Wanting everyones opinion on a new Hardbody rods

Shauno · #1 22-03-2004, 10:24 AM

Hey all,
Thinkin of gettin a new hardbody rod built, I have in mind either a loomis p8400 in GL3 or IMX depending on stiffness.
Not that keen on any of the struddies.
Whats the latest and greatest from black Diamond
What would suit in the heartland range!
And any others

1) My personal specifications are
Capable of throwing smaller hardbodies like attacks,
minmins scorps etc.

2) I like the winch to screw up ONLY! cause I hold the rod
forward of the grip, so custom maybe needed!

3) Like quality components!

4) Length not a huge issues has to be 6'6" to 7' though
(heartland exception if only 6')

Traveller · #2 22-03-2004, 10:42 AM

Well you know my opinion on rods at the moment.... I think Black Diamond rocks....

Have a play with my 6'6" Reaper Custom Pro next time.... The winch fitting can be either up or down, just specify on order...
But I'll talk to u about later if u like.....
Components on the Custom Pro are fabs... better than the Alconite stuff lots of ppl are using.....

I'm thinking about talking to Cindy/Steve about trying out some of the other Rainshadow blanks for the Aust market... so will let you know after I spoke to them..

Glenn

Richo · #3 22-03-2004, 10:56 AM

I`ll give this a crack shauno

I`ll start with the healtlands,

The jerking special is a real nice rod, spoofy guides etc throws sml hard bodies a treat, after having one a while and using it as my no1 hardbody rod Ive since gone back 6'6". As most of these come with the best guides they are great value. The no sinker special is as good again with a lighter tip but dosnt have the same guides which is a let down.

My first specific rod was my BreamReaper 6'6" defintly best of my lot and what Ive gone back to after using my Heartlands for a while, i wouldnt mind having 3 with the HZ guides. The only thing and one of the reasons i still enjoy my HZs is the guide factor, you really notice the difference to the point Id like to have the guides changed to the best. This would make this rod something special.

As you now know I like the best guides I also prefer 1 pce (just my preference) and this led me to try the Flats Ranger 7ft better guides than the reaper, strong, casts sml hard bodies well. I only had a trial of 1 for a day and now have 1 on order, hopefully I can give you a better update on that later after it catchs me a few.

Id have to throw in the 7ft struddie 1-3 (1pce) feels like a nice rod and the 2 - 4kg does also except its 2 peice.

thats about the extent of my range, hope you find something to your liking shauno, its not easy these days.

cheers

Richo · #4 22-03-2004, 11:01 AM

Hey Traveller, thats got my interest up.

what guides does the custom pro come with, and is it the same rod except with upgraded guides if so I might be looking at one of them as well, I was really hoping to settle on one rod and get a couple of them, but it aint as easy as it sounds.

I also understand that better guides cost more $$ something im prepared to cop as rods feel so much better.

cheers

swoffa · #5 22-03-2004, 06:52 PM

I use a Millerod BreamBuster Finesse and a Brawler as hardbody rods, they are excellet! I'm yet to find any other rods with such great casting ability and low down power for o\pulling fish from tight country.
I also have a few Strudwick TPS and BWS rods that get a go sometimes, but they are hardly what you call "quality components".

dan_WA · #6 22-03-2004, 10:27 PM

I got a custom made up on a samurai blank, and it's awesome for HB's
All up with fuji components, it cost me $200 - I love it !!

swoffa · #7 22-03-2004, 10:34 PM

I think it's the Samurai S004 that I used to use as a hardbody rod and it was a great little stick. Can you build rods?

Traveller · #8 22-03-2004, 10:53 PM

Hi Richo,

The Custom Pro and TE have the special Rainshadow guides, they're quite nice..... Sic guide I think.... I think Bear have one of those if you're in WA... or talk to Cindy @ Blackdiamond she can tell you more about it...

I have a few HLZ and TD Battler too and do like them for different action.... I'm getting a BR 7ft Custom Pro and probably will get a Flat Ranger 7ft TE or Custom Pro, will see.........

I found that its hard to settle on just one or two rods and get a few of them..... although I have done it in the past.....

Are you based in Perth?

Richo · #9 22-03-2004, 11:22 PM

G`Day Traveller,

yeah mate im based in perth, i`ll have to get bear to show me his entire collection, I still keep coming back to my reaper, so if the others are the same but with better guides and still 1pce then Im probably sold. Whats the difference between the TE and custom?

cheers

swoffa · #10 22-03-2004, 11:55 PM

Do you guys like the sic guides?
They're the reason I don't like Strudwicks (one of)...

Richo · #11 23-03-2004, 12:00 AM

Cant say I have a soft spot for fuji alconites, since grabbing a couple of HLZs I want all my rods to have guides of similar qualities. But unless you had titanium guides you wouldn`t notice how much better they are, than you alconites.

cheers

TheJigJedi · #12 23-03-2004, 12:26 AM

The Samurii range is excellent from the blank side of things if you're building.

Traveller · #13 23-03-2004, 12:27 AM

I don't like the alconites... I do have some rods with alconites....and originally thought it was ok, but then start to have sticking problem......

I do prefer ti-sic guides especially the new style fuji ti-sic like the T-ATSG for finesse stuff.......

I just got a new T-LCSG Low riders for my new surf rod, you wouldn't believe how light they are, weight nothing.....

Glenn

Traveller · #14 23-03-2004, 12:30 AM

Had a rod made a while back using the Samurai blanks... didn't like the action too much.

big mumma · #15 24-03-2004, 12:38 AM

with regards to the loomis p8400 i would have to say that is not best suited to hardbodies. i have a mahogany ( or gl3 ) P8400 and it is a great soft plastics rod but i would have to say it is, in my opinion, not stiff enough for the hards. however i havnt played with the imx model P8400.