|
Hi Bill,
Do you use Squidders in the surf now? I have 2 of the St Croix inshore 8' rods. Using them with Penn 145's,146, abu 7000, and 6500's.
The 1st 2 St Croix rods were both were on the fragile side. One broke on the first bluefish, the other a day latter. I don't think it was St. Croix's fault. I bought them at Old Salt in Hingham, and I bet they were mis handled by customers. Old salt had a very short ceiling, and it was hard to get a rod off the rack without smacking the tip.
St. Croix was great and fed-exed mt 2 new rods. These rods have been very good. My only gripe is that the reel seat will not accept Newell reels. Also, I would go with the moderate action, not the fast action.
I use the squidders a lot in the surf. The 145 is one of my favorite reels. You may want to hunt around for a plastic spool for the 146. For casting lighter baits and plugs, you want the lightest spool weight possible. The plastic air fin spool is lighter than the Penn aluminum and the Newell replacement. The 145 only came with brass or plastic spools. Casting the brass is no fun. I have the Newell replacement spool for this reel, but almost always use the stock plastic.
I have not run into problems with the plastic spools, but I use a good backing of squidding line or old style braided nylon. About 5 wraps should do it. I also like to think about the over all mass of the spool. I think filling the spool with 30lb. braid weighs more than, 1/2 25lb. mono / 1/2 30lb. braid.
Have you thought about what oil you will use in the bearings?
sean
|