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| I troll a lot and use quality graphite rods for my side rods (I use a short, sturdy fiberglass rod for the propwash). They show the action of the lures very well. I've never had a rod break (I set the drag light enough to avoid this) even though my lake is loaded with underwater trees and I DO get hung up frequently. I've read that during cold weather that some anglers use fiberglass (instead of graphite) to avoid the rods breaking (when hanging up) while trolling. Where I live, I don't really get the cold weather, and don't feel that this is a problem. I've considered switching to the St. Croix fiberglass rods, but consdiering that the graphite rods that I use would be replaced due to a good warranty, why should I switch? |
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| Excellent question!
Graphite tends to be very brittle, and is also much less forgiving when stressed than fibreglass (or one of the hybrids like E or S glass). For some trolling applications, graphites are okay. But for downriggers, monster baits, speed trolling, etc. - you're more apt to break a graphite than you are a glass rod. The structure of the fibres in a graphite rod just aren't designed to take the stress and torque that fibreglass will. If you go through a lure catalogue, look a the material in a dipsey diver rod or downrigger. You might see a few composite blends of glass and graphite, but predominantly you will see glass only. This is why!
To reiterate... it depends on the style of trolling you use. I know guys who can use a pure graphite rod successfully. I know that if I used one, or someone like Shawn McCarthy used one, it would not last long.
The right tool for the right job, and knowing the limitations of your equipment.
Steve Wickens |
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| Elaborating on what Steve had to say. Besides the stiffness factor there is a big difference in the "loading" of graphite vs. fiberglass. The stiffness of graphite which makes it so much more sensitive does have a drawback in that graphite loads much faster than fiberglass. This generally only becomes a problem under heavy stress....like speed trolling large lures where you already have a good deal of stress on the rod. If you hit an underwater obstruction or a large fish hits hard graphite loads up real fast and the spot that receives the greatest stress can snap like a rifle crack. Fiberglass loads more slowly and dissipates the load better so in heavy trolling situations it would handle everything better. I had one of the original Fenwick HMG's "blow-up" on me fishing a trout stream (I set the hook rather sharply on an extremely large rock in whitewater--not real smart) many years ago and the sound scared the heck out of me!! A large rod must really be impressive when it goes.
You ask why bother if the rod is covered by warranty?? What if that rod snaps on the strike in late October of that 60" world record you have always waited for?? Not only would the fish get away but it could die from all the gear hanging from its mouth.
In My Humble Rodmaking Opinion,
BrianW [:praise:] |
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| I use graphite rods for both trolling and casting and have yet to break one on any of the 350+ muskies I have caught on them. I also fish in sub zero weather every year using 15 inch lures and catching 40 pounders.
I think graphite rods are better then glass ones period. I can see the action of my lures much better, feel the fish fighting much better and best of all I don't need to carry 4 extra rods just to troll with.
The only reason I can recommend glass to anyone would be to save money or like Steve mentioned when using downrigers as well as planer boards and dipsy divers.[:sun:] |
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| good points-thanks |
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