Don't know how many of you were watching ESPN's bass fishing this morning (what else can you do on a day like today).

anyway they took 4 of the top bass fisherman to Venezuela. primarily to fish for peacock bass.

The rate of rod breakage was incredible. Two of the fisherman broke all of their rods (five for one). You have to assume that this was top of the line equipment.

The interesting observation is that none of them broke fighting fish up to 14 lbs. (and the film of the fish fighting were outstanding).

The rods broke on the back cast from the strain of repeated casting of the 2 oz. plus lures. Some of the lures were musky sized plugs.

The pictures of the hair jigs that they were using to catch piranha were interesting too. They would literally eat the hiar off the jig.

It was interesting how the breakage occurred given the amount of " high sticking " in evidence.

Stan Grace
Helena, MT
"Our best is none too good"

Exactly the reason I started building. After breaking 3 very expensive "matte black" spinning rods from 2 makers, I built some offshore blanks for bass. I may not know there is a fish on there, but I wont break the rod on the second or third cast! P.S. Ive been fishing 20+ years, and some of the new graphite super light poles were the first I had breakage problems with. I have wondered if my midriff expansion is causing some sort of whiplash effect, hence the breakage. Respectfully, Levi

I saw that one. Did you notice the torque on the rods? Those guys had those rods totally turned over at the middle of the rod. Try a spiral wrap!

MAybe they were casting lures too heavy for teh blank? Did they ever say what they were using as a rod?

They were using regular bass rods. They looked way too light to be casting the two ounce lures.

Billy:

They weren't real forthcoming about what brand they were using.

I agree that the rods weren't appropriate for a 2 oz. lure. Arond herer, 2 oz. means light surf casting.

If you knew the Anglers, you could look at there sponsor list from the classic and know who provides their equipment. Unless, of course, their using custom rods.

William B - I was asking more for a specific model, not just the Man. If they were usign a rod rated 1/2- 3/4 - it's not going to matter what MAnu it's from there's a fair chance the rods gonna Snap-O when you try to cast twice teh rating (unless it's Glass, the it wil cast like crap)

When I was fishing for Peacock bass in ElSalvadore, we used pool cue's for rods. MH and H blanks; mostly salt water rated casters or spinners. Didn't need an expensive sensitive blank - when peacocks hit a bait, you know it!!

Not the standard bass fishing gear we experiance here in the good ol' USofA.

Peacock bass are mean fish and when in their natural environment can raise havok on any rod w/o enough backbone.

Throwing baits heavier than the blanks are rated is just asking for trouble.