How Bigs your Rod ?

[TSPS]

I've been fishing a 9' Starrod 1-4oz med/hvy with a abu 7000c3 ,I use 30lb fireline. This set up has worked pretty well for me however I still cant reach the middle of the canal even useing the pedulem cast.
Last week I saw alot of fish in the middle of the canal under the RR Bridge.So I went out and bought a 10' Tsunami 4-6oz hvy hopeing this might give me the extra distance. However if it's too long you'll the bank behind you , too short and you get no distance .

So the question is what size rod is best for the cannal ? ( I'm useing plugs )


Thanks
TSPS

[Mike P]

Depends on what's behind you, as you stated.

If you can stand down by the water on a flat ground, like a mussel bed, at low tide, you can use a longer rod. The 11' Lamiglas XRA 1322 is one popular plugging rod for the Canal.

If you have steep rip-rap, an uncertain foot-hold, brush or other objects obstructing your back cast, I'd go with a shorter rod, in the area of 9-1/2 to 10 feet. Your Star is actually a pretty good rod in that respect.

My favorite all around Canal rod is a JK Fisher 8420, originally 10' but shortened about 5" from the butt. I use it for plugging and jigs/plastics. I only use my 11' 1322 for the breaking tides.

Hitting the middle is overrated, IMO. Unless there's a mess of fish breaking, it's a low percentage attempt. One or two fish breaking requires accurate plug placement and it's a much higher percentage attempt the shorter you throw. There are a handful of guys who can cast accurately at 90-100 yards, but the number of guys who can put a plug on a fish at 50 yards goes up dramatically.

Some things you might try to hit those fish breaking just out of range---change over to 50# Power Pro braid instead of 30# Fireline. 30# FL is as thick as 20# mono and it gets "fluffy" and pills when it wears in. That might cut down on your distance. 50# Power Pro is thinner and has a more durable slick coating that cuts down guide and air friction. And, you could try metal like a Crippled Herring or Mega Bait instead of plugs.

[CANAL RAT]

is not the size of it its how you use it

[lurch]

I use 10.5' and 11' rods with no problem. I am no expert but from reading casting tips here I now "load" my rod before I cast it. what I do is swing my rod forward then back ("loading" the rod) then blast it out there. I use a abu 7500 big game and a 704Z both have full spools of 65# power pro. I cannot believe the extra distance I get from "loading" the rod....the rod is a tool use it to get extra distance.

Also remember that certain plugs such as metal lipped swimmers will get caught up in the wind reducing your distance. Try to cast using a sinker or a jig and see if that makes a difference.

[Saltheart]

The longer it is , the longer you can cast but the harder ir is to work the jigs , fight the fish and land the fish.

The shorter it is , the easier to work the jig , fight the fish , land the fish but the shorter your casts.

Also as Mike P mentioned , there is the problem with the GD bushes behind you depending on the spot and state of the tide.

[CANAL RAT]

always use a long drop to the first collector guide on the rod this loads the rod better.but in tight spots like the canal get as long a drop as you can

[eelman]

about 11 inches

[TSPS]

Thanks guys , It just seams that there is always one fish out there breaking that is just out of reach.

Hey Lurch how do you like the Abu 7500 big game ? I am useing a penn535mag on the 10 rod I just got and am not very happy with it . I'm thinking of getting another Abu .

[jettyjockey18]

for every fish you see breaking, there's probably 10 huggin the bottom...

[MAC]

Originally Posted by jettyjockey18

for every fish you see breaking, there's probably 10 huggin the bottom...

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&

about 11 inches

Uh-huh---you're Irish, remember

[RIROCKHOUND]

Originally Posted by #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&

about 11 inches

Right...
and you only fish needlefish... in july....


11" and your wife wouldnt be letting you leave to fish everynight

[5/0]

Originally Posted by CANAL RAT

is not the size of it its how you use it

I have a 10'1/2 G-Loomis 1265C Surf Series.w/ a Calcutta 700 W/30# Tri line Big game I like it.I feel pretty confident in hitting what I want to.

You can also do some mods for you're reel,like after market bearrings & lube. Good footing and back space plays a big factor also what you're tossing play in it as well.

5/0

[lurch]

Hey Lurch how do you like the Abu 7500 big game ? I am useing a penn535mag on the 10 rod I just got and am not very happy with it . I'm thinking of getting another Abu .[/QUOTE]

The reel is the easiest casting reel I have ever used. I can easily cast a jig half way across the canal. there are many times when a boat is coming through I think there is no way I can cast that far but have to apply the thumb brake so my line does not cross their path. I have the older black 7500 CTC3(I think??) converted to levelwind. The only thing I wish the reel had is instant anti reverse.

I have used a 535 before but I use it as a boat rods with lead core line on it. I used it a few times for casting but could not control the beast......IMO Penn casting conventionals (965/975/955/535) SUCK!

[eelman]

Originally Posted by Mike P

Uh-huh---you're Irish, remember

Dont tell !

[eelman]

Originally Posted by RIROCKHOUND

Right...
and you only fish needlefish... in july....


11" and your wife wouldnt be letting you leave to fish everynight

I thought you said you wouldent tell anyone about the july secret !! oops

[pops]

9ft 1-4 oz lami.
I agree "load" the rod. I flyfish so loading is natural and required action.
the backcast should be stopped at 1-2 oclock [if restricted] and allow the weight/lure to keep going back to load the rod ...if you wait to long before the forward cast you lose the load, to quick and you get slack in the forward cast . try to feel the lure from slack front to back position, think about stopping abruptly at 2oclock back position ...imagine your trying to cast behind you on the back cast , dont allow the body to rotate into the back cast or your just starting without load and using body rotation to power the lure out...push your upper body behind the forward cast and stop at 10-11 oclock ....behold distance....ive used 30lb pp & 20lb fline with great results.
[as long as there is tension throughout the casting stroke it doesnt matter in generaL casting situations what 'oclock' you use]
a 2oz habs pencil popper goes a long way,,,,2oz hopkins

[RIROCKHOUND]

Bill good to see you last night;
went back out across that river where I saw you to the other side... wasnt worth the trip, the rod had been underwater for a long time and probably wasnt worth 20 bucks brand new; caught a few bluefish and went home (again)