i got it.

"10 times a day"
Now that i look at it, no not really. i'm not being as picky and difficult as i am reputated for :D

i made a simple list: 704z, 55/6500ss or the Abu.

thanks to you guys....
I narrowed it down to: 55/6500ss or the Abu.

I already made my mind up on the rod, hope saltheart finds a 9' blank for me over there this-weekend :D

John, if i'm having a custom rod built- i don't want to buy a spinner and then switch over to the abu over time..to buy ANOTHER rod..unless of course- the rod can be used for both?? (BUT mostly baitcast?)
i'll keep my shakepeare reel in the truck when surf fishing.. incase i get a backlash from hell during a blitz, i can switch reels with a snap... good idea?
but i think, why should i hold off and buy a spinner? you have to learn sometime.....the spinner isn't going to make me better at untangeling backlashes :) i THINK i will buy the Abu 6500....unless i change my mind again ;) <kidding>

John, you haven't been in the SA on bald hill road lately- have you? ISLES AND ISLES of QUALITY (some non-quality) rods/reels/tackle. a whole showcase of reels. they DO have abu's....not sure if they have that model.

S.A. is good, bought my 'Yak and waders over there..speaking of waders; i got hodgman stocking foot neoprenes......will i die in the summer time in these things? thinking of exchanging them for the same priced breathables ($99.99) not the best, but prob not the worse..good idea?? i have Felt Sole wading shoes with GOOD gravel guards, think these things will help me when walking on rocks?

bak on topic, abu 6500
would quaker lane b&t carry this thing.? Ericksons B&t ?... probably not getting it till around late march :(



Thanks for all the help.

-Mike

Re: hey john
 

LOL :).... hey now- i'm not THAT bad am i ? at least i say what i want :D

and 50 bucks? c'mon now! $50 is talking sand grinding salt crunching reels....i'll spend the extra 40 .....:D

i'm not over reacting, or over posting/talking like i used to am i ?

just looking for some help so i don't buy the wrong thing... :)

thanks

Mike - seriously - I've been to the Bald Hill SA and many others. Sure the reels are the same for the most part but the rods are generally crap. I went in there less than 9 months ago and I checked out literally 50 rods, I found only a couple that were splined right and they still had lousy components for the most part. Even the "Good" rods, the ones which advertised Fuji guides and graphite blanks were really pretty bad. SA has some of the reels but not all and not the one I mention to you. It's just not available to them.

There are some good off the rack rods but you can't get them at SA or any of the "Marts". It just doesn't happen and I'm being very sincere when I say that. The Daiwa Sealine's are pretty decent people say, the factory Lami's, St Croixs, & Loomis rods are pretty good too (maybe not ad good as one taylored to you custom). The off the shelf Ugly Sticks (great blanks) are not well built.

Now you can get 965/975 Penns at SA (at higher prices than what CCT has them for) and you can get Calcutta 400 reels at the same price as everyone else (price fixing by Shimano). But you DON'T get the knowledge that a good shop has. You don't go into a SA (or the 'Marts) and ask to upgrade the stock drag's with smoothies - they'll try to sell you some Costa Del Mar's instead. They just don't know and the rare one that does can't help you like a good shop can.

Just being honest with you on this. I've bought rods from these places, then I bought custom, and now I build my own. I'm a decent judge of quality and know a little about what I'm talking about and 95% of SA's rods S U C K . The boat rods, they do a little better on (harder to screw up) but any of the coastal/surf rods are pretty lousy.

I wish you would believe me on this because I'm very sincere about what I'm telling you here...

This is exactly the advice I'm trying to give you.

Same with getting spinning first and then moving to conventional (you'll often use the spinner - imagine if you get a GF this summer that wants to fish - what'll you do then :D - you like girls, right? JK :laughs: :smash: :p :D :happy:

SSX, Cape Cod Tackle has the reel John recommended on their web site, link on the front page. $84.95, and he will ship. Also, I bet Weeakapaug B&T carries it as well, link on front page. These guys are SPONSORS here, and help keep the lights on so you can get all these answers to your questions. You will be LUCKY if you FIND what you want at Sports Authority, because the salesmen have no clue. You may save a couple of dollars, but those guys do NOT carry bait, fix your broken reels or rods, or go out of their way to help you with what you need.

wow, thanks alot john... think that answered my questions :eek5:

"imagine if you get a GF this summer that wants to fish - what'll you do then - you like girls, right? JK "

Did i NOT say Fish-on was good for other then the fishin' :D OF COURSE! :smash: :D and what's with all this "IF" stuff?? :D :D :D

Matoonoc...thanks, that answered my next question "WHERE" thanks alot!!

John, i know what ya mean...that's why i'm saving up for a custom rod; i'm not kidding around. or toying around, i get my Bday money soon...Hope salt has everything by then :D :D aww the pride of a rod built just for me.....can't wait.
(salt: i hope ya just don't re-wrap a $ 15. fishmaster rod and tell me it's a custom- just to shut me up :D , LOL <just kidding> i can't wait to see it....

thanks john/ everyone for helping me make my choices...i owe yas one.

Final Choice:
Abu 6500 on one of Salt's Custom Rods....and if i find a cheap 55/6500ss on Ebay i'll "slap" that on my current rod...all set :)

Okay, Next Question, what line do i use?what hooks?what leaders? what/who/when/why/how???? (JUST-KIDDING) :D

thanks for all your help!


-Mike

hey you!!

..don't be putting a spinner on a conventional rod!!! eye-y-eye-y-eye!!!...

..and if you REALLY like this SPORT, yes - its' a sport :rolleyes: ....don't even begin to think about owning just 1 rod!!!!.....whassamatta fa U ?? Haven't you been listening?? :smash: :laughs: :laughs: :happy: <<no joke!>> :D

[QUOTE]Originally posted by bloocrab
[B]hey you!!

"..don't be putting a spinner on a conventional rod!!! eye-y-eye-y-eye!!!..."
I'm guessing it has something to do w/ the eyes of the rod ???

"whassamatta fa U ??"
can you translate that, i don't speak BlooCrabinese :D


one rod? :smash: i gotta bunch of rods...only 3 sutable for surf tho.....the rest are sweetwater rods :(

Surf:
9' S/B Kwik Stik, 8' Shakespeare alpha custom, and that 7'6" shakespeare Bigwater i never use. but only one is ready to fish w/ reel (alpha)... that will be my extra spinner :D

and the saltheart custom/abu will be my.....ah...main OUTFIT :D :D


seen the abu at C.C.T.com that's the one i'll buy---not for a while tho.


thanks!

Mike

Abu Garcia Ambassadeur TROPHY, 6500TSCT from cape cod tackle...


that's the one.....i hope? :confused:

pic below..

Mike

Spinning reels are not for use on conventional rods, you'll get all kinds of line twists & fouls and more...

Conventionals can technically go on spinners but there are problems there too.

if you want to buy the reel now but cant afford the custom rod or a good rod, just do what i did. go out to one of those crappy stores where the guys working there dont know what they are talking about, wallmart, mvp a.ka. decathalon sports, and pick up a cheapo heavy freshwater bass rod. i picked through about a million of these things till i found one that was right and still had to take it home and fix it up. it cost me 20 dollars but today its one of my favorites. its my soft plastic rod.

by the way get the c3 6500, i dont think you necessarily need the smoothies but ive been meaning to get them for myself for a while.

have you ever heard of Galyands? theres one on the north shore up here and they have some of the best service. might check them out if they're near you.

christian, I have a bunch of rods in great working condition; i would use one before i went out and bought another one..

It's not that i can't afford 'em.. cause i'm getting all kinds of Birthday money from family, that will pay for the Custom Rod.

then i suppose i can beg my parents for a Abu 6500 :D

and i have my shakespeare alpha custom w/ reel as a second outfit :)

I can't wait to haul in a couple of 50s from the suds with that outfit :) :D (i hope!)


I got it john/bloo... i wont put the spinner on there as a short term substatute---I'll just use my current rod untill then, i'll wait till i get the Abu till i fish the Custom.


I think i am all set ><(((">

thanks for all your valuble help...all..

Mike

Note to self; Stay away from matoonoc while in the tackle shop. :fishslap:
:eek: :hihi: :hs: :laughs: :happy:

HEY, that was uncalled for!!!


:laughs: