Diamondbacks

[cjac]

Going to have one made by Pro Edge....made the mistake of picking one up and holding it.

If I'm looking in the 7 1/2 to 8 foot range for a rod for medium bucktails and spinnerbaits, will the Medium suffice or should I go MH?? I have not used the Dbacks before so I'm not sure how their "weights" are.

Any feedback is appreciated.

Chris

[Random guy]

I have a 8'6" MH Diamondback that I think is perfect for bucktail action.

[RK]

Hiya Cjac -

I've been using Diamondbacks made by Pro Edge the last couple of years. Love the things.

I use a couple different rods for bucktails. For most bucktails I use either a 7'6" or 8'6" Medium. The blanks might be different now but the 8'6" I have is a 2-piece, and the action is a lot slower than the one-piece Mediums. Great for light baits like Lilytails because of the length, but I wish the action were a little faster. I wouldn't throw a very big spinnerbait with either of these rods. For spinnerbaits, I use a 7'6" Medium-Heavy. A little more backbone than the 7'6" Medium, but the same blank speed. Probably a more versatile all-around rod. Can throw a bucktail just fine unless you're whipping a lilytail into the wind (not enough weight there to load the blank), but enough power for bigger bucktails like Harassers, or spinnerbaits.

Just talk it over with Keith - he'll help you decide which one's right for you.

You'll love the rod.

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[Huey]

Cjac-

You probably want the MH, as JonP recommended.

I have 2 diamondbacks made by Keith. Both are 2pc made from 8'6" blank. One is 8'6" (I think it is the "Med" rating) that is great for small bucktails like musky candy or showgirls. I love it but a lot of people might consider too light. It's probably more like a heavy salmon rod than a muskie rod. I wondered if it was heavy enough myself until I was lucky enough to land a 50" with it last summer. The other rod is 8' (cut back from a 8'6" med heavy, I think) that I use for everything else. It also casts small bucktails well but it a better choice for heavier baits.

Good luck. I think you'll love your ProEdge diamond back.

Huey

[cjac]

Thanks for the input guys, I'm going to do a couple rods. The rod Jonny P recommended and another on the jerkbait blank for the Suicks, topwaters, etc. They will basically last me a lifetime, so really a great value in the long run.

Huey/RK: Do you guys stick with the fat cork or do you have them turned down a bit?

Thanks, Chris

[MuskieMojoTackle]

Chris -

FAT CORK ROCKS!!

[RK]

Hiya Chris -

My handles are really bizarre. They're all different - some have fat cork, some have really skinny cork that isn't much bigger than the rod blank. It's by design though. I hold the rod by the foregrip the whole time (don't switch hands to cast) so having different size foregrips is a way of giving my left hand a break just by switching rods. Do have to say though that the fat cork was really nice in the fall when I was wearing gloves...

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[Random guy]

Quote:

---

Chris -

FAT CORK ROCKS!!

---

No Baldy, Skinny Cork Rock!

I'm one of the guys like Ty that turn the handles way down skinny, if ya got short fat fingers big cork is hard to control, I'm like a Musky Ninja with my 8'6" rod and skiny cork working around the weeds.

I also extend the handle Waaaaay back so I can tuck it under my arm, I'm one of the twist at the waist to hookset guys.

[RK]

Hiya -

I'm just the opposite on rear grip length. Mine are about 8-1/2 to 9" long. I sort of tuck the butt into my side, rather than under my arm. Short handles are almost a necessity because of how I cast - left hand on the foregrip, and right hand thumbing the reel. I think if I tried to cast like that with a normal length rear grip I'd break my jaw with the rod butt. Seems bizarre when the first thing I do with a new rod is take a hack saw to it, but it works for me

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[cjac]

Well, that clears this up for me!!! Fat on the rear, skinny on the foregrip, and keep RK and his hacksaw far far away!

Cool part of this, in talking to Keith he said we can start out with the fat and he will turn them down for me if I want. That's one of the benefits of going custom! Service at it's finest!

Chris

[Random guy]

Quote:

---

the first thing I do with a new rod is take a hack saw to it, but it works for me

---

The Horror, I'm gonna have bad dreams about that.

[MuskieMojoTackle]

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

Chris -

FAT CORK ROCKS!!

---

No Baldy, Skinny Cork Rock!

I'm one of the guys like Ty that turn the handles way down skinny, if ya got short fat fingers big cork is hard to control, I'm like a Musky Ninja with my 8'6" rod and skiny cork working around the weeds.

I also extend the handle Waaaaay back so I can tuck it under my arm, I'm one of the twist at the waist to hookset guys.

---

I palm the reel so cork diameter really isn't an issue when I'm retrieving, but that far cork is really nice to gran on to when I'm casting a pounder.

Rob, I taken a hacksaw to a rod or two as well, but I'm usually doing it so I can add a "custom" handle extension.

[Professional Edge]

Hello all.

I just want to keep you folks informed that have inquired over the last several months about purchasing a custom built PE Diamondback or ordering rod blanks. Diamondback has relocated their factory to the main headquarters of Cortland Tackle in Cortland NY. This process is taking longer then expected and shipping dates have been delayed again because of it. What originally started as an early this year shipment has now become mid to late May. This is by no means ideal for many of you and for that I apologize, as does Diamondback.

The good thing is that with the move Diamondback is going to be able to meet more of the demand for their rod blanks in the future. Diamondback has built a reputation in the business as one of the best musky and freshwater blanks in the market and this reputation has increased the demand.

I am sure I do not stand alone when I say it is worth the wait.

If you have any questions, you can call me or email.

Sorry again.

Keith