New Casting Rod for Big Rivers

[Flatheadmaniac]

Well i just got my new St. Croix Premier Surf Casting rod today.
I have many long rods, but only had one long heavy casting rod and was needing another one.
I got the new Premier PSRC120XH2 12ft. ,Xheavy rated 20-60lb test line and 4-16 oz. This is the rod nicknamed the "Hatteras Heaver".
Heres a link to check out thier other surf rods http://www.stcroixrods.com/rods/saltwater.asp?rod=Premier%20Surf#

I also have thier older casting model Ben Doerr Elite 11ft Heavy, rated up to 50 lb test and 12 oz.

I am VERY pleased with this new rod and cant wait til the spring run to try it out.

I also ordered thier PSRS116MH2 11'6'ft. Surf Spinning rod which is just like the older 11ft. Ben Doerr surf system rod i love so well for lighter lines and baitrunners.

Heres wishing for an early DRY spring;) :D
Scott

[BottomBouncer]

I think the Croix's on my list for this year will be two of the 7' surf rods for two Stradic MG's, two 8' casting Tidemasters and two 8' spinning tidemasters for my 975's and btr's. I think I'll add one of the 8' surf rods with a stradic/sustain 4000. Not sure on that one though?

[flathunter]

Sounds like it will be a great rod!!!! I hear that dry! early spring!

[Flatheadmaniac]

Sure wish they made the 2003 St. Croix 7ft surf rods like last years models, the new ones have CORK handles instead of the cork tape thats just like all thier other surf rods...i love it a lot more than the plain cork. I had to order both my light and med/light 7ft surf rods from the east coast after i found out they were'nt making them the same this year.

I bought one of the new Stradic 2500MG reels and i love it...it only has one more ball bearing than the original Stradic, but man this nw reel is so smooth..which the old stradic was AWSOME as we all know!
You'll be happy with the Tidemaster Rods, my all time favorite smallmouth rod is my 7'6"ft Tidemaster spinning rod...i wouldnt trade it for any other one..well unless its the 8' model..lol which i have thought about getting..hmmm?

[Flatheadmaniac]

Did you check out the NEW St. Croix surf rods out at Fishermans today when you were in there?

I looked at the 11'6" Premier spinning rod i ordered..man i cant wait to get that one out on the water with my Shimano Big Baitrunner Long Cast this spring for cats.I went ahead and bought the same one but in a casting model today..geez!

The old surf rods they made are very nice, but these new ones are so much better..glad to see they upgraded them finally!

[BottomBouncer]

I like that EVA at the top, that would be much more comfortable to grip while doing battle.

I put my 975 on the 10'6 model. Felt good......looked good. I noticed that the Cacutta (i believe it was the 100 or 200?) GT had a clicker? Now THAT would be GREAT on the 8' WildRiver rod that is rated up to 40lb. line/8oz. Load that bad boy up with some Fusion and you'd have an awesome channel/blue/flatty rig for boatin'.

[Flatheadmaniac]

They didnt have the 12ft Heavy casting model in yet(back ordered), glad i ordered mine direct from St. Croix;)

[BottomBouncer]

Did they say anything about when they will have the majority or their selection in? Matt said he was getting in a couple of the international baitcasters. I'm affraid their price is gonna be a bit too high. I see them for $199 up to $250.

[Flatheadmaniac]

but Matt said hed call me when they get the other rods in, plus they are getting another item i requested in VERY soon, i reserved one for myself..lol
Cant say over the net what it is, but it will take my fishing to new levels(theres that phrase again:rolleyes: ;) ) this year for sure!

[BottomBouncer]

I know what item you're talking about;)

[Flatheadmaniac]

hahahahahahehehehehehe!!

[BottomBouncer]

Hey, have you ever seen ProGear reels?

[Flatheadmaniac]

Sure have!
I was VERY tempted today to buy one of those Avet reels....but its not a top priority right now..maybe later if needed?

[BottomBouncer]

Dude......I wouldn't get that Avet they have.....too big. Get the SX model. It's about the same size as a 700CT, it is exactly like the LX they have, but smaller. I know where you can order one online for $155, not the $290 that Fisherman's has........although I bet they would match price. This place online includes shipping, free reel cover and they'll spool up your reel for FREE with your choice of line. I think the spooling depends on model, I know the ProGear comes with free spooling and cover and shipping. They're not just talking mono, they'll fill it with spectra lines for free too!

[Flatheadmaniac]

Daiwa Grand Wave Z yet???

I know the new Daiwa Grand Wave Bite n Run is just like the top of the line baitrunner over in Uk...its about $250, but still cheaper than the UK versoin that would cost us about $500 to buy.

Heres the baitcaster
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/index/index-display.jhtml?id=cat20242&navAction=jump&navCount=1&parentId=cat20166&parentType=category&rid=


Im not ready to give up my level winds just yet, but when i do decided to get one..it will of course be a SHIMANO brand!!;) :D

[Flatheadmaniac]

Baitrunner i mentioned...
http://store.yahoo.com/tackle/daiwagrandwave1.html

I know a carper that bought TWO of these to use this year for carp in Ohio!

[BottomBouncer]

Yeah, I've checked that one out. I'll keep my 4500BTR's for regular cat duty, but for long distance cat duty I'm still trying to find something that will fit the bill. Hmmmmm Shimano Aero Ti?????

I think between the two of us we've seen every reel there is to see:cool:

[Flatheadmaniac]

Not many out there we have'nt already seen...they need to come out with more FASTER to keep us busy during the winter..lol

Hey if your looking for a BIG baitrunner....have you looked at the new Okuma Epixor EB80 yet..holds 375/15 310/20 220/25
and is still 10 bb's.
or if you want a true big baitrunner like mine, check out that Tackle Box catalog you have..they carry it!

Hey if you dont want it to be a BAITRUNER style reel...then check out the Okuma AXION (12 bb's)AX 65 or AX90 for $110 - $116 , they have both reels in two different gear ratios to choose from(same price)http://digitaldagger.com/

[BottomBouncer]

I left my Tackle Box catalog from last year at Fisherman's during the summer. Wonder which one of them has it in their bathroom?

Do you think a baitrunner type reel, or one of those long stroke, distance type reels would be best? Some of those are REALLY nice:cool: and I'm looking for the excuse;)

[Flatheadmaniac]

I just happed to mention that Tackle Box catalog in my last post..because Ben showed it to me tonight when i was there..thats how i know the BRT LC is in there..lol

Depends on really how you like to fish...do you mind tight-lining, or maybe turn your drag down so fish can run...or do you prefer the BTR feature?
If so there ARE reels that combine both the BTR and a big surf cast style spool(mine holds 600 yrds of 12lb line) and will cast how ever far you need it to(with the right rod that is..lol;) )
Would be an awsome set up on one of those new 11'6" Premier surf rods..not to heavy..not to light..just PERFECT for distance cats(i'll show ya that set up this spring..lol, or as soon as my rod gets delivered)

[BottomBouncer]

I don't mind tight lining.......I turn down the drag on my Penn SS and never had a problem with it......in fact I kinda like it because I can immediately adjust the drag according to how the fish is fighting.


Can you say titanium Aero? Yeah right..........someday though:p