new surf rod?

[massbassman]

Were you fighting fish Toby, or was it during a cast when the rod was loaded? Just curious.

[tlapinski]

Originally Posted by massbassman

Were you fighting fish Toby, or was it during a cast when the rod was loaded? Just curious.

Both on the cast. 9' 3/4 - 4 was on a 2-3/8 SS popper and the 11' (3 - 6 I think) broke on a medium size rigged eel.

[massbassman]

Originally Posted by tlapinski

Both on the cast. 9' 3/4 - 4 was on a 2-3/8 SS popper and the 11' (3 - 6 I think) broke on a medium size rigged eel.

That's discouraging, i've always liked and used their products, and hope this is just a bad run of blanks. With the price you pay, you would expect great quality, but I guess more doent mean better these days. Any issues I've ever had have been promptly addressed, hopefully they stood behind your rods. I bought the 10' 6"... only wish I had heard this earlier in the year, probably would have made a different decision.

[SeaWolf]

massbass, i love my 2 legends and have the same 2 as toby. my 3-8 11' is my favorite rod, but i know it could be a ticking time bomb. it's doesn't change how i fish them tho. hearing toby's issues on top of other's issues w/ all of the st croix surf rods and blanks made me no longer build or offer them. ones said to be fixed still had the issue.

anyhow, to answer the question in this thread, yes, a used GSB1201M would be a great deal. a lot depends on what reel you have, where you plan to fish and what you plan to throw. what ever you get, look for a rod with lighter guides, Fuji K-guides, NGC-guide design, or low riders. you want a light rod to make your experience more fun and enjoyable. an older GSB built on cone-of-flight guide design w/ big guides makes a great blank only ok. take a ride to a reputable tackle shop and check out some of the production rods on the wall and see what feels good too and maybe come back and get opinions on 1 or more of those rods too.

[tysdad115]

Originally Posted by SeaWolf

a used GSB1201M would be a great deal. a lot depends on what reel you have, where you plan to fish and what you plan to throw. what ever you get, look for a rod with lighter guides, Fuji K-guides, NGC-guide design, or low riders. you want a light rod to make your experience more fun and enjoyable. an older GSB built on cone-of-flight guide design w/ big guides makes a great blank only ok.

My GSB 1201M has the older guide set up , I was wondering about having it re done with newer guide layout, do you think its worth it? Sorry to derail the thread OP.

[1dozenraw]

Originally Posted by tysdad115

My GSB 1201M has the older guide set up , I was wondering about having it re done with newer guide layout, do you think its worth it? Sorry to derail the thread OP.

Depends on what reel and line you are using I think.

[SeaWolf]

Originally Posted by tysdad115

My GSB 1201M has the older guide set up , I was wondering about having it re done with newer guide layout, do you think its worth it? Sorry to derail the thread OP.

it depends on how the rest of the rod is as far as condition. are you just stripping the guides and putting new ones on? are you doing it or having a shop/builder do it? there is always a risk in stripping a rod to not damage the blank. you will have marks on the blank where the epoxy seeped between the thread and left groves. those should be sanded and then recoated. your new guides will most likely not go in the same areas, plus you will have more guides. honestly, if it was me, i would either sell the rod and get a new one or keep the rod as a backup and get a new one. but, i'm not sure how many rods you have already. by all means, your rod can have the guides stripped and replaced with K's, but i'm just presenting what's involved and options. if you don't like the rod w/ COF guides, i'd either sell it and build new, or have it rewrapped. does this help? yes, sorry to derail thread too.