Experience With The Following..., Rods, reels and lines. Options

[catchnrelease]

Ugh...it's getting a bit dull here...

Weeell, I have been looking at some specific lines, rods and reels, and was wondering whether any of you guys have exerience with the following:


Rods:

Shimano T-Curve Spin (7'...2-5kg)

Shimano Rack Raider (6'8"...3-5kg)

Shimano Taipan Extreme Boat Spin (6'...8-12kg)

Shimano Catana Boat Spin (6'...10-12kg)

Reels:

Daiwa Exceler 2500

Okuma V-System V-55

Line:

Fireline XDS

Nitlon braid


Any info welcome on those/similar products...



This post has been edited by catchnrelease: Jul 31 2007, 12:09 AM

[Jumpus GooDarus]

Yeah with a coupkle of them lets see

Got a Shimano Catana & for the life of me cant see how it's classed as a spin rod let alone a good one mines married to a signa 6 : 1 ratio overhead & I use to to bottom bash deeper water using Lebrigs or as a Jewgong live bait outfit.

I do have a couple of okuma reels but not the one you spec'd mine are baitrunners & exept for a couple of minor defects whichIsent the reels back fr repairs they're not bad.

Was using shimano's to spin with but since have gotten a few new spin reels which I might add have nt had the chance to use yet Arnie the Dog has been using them for acouple f years & reckons they're prett good & take a knocking Arnie's are the BALLET reels mine are the newer METALIUM Alloy body instead of the standard graphite spoofy looking reel love the handle feel great but will let you know what it's like when I finally get to use it.

Nitlon braid yep do use it & it's not bad bear in mind I'm no expert on braid & dont really like it exept on my spin outfits so far no drama's with it no wind knots etc etc, but I've just spooled the new outfits up with Platil Millenium used it B4 & quite happy with it also prob a bit on the dear side but you get what you pay for here's a read on the Platil Millenium

http://www.bassermillyard.com.au/ShowArtic...sp?ArticleId=72

[catchnrelease]

hmmm...might go for the Taipan if the Catana's crap. The Taipan is a bit higher on the food chain than the Catana.

[Spudly]

Had a taipan Jig/Spin 6-10kg 6'6" Rod C&R,

Wrecked it on sat night. Left it sitting on the pontoon and when the tide dropped it jammed in the ramp and the but squashed from the reel seat down, Split lenght ways.. Rod is still usable as the top section is fine, but im really not worried, was never happy with the rod.

would have matched ok with my 320ld or a charter special, but even then my uglystik is a much nicer rod.

Have not looked at the catana's yet, but want to check one out for my baitrunner.

I also have a 3/4kg light spin rod in the taipan series, which I am Very hapy with.. its 6 ft and when i get myself a nice 3kg spin rod it will become my 3kg bait rod, has a nice curve and feels comfy in the hand. Its a graphite/glass rod..

[catchnrelease]

With the heavier rods, I don't want to spend a fortune as I won't be using them as much as my lighter outfits. I'm still undecided whether to buy it at all, but it's still a posibility.

How about the lighter rods? Especially the T-Curve. It's a light rod which I need for ultra light lures, but does it have the guts of a true 5kg rod for racks and heavy snagged areas?

[Jumpus GooDarus]

Just did a search on the T-Curve never having used one are they a bloody 2 piece rod ??

[Jumpus GooDarus]

Hey catchasorous

Took a pic of my little 2kg outfit 2day it's married to one of those reels I mentioned earlier only the baby 1000 but I liked it smooth drag comfortable esp the handle think it was my favourite feature

Didn't catch anything to really give it a good workout just had some fun tossing SP's @ blurters this is the reel

[Spudly]

what reel is that jumpy

[Jumpus GooDarus]

It's a fuul Alloy body reel Rum & the one I mentioned in my 1st reply here only new think they are next reel up from the Ballet can find out for you if you want.

Saw them @ Fergo's [Tackle Store] the other week on special & @ a bloody good price as well around $90 think they retail for around the $160 mark but dont quote me on that

[Spudly]

Thats good, Im looking at getting a light spin rod, must remember to check with sumo on the RL7 wilsons h was getting, so ill need a reel to match

[catchnrelease]

what reel is that jumpy

I think it's a Penn Applause 1000? I heard that it's a tough reel that can take a beating. Handle looks nifty, but probably gets a bit uncomfortable? :mellow:

[poly]

daiwa exceler are a good reel how ever i do prefer the SOL range the drag is a lot smoother the only thing wrong with them is the price at $300+ they are a bit exy

This post has been edited by poly: Aug 4 2007, 03:30 AM

[Spudly]

Jumpy mentioned in his post the the handle is very comfortable..

[Jumpus GooDarus]

No it's not a Penn

Already told ewes what it was just cant give ewes a link to it cause it's not listed on the viva site yet

I believe it's only new & haven't been able to do a google search on the reel all I can tell ewes is that its got a full Alloy body hollow titanium bail arm 9 bearings & it's a pleasure to use.

When I hook something decent on it I'll give ewes a full report so far I like the reel also have the 2000 & bigger 3000 but yet to use them

[Jumpus GooDarus]

I think it's a Penn Applause 1000? I heard that it's a tough reel that can take a beating. Handle looks nifty, but probably gets a bit uncomfortable? :mellow:

One thing I dont thinl to many of you dont know is

Most of these imported reels from china come out of the same factory that's why they look so similar

The reel in my pic does come out of the same factory as the Penn's

So when you hear people raving on how good say their Penn is laugh @ them & tell them you got basically the same reel @ a fraction of the cost.

All those people with the name reels are doing is paying for the name they're not getting anything of better quality

[Mully]

In some cases this is true same reel different label but a few do stand out amongst the crowd...Take daiwa for example they have cheap to very expensive reels and you do get what you pay for most anglers throwing a SP or hardbody all day go for lightness and the daiwa do deliver...Some being just under 200grms in total matched with a 200 grm rod from them and you dont even know your using it...
I challenge anyone to prove to me that there is a copy exactly the same but cheaper of the daiwa's for example a capricorn or kastor which are average priced reels...

Okuma have too many bugs in their reels and I dont like or feel comfortable trusting them...

T-curves well busted enough of them to say no also and their actions are crazy they double up over themselves, not my cup of tea if hooked to a bigger fish than expected..

The penn applause is a ripper reel cheap and reliable ive thrashed all of mine and they still go well. cost around $60 for 1000 to 2500 series

for heavier rods eg my mully fishing I use ticas ,Azagaie or even my daiwa pro casters.I also love my customs but there a bit pricey, but still do what the cheaper ones do just feel a bit lighter and more comfortable...

Nitlon is a nice braid as is there fluorocarbon leader material...
I prefer and if your willing to spend a few extra bucks for quality long lasting braid climax lines or daiwa sensor it snot cheap but lasts a lot longer and is a beautiful braid to fish with.{tip] when your braid is showing signs of wear cut a length off and spool it onto another spool so the less used end is like new.[most of us are lucky to get half way down a spool most times].
Ive used fireline which is cheap and not too bad,fireline crystal is nice also as is fins and hawk dyneema tournament and wont make you cry at the cost either.


Light rods have no substitute for a pro caster , tica crisp x ,tica graphite extreme, shimano raiders are awesome and worth the cash


Dont know if I can add any more without members getting bored and thinking

[Jumpus GooDarus]

Think the prob these days is that we've just got to much gear out there to choose from

I see names of new rods / reels & I'm scratching my head & most times have to google up the product to get some specs on it to do comparisments

Plus these days esp with braids around think to many peeps lose the plot & their idea of fishing is to be able to lock up on a fish not allowing it to peel any line off the reel @ all & they call that fishing I call it a joke.

Same people will go out & spend a fortune on the most expensive gear then boast how good it is bloody twits if you ask me, because you can get the exact same result bolting a trailer winch onto a broom handle it's alot cheaper as well

[Mully]

I totally agree with you ive caught the same fish with handlines,but like most things you try a few new products and get the feel for something new something light or easier to operate more reliable or whatever and you buy it...
I never go over 8lb line so i dont know about skull dragging only time i go higher is river trolling i step up to 20lb mono..

Your comment is very true and im no idiot for buying the gear either i dont own $1000 dollar reels or rods my most expensive is maybe $270 for a custom from a friend rodbuilder but she is a real pleasure to use and reliable.

Skull dragging in my books is pathetic ok some want a feed and drag them in all to their own but if your in it for the sport then challenge yourself and your skills with light line.....

[Mully]

my reasoning for good gear, not expensive as there is a border for me is I sometimes run 1kg line and without a decent drag system might as well not bother...Also nowadays lighter setups are better for me as my back plays up with heavier equipment and anything that lets me out longer is a plus to me..Having to go home due to excruciating pain really sux so I go light and easy setups.

ever tried 1kg on a cheap reel try it and see for yourselves...

This post has been edited by Mully: Oct 16 2007, 05:35 AM

[Jumpus GooDarus]

Yep I used to favour the 1kg outfit many years ago a bit on the light side but geez it can be fun on the right species tageted.

Stuff like trvelly, slimy mackeral etc are a hoot on 1kg many years ago when I did fish comp with a ANSA club 1 kg was the norm up @ Pt Stevens & just about every year a trevelly on 1kg would take out the overall comp & I'm talking fish up around the 3 kg mark as well.

Pretty sure alot of my old club records are still there on 1 kg & that was 20 years back when they were claimed only one that I can recall was a 1. 6 kg Pig [rock blackfish] on 1 kg.

Back in those days drag systems on reels were no match to todays gear as well & I believe a smooth drag is very important

These days I use 3 kg outfits for just abiut everything even taked one member here to go light line & he loved it, what peeps dont realise you'll catch alot more fish on light line than on the heavy line