Rod Selection

[Bear]

One thing I like to do is compare how guys select rods for certain conditions. One thing I noticed from the GF trip, is that guys in the East seem to use a lot softer rods than we might do here.

For instance, fishing the racks in Forster with either plastics or HB's, I'd go for a rod that would load faster than my std plastics rod. My HB rod I like fairly stiff as a Bream will hit these a lot harder than a plastic and I want to be able to lay into the fish as quick as possible. The softer the rod, the extra inches the Breamskie has to get back into sharp places.

Without trying to make this sound like an advert, and because it's the only rod I have that's a good example. The Sniper that Bassifier is a perfect example or a wicked HB rod to me. So much so I'm having one done in 6'6" so I have that extra length, but it's very different from other rods I've seen.

How do you guys feel about what you look for in a rod.

[Richo]

Just give me 10 Rangers and i`ll be as happy as a pig in DohDohDohDoh,

[swoffa]

I'm like you Bear when it comes to a rack rod, I like something that loads up quickly so I can drag the buggers from the sharp oysters quickly. My personal preference is for a Bream Buster Brawler, which is a nice stiff-ish 6'6" stick with plent of grunt but enough give in the tip to fight the fish well on a locked drag.

I'm keen to start using my BeastBuster for larger HB's around racks, but it won't cast the small stuff too well as I've matched it with a Certate Custom and 10lb line.

[CHUNQX]

My choice has to do more with what I can afford more than anything else... for stiffer applications I always go to my SJ720 (loomis) which is a bit stiff for finesse SPs but perfect for heavy jigheads, or trying to muscle 1kg trevallies out of pylons and even big dirty-fighting bream out of structure....

[Bream Addict]

when ever i fish the racks i use a 7ft6 nitro, i know this sounds weird but its got a massive butt that i just lean on and yank them straight out, it flicks light hbs and heavier plastics really well

[NIZ]

if I was to get myself a rod specifically for the racks I would chose something with an ex-fast action rated from 3-5kg I like extra length in my rods so I would go with 6'6" - 7'

How would people rate the Loomis Drop shot DSR820S as a rack rod?

[Nath_18]

For my HB work i use a HL-Z 601LRS 'jerkin special'

For my SP work i now use a HL-Z 631LFS-ti 'finesse special'

I know some people that use absolute broom sticks for SP work (including myself lately - only had the HB for a while). Then Some people use a much soft rod for HB work.

I guess it all has to do with the area you fish in. I can use a much softer/slower taper rod for the area's i fish because there isn’t much very tight structure.

cheers, Nathan

[Richo]

Flats Raaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnngeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrr r



I just ordered another, and am now trying to work out how I get a third into the collection. Love them but can always pull stumps with the 6'6" reaper if need be. But a ranger will stop the biggest of them in my opinion, havnt I seen a hootin pic of chucky(thrillseeker) laying into something decent on his - maybe on the BD site.

Bear, is the sniper mainly a plastics rod that your using for hards?? because its stiff enough, im yet to see it. But as I say 'There aint no such thing as a lone ranger, you gotta have a couple'

cheers

[Bear]

To be honest Richo, it's probably one of the best HB rods I've used, that was the reason for talking to Cindy and Steve about a longer one. Can't wait for Friday