jetty.It could handle King George Whiting and Skippy THUMPERS:cool::cool::cool::cool::cool:
Its gone:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:
Time to replace.
Im thinking of up-sizing to an 8 foot rod with maybe up to 12kg in carbon.Also upsizing the reel to 4000 with 15lb braid.The thought being I could still use it on the boat,WITH CARE,but also cast out for a few larger attacking fish off the beach and really enjoy the fight,ie Tailor and Salmon,and still be able to catch smaller fry for fun/relaxation.
The light gear will aid my enjoyment of fishing,I have some good big beach rods but they kill my back.
I would be looking at hi end stuff.
Thoughts/reccomendations PLEASE.
Cheers
Andrew

[Saitch]

Andy
Most of my rods are custom made & if you're going high end, I'd be having a look along that line.
Steve

[Chops]

I don't mean to digress Andy,, well, OK, I do ;) , but talking high end reminds me of many years ago walking into Kmart or similar with instructions to buy 4 of the cheapest rod/reel combo's I could find to suit 4 children all under 10.
I ended up getting a couple of 6' and two 4.5-5' for the littlest ones.

I ended up with the shortest for myself as the smallest child was'nt interested,,,, it was just the best little rod I reckon I've ever had the pleasure of using. Perfect for flicking lures in small steams. :D

Steve, what makes a custom rod so much better over a store bought rod? I would imagine custom rods to be expensive plus, a bit out of my reach at this point. I only ask as I was looking for a cheap 8-10' rod I could use in the surf a few weeks back and was quite surprised at just how expensive they were, mind you, I was at the Tackleworlds Cranbourne store. Is custom much better in the build over the "norm" we get in the shops? What's the difference when your using them?

[LandyAndy]

I was thinking 8 foot as I could cast a bit further,will have to be careful not to snap it hi lifting the tip on the boat.
That lost rod was brilliant,proved to me biggest isnt best many times.
When I said "high end" looking at the more expensive gear as I belive quality lasts if looked after.
Im almost 50,Im still using my beach reel I bought when I was 17.It was some stupid price back then,still going strong,if a bit noisy.Its a Shakespere Sigma 080.In the day they were the reel to have:cool::cool::cool::cool:
Its seen the death of many rods and got some prize fish over the years.
Andrew

[Chops]

I understand, dad taught me how to make a surf rod out of Cane. 14' and I could cast it what seemed a mile. Everyone was very jealous :cool: can't seem to find them anymore, but if I did, not sure I'd be able to build it :o

Wardy and I went down the beach a couple of weeks ago, and he had a rather short rod, not sure what length, maybe 8', hopefully he'll see this and advise, but I was shocked at how far he got out compared to my 12.5' rod.

I've seen this a few times and although my rods got a pretty soft tip, easy-ish to cast etc, I'm after shorter too. Although unlike you, I won't use mine from a boat, so probably 10' would be OK for me, but I can see your worry with that size in a boat.

[Roverlord off road spares]

I was thinking 8 foot as I could cast a bit further,will have to be careful not to snap it hi lifting the tip on the boat.
That lost rod was brilliant,proved to me biggest isnt best many times.
When I said "high end" looking at the more expensive gear as I belive quality lasts if looked after.
Im almost 50,Im still using my beach reel I bought when I was 17.It was some stupid price back then,still going strong,if a bit noisy.Its a Shakespere Sigma 080.In the day they were the reel to have:cool::cool::cool::cool:
Its seen the death of many rods and got some prize fish over the years.
Andrew
Andrew I used to custom craft high quality rods, your right about looking after them. I lost 5 rods on a roof rack on a trip back from QLD once and rolled my car. The rods didn't survive:mad:
Apart from the high end material cost, it was the long hours of crafting the rods in question with the fancy rod wraps. I did shed a tear, but got over it and made better ones to replace them.:)

[LandyAndy]

Off to the city tommorow for doctor appointments.
Ive picked a reel I want,will look at a rod to suit,too hard online.
Thinking latest Shimano Stradic 4000 and a 8 to 10 foot indestructable lightweight rod I can cast with,it will hopefully replace all my non boat fishing.
I have heavy boat rods and reels,even spares for visitors,same goes for beach rods.
When Im back using the poor boat I will get a boat rod to suit the reel;);););)
Andrew

[Chops]

4000's a good size for the beach I reckon, it'll allow you to pull in big fish easy enough.
My old Penn has survived well, especially since it sits out the front following cars on dusty tracks etc, although it's looking a bit worse for wear these days.

[LandyAndy]

Looked at rods in 3 shops today.
BCF,help yourself,pimply face would have 0 fishing experience,looked at a few rods Ive been looking at online,not real happy with choosing something myself.
Second shop,well known top end tackle shop,walked out without asking for advice,BCF were selling at Ebay prices,same reels were $50 more in this place.
Stopped at a favorite Getaway Outdoors,as there is young bloke in there that is a full on fisho,he really knows his stuff.Fortunately he was working,I think his family own the store.Started showing me mid range stuff.Then I asked a stupid question,show me the best casting distance and strongest rod you have,explaining my back issues.His eyes lit up,I have a rod for you,garaunteed money back if you dont like it.Shows me this South African rod,VERY DIFFERENT,it has lots of tiny eyes down its length.Was playing with a 9 footer,he held the tip and said lift,being gentle I did,then he said harder,I did,he said go hard,I did.Impressed the hell out of me,expensive.
He wants to sell me a Stradic 5000 and the 11 footer.Yet to negotiate a price,we are at $600 retail inc braid.He says there are easter sales about to happen so its VERY negotiable.
ASSASSIN AMIA SHOREGAME HEAVY / X HEAVY 2 PIECE 7 (http://assassintackle.com.au/shop/rods/shoprodsassassin-shore-game-rodsamia-series/aa7-hmgs-rod-assassin-amia-microwave-guide-system/)

Microwave Guides from American Tackle (http://www.americantackle.us/microwave_guides.html)

Andrew

[Chops]

Hey Andy, does the rod your looking at have those microwave runners on it?
An interesting concept, I can see the logic behind it I suppose. A lot of money for a rod though :o

[LandyAndy]

It does.
They are magic on braid Im told.
Havent got an email back yet,he was going to sharpen his pencil and get back to me.
Andrew

[Roverlord off road spares]

Looked at rods in 3 shops today.
BCF,help yourself,pimply face would have 0 fishing experience,looked at a few rods Ive been looking at online,not real happy with choosing something myself.
Second shop,well known top end tackle shop,walked out without asking for advice,BCF were selling at Ebay prices,same reels were $50 more in this place.
Stopped at a favorite Getaway Outdoors,as there is young bloke in there that is a full on fisho,he really knows his stuff.Fortunately he was working,I think his family own the store.Started showing me mid range stuff.Then I asked a stupid question,show me the best casting distance and strongest rod you have,explaining my back issues.His eyes lit up,I have a rod for you,garaunteed money back if you dont like it.Shows me this South African rod,VERY DIFFERENT,it has lots of tiny eyes down its length.Was playing with a 9 footer,he held the tip and said lift,being gentle I did,then he said harder,I did,he said go hard,I did.Impressed the hell out of me,expensive.
He wants to sell me a Stradic 5000 and the 11 footer.Yet to negotiate a price,we are at $600 retail inc braid.He says there are easter sales about to happen so its VERY negotiable.
ASSASSIN AMIA SHOREGAME HEAVY / X HEAVY 2 PIECE 7 (http://assassintackle.com.au/shop/rods/shoprodsassassin-shore-game-rodsamia-series/aa7-hmgs-rod-assassin-amia-microwave-guide-system/)

Microwave Guides from American Tackle (http://www.americantackle.us/microwave_guides.html)

AndrewHi Andrew, looking at the microwave guides pic it looks Hiclone has moved into the guide business.:D
Have you compared eastern state prices as sometimes in mining towns prices are inflated.

When I purchased my fly rod, I took 7 out into the carpark and test drove them with a reel and flyline, This is going back many years, I tried various graphites at the time and settled for a Boron rod instead.

If you going to spend that sort of money then ask if you can try it out side. Like buying a car. Of course it depends on the shop.
Cheers, Mario

[LandyAndy]

His offer of a money back gaurantee if I dont like it is OK.
You cant buy these rods online in australia according to the website.
Andrew

[LandyAndy]

Oldmate was a bit slow getting back to me,in the end he didnt sharpen his pencil very well at all.
I got the rod and reel today.and saved $50.
The rod was hard to find,it seems they sell out as soon as they can get any.BCF had Shimano gear on special to BCF Club members this weekend,got 15% off the 5000 Stradic and 25% off the Power Pro 30lb braid.There is also 20% off Shimano rods if anybody is looking for a rod.Sat/sun ONLY.
Got to see some really nice rods today,and talked the talk with those who seemed to know what they were talking about.$600 to $1000 for a rod was just too much.
Nothing matches the Assassin in price/weight/strength.Cant wait to give it a christening.Just paid for a week in Albany,should be smack in the middle of the salmon run:):):):):):)
Great mate Graz will be down there too:cool::cool::cool::cool::cool:
Andrew

[LandyAndy]

A couple of links.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqFSlf2NtoE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsQ4YlpZMq4

Andrew