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Posts: 157
| I've began to throw alot of big blades within the last year and currently do not have a reel that is adequete to pull these baits through the water. I'm looking at purchasing a new combination rod/reel and am wondering what everyone would recommend. Cost is an issue but I'm willing to pay for quality. I currently use St. Croix Premier Rods and Abu Garcia reels. I've had great luck with both companies and would like to stay with them if at all possible. Thanks in advance!
Dylan |
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Posts: 572
| Saltist seems to be a popular reel at this time. I bought the 30 level wind, but haven't tired it out yet.
http://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/board/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=43...
some are interested in a new rod from Okuma rods (I don't have one). However, they look like a good buy. I'm just running out of money. But, the price seems right.
http://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/board/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=51...
your St. Croix Premier rod may be just right. good luck. |
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Location: Twin Cities | DO some searching, this topic is beat to death all over the internet. Edit: and this site.
Edited by JRedig 8/4/2009 12:23 PM
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Posts: 157
| Dear JRedig,
I have done research on the internet.
However, I thought it would be best to ask people who use these reels and rods for this specific type of fishing on a daily basis. Hopefully fisherman are willing to offer an unbiased opinion on what works and what doesn't, if they are not or are just sick of the topic completely it will soon get off the front page and drift into oblivion.
Dylan |
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Posts: 968
Location: N.FIB | A big game abu 7000 works great for 10`s,but doesn`t burn them in like a saltist or trinidad would.Also you can`t even feel the pull of the blades like a 6500 |
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Posts: 432
Location: Eagan, MN | I think JRedig meant do some searching on this site. There are a million threads about this... heck you could probably just scroll down and find all the info you need. |
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Posts: 143
| St. Croix Sling Blade + Shimano Trinidad 16N. I didn't have this combo for my trip last year, and did this year. The difference is night and day. The speed that is attainable (and the ease compared to a 7000 abu) is amazing. What's also amazing is how much a part of the speed the rod is. The biggest advantage this combo brings to the table is how much less it hurts at the end of the day, the rod and reel do so much more to help with the pull, it's not all going into your wrists and forearms.
the trinidad takes some getting used to, with no levelwind and remember to engage the reel, but i found it easy to adapt to. i guess you also have to be willing to part with a lot of money, hahaha. if i remember there's one for sale in buy/sell right now though. keep your eyes peeled here and on ebay, they pop up from time to time for a great deal. |
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Posts: 552
Location: WI | I used a 6500 abu when I first started throwing them but if you want to bring the lure in w/ any speed it is too much for both you and the reel. Then I tried a 7000 abu w/ the 4.1:1 gear ratio and it works great for reeling them in at a nice easy pace or slow rolling them but you will never burn them in w/ it. I now use the saltist 40H w/ levelwind when I burn them and it can really move them but in hindsite, I probably would have gone w/ 30 levelwind. Less speed but a smaller reel to handle and you could still move them. If I'm not burning, I use a Curado 300E. A lot being written about the toro for a low profile reel, but I personally need a break from the abu's. I have a custom rod made w/ the 8' heavy premier blank and its a great rod for the big blades from rolling them to burning them, but if you are looking for a rod just to burn them w/ I might go w/ the XH just to get a little more tip on the figure 8's. |
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Posts: 909
| St. Croix Slingblade with a levelwind Saltist Reel is a great set-up!
Brian |
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Posts: 295
Location: Southern Ontario, Detroit River and Lake StClair | Just wondering what gear ratio you guys are getting with the Saltist's. I see there's a 4.3:1 I believe and a 6.1:1.
Thanks
Tim
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Posts: 556
| i have the 6:1:1 its a great reel
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Posts: 264
| the only ligit ones for non stop big blades are the saltwater reels.; saltist ; trinidad |
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Posts: 238
| I run a trinidad 14 and really like it.As long as you point the rod directly at the blade the line lays great.
The lever engage becomes second nature after only limited use,one good day on the water and you dont even notice your doing it.
I also tried a calcutta 700 te which did an excellent job as well as far as casting and retrieval but i found it to be to large to comfortably palm as i dont have big hands.
I now use the 700te for pounders and such as i use the front grip of the rod when aggresivly ripping big plastic so the palming issue does not come into play.
I used a 400te for two seasons as well before looking for a better wheel,it did a good job but was very fatiguing for burning double tens but it did hold up to the abuse for me,never let me down.
I have heard good first hand reviews on the 400te lucunas jig version with the power handle but i still dont think it would be as good as the trinidad,i personally dont think the is a better big blade real out there than the trinidad. |
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Posts: 157
| I'm seeing that those Trinidad's are freaking expensive. For the sake of cost savings I think I'm going to look at the Saltist. Hopefully it doesn't come back to bite me in the a**.
Dylan |
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| I would not put a saltist or trinidad on a Sling Blade..the tip is too soft and you will fight the tip with the speeds those reels bring in big blades..Sling Blade makes a great rod for big blades at "normal" speed w/ a Penn or other slower reels but the big reels are too much for the tip on that rod...if you are going to get a set up like that get one w/ a stiffer tip..Or have a Sling Blade custom made w/ 2-3" off the tip ....I had a trinidad 16n on a sling blade and after a couple hours knew that wasn't the rod for that reel...
get something stiffer for a saltwater reel at the tip...my 2 cents |
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Posts: 547
Location: Oshkosh | I agree with BN, put the reel on a Big Dawg rod for burning bucktail.
Peter |
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Posts: 238
| I have to disagree with BN and WI Skis, i threw double tens on the big dawg for a season before the slingblade was released and it did an admirable job but i always felt it was just a little to stiff.In my opinion the sling blade is just about perfect for double tens with a trinidad.Different strokes for different folks i guess.
Edited by kawartha kid 8/5/2009 4:36 PM
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| i love my Sling Blade...just not for burning blades. after a day with a Trinidad 14 on it, i replaced it with a slower 400TE and now it's a great combo for slower blades, big crankbaits, and rubber.
i stuck my Trinidad on an Okuma XXH and the extra stiffness in the tip makes it much easier to burn double-10s and especially to do fast figure-8s.
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Location: Oswego, IL | That is exactly where you get the slow down, is in the 8's or 0's whatever your style is. If you keep the rod while reeling in pointed at the bait, cant tell at all and flys in, but turn a bit and you will feel it pulling your arm towards the bait. |
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Big Blade Reels