Rod selection advice

[nightprowler]

Originally Posted by *LB

Hi guys,

I was hoping to get a little rod selection advice. I'm currently on my second Tica rod - 9' medium action, 1/2 - 3 oz. The Tica is a pretty good rod, not real durable, but it seems like a pretty good bang for the buck. I've been hearing about the benefits of better rods for some time now and I'm wondering if I'd see a noticeable improvement by stepping up to a better rod.

I currently fish 30% eels, 30% surface poppers/needles, 30% swimmers/sluggos, and 10% tins. 80% of my fishing is in South County RI rocky shoreline/boulder fields and 20% breachways. I fish with a 560 Penn Slammer with 30# Fireline. Casting distance is a high priority.

I'd like to stay in the 9-10' length range. I can live with a one or two piece rod. Suggestions on length and one vs. two piece preference would also be welcome. Thanks in advance for the help. -LB

I've been fishing with the same rod, as well as the heavier 2-6 oz tica. I just purchaseda 10 ft lami tri-flex, 2-5 oz i think. not sure the blank as im at work, i bought it off a friend and paid next to nothing for it. there is a huge difference in distance and feel with the nicer rod....having a VS250 instead of a quantum cabo helps too
I'm looking to step up and go with something custom, but money has been an issue, so im waiting and watching for a good deal.

[fishaholic18]

Lami 120 1L custom wrapped, great all around rod. Will throw Bombers to Med. size eels well.

[shadow]

I also like the 120 1m great rod some guys like the L better then the M booth are great rods I just feel like you can do more with the m,I got a m to start off with but soon i want to get an L wraped as well.As you can see the lami gsb are good rods.

[jim sylvester]

Originally Posted by shadow

I also like the 120 1m great rod some guys like the L better then the M booth are great rods I just feel like you can do more with the m,I got a m to start off with but soon i want to get an L wraped as well.As you can see the lami gsb are good rods.

i agree

the L might serve your needs better if you were throwing redfins, bomber and 1 oz pastics/rubber

the m is perfect for looking for large....ie med/large eels, big plugs,
dannys, spooks, needles, big swimmers 2-6 oz range

[basswipe]

Batson is definitely value/quality stick.

Saltwater Rod Blanks Featuring RX7 Graphite (Color Available In Transparent Black / Matte Clear)
Model Color Length Sections Line Wt. Lure Wt. Butt Tip Action Power Blank Wt.
SW1027 Trns.Blk / M Clear 8'6" 1 15-25lb. 3/4-4oz. 0.720 7.5 Mod-Fast Med 6.23oz.
SW1087 Trns.Blk / M Clear 8'10" 1 15-25lb. 3/4-4oz. 0.740 7.5 Mod-Fast Med 7.15oz.
SW1088 Trns.Blk / M Clear 8'10" 1 20-30lb. 1-4oz. 0.775 8.0 Mod-Fast Med-Hvy 8.65oz.
SW1089 Trns.Blk / M Clear 8'10" 1 20-40lb. 1-6oz. 0.800 9.0 Mod-Fast Hvy 10.18oz.
SW1207 Trns.Blk / M Clear 10'0" 1 15-25lb. 3/4-4oz. 0.800 7.5 Mod-Fast Med 9.27oz.
SW1208 Trns.Blk / M Clear 10'0" 1 20-30lb. 1-4oz. 0.820 8.0 Mod-Fast Hvy 11.17oz.
SW1209 Trns.Blk / M Clear 10'0" 1 20-40lb. 1-6oz. 0.835 7.5 Mod-Fast Xtra-Hvy 11.73oz.

Surf Rod Blanks
Surf Rod Blanks Featuring RX7 Graphite (Available In Matte Clear)
Model Color Length Sections Line Wt. Lure Wt. Butt Tip Action Power Blank Wt.
SU1087 Matte Clear 9'0" 1 12-25lb. 1-4oz. 0.725 8.0 Mod-Fast Med n/a
SU1088 Matte Clear 9'0" 1 15-30lb. 2-5oz. 0.750 9.0 Mod-Fast Med-Hvy n/a
SU1207 Matte Clear 10'0" 1 12-25lb. 1-4oz. 0.825 8.0 Mod-Fast Med n/a
SU1208 Matte Clear 10'0" 1 15-30lb. 2-5oz. 0.850 9.0 Mod-Fast Med-Hvy n/a

One of the finest factory sticks IMO is a Quarrow.
http://quarrow.com/saltwater_specs.htm

PS. If you can find one of the older ML1 Green Country Quarrow surf rods(i.e. the 10'er) jump on it!

[gone fishin]

1088 - best of the bunch!