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tlapinski · 12-11-2011, 08:20 AM

I used to detest 9' rods for anything except my spring fishing on the Connecticut River where a shorter rod is necessary. They each seemed to excel in one area, but fall short in others. I played around with several different blanks as I needed a rod for river fishing that was light enough to throw all night, could handle lighter stuff like unloaded redfins up through about 3.5 ounce pencil poppers, and still had the backbone to stop a decent fish in a raging current. The All Star 1088 was to fast for eeling, the old PacBay 1088 didn't have enough backbone for me, the gsb1081l didn't have the nut to turn anything over 20's in heavy current, and I broke 4 rainshadow 1088's. After trying a few different rods, I ended up wrapping a gsb1081m. I have taken fish to 38#'s on the rod without any trouble, yet it is light enough to throw all night and can toss Finnish swimmers just as well as it can throw a live eel or large pencil. I have beaten the crap out of the rod, and it just keeps on going. If you are looking for a great all around 9' blank, I highly recommend that one. I plan on wrapping a 9' St Croix Legend rated for 1 - 4 ounces this winter as I have heard nothing but praise for the similar 9' mojo. I really wish St Croix would start selling the Mojo blanks as it is tough to cough up the $$ for a Legend.

12-11-2011, 08:20 AM	#7
tlapinski All up in the Interweb! iTrader: (1) Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: In the dog house. Posts: 5,206	I used to detest 9' rods for anything except my spring fishing on the Connecticut River where a shorter rod is necessary. They each seemed to excel in one area, but fall short in others. I played around with several different blanks as I needed a rod for river fishing that was light enough to throw all night, could handle lighter stuff like unloaded redfins up through about 3.5 ounce pencil poppers, and still had the backbone to stop a decent fish in a raging current. The All Star 1088 was to fast for eeling, the old PacBay 1088 didn't have enough backbone for me, the gsb1081l didn't have the nut to turn anything over 20's in heavy current, and I broke 4 rainshadow 1088's. After trying a few different rods, I ended up wrapping a gsb1081m. I have taken fish to 38#'s on the rod without any trouble, yet it is light enough to throw all night and can toss Finnish swimmers just as well as it can throw a live eel or large pencil. I have beaten the crap out of the rod, and it just keeps on going. If you are looking for a great all around 9' blank, I highly recommend that one. I plan on wrapping a 9' St Croix Legend rated for 1 - 4 ounces this winter as I have heard nothing but praise for the similar 9' mojo. I really wish St Croix would start selling the Mojo blanks as it is tough to cough up the $$ for a Legend.
	Co-Host of The Surfcast Podcast "Out there in the surf is where it's at, that's where the line gets drawn in the sand between those who talk fishing and those who live it." - a wise man. One good fish, a sharpie does not make... Certified rock hopping billy goat.