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| What is the best rod and reel combo for fishing hell hounds, phantoms and suicks. Money is no object. |
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Posts: 4343
Location: Smith Creek | Custom rod from Frank's custom rods built on a 4M76XHF blank and a Calcutta 400te. |
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Posts: 242
| Great Question. I am on this quest as well. I currently use a G Loomis MUR826C-JB, which I think works well, but I want a rod longer than 6'10". TI is coming out with a 7'9" jerkbait rod, but I am affraid it might be a little too stiff for casting 2 oz. Suicks. TI also has an 8 ft. XH rod that ranges from 3 oz. to 12 oz., which might fit the bill, but again, it might be a little too stiff and I am not sure I want an 8 footer for jerkbaits (plus, I don't know if I would be comfortible with the thicker grip on a jerkbait rod, which all the TI rods come with). I do have the Bluegrass 7'6" "Headjerker", which lure weights range from 3 oz. to 8 oz., but I have not given it the full on the water test yet. It is a lightweight rod and has standard sized handle, which it hand seems exactly what I am looking for, but how it actually performs is the real test. So, long story short, I would really like to see what people have to say as well. |
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Posts: 983
| i fish all of those baits (not suicks though but i do fish several other dive and rise jerkbaits) and I prefer longer rods. Some people prefer much shorter rods but I started using long rods and I wont go back for any bait. I like a 9' XH rod, its not too stiff at all and is the perfect universal rod in many cases. I use a 9'3" XH Predator, 9'0 TI XH, and 9'0 H legend tourney for all of the baits mentioned and love them. depends on what length you like and by the way that fat grip on the TI rods is great.
If money is no option, you cant beat a custom rod made exactly how you want it. Or if you want one sooner then look into the st. croix legend tourneys they have one called "the jerk" that may be of interest to you as well if you prefer a less than 8'0 rod
as far as reels anything with a higher gear ratio....curado 300s, revo toro HS 51/61 etc. |
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Posts: 682
Location: Sycamore, IL | I know you said money was no object and if that's so then your best bet is to just get a rod custom made to your specs, but...here's what I did: I picked up a used St.Croix 7'6" MH premier rod a couple years back and had the handle extended at Thorne Bros. This rod paired with a 60 HS Revo Toro has been terrific for the exact applications that you are looking for...and it didn't break the bank! Also, my other rods are all longer and I have no trouble going from an 8'6" bucktail rod to this shorter combo. I do not figure eight the baits that you mention very often either...I usually just dead stick them at the end of the retrieve to capitalize on follows, so I rarely miss the extra length and I feel as though I can work these baits better with a shorter rod. Good luck with your search!
Matt |
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Posts: 196
| I will say that whoever said take your rod to thorne bros is on the right path.....I have a st croix legend tournament mega swim bait rod with a thorne bros extended handle and I love it....I would pair that with a curado 300E......my other personal favorite is a st croix legend tournament slingblade with a calcutta 400 B or te. |
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Posts: 147
Location: Chesterton, Indiana | St. Croix legend tourney slingblade and a Calcutta 400 TE with power handle. |
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| For those who have had custom rod for gliders and suicks what length have you chosen. |
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Posts: 4343
Location: Smith Creek | I tried the longer ones (8'6"-9') for a while and went back to 6'9" -7'6". One of my best is a 6'9"HF with a 4" handle extension. |
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Posts: 983
| if you prefer shorter rods for jerkbaits definitely take flambeauskis advice and get a longer handle on it, it makes a huge difference |
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Posts: 265
Location: Manitowish Waters WI | Fast retrieve is key. I have a 8'6 elite tech big bait with a toro 60 hs. I can't even throw a glider with my other rod and reel combos. |
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Posts: 833
| I have a 8’4” Custom St. Croix Premier Heavy. The big thing for me was finding a blank that had some stiffness to it, this translated to more snap on each jerk. I paired it with a 400TE. However, after a year of use, I think this reel is too slow on the line pick up to get a good cadence for gliders. (With a wider swinging bait you have to work to catch up to it or it will hang) I will eventually replace the 400TE with a 300EJ and swap the power handle out for a regular paddle handle.
I do not find the length to be an issue. As a very wise angler told me, once you get the fish hooked you want a longer rod
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Rod and Reel Combo