got a saragosa and need a rod for it. gonna use it to throw plugs and occasionally do some jigging. looked at a st croix legend the other day but $400 is out of the budget($300), the new shimano terez looks interesting. also will 80# flouro splice into 65@ hollow core?

Van Staal 7' jig rod retails for about $270 - nice double-duty rod for plugs and jigging. SWE guys have them.

I think 80 into 65 is going to be really tough.

Niko, i have a decent 9' think daiwa sealine, i used last season, it jigs great/ fishing plugs great. for you free

You'll need something beefier in a rod for tuna?

thanks skippy. a 9' rod on a tuna would put me in a grave though

Niko,the vs rod is worth a look for that price,throws a sluggo and has good backbone.Check out the loop to loop connection, I think the edge has leaders premade with a loop on one end.

thanks skippy. a 9' rod on a tuna would put me in a grave though

My bad! didnt see this was posted in the Tuna section :wall:

J-H tackle (http://www.jandh.com/p-942-star-rods-plasma-series-offshore-stand-up-spinning-rods.aspx) has some nice Star Rods Plasma Series Offshore Stand Up Spinning Rods for $240 - plus if you need i have a 10% off coupon

SEAWOLF makes a great tuna spinning rod (heard from multiple owners)...its on my list.

You will not go wrong with a Shimano, they are very light and strong but I know the blanks Dave uses are even stronger.

I've recently researched a rod for the same intention and cost,, the difference between us might be I'm wrapping it(not sure you do)

A 7'calstar700H(30-80#) runs $100 at cms. Decent components are about another $100. If you choose to go with simple build &wrap.. I don't see why you can't find someone to build it for under 100.

My brother has wrapped the 7'calstar 700XH(40-100#)(another $5) I found it would be a bit stout for casting plugs.

I've been advised the 700H is a very good blank for casting and jigging

In my opinion fishin bass out of the boat,, 7 1/2 has been ideal for distance.... and they don't make a 71/2 without going to two piece.

i'm like an old man picking out a piece of fruit when it comes to buying gear. the loop to loop connection doesn't get hung up on the guides? i would think the hollow core splice would be the smoothest connection.

Paul,
You are right about the splice being the smoothest through the guides. Loop tp loop just makes changing top shots easier. I use the splice method. If you dont know how to splice let me know and I can do it for you . I have the needles if you need them.

You may find yourself needing Matt every time a new leader is needed,and bluefish can make it a pita.Loop to loop connection is hard to locate with your fingers at times because it is so small.It is easy for a novice like me and you can't feel it going through the guides.Streamline and Basil Pappas sell these leaders retail.All they really are is hollow core spliced to leader material with a loop spliced on the end for the quick change.Go to 360tuna.com to help with a lot of these questions,lots of great info there from the tuna jig n pop crowd.Calstars are great and durable,but not too light.

Chris is right loop to loop is small but not smaller than spliced. I'm sure Chris would switch out those connections for you everytime a blue decided to taste the mono. If you are casting to tuna and blue are in the mix then you may want to put away the spinning rod and put out the big boy gear. Either way you can't go wrong loop to loop or splice. For a great rod look up black hole rods. Kilsong is the man for this type of stuff. As for splicing and its benefits, look up Basil Pappas he'll show you how to do it. He taught me.

kilsongs site is pissa. mostly out of my league pricewise though. i was planning on using a pretty long leader, like 20'. that way if the blues come by i can just retie/crimp. how long a piece do i need to splice in?

Niko,

have a 7" Fin Nor tuna rod with matching 8500, 400yds of 65pp. $185.00 for the package.

20' leader will cast like crap,my leader wraps around the spool only a few times.7.5' rod,3 or 4' tag=10 -12' leader.I can really fire an unweighted piece of rubber or ronz.Like I mentioned before,I think the edge carries Basils leaders.20' is fine for jigging though.

rod in the $300-$350 area are OTI, VS, spinal, calstar,shimano, blackhole. Tuna arent here till June no need to rush, do some research. Guys on the 360 are landing NC fish now. Read what they say. Hit the RI fishing show ,lot of these rods will be there to bend. Kilsong is going.

Have you looked at the OTI fathom blade rods? Battled some nice fish last fall on one. Picked up another one this winter.