8'6" Medium rod capabilities?

[PDXFisher]

So I'd like to get something that makes throwing the smaller stuff easier. I know Cjac went with a 9' medium, I think I'd like to get a 8'6". What I'd like to know is if either the M or MH can throw both the smaller stuff like husky jerk-baits and Vibrax 5 and other smaller Pike lures, and go throw something like Double Showgirls? Also, any chance this a rod that can do this could also double as a trolling rod, or would it be in danger of getting snapped? Keith, if you see this...what would you recommend that could you have ready by June 1st?

Thanks!

[cjac]

Hey there PDX,

I have an 8' KT Dback and added the 9' this year, both M action, but the 9' I've not used yet. I love the 8' M action for the lighter stuff, as I have a new-found thrill of chasing tigers. The 8' throws a Candy Spin like a dream, also steps up to heavier baits without an issue.

Honestly, I've not used the 8' M Dback with Husky Js, X-Raps, etc. but it would do very well I'd imagine. I have a 7'10" Avid flippin' stick that I use more for the 1/2oz range stuff. I did use the Dback with 6" Swim Wizz baits and loved it. Love the rod overall, despite the pink wraps. It was for the Mrs but I quickly took it over! Oops......

Keith loves the 8'6" MH Diamondback, I fished with him last year and that was all he brought. We'll see what KT says, but the 8' M Dback has become my favorite rod, proof being I added the 9'.

Overall, amazing rods, I'm not a high-end guy in general, but these rods are worth the penny.

[Rebel9921]

PDX... YIKES... you'd better get your order in if you want it done by June 1st... I ordered mine last Feburary, a month before the MN Muskie Expo... and its not ready... Keith knows he has plenty of time til June 7th anyways so its all good... waiting for those two rods will definitely be worth it

[Tippman]

Think I'll be calling him about a 8'6" MH diamondback as well. Talked to him at the expo about it and have looked around some since then. There aren't a whole lot of nice 8'6" rods out there for one thing. That and haven't heard anyone say anything bad about him yet. The one thing keeping me away was he said there was only a one year warranty on it.

[Rebel9921]

I could be wrong... but I think I remember Keith saying something about the blanks falling under the manufacturers' warranty... so it might be more than a year for the DB and StC blanks...

[cjac]

All custom rod builders work with the manufacturer warranty on the blank, same as one off the rack. If there's any issues with craftsmanship, their reputation rides on good word, so they'll take care of you.

[Tippman]

So if Diamondback is such a nice high quality rod why does the company only have a one year warranty unlike most other high end rod companies?

[PDXFisher]

 Originally Posted By: Rebel9921

PDX... YIKES... you'd better get your order in if you want it done by June 1st

Sometimes it takes me a while to figure these things out. I just need a rod I can use for Pike as well as small Muskie stuff. I plan on having another Curado or two, and it would be a good match (as Cjac has found). I think I'll just get a couple Taloras for trolling.

[RK]

Hiya -

The M Diamondback is probably one of my most used rods (although mine are 7'6"). Can throw light bucktails and twitch baits on it all day. Stuff like X-raps and 14 HJs may depend more on the reel than the rod, but with and 8'6" you have a lot of blank speed built up on a cast to fling some pretty small stuff I bet.

The other option for small stuff is a plain ol' flippin stick. I use one all the time for muskies. But a M muskie rod would probably be more versatile.

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[Professional Edge]

Hello everybody. This post might get long so I apologize now.

There are several options with for a small bait sticks. The Diamondback sure is one of the best in the market for smaller baits. I would recommend the DB medium or in my case the DB 8-6 two piece heavy. That is the stick cjac was talking about. Diamondback has built a blank that is very responsive on the tip. If you look around at most manufactured sticks, they offer a blank with no tip bend to it which does not allow the rod to load when casting or when there is a fish on it. Pressure to the fish’s mouth is key to not having them come unbuttoned during a fight. NO TROLLING WITH A DB.

With that being said I have spent some time talking to the Reps from St Croix about the Tournament series sticks and the blank they are built on. During the last day of the Blaine show, I was given a small piece of the Tournament blank by them and asked to crush it. I could not. The hoop strength on this stick is second to none. This is a case where a company has gone back to the drawing board and changed the way blanks are built. I will attach a link to the end that will take you to their site explaining. Main thing to me is they added strength without adding material which means less weight. Is it worth the extra money? I know I have probably said “no” in the past but I have changed my mind.

What am I going to build myself this year for musky fishing because I sell all my sticks at the end of the year except my 8-6 two piece? My wife just found out her pink 9 foot DB is gone. Think I will ask her next year if I can sell her fishing rod. Lost all my good points there.

#1). A custom built on the same blank the 8 foot St Croix Tournament Mega Swimbait is built on but I am going to extend it to 9 feet. It is rated for 3-8 ounces.

#2). A 9 foot Edge Series. Best all around blank I have built on. It can throw heavy to mid range baits.

#3). I want to try the St Croix 4 series 80MHF but built to 9 feet. It is rated for up to 3 ounces. I built this stick for Rob Manthei this year and I really like the soft tip on it for throwing really small stuff.

#4 & 5). A 9 foot DB Medium and a 9 foot DB Heavy. The heavy will be my Double 10 blade stick.

All my sticks will be built with Syncork for many reasons.

Larry yours has one coat of glue on and will be done this week.

http://www.stcroixrods.com/content.asp?id=19&section=resources

If you guys have more questions you can post them and I will resond to them.

Hope all is well.

Keith

[Tippman]

Thanks Keith, I'll just call this week sometime and you can help me figure something out over the phone.

[cjac]

Great info here......

Couple more thoughts...

Reels:

RK commented on the reel being a big factor for smaller baits. I couldn't agree more. For $100 I think the Shimano Cardiff 300 is a great buy. Some call it the "pood man's" Calcutta. Watch some of the Lindner shows and you'll see 'em being used on bigger walleye and bass bait presentations, like 1/2oz lures. I also have the Daiwa Luna 253, nice reel.

Problem with both is they don't have the non-disnegaging spool that the bigger reels have, meaning the point of release stays the same on the cast, so the line is coming across the spool and going out from a stationary point. Cuts down on casting distance, especially with a lighter bait pulling the line out. That's where the longer rod with more load can help.

I picked up a Shimano Curado 300DSV to try this year, again though, doesn't have the non-disengaging spool. Still, smaller spool diameter and big gears coupled with the Shimano drag system, it should be a good reel. Shimano is coming out with new Curado models, and I believe the 300 too, late this summer. Apparently they feel that weight on some of the reels is an issue in comarison to the competition, like the Revos, etc.

Line:

I go with 65lb Cortland Masterbraid or Power Pro on these reels, still enough strength and room for a little more line. Some guys drop to 50, but it a little too light for me, and can bind up in the spool.

Rods:

KT, can you comment on why all yours are going to 9'? RK tends to stay under 8', and has been known to take a hacksaw to the butts......scary concept. Yes, I did add the one 9', but what are your thoughts on going to 9'? Does one hit a point of diminishing return on rod length?

[Professional Edge]

Why longer?

I think it is easier to work a bait and easier to cast. I built a 9 footer mid season last year and immediately sold all my 8 footers. It really can be preference and in my case 9 foot is ideal for me. I am not sure I will build a 9-6 this year. I use my nine footers for every bait I own…topwater…jerkbaits…bucktails…you name it.

When I build RK and Jack Burns sticks they only have 8 inches of rear cork. That puts another 6 inches of fishing rod above the reel seat. Total length can be deceiving. They have a special way of casting which makes long rear cork problematic. I like 15 inches to tuck under my arm.

I really noticed the difference in performace when I built my wife a 9 footer. It increased her casting distance and also made it effortless.

Also to comment on line. Cortland Masterbraid Bronzeback is the best line I have ever used hands down. I could write a novel why but it is good stuff. I use if for bass, walleye, sunfish, musky and crappies in the summer and winter.

[PDXFisher]

 Originally Posted By: cjac

I picked up a Shimano Curado 300DSV to try this year, again though, doesn't have the non-disengaging spool. Still, smaller spool diameter and big gears coupled with the Shimano drag system, it should be a good reel.

Not only smaller diameter, but much narrower spool. As long as you retrieve to the point where the thingy (I don't know the name for it, bear with me) is in the middle, I can't imagine it makes a huge difference. I also would think that the thicker the line, the less of a detriment it would be vis-a-vis the non-disenagaging spool. I would definitely put 65 on there. I have one right now with 80, just because that's what I had in my bag at the time.

I wish there were more 2-piece rod options. Lugging these things on planes sucks. All my fly rods are four piece now, therefore carry-ons.