Abu "Ike" composite rods

[OkobojiEagle]

Looking for some "on water" experience with or directions to critical reviews of Abu Garcia "Ike" composite rods.  Specifically the longer rods (7' 10" med hvy 1/4 - 1oz lure rating).  I'm considering for 1/2 oz spinnerbaits, but suspicious it might be too soft in action.  Would be used occasionally for crankbaits, but mostly the spinnerbaits.

 

oe

[Jason Penn]

I have no experience with the Ike rods, but I like mh power crank rods for spinnerbaits. I just feel they tend to pierce the hook thru rather than rip. 

[fishballer06]

I have one of the casting and one of the spinning Ike rods, however, neither of them are the composite versions. Wish I could help you out more.

[RichF]

I just got the 7'10 MH composite a couple months ago for super cheap.  It's definitely NOT too soft for spinnerbaits.  I got it specifically for 5XDs - 10XDs and Spro little john DDs but actually think it would make a better spinnerbait/bladed jig rod than a crank rod.  I was expecting it to be a little softer.  It'll still work well with larger cranks though.  

[OkobojiEagle]

RichF and Jason/Fishballer also... thanks for weighing in.  RichF, its probably too much to hope that you might have tried the rod with a 1/2oz spinnerbait??  The rod this may replace is a 7' Fenwick HMG with the same 1/4 - 1oz lure rating.  I'm assuming this rod will load a little more both on the cast and the hook set.  What I'm most curious about is any actual casting distance increase over the 7' rod.  Any experience you want to share about these characteristics?  (Cost... yes pretty discounted right now.  I was handling one yesterday that was priced 60.00)

 

oe

[RichF]

22 hours ago, OkobojiEagle said:

RichF and Jason/Fishballer also... thanks for weighing in.  RichF, its probably too much to hope that you might have tried the rod with a 1/2oz spinnerbait??  The rod this may replace is a 7' Fenwick HMG with the same 1/4 - 1oz lure rating.  I'm assuming this rod will load a little more both on the cast and the hook set.  What I'm most curious about is any actual casting distance increase over the 7' rod.  Any experience you want to share about these characteristics?  (Cost... yes pretty discounted right now.  I was handling one yesterday that was priced 60.00)

 

oe

The only think I've thrown on it so far has been a DT10 and 8XD and they flew.  I'd be more than willing to toss a 1/2 oz spinnerbait and report back but I won't be fishing again until the end of the month.  To be honest, I never really notice a drastic difference in casting distance from 7' up.  For me, a few more feet isn't really noticeable.  The rod does load really well.  The only fish I've caught on it so far has been a 10lb walleye (on the DT10).  It's definitely stiffer than my old MH Powell max glass rod and I felt like the trebles were going to pull out at any minute.  After that fish, I thought to myself "this would be better for spinnerbaits/chatterbaits."  It threw the 8XD great though.  I'm not worried about ripping those giant trebles out. 

[OkobojiEagle]

Thanks Rich.

 

oe