Ok, most of you have seen this one before, what's your favorute gear: rods and reels, spinning, fly, and/or conventional....

Me, for schoolies a 6.5' to 8' graphite with an Abu 5500C3 conventional setup.
Rest of the season: 9' Saber or 10' Lami graphite with an Abu6500 Mag Elite (backup reel or when ch#^&#^&#^&#^&#^& cut bait - Calcutta 400) but wanting to spruce up my 7000.

Wish list- Penn 975 <img src="http://striped-bass.com/Images/965_tnsmall.jpg" border="0"> - looks sweet...

Fly rod? next year perhaps... <img src="/Images/biggrin.gif"><!--e7-->

I start the season off with a 7' fenwick tecna AV and a 6500 CS Mag Elite & 12 Lb for schoolies.
Change to 9' All Star 1088 with the Mag Elite with 20 lb for the Herring run . Then go to a 1208 Allstar with the Abu 7000C-3 with 30 lb for the canal for top water. When fish are on the bottom i pull out the 1209 All-Star with 40lb.

Mike

You like that All Star... Can you get the same blanks that the breakaways are built on? And are those stout enough for the Canal??

Thanks

John the All-Star blank is plenty of blank for the canal. In fact I think All-star is at or close to the top of the heap when it comes to to blanks. I have 3 on order, a 1145, 1208 and a 2pc/1pc. The 1208 will be for jigging the canal. Tres IBby at Hatteras Outfitter does a nice job with them, talk to him about them he will give you plenty of good info on them, his builder Wayne also makes a beautiful rod, some of the best I have ever seen. The rods they make are cusotme made tested and laid out for each angler. Check out his website......

http://www.hatterasoutfitters.com/

John

John, I have the 1208 that Mike wrapped for me last year--I think it is a great blank, too. Right now, I have JCXX's Sabre 1208 in my rafters awaiting the opportunity to deliver it, and side by side, there's no question that the All Star is a stronger rod for weights starting at 3 and up--and a better action for jigging, too. I've cast tins and plugs with it too, and IMO it is the equal of my 11' Arra (1322) for casting. I haven't had the opportunity to wrestle with a real LARGE yet, but expect it to at least equal the Arra in that respect. And based on what I hear, if the need ever comes to replace that Arra, it will probably be with the 11'9" that Saltheart seems to have fallen in love with--I just have this funny thing about 2 piece rods, like, generally, I hate 'em!!

Did you have a chance to talk to Big Dave at the show? He was the big guy working at the Hatteras Jack booth. He seems to think that the All-Star 1266 blank is a very versatile, all-around blank--but again, 2 piece. He thought that the 1209 doesn't really begin to load until you get to 5 or 6 ounces, and that the 1208 is plenty of rod for jigs in the Ditch. The 1209 would be the choice for 5 or 6 ounces of lead and a chunk.

OK, favorite rigs. For the back bays and light lures, Sabre 9' 1087 spinning rod with VS or Penn 704 and 30# Whiplash, or 20# mono depending on methods. Favorite rig for the rocks or eels, 9' Sabre 1088 and Calcutta 400, with 50# Whiplash or 20# mono depending on methods. For the high surf, Canal, or other big water, All-Star 1208 with Penn 975, and 50# Spectron for jigging, 25# Big Game for plugging or eels in the surf.

I start the season with a Lami Steelhead rod. GSH108-2H. In the past I've used a Penn450SS on it which I didn't like. Switched to a Mitchel Orca which I really likes but it was cheap and got rough turning after a couple of seasons. Last year I got the Suveran for it. I use 10 LB big Game on the Suveran. drag is great.
I then switch to a Sabre 1089 with a souped up BG6500CL spooled with 50 LB Cortland Spectron. I use that rig wherever I can. Its definitely my favorite setup. I fish it at the Canal , I liveline herring with it , I use it in all the brachways. Great fishing gear.
For fishing outside on the beach I go to Loomis1266. I started last year with a Morrum 6600 on it and it was excellent. trouble is that the bearings on the Morrum got $hitty quick and are about $35 to replace. I switched to a 6500 Mag Elite with 35 LB Spectron.
Lastly I have a Rocket Launcher in the Breakaway 11'9" rod. I use a 6500 Mag Elite levelwind with 35 LB Cortland Spectron. It will cast 4 OZ 150 yards. That's mostly for the fall when schools of Albies , Bonito , Stripers and Blues come by in the day time. Its also great for ch#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&g out some bait when I need a rest. Its also good for certain places and times at the Canal.
Mike T you animal!! <img src="/Images/Happy_Face.gif"><!--e1--> 1209 with 40 LB mono. Hunting for Moby #^&#^&#^&#^&? <img src="/Images/Happy_Face.gif"><!--e1-->
Last rod to mention is the Sabre 967. Its a nice light rod. Great for someone to use as a schoollie rod or even an all around rod for a very small person.
On my wish list are a BG700CL and an AllStar 1265. I'm still debating about just how long to leave the 1265 so until I decide Its on the wish list.
Made the Lami Steelhead rod myself. Mike T made the Sabre 1089 and the Sabre 967. George Hevey made the loomis 1266 and I got the Breakaway11'9" from Tres at Hatteras Outfitters. It was made by his rod maker Wayne Foulds (? spelling). All these rods are perfectly made. All customized to the xtreme. I'm big about the rod not not feeling lumpy so I insist on minimal wraps on all the guides. All have the "black tie look" in Black and Gold.
I love talking about my fishing gear!! <img src="/Images/Happy_Face.gif"><!--e1-->

To John R
the blanks are available to most builders. We carry all of their blanks from 7" up to 11'9" and in all actions. These rods can easily handle the canal

Howdy Fellas, WEnt down to the Canal today. Nothing going on. I plugged around for awhile and don't plan to fish herring until next week. The weather looks like things may go from dead to hot fast. Maybe you guys with a few more years can tell us what you think. Will it be gradual as it is when things warm up in April and turn on around the second week or just extended into May or will it all happen at once. I hope this weather coming up does the trick. Anyways.

I have three set-ups that I will be using this year.

For schoolie fishing I am using the Penn 965, 14lb Stren and a 8'6" Ben Doer that throws something like 3/4 oz- 1 1/2. I like it but it has no trigger so I "pull it" when I cast sometimes. If things are small I like to use it for topwater on the Canal for fun.

I just wrapped a Sabre 1089 that my 975 has found it's place on. I have 25 lb Big Game on it and will use it for my topwater, eeling and some lighter jigging. I used it today and last week in Rhody at the beach for awhile and am starting to get used to it. It feels like a twig next to my Canal stick.

My Canal stick is a Sabre 1209 cut 7" from the tip. It really is pretty stiff, not real nice for working a pencil popper but great for herring, jigging the Canal, jetti fishing, and hefty plugs. I have my Abu 7000 C on there with 25 lb Big Game as well. I keep telling myself that I am going to put some 50 lb Spectron on there but can't bring myself to do it. I really think I should. I love this set-up but it sure is hefty.

I've got a 1209 built for spinning and some other odds and ends, including a Orvis 9/10 wt Silver Label on the way. Not convinced it will see a lot of use,yet. I am hunting this year, for sure. I am going to put in some reel-time! I also got a Surfcaster Delux Bag after I lost my Bronco last year and it's sweet! Can't wait to see some fish splash on top!!

Dave