Rod Discussion

[Nick Kuhn]

So I'm personally in the market for a new rig, will probably pair it with a Revo Toro. My market is for an 8' rod (I can't transport or store anything that's an 1" over 8 foot) that will throw up to DC10's at the heavy end, but this thread can be a discussion of all rods.

I read the Tackle Industries rod thread, and they seem nice but they do weigh in at 20% heavier than a legend tournament and 10% heavier than a Premier (St. Croix is nice enough to list rod weights). I'd like something a little lighter if I can get it.

I personally would like to hear about some of the "other" rods that don't get mentioned much. Any owners of Tooth Tamers, Black River, Fenwick Elite Tech, etc want to chime in? Also I saw a Shimano Calcutta muskie rod the other day but for the life of me I can't find any info anywhere on it. What's the story on those? Gander Mountain also has a new line for this season, anyone own that? I'm sure there are others I am missing, feel free to talk about those as well.

[Cooter]

If you can afford a legend tournament whats the point of a discussion?

I'm all for another round of reviews but my cheap arse is looking at no more than $150.

[Nick Kuhn]

The question isn't so much what I can afford so much as when I can afford it. Both July and September are 5 paycheck months. With anything I buy I like to stay in the linear price/performance zone though. No sense paying double for something that's only slightly better.

[50inchpig]

touche, Cooter. slingblade is the best rod....ever. but, since i won't get a deal like i got the first time my next rod will be another Gander.

had one now for two seasons, only drawback is weight, which you might notice if you're using a the revo, but i've also never seen anyone quit fishing and start whining because their rod weighed too much. "dude, how do you expect me to keep fishing, my rod weighs a whole 2 oz more than yours!"

new models might even be lighter, i love the action of the blank, it's a tad slower and great for dawgs, threw lots and lots of blades last year on it and at 8.5' won't hurt you boatside either and hookup percentages were great with it. i started using the GM rod over my other custom last year because i liked the action so much.

[Esox_Magnum]

Granted my experience is based on 9' rods but heres my thoughts. I own a custom H Throrne Brothters Predator built on a St Croix Legend blank, balanced with a Revo Toro 60, it's sweet yes but it was expensive, my 2nd rod is a Tackle Industries XH great all around rod and balances great with an Okuma Induron, last rod I carry is the odd one an 8' G Loomis. Rod thats in my hands 90% of the time once I find a pattern is the TI rod no matter what I'm throwing. Predator gets the other 10% and the Loomis sits in the locker as a spare....

Side by side the TI rod is not noticably heavier than my Predator, neither can match the Loomis though. If you go the Predator route get the XH. Predator will balance out alot better with a Toro than a Slingblade will.

IMO buy 2-3 TI rods for the price a Legend or Predator will cost you.

Now to the heavy rod comment, try throwing a Muskie Innovations rod for 40 hours a week, you will hear complaining then and looking for the bottle of Advil and your elbow brace and cortazone shots.....

[Bassinbob84]

I like my legends but my next rod is going to be a 9' hulbert rod by musky armor. For $130 they are awesome.

[MikeEiden]

If you can't store anything longer than 8' then I would look at the telescoping models. Okuma has a 9'3" H&XH rods that are good all around rods. I've read a lot of people even like to troll with them. You get to keep the length but cut down on storage. I've held the TI 9'XH and its a nice light rod. Under 12oz is pretty good for the price. Take the handle off and it will fit in your storage.

As Esox Mag said if you want to chuck some heavy lumber get a MI Bulldawg rod. It gets me warmed up for splitting wood in the fall!

[propster]

JRedig on this site owns an 8' Shimano Calcutta. I took a couple casts with it and it seems really decent. The kid has a Hulbert Musky Armor 9', which I know is longer than your storage, and longer than ours also, but at $100 (special at the expo) it's a nice rod, with fatter cork and lighter weight. We'll put up with not storing it.

[hunterjoe]

Gander has a new rod that has a split grip like the sling blade. Only really looked at it once, but it seemed light. There are multiple length/power options. I think it is the GSX model and they were $150 if I remember right. Might be worth a look. I also have a sling blade like 50, and it is a sweet rod. 8'6" though so it may be too long for your liking.

Oh, forgot to mention, I have an 8' gander rod I bought last year to throw blades. It worked well, but now that i have the sling blade, it doesn't get used. I can look at it to let you know what model it is if you'd like. It was right around $100, but if I were to do it again, I'd get the GSX and spend the extra $50.

[ole matty]

Okuma 9'3" xh get my vote. I have custom rod from Gary custom. Not sure what blank is but I like okuma over my custom rod. It's telescopic to 7'6" it's fit in car very nice. It may be heavier but it will be unnoticeable after awhile. It throw and figure 8 effortless with dbl 10/13. . If I didn't had custom one I wld get another one in heartbeat.

[JRedig]

Nick, are you in the cities? If so, you're welcome to come and try the Shimano Calcutta, i've got 4-5 different reels I could put on it, or bring your own. I don't use it much actually, usually a trolling and dive and rise jerkbait/ripping cranks rod. I can't remember how it does with double tens, been a while.

I'd recommend the okuma telescoping, i have a friend with one, it's his go to rod and it's pretty darn good. Not in the same league as a predator, but then again, there's a $300 price difference give or take a little.

Hugobox can speak to the thorne telescoping rods, he got one this year. Haven't heard from him on it though.

[Nick Kuhn]

During the week I'm in the cities (northwest Wisconsin on weekends, also where all my gear is). I work at 3M Center until around 5 so I'm available after that. Any evening except Thursday (softball night) works. Feel free to email me (vahntitrio at gmail dot com).

As far as split grips go, it took me a long time to get used to on my new bass rod. I like how balanced and sensitive the rod is, but I'm used to casting with both hands right next to one another so my accuracy suffers a bit (though it will probably improve).

[Fred_Bear]

I just got a 8'6" XH Gander GSX with a split grip paired with a saltist 20 for $280 on Saturday. Used it for the first time tonight and really liked it. Threw a showgirl, cowgirl, and mag dawg with it and worked well for each... Even put 2 fish in the boat with it so now I kinda have to like it

[aroep]

Picked up an Okuma EVX XH this year and love it! $92 shipped to my door next day from Thorne Bros during their online sale, should've got 2 or 3 of them. I think they're $115 regular price.

[HugoBox]

Hugobox can speak to the thorne telescoping rods, he got one this year. Haven't heard from him on it though.

I picked up the A Thornecraft telescoping HVY action rod at the expo and have a Toro on it - so far I've been very happy. I've only landed a couple fish with it though so to be honest I'm still a bit nervous about long term durability of the telescoping part of the handle (it will prolly be fine though). To be honest, for the $99 that Reeds is asking for these I don't think you can go wrong. They have a model that extends from 7'-11" to 8'-9" if you're looking for extra length. I have the model that goes from 8'-6" to 9'-3" and love the length. It is nice to be able to adjust the handle to right where its comfortable for me.

I have an 8 foot MH St. Croix Premier as well. Before I went long this was my go to for lots of stuff and I was always very happy with it. I just don't throw it as much now.

[urban cowboy]

The Okuma 9'3" XH is a nice rod. telescopic too. Breaks down to like 7'.

Throws everything from showgirls to super models to mag dawgs. Great price too. I think I am going to buy a couple more this fall to replace all fo my 8 footers.

[scsavre]

Box, I bought 1 of those Thornecraft things too. I have never even used it though. I am pretty sure that the telescopic handle is already broken. It just come all the way out. And doesnt stay in any position. Is there something I am suppose to do. I might have to try to exchange if i get up to Reeds some day.

[john skarie]

The handle needs to be turned one way to tighten and the other to loosen if I'm not mistaken.

Just like an adjustable ski pole.

JS

[Nick Kuhn]

For the record I went with the 8' XH Gander Mountain GSX Tournament (Split Grip). Revo Toro will be here tomorrow. Total damage for both will be $317.68 after taxes, shipping, etc.

Only took me an hour to break it in too, first fish of many I hope:

Will see how it performs with the Toro on it. It was just fine with a 6501C3 on it, so it should perform even better. Haven't thrown any mag dawgs yet, but I really don't plan on doing so much given my track record with dawgs...

[Grunt L]

Just give me another 5-6 weeks and I will have my new 9' rod lines ready to go in telescopic with your choice of a 18" fat cork handle OR an 18" split grip fat cork design. Also will have the removable handle rods in the current black color or camo with matte black accents. Made them for Operation Musky but figured I might as well make 100 of each color for sales too (only in the 9' MH, XH and XXH though on camo). In 2011 I will also be coming out with solid 9' rods in MH, XH and XXH. I think I can get the weight for my solid one piece rods down in weight near a St Croix. Working on a new idea for the materials/fibers/glues incorperated into my blanks to get the right balance between total weight, flex, strength, etc. Need to incorperate some nano or buckyball technology for you science geeks Can't wait!

James

[Esox_Magnum]

I still got dibs on a camo one James. Let me know when they come in...

[channelfats]

I bought one of those thornecraft telescoping rods at the show, and the handle pulled out the second time using it, and now will not lock back in. The tip crumbled like a toothpick in a small mishap in the boat;A mishap that shouldnt crumble any rod tip. Honestly, at 99 bucks, I feel I paid atleast 20 dollars too much.

However , I fixed the eyelet, and duct taped the heII out of the handle in place, and its a real good Jerk/WTD rod now.