New surface rod for summer

[Subtropic]

Hi Raiders

I have a gap in my arsenal.

I currently have a Shimano raider 6ft, 1-3kg (3-8g lures) and a Pflueger Trion Native Specialist 7ft 3-6kg rods for spinning.

The Pflueger is a good rod however is better suited to fishing hardbodies or metal lures. With its medium action and 3-6kg rating it is not a good rod for light lures or soft plastics. I see the future of this rod targeting Mangrove Jacks, Tailor, Salmon or Trevally. 

The Raider is a great rod, however it is very short (designed for kayaks).

I am after a rod that I can:

- Target surface whiting and bream

- Easily walk the dog stick baits

- Can throw slightly heavier lures than the raider (say upwards to 12g or 14g)

-  7ft to improve casting distance

- 2-4kg range

Regards

Grant

[JonD]

Ive got a Bone Voyage travel rod which has done a few trips up north to the tropics, which can be used on a large variety of species. Ive even used on on kings without any issue but its equally fun on small fish.

[DerekD]

ArrowZ Estuary Ultralight. AAS-270UL

Specs: 7 foot 0. 3-10lb line rating 3-14gram lure rating.

Usually around $139 but can be found for around $100 with a bit of patience.

Short butt which means that it can be worked rod tip down without hitting on the meat of the forearm.

 

Edited August 14, 2022 by DerekD

[Restyle]

i enjoy the shimano jewl rods, come in a wide range of sizes, short butt on it too which i prefer, i have used zodias and much prefer the flexible tips on the jewl's

[Subtropic]

1 hour ago, JonD said:

Ive got a Bone Voyage travel rod which has done a few trips up north to the tropics, which can be used on a large variety of species. Ive even used on on kings without any issue but its equally fun on small fish.

Thanks Jon. I have to be honest here and admit that I have been historically been a little judgmental against travel rods. However you clearly have some runs on the board. 

[Subtropic]

1 hour ago, DerekD said:

ArrowZ Estuary Ultralight. AAS-270UL

Specs: 7 foot 0. 3-10lb line rating 3-14gram lure rating.

Usually around $139 but can be found for around $100 with a bit of patience.

Short butt which means that it can be worked rod tip down without hitting on the meat of the forearm.

 

I reckon this is a contender, perfect for bass in the summer as well. I am going to get a two piece this time as well, assume that doesn’t affect performance?

[Subtropic]

1 hour ago, Restyle said:

i enjoy the shimano jewl rods, come in a wide range of sizes, short butt on it too which i prefer, i have used zodias and much prefer the flexible tips on the jewl's

Going to have a look at these rods as well, thanks for the suggestion.

[Subtropic]

Has anyone used the Wilson Blade and Tails?

[DerekD]

39 minutes ago, Subtropic said:

I reckon this is a contender, perfect for bass in the summer as well. I am going to get a two piece this time as well, assume that doesn’t affect performance?

Two piece doesn't appear to affect the performance. Nice thing about this outfit is I have no issue chasing pelagics such as salmon and kingfish on it. I've setup several people I've been mentoring on this rod (matched with a Sedona 2500 reel) and haven't had any complaints yet. I use the same rod for most of my fishing but upgraded the reel from the Sedona to the Stradic as a get out of Covid isolation present to myself and it is a sweet outfit.

Are you anywhere near the lower north shore of Sydney. Can arrange a try before you buy. Based on your species list I suspect you are in Queensland somewhere.

[Subtropic]

Thanks for the offer Derek, however I am in Grafton and fish mostly north coast NSW and Qld when on holidays. I have a Daiwa Tierra LT 2000 reel which I plan to use with the new rod. 
It blows my mind that such a light rod can handle Salmon or Kings in the harbour.

[DerekD]

11 minutes ago, Subtropic said:

It blows my mind that such a light rod can handle Salmon or Kings in the harbour.

We often have room to let them run and wear themselves out. The fights can be 5 to 15 minutes depending on how hard you want to go but you are grinning all the way. Couldn't afford to do that with fish such as a mangrove jack close to structure. Best kingfish to date on the 2-4kg outfit was 70cm but on the kayak in the harbour with that outfit I think I have a good chance on an 80cm or better specimen.

If you get the chance look at Youtube channel Sandflats Fishing Australia. He is doing what I suspect you want to be doing and he is also using the gear I'm suggesting.

I use 4lb Berkley X5 on a lot of my outfits but it is tested to break at around 14lb on a test rig. I usually use 8lb leader but will go to 10lb leader if we have a lot of pelagics around. Don't need it during the fight but it helps during the endgame fishing shore based when they get close to structure.

Edited August 14, 2022 by DerekD

[Subtropic]

1 minute ago, DerekD said:

We often have room to let them run and wear themselves out. The fights can be 5 to 15 minutes depending on how hard you want to go but you are grinning all the way. Couldn't afford to do that with fish such as a mangrove jack close to structure. Best kingfish to day on the 2-4kg outfit was 70cm but on the kayak in the harbour with that

If you get the chance look at Youtube channel Sandflats Fishing Australia. He is doing what I suspect you want to be doing and he is also using the gear I'm suggesting.

I use 4lb Berkley X5 on a lot of my outfits but it is tested to break at around 14lb on a test rig. I usually use 8lb leader but will go to 10lb leader if we have a lot of pelagics around. Don't need it during the fight but it helps during the endgame fishing shore based when they get close to structure.

Thanks 🙏 much appreciated. I will let you know what I get…could be two weeks away

[DerekD]

1 minute ago, Subtropic said:

Thanks 🙏 much appreciated. I will let you know what I get…could be two weeks away

Part of the fun is the research... 😃

Hope you find something which gives you years of joy.

[JonD]

18 hours ago, Subtropic said:

Thanks Jon. I have to be honest here and admit that I have been historically been a little judgmental against travel rods. However you clearly have some runs on the board. 

I was always anti travel rods but the Bone voyage impressed me enough to also buy a Shimano grappler travel rod in the medium size. They also do non travel rods but I liked the fact it packs up small which makes it safer to carry in the car or travelling.

Not sure if you saw the catch reports testing the grappler but here it is in action, works great flicking lures for salmon but also has some balls chasing bigger surface action. Ive been very impressed as its extremely light and easy to use cast after cast. 
 

I know this grappler is big in relation to what you want but there are plenty in the range, especially in two piece rods.

 

 

 

Edited August 15, 2022 by JonD

[Little_Flatty]

@JonD The picture with the Grappler loaded up, with 1/3 of the line missing from the spool just looks like a world of hurt! And a great endorsement for travel rods in general!