Speak softly and carry a big stick

[fishhead]

Oooops, I have no big stick :eek:

Shaggy recommended Ocean Master (and one other one ... can't recall the name ... alzhimers? ;) ... Anyway, now that I've fished with him and seen him and his big stick in use, I'm ready to step up :D

I've got a team Diawa 11ft 2piece rated for 6oz and 15-30lb if I remember correctly. It's seems to be able to handle the task, but it doesn't seem to have the strength I think I need.

Now, can anyone give me some direction on what stick to get? BPS has a few Ocean Masters available for $90-$100, but do I go with 10', 11', or 12' (or bigger)? Also, 1 piece or 2, and should I look for something that can handle 8oz? Other brands? I'd go up to $150 for a decent stick if that's what it takes.

Also, I'm thinking of moving down to 20 or 30lb PP in my reels, as the 50lb I used this year can rip the teeth out of shark ... i.e. - overkill. Plus, lighter line = longer casts :cool:

I realize everyone has their own favorites, but since I'm still a minor leaguer in the surf fishing league, I'll take your advice to heart. I want to make 2007 the year I get my first keeper striper and my first big drum :) :D :cool:

Thanks,
fishhead

[Mark G]

I assume you are using spinning reels.

The OM I consider to be a best buy for a first set up. They also have a version called the Cape point special- I have one in conventional.

There are other brands (Tica, Tsunami,etc) that will work also and may be a little lighter and easier to load and toss.

For heavy bait rods I recommend 12' in length in order to get the most casting distance.

If you were willing to go a little higher in price I recommend the Breakaway LDX and HDX(can be had for under $200), but not sure if they are available in spinning version.

The 12' OM comes in two weight ratings 3-6 and 6-12 oz. I have both rods and there ok but I have esentially gone to all conventional heavers.

May be willing to deal on the two rods if your interested, pm me.

[HuskyMD]

What will the application be?
Is this for AI? The bay? The answer will vary based on what you want to do with the rod.

The Oceanmaster is decent for the ocean.

[fishhead]

Hmmmm ... good info Surf Cat.

HuskyMD - Ocean fishing, as I think I've got bay fishing covered with the Team Diawa and a St Croix.

Now that 12' seems to be the length of choice, I may as well go a step or two above OM if that's more of a "starter" rod ... perhaps what I lack in fishing talent I can make up with better equipment :eek:

Where can I get some of these higher end rods at a decent price? I'll go the mail order route if there's no retail place within a 50 miles of here!

Thanks,
fishhead

[DickDog]

Fish Head

You might wanna check out this rod

Star Rod SG110HIS its only 11' though. Rated for 4-8oz which should put the sweet spot at 6 and throw 8nbait great. The reel might be your biggest consideration. I've always found good shimanos to outperform all others. Its about 190bucks but could probably find it cheaper.

There seems to be more choices in conventionals. Would you consider it?

A 12' heavy with a 525mag could change your view of fishing for the better, permanently.

[HuskyMD]

Let me preface this by saying I have only fished the ocean in MD/DE a few times. But I've been on this board long enough to know what the answers are.

The reason 12' is the common answer on length is the waves. The rod needs to be high enough so that when it is in your rod holder of choice, the line is above the level of the waves. That said, pay attention to the height of the reel seat. I have some off the shelf 12' rods that have the reel seat so high up that the length from the reel seat to the tip of the rod is the same as an 11' rod.

The oceanmaster is a broomstick. It is very heavy duty and will easily throw 8 ounces. There are some other cheap brromstick alternatives out there. The main complaint with them is that they are heavy compared to the more expensive rods. If you are fishing hard throwing 8 ounces or more, you may be very happy to have a light rod and save your muscles some punishment.

There are some people on the board who were trying to sell 12' oceanmasters if you want one.

[cygnus-x1]

I am still learning about rod setups and have not investigated the reel seat positions but I have both an OM Cape Point 12' and 2 12' Tica's. One Tica is a spinner and the rest Conventional. They are all rated 6-12 and can handle all that I can give.

I am not trying to tell you to NOT spend your money but your distance and accuracy will mainly come with practice and repetition. Once you have mastered these rods then you can make the ultimate leap to a custom rod made for your height and weight (yes you should get fitted just like for a set golf clubs)

The rods I use are great for me and I have increased my distance this year from what I used to use. Mainly b ecause I have the correct rod for the application.

Remember what Cast Daddy's Signature says....

"Distance cannot be bought ....
But can be achieved"

[fishhead]

DickDog – the CG110HIS looks pretty sweet … I’ve got a Shimano Baitrunner reel … Do you have one of these Star StellarLite rods?

SuftCat and DickDog – you both mentioned “conventionals” – I’m not sure what that means ... is that a reference to the rod or the reel ... or maybe both?

If you mean conventional reel, is PowerPro an option with them?

Yeah Cygnus, I know the CDL motto, but I'm thinking I can only get so much distance with what I got now, so I want to step up to something that I can "grow into" ... something that will have lots of potential to allow me to reach the fish that may be over the sandbar ... without wearing this old dude out ... besides, got a slightly bum hip, so I need an edge ;)

[cygnus-x1]

DickDog – the CG110HIS looks pretty sweet … I’ve got a Shimano Baitrunner reel … Do you have one of these Star StellarLite rods?

SuftCat and DickDog – you both mentioned “conventionals” – I’m not sure what that means ... is that a reference to the rod or the reel ... or maybe both?

If you mean conventional reel, is PowerPro an option with them?
fishhead ... read my post that popped in above yours.

A Conventional setup means casting rod and reel. The guides are smaller in diameter for these rods. A good casting reel is a Daiwa slosh 30 or a penn mag525. There are lots of others but these are what i have experience with. Trust me ... they make a helluva difference on the surf. Mainly because of the drag, the clicker, and you will get better distance. Plus there is no line twist!

[HuskyMD]

I have never fished hard all weekend at the ocean as some on this board do regularly. I am pretty sure those people can speak of the soreness one can have from casting two or three rods hard for 24 hours or longer.

I have an oceanmaster lite 12' conventional rod teamed with a penn 525 mag that I use when I go to the ocean. It is rated for up to 6 ounces I think, but it handled eight just fine for me. It's a decent rod for an off the shelf. They are also only 89.95 or something like that at Bass Pro right now. I paid like $120 for mine. I have used other people's Oceanmasters and they really are for 8 ounces and up (six didn't really even seem to load it when I tried). If this is strictly for 8 and bait, its a good choice (also just $90 right now at Bass Pro).

It's up to you whether you want to step up in price and get a custom rod or even just a nicer factory rod. Have you casted any of these rods? I'd suggest meeting up with some fellow P&S'ers and trying out some of the rods before making a purchase.

[fishhead]

Hmmm ... sounds like a good idea to try 'em first ... I'll try that before making any pricy purchases :eek:

I cast pretty decent distance, and am 6' and only 160lbs, but I sometimes feel I should be able to cast a lot further than I do ... maybe a DCL class is in my future!

[cygnus-x1]

Hmmm ... sounds like a good idea to try 'em first ... I'll try that before making any pricy purchases :eek:

I cast pretty decent distance, and am 6' and only 160lbs, but I sometimes feel I should be able to cast a lot further than I do ... maybe a DCL class is in my future!

pssssst (shhhh)

The fish are NOT always at the farthest sandbar ;)

[Gnatman]

CDL is high on the Tica Dolphin series.

Nice pricing, too.

:D

[fishhead]

Thanks to all for the advice ... not to squash any other advice that may be forthcoming :eek:

I'm a pretty careful shopper, as I'd rather buy the right thing once, then the wrong thing followed by the right thing! :cool:

[AtlantaKing]

I'm a pretty careful shopper, as I'd rather buy the right thing once, then the wrong thing followed by the right thing! :cool:

Well, if you like surf fishing, plan to do it for many more years, and have the money now, you could just go custom and be done with it. I mean, if you're going to get one later on anyhow, why not save the $$$ and get the custom now?

Me, I like my OMs. I like them so much that I've acquired my third one...an OM 10 Lite. The OM 12 Lite and the Cape Point was wearing me out, and most of the fish I catch are puny so I decided to go lighter. Plus, it's colors kinda match my new (inbound) Blue Yonder :D

[DickDog]

Plus, it's colors kinda match my new (inbound) Blue Yonder :D

Careful with that yonder AKing. That aint no toy!:p

[DickDog]

DickDog – the CG110HIS looks pretty sweet … I’ve got a Shimano Baitrunner reel … Do you have one of these Star StellarLite rods?

I do have one..The 10' conventional up to 5oz. This is my "light" surf action. I'll probably pick up an 11' for 8oz. to replace my "medium" surf StCroix if that ever breaks and if they made a 12or13' for 10-12oz. well i guess you know what id get!

Just my opinion but this is a great rod at a fair price that no one else has!:p
Except me of course.:D :D :D

I'd try to match it with somethin like the shimano stradic or sustain i'm guessing in the 6000+ series. Sorry i don't know lots about spinning combos.

[fishhead]

Hmmmm ... now, would switching to conventional mean a radical learning curve in terms of casting :eek: I'd be OK with that, particularly if there are a number of advantages in terms of distance, control, etc.

I can't say I've seen many folks using conventional setups ... when I have seen them I've been sort of puzzled why they were using them ... silly me, I was thinking that was "old school" and they were folks that were just resisting the transition to spinning setups :eek: I guess you need to use what works for you, sort of like braid vs mono!

Man ... the more I learn about fishing equipment the stupider I feel ;)

One thing is for sure, I'm going to be ready for the spring migration, and it appears that will take some research, practice, some $$$, and some sound advice from you seasoned pros!

thanks again,
fishhead

[creek]

Fishhead,

When I went to conventional in the mid 80's I was definetly in the minority, both in my group and in the general fishing population. Today with the emphasis on distance, more and more people are switching to conventional. I like them because I don't worry about cutting my finger on the cast and you can cast farther.

As far as braid goes there are many opinions, Some use it as a backing to get more line on a reel, some only use braid. The down side is the cost, the problems you have picking out bird nests or if you get tangled with someone else. There are many places that do not welcome braid fisherman. One thing to keep in mind is what are you fishing for, as there is not any rod built that will cover all fishing situations. That's what makes us tackle Hoos.

If you go to conventional be prepared to pay your dues. The only way to distance is Practice practice practice and more PRACTICE. I witnessed Roger Mortimore an English distance caster hit almost a 100 yards casting a short broom stick with a few guides taped on. Distance comes from the caster first and not the equipment imho

[fishhead]

Hmmm ... I'm liking the sound of this ... just looked up Roger Mortimore and man, I read he can cast over 300yds on a bad day ... I'd need binoculars to see where the sinker landed at that kind of distance :eek:

I have had almost no trouble with birds nests, tangles, etc, with braid, but would you reccommend switching back to mono for conventional setup? I'm game if there are advantages to that ... the cost of braid doesn't bother me much, cuz it seems to last a very long time between respooling.

That being said, I also suppose there have been advances in the quality of mono since I made the switch to braid over two years ago ... can anyone speak from experience on that point?

fishhead

[Lipyourown]

Get a 12' tica that handles 8 n bait and match it with a 525 mag, load it with mono 17-20#. Easier to learn with 20# mono. Once you master that rod, or break it, drop some serious money into a custom or high end off the shelf. You will have a great reel already (525) to put on your new high end. Don't go custom off the bat cause you don't know what you like yet.

You already have an 11' which handles the bay nicely and good for calmer ocean days so get a 12 now. On the 12, use nothing but 8 ounces, even on calm days so you master the all important 8nbait. (use the existing 11' for the first trough). 8'll be there when you need it and you will need it. I think a tica conventional would be easier to learn than a OM conv. I think the 525 will last longer than an ABU. steer clear of diawa.