[Richard Burke]

hello,

reasonably new to lure fishing - 2009

got a tele rod on my honeymoon on the dorset coast for our vw campervan for a trip round cornwall. started with a few tobys and went from there - broke the tele, got another, broke that - i then got a shimano exage travel rod - 8/9 ft 15 - 40 grams casting. nice little rod

got into bass plugging more and more - live nr the dorset coast and spend a lot of time in the summer in our vw van nr the coast so plenty of opportunity.

i'm after a new rod - a 2 piece as sometimes the 5 piece travel rod gets on my nerves putting together and lining up the pieces.

seen the mike ladle surespin at veals - i fancied one of these with a stradic 4000 (front drag or rear drag? - i'm a braid user) anyone got any experience or alternatives?

i fancy a cork handle though...

 

[Ben Field]

Hey Richard. Personally I wouldn't recommend the Surespin for plugging. I used mine for about 6 months. Putting any action in to surface lures or twitching jerkbaits will eventually leave you with tired arms using an 11' rod.

I'd go for a 2 piece rod with similar specs to your Shimano. 8 or 9 foot is ideal, with roughly that casting weight.

The Surespin is a nice rod, but better suited for fishing standard 'spinners', float fishing and light ledgering. Its a nice allrounder really, but not suited to fishing plugs.

Cork handles may be difficult to come by on most of the more modern rods, but there are a few around.
They're a couple of years old now but things like the Shimano Speedmaster rods would be much better suited. Or the Shimano Diaflash ST-A would be a slightly cheaper option.

 

[Richard Burke]

what about a technium 270 mh 15-40gram perhaps? any experience?

 

[Ben Field]

Not seen or tried them, but they'll probably be very, very useable. The speedmaster has been recommended for a little while just because it has a fairly 'fast' action I think - which is good for our type of plugging. Its possible that the Technium is similar. Anybody?

 

[Mark Sleep]

I think Mick had a Technium for a while.. I had the Speedmaster and loved it. I nearly shed a tear when I snapped it!

 

[Pennywise]

I think Mick had a Technium for a while.. I had the Speedmaster and loved it. I nearly shed a tear when I snapped it!

I have the Speedmaster 9ft H 20-50g
Wasnt keen on it at first but have fished with it for a few months now and I really do like it now. It has a nice action and is a light comfortable rod for those long sessions. No trouble taming fish either!!
As far as Im aware (I could be very wrong!!!) a new version came out in 2009. This is the one I have. Before I bought it I looked at the technium too....Speedmaster has a better feel to it (if that makes sense) and overall has a better looking finish to it too. Cork handles I find are comfy too. Im happy with it and glad I bought it above the technium.

C

 

[Tim Griffin]

Richard, there will be all sorts of advice and options on rods dependent on your budget and preferred style of fishing/lures. If you can offer some more information, I am sure one of the resident tackle gurus (tackle tarts?) will offer some options.
If you want to go budget, then the Savage Gear Bushwacker is a popular choice at around £55. My lad has the 7' and 8'6" and they are very good all round rods for the money.

 

[Richard Burke]

ok - more info

im after bass obviously off the dorset coast mainly

using hard plastic lures - got a selection of the usual maria shallow dives, some chug bugs, duel mag popper, patchinko, feed shallow all the usual stuff

just after a reasonable, nicely finished 2 piece rod for the above. I have an exage 3000 rear drag reel loaded up with whiplash that i've been using since the middle of last yr.

fancied a cork handle rod about 9ft i reckon with a casting weight thats comfortable for around 20g but will bring the 10lb bass that i dream of in.

i have looked at the shimano range of spinning rods and there are a couple i like the look of. i guess i want to spend up to £100. i'll prob equip it with a stradic reel front drag in 4000 size.

in the min shimano ranges there is usually a medium 10-30 gram, a med heavy 14-40 gram and a heavy 20-50 gram - what size would be best? i had sort of thought the 14-40

saw a beastmaster, a technium and a catana i think yesterday in the shop - one had low profile guides - what is the advantage of these?

rich

 

[Izador]

Hello mate.

Haven't used either of those 3 but i do have a speedmaster 10-30, it has a lovely action but is a bit to light for the shore, would go for the heavier versions depending on your style of fishing.

The cork on this rod really has started to degrade after one season. The rod usually gets pretty wet when fishing although it is always cleaned afterwards but the cork really is degrading fast, one more season and i reckon it will be ruined.
Something to bear in mind, if you keep it away from the salt (although probably near impossible) you might be able to stretch it out a few seasons longer.

The low rider rings keep the line closer to the blank and therefore you get a truer action from the blank, after starting to use the low rider rings my other spin rods etc feel very detached in comparison.

If cork is something you really want then for me it would be either a speedmaster as the handle is beautiful or one of the new bushwackers that include some cork.
Can't comment on any of the others as haven't ever used one.
Hope this is of some help!

 

[Richard Burke]

i'll have a look. i'm seriously thinking about the speedmaster after a peruse online. this in mh at 9ft 14-40 g - will it be ok to punch out 15-20g plugs such as maria chase or feed shallows?

 

[Vidar Thomassen]

i'll have a look. i'm seriously thinking about the speedmaster after a peruse online. this in mh at 9ft 14-40 g - will it be ok to punch out 15-20g plugs such as maria chase or feed shallows?

Yes, it will do that just fine.

I have used a friend’ Speedmaster a few times for trout fishing back in Norway and I have to say I was very happy with it.

 

[Izador]

Would Have to agree with Vidar.
I have no trouble with my 8ft M 10-30 with those plugs unless there is a strong head wind so the 14-40 should be perfect.
It is a very well finished rod and has a lovely medium fast action for playing fish and has the power in reserve if you need to use it.
Have had some good pike, carp and even a few catfish on mine so i don't for a moment doubt its strength.
One word of warning, the rings aren't the best and one or two may need a few replacing after a hard season but it is not a big issue by any means, easy enough to get replaced down the local tackle shop or do yourself if you are that way inclined.
If its a cork handled plug rod you are after I don't think you will be disappointed, Have has a lot of umms and ahhs as regards the handle.
Very comfortable to use and a few of the spanish guys I know swear by these rods.
A good buy for the money IMHO.
Maybe not as much of a "modern" super fast rod but lovely to play fish on.
Cheers,
Isidore.
:-D

 

[Richard Burke]

ok - been looking around on the net today... been thinking - do i really want cork handles when there are specialist plug rods about that may suit me better...

what about a 9ft quantum energy bass - seen a link on a german website that says it is 50-70gram casting weight though - others say this is rubbish.

looks like a good solid, well finished rod.

r

 

[Ben Field]

You'll definitely get a lot more for your money with duplon handles Rich! Good choice!

A few on here have the Quantum so should be able to comment. Bit heavy on the rating apparently, but still a powerful rod. I think since you first asked the question, we've found out about the new Bushwhackers as well (whcih are part cork handles). If the rods are actually the same as last year, one of those would be a safe bet - and still give you a bit of cork, AND a bit of spending money left over! This is them: http://www.fishingwarehouseshop.co.uk/product_info.php/cPath/11/products_id/5364 . First I've found but there should be details elsewhere too.