Best rod for tossing hard bodies

Ravin · #1 25-02-2003, 07:33 PM

Whats everyones thoughts on the best rod for tossing hard bodies about?

chris_lemess · #2 25-02-2003, 08:05 PM

Depends on the size and depth of the lures. Geoff - is your custom Loomis built on a crankbait blank, rotated so the backbone is in the right spot?
Ravin - something heavier like the Loomis blanks would be an option if you want a specific big minnow rod - also with the ability to pull monsters out of thick snaggy country.

I have a Loomis GL2 custom 2-6lb and that is a beauty for harbodies, but can also be used for plastics. If I was going to go for a hardbody specific rod I'd probably choose a 2-4kg model - the Strudwick 6' Tradition+ and SPS series would be an excellent option, the T+ series has Fuji Alconites and is quite a tough rod.. I know I like the feel of the crispness of all the Struddies above the SoftBodz series (which I dislike).

If I were you I'd have a look at a 2-4kg Loomis GL2 and GL3, a 2-4kg Struddie, and the Bream Buster and Bream Reaper, simply because they are proven for the job.

cheers

Chris

Bear · #3 26-02-2003, 04:00 AM

Definitely check out the Reaper Ravin, my new one arrived this week. SWEEEEEEET

Bream Master · #4 26-02-2003, 04:46 AM

If you don't want to spend a fortune Ken, the Daiwa range is well worth a look. The Heartland IM6's are my personal choice, but their are also a range of Procyon rod's built on IM7 blanks which you can still get in a 1 piece.

Otherwise the Stella is always worth a look at $99, or alternatively the Steve Starling Signature series in the light spin. I've also been using the Penn Pinpoint recently myself.

Warren.

Geoff R · #5 26-02-2003, 04:54 AM

Yeah I spose it would be, you would have to check with Barry though. It's a C641 if that's any help to you.
And Ravin, don't cheat yourself shell out for a LOOMIS.

Geoff

Ben Scott · #6 26-02-2003, 05:28 AM

I've got a cheap old Jap made rod off a $30.00 combo.
It's fast tappered , short (5.8 ft) , short butt (5 cm) , can cast either 68's and 1/32 oz jig head's , Pull a big fish from the snags.
I still have not been able to find anything in the shop's like it

Ben

Ravin · #7 26-02-2003, 05:44 AM

Thanks for the info guys

Its a tough choice I just had a St Croix built up for softies & it is a dream to fish & casts little jig heads like a rocket. I casts HB's OK but I think its a tad soft in the tip for my casting style. I'll have a bit more of a think on it.

chris_lemess · #8 26-02-2003, 07:16 AM

Where the hell did you get a St Croix blank? Yummy! Didn't realise they were available here... Got some Yank friends who swear by the crispness of the blanks...

Chris

Duncan M · #9 26-02-2003, 10:04 AM

Ravin,
I very recently picked up a Strudwick TPS 2-4kg (the 7ft one) and I can honestly say that is is everything I have ever wanted in a bream rod. Unfortunately due to the pre fish ban it has been used more for trying to chuck lures under the garden chair at the other end of the yard than actual fishing, but I have caught a couple of bream (and flatties and herring) on it and it rules. It chucks a Scorpion 52 an absolute mile, and is so responsive it's frightening. They aren't cheap, but you get what you pay for.
It has replaced my Loomis GL2 sj700, which is a great rod, but compared to the struddie it's a sloppy piece of crap haha. Check out some of the higher end Loomis rods though, they will probably be the only competition to the struddie.

Cheers
Duncan

chris_lemess · #10 26-02-2003, 10:44 AM

Duncan - did you check out the 1-3kg 6' TPS first? That's my pick from the Struddie stable althought many would say I fish too light...!

Chris

Ravin · #11 26-02-2003, 03:09 PM

Chris my St Croix was imported & built for my by Allen Glover at Shearwater Rods. Your friends are right they are a great stick for sure. I am surprised that more people don't know about them or use them. For my style its the "perfect" rod for jigs thats why I am after the "perfect" rod for HB's. Damn this being a tackle rat its expensive

Gonna have to find myself some web site sponsors I think

or get a job

Duncan M · #12 27-02-2003, 01:03 AM

Chris,
yeah I looked at the 1-3kg TPS, picked it up and went "nah" straight away. They are nice, but not what I was looking for, I imagine they would be well suited to plastics and bait fishing and that kind of thing (Sorry, I'll stop now

) I did think it was a bit light, I wouldn't want to push it too hard.
As soon as I picked up the 2-4kg I went "YEEAAAAHHHH!!", and that doesn't happen all that often.

Duncan

Bear · #13 27-02-2003, 05:46 AM

For the guys who like the Bream Reapers, Cindy will do a 6' for those who prefer the shorter rod.

HTH.