Conference wahoo::fishing-v2

    Can't comment directly on the surf rods, but I built a couple of
    bluefish plugging rods (7') from Fenglass. These are fast action rods
    (as opposed to medium or slow), so they don't have a lot of "whip" to
    them and they cast like a rocket. I've built rods from Lamiglass as
    well and if I do another, I'd use the Fenglass. I also use the Fuji
    reel seats since they are made of graphite and are light and strong.
    I'm not crazy about the ceramic guides -- I like plain stainless better
    since they are lighter and afford a larger diameter for less line slap.
    
    But all in all, the rods you are looking at seem to be high quality.
    I'm not sure what they are worth, but I can tell you that the cost of
    the components of my 7' plugging rods was up around $50-60. Add labor
    to that, plus the fact that the surf blanks are probably $80 or more
    and I would guess that the rods you are looking at would sell for $150
    or so each, depending on the quality of workmanship.
    
    I wish I had kept the Fenglass rods I made for myself, but I gave them
    to my sons as gifts. 
    
    Hope that info helps.
    
    Regards,
    
    Art
    

    If you have the exact models of guides and blank number I can
    look up the cost on the components.
    
    Bruce

    Also,  It is not so much the diameter of the guide ring but the
    height of the guide ring from the rod that eliminets rod slap. There
    is also very good documentation of the fact that the composite
    guide rings have musch lower levels of line abrasion than stainless
    riungs and also much beter heat disapation. 
    
    Bruce

    Anyone use a baitcasting set up for surf fishing? I notice that about
    99% of the surf fishermen that I see use spinning equipment. Only
    a few use baitcasters. Why is that? The biggest difference I see is
    the price. I would assume I could cast the same or further with a 
    bait caster? Can you cast heavy chunk type baits with the baitcaster?
    I was at spags the other day and they had the Abu 9000 for about $100,
    but I didn't see any rods in the rack that I thought were for surf 
    casting, anything that resembled a surf casting rod was for spinning. 
    What size rod would you use for one of these bad boys? 


    Rich

    
    Rich most of my relatives down the cape who fish the canal use baitcasters.
    They can hum a lure ALOT further with them than I can with my spinning
    gear. So if you see something you like pick it up and give it a try.
    
    Walt

    
    
    		Its personal preference. I notice though that the oldtimers
    	many times use "baitcasters" when fishing at night. You can really
    	cast a long way when using Mackrel heads and tails with a setup
    	similiar to a catfish rig. Use a "large weight and a neoprene 
    	slider for the leader.
    
    		If you are willing to part with $100 , look into a 
    	Newell or Penn at that price.( will last longer)..
    
    
    
    ps; the trick with the bait caster is to keep that thumb ready for
    	the sound ( which you might not hear)..
    
    
    

    
    PS on 265.4 (again) 
    
    		My brother in law swears by an 11 footer with stainless
    	fittings. ( The RED TOP down at the canal sells great custom
    mades).
    

    Ok, I'll bite, what makes a Penn better than a Abu? I have a couple
    of Abu's for fresh water that I have never had a problem with. 
    What model # Penn bait caster can be had for $100 and were do I pick
    it up.

    Thanks
    Rich

    
    	I use a royal express for fresh water and love it. I only have used
    	Penns for Salt water because. 1. they are easy to dis assemble and
        repair and the parts are easy to find and cheap. 2. They spools
    ride lighter on the reel with heavy line.
    
    
    	I would use a 140L ( squidder) (60-70 $) or a surfcaster. Wide
    	spool . Its in the Offshore Angler catalog at around 100/
    
    
    

    
     Rich
    
       As you know, you will not find a company that backups
     their tackle better than Penn. Just another reason.
     
       Call Spags, go look at Penn 200l, 100l, 155l, 160l
    
         These are Penn Surf & Beachmaster reels.
    
                                                  Kiv

    	Not really a surf rod, but I was wondering if anyone had any input
    on the White Rhino salt-water rods. I was looking at one that I think
    was 7.5' for Stripers. 
    
    	Ray

    I bought a 10' White Rhino for my brother in law 2 years ago and he
    loves it. My brother and myself also own 10' Rhino's and can't say
    enough about em'. Don't know about 7.5' rods, but the quality is there
    on the 10' rods. Hope this helps.

    	re:-1
    
    	Thanks for the response. I happened to be looking at these and
    comparing them to the equivilent model in a Penn Slammer. The Penn was
    almost $60 more for something with the same basic look and feel.
    
    	I actually liked the feel of the White Rhino a little better as it
    was a bit stiffer than the Penn, which would be my preference for
    stripers.
    
    	I can't say for sure, but I also thought I saw something about it
    being a lifetime guarentee as well.
    
    	RAYJ

Since you guys are talking about 10' rods, I guess you're fishing from the 
shore.  Just as an aside, I've been using my 6'6" AllStar WR1 worming rod
for stripers and it has (so far) handled schoolies up to about 30" OK.  I
don't know how it will deal with a big 'un, but I suspect that it will
fair well as long as the reel drag is set right.

Looking forward to striper season!

Joe

    After busting a couple of rods the last couple of years I decided to go
    with a 11ft ugly stick cost was about $60.00.  I really like this rod
    and it is almost indestructible.  Casts great and fairly light to carry.
    I hike almost 2 miles sometimes on the outer cape and like to think
    that the rod not going to break into two or more pieces. Its a long
    walk back to the car and an every long drive back home.  Also I was
    reading in the fisherman a tip that I am going to try out.  This tip
    might save your rod tip late at night.  If your are like me, and use
    swimming plugs and a teaser on 5 foot of leader then place a large
    plastic bead on the main line in front of your barrel swivel.  This way
    the barrel swivel is not chewing up your rod tip at 2:00 in the
    morning.  It's happened to me!!!!.  Can't wait to try it out this year.
    Good luck in picking up a surf rod.  Buy a good quality rod it will
    save you in end (in more ways then one).
    
                                              Culprit  

    
    	I have two friends that have "ugly sticks" one for trout and one 
    for pike - both say they are excellent rods and would never part with
    them.