Hav a friend who broke this rod a couple of times, looking for an alternative blank to be wrapped. Specs on teh rod are as follows: pr904-2s 7' 6" medium power fast action rod rated for 8-17# line and 1/4-5/8 oz. lures. it's a gl2. He's looking for a one piece 7'6-8'er for conventional fishing.

Quoted from his post: "also it wil be used in florida from time to time for some red's and snook not only in the bay but inthe mangroves as well. i know some builders almost crap there draws when they know the blank and know what it takes to ripthem out of the mangroves but it works for me and its a blast. i don't want too much more back bone if at all. its about the sensitivity and action...."

Any ideas? So far someone mentioned the Loomis BB964, but I know teh guy does not trust Loomis anymore, and he also has had a couple of St. Croix Tidemasters break, so he's leery of St. Croix as well. Shikari, Rainshadow - anything else?

Can't suggest anymore on the manufacturer's, but as far as actions.....maybe consider some of the hotshot blanks. They have as much, if not slightly more, backbone as the popping rods but extra fast tips. They work for me on the TX coast throwing anything from small live bait to soft plastics and topwaters. I use a Loomis HS9000-IMX, other manufacturers have blanks in similar ratings. If the guy has broken several rods it sounds as if he may be overstressing the rod and/or using blanks that are not the best suited for that type of fishing.

Find out what he is doing. Just how is he fishing, too light a rod, is he High Sticking it - weight of fish he is pulling in ??? Did it break near the tip-high sticking ?

The term "rip them out of the mangroves" speaks volumes. Sounds like he may be using high strength line outside of the range for the blanks he's using to horse fish out of heavy cover.

It sounds like he's going to break whatever he uses!!

Mike

maybe a graphite/glass combo blank ??

Billy what about just go up several grads to a heaver rod If he wants the name ?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/08/2005 11:15AM by bill boettcher.

Have made a rod on the SWS Rainshadow blanks that has gotten rave reviews from the angler doing just as you discribed, "Combat Fishing" in the bridge pilings and mangroves. The SWS 5400 just might be it, the rod I built was on the SWS 540 which is one step heavier. Andy Dear recommended it for this application. The IP 965 might be a winner also by it's specs.