It might finally be time- spinning rod recommendations

[LCG]

10 hours ago, FrnkNsteen said:

Yes, .... I couldn't agree more. I LOVE the grips on those Elitetech Smallmouths. Wish someone would copy them!!

 

You're right though,.. It wasn't just the handle, they were perfectly balanced and fished great too! When they came out, I bought 4 of them. One 6'9" ML, two 6'3" MF, and a 6'3" MH.

 

Unfortunatwly I smashed one of the 6'3" MF with the support rod on the Minnkota TM and my wife accidentally knocked the 6.3MH overboard over deep water 😲😲 so I only have two left. 

I'll buy the 6'9" ML-F elite tech smallmouth off you 😊

 

Been looking for one of those forever. I have two of the 6'10" M-F elite tech smallmouth casting rods. The ML-F spinning would be given a nice home with siblings.

[casts_by_fly]

Well, I’ve made a decision. Just put an order into TW for a full setup and it will be here on the 3rd. I’ll put up a first review here when I get it. 
 

rick

 

[casts_by_fly]

Hi guys,

 

I got the rod and reel while we were away (super fast TW shipping and over a holiday!).  I'll go through my thought process below, however, I think both are going back for a replacement/exchange (respectively).

 

What i went with:  Shimano Zodias 6'9" ML 1/8-7/16 oz Fast action and a Stradic 1000 FL

Why:

 

At christmas I felt my dad's Zodias.  His is the 7' Medium, Fast action 3/16-1/2 oz.  Its a nice rod for what he uses it for (splitshot worms on tough days).  The tip was basically light enough for what I wanted to do and would have covered 95% of what I'm intending, though just a little lighter would be my preference.  The bottom end of the rod didn't feel too powerful for what I wanted either.  The length was a touch long as I already knew.  I reasoned that dropping to the ML would lighten the tip a little, while more or less keeping the same bottom end power and putting it all into a shorter package (which would even quicken the action a touch).  All of that was the correct reasoning.  This rod is just a touch faster action, a little shorter, and a little better balanced than his (3" off the tip helps).  I think this is exactly what i was looking for.  A light power would work too and be better for the lighter stuff, but I'll be on the heavier end of my spectrum more than the lighter end so this is the right compromise.  I tied on a 2" crappie shad on a 1/15 oz head (1/10 oz total weight) and its right on the edge of what this rod will cast and its about as light as I'd ever throw.

 

I went with the reel because I have a Stradic FH series from 2003 that is still smoother than a lot of new reels on the market.  The Stradic series has consistently been great for me and I expected the same.  I didn't want a 3000 size reel, but they don't have a 2000 size here and TW has a fantastic deal on the FL models now that the FM is out.  I figured with the shorter rod that it would be good.

 

Why's it going back?:  The guides and the reel seat aren't lined up.  The guides are perfectly straight.  However when you look down the reel seat they are off by almost the diameter of the first guide.  When you consider that the reel handle torques the rod around a little further yet when holding it, the guides are almost completely visible on the right side of the blank as I hold it.  I know this isn't a custom rod and manufacturing tolerances vary, but on a $200 rod it should at least line up.  I'll probably just get a replacement and hope its right.  I considered an Expride before I ordered but they don't have the same model as this.  The Poison Adrena is close in the 6'7" and I'm sure that would work, but not for another $200.  I don't love the unsanded blank on the Zodias as I think its a cop out from the manufacturer to skip a step in the process, but I can get over that.

 

The reel is also going back.  The physical size is great.  It's a great total package size on the rod and would fish fantastic.  My only issue with my other Stradic is that my knuckle gets wrapped with the bail every now and then.  I think that's the rod its on though.  On this rod it doesn't do that so the 1000 size is no biggie.  However, the new Stradic is only 6.5 oz.  On this rod it puts the balance point out where the front grip meets the blank.  The carbon rear grip on the rod has no weight to balance the tip so holding with the new FL puts a lot of pressure on the finger behind the reel seat (pinkie for me) to hold the rod at level or tip up.  That's what I HATE about spinning rods in the first place.  My old Stradic FH is 7.9 oz and on this rod it puts the balance right under my index finger where it should be.  This Stradic FL 1000 would be great on a 6' rod or a rod with a heavier butt maybe.

 

Also, the new reel has a rough spot (I think).  It might just be dry bearings but for the first half hour it was on the rod there was a clear position in the handle rotation where you could feel and hear a rub and friction.  I put two drops of bearing grease on the two handle bearings and it seems to have dissipated a little but this combined with the weight issue means its going back.

 

Next steps:  I'm going to think it through a little today and double check my options.  I think I'm going to get a replacement on the rod (no change) and an exchange on the reel to a 2500/3000 size.  The 2000 size vanford is lighter yet so no go.  The 2500 Stradic is right at 7.9 which is the same as my old 1000 so I know where it will balance.  I think that's my best course but I'll give it a few hours to sink in.

 

Separately, I ordered the Suffix 131 on @Dwight Hottle's suggestion.  I can see why he likes it just feeling it from the spool.  It's just a little stiffer than 832 of the same size and its rounder/smoother.  We'll see how it fishes soon enough but I think I'm going to like it.

 

thanks,

rick