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Posts: 186
Location: Kaukauna, Wisconsin | Alright, I have decided to pay the price for one of Legend Tournament series rods. I am looking at the Top-N-Tail (eight footer) and the Slingblade. I have heard good things about the Slingblade and not much about the Top-N-Tail. I don't currently own any big blades, but will be picking some up this year. I was looking to use it for topwaters and big blades. So anybody out there have any good suggestions? I will be stopping in Park Falls to pick it up so they should have both in. Thanks guys!! |
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Posts: 692
Location: Pelican Rapids, MN | Go with the slingblade. I got to use both of the rods you mentioned the last couple of seasons. The Sling will be a perfect model for what you want to use it for. The Top-N-tail is an awesome rod for these applications, but if you bought both and tossed them with the same baits the same amount of time - and had to pick one... Especially with using big blades - You'll like the 8'6". If you are tossing more small - medium blades and an occasional 10... Plus, standard sized topwaters go with the top-n-tail. A Slingblade will toss the bigger surface baits better (Pacemakers, etc.) It's not a great walk the dog rod. The Top-N-tail is well suited for that. I'm rambling now - My wife is trying to talk to me while I type. |
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Posts: 4266
| Slingblade. TopnTail is too light for big blades. You'll be able to use the Slingblade for more than just blades. It's a great rod.
Beav |
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Posts: 186
Location: Kaukauna, Wisconsin | Thanks for the info so far! I throw a lot of topwaters and a bunch of big spinnerbaits so I figured that the slingblade would be better. What do you guys prefer for the handle, split or full cork? Thanks!! |
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Posts: 692
Location: Pelican Rapids, MN | I love the split grip, It makes casting over long periods of time less fatiguing. The way your hand contours on the butt section provides a great base for casting. Sounds weird, but try it and you'll see. |
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Posts: 238
| Sling blade! |
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Posts: 20
| I would get the Sling blade and I like the traditional grip better. It seems to balance better and when tucked in under your arm it feels better. |
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Posts: 692
Location: Pelican Rapids, MN | No offense, but I completely feel the opposite way of every thing OD said except going with the slingblade. The Splitgrip is definitely better balanced than the full handle, and tucked under your arm, it contours to a pit perfect. Not to mention no long cork to catch your shirt/jacket. Also, the weight difference is slight but noticeable. |
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Location: Sawyer County, WI |
First, thanks for the info and opinions guys.
I too am in the market for a sling blade, and I'm leaning towards the split grip but I have a question regarding the range of lures I can throw with it.
In your experience, how light can I go with bucktails on the sling blade and still get decent distance ? (St. Croix has it rated at 2-6 ounce for lure weight) In addition to big blades, I also throw the likes of Rabid Squirrel, Ghost tails, etc. and I want to make sure that if I'm investing $300 plus I'm making the right choice.
Thanks for your input on this. |
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Posts: 4343
Location: Smith Creek | Shouldn't be a problem. Like the others said the 80MHF would be better for that specific application but wouldn't handle the dbl 10s as well. You should be able to throw 1.5oz with the 86HF no problem, and if you palm your reel, buy the split.
if you hold the fore-grip, buy the full cork. You get used to the graphite rubbing your ribs. Mother Nature provides padding the older you get. |
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Posts: 692
Location: Pelican Rapids, MN | I've tossed everything with the slingblade from giant bucks 8oz extra heavy supermodels to Baby girls, Double French's Liliy tails, and Vibrax bucks. I agree with going split grip! |
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Posts: 186
Location: Kaukauna, Wisconsin | Hey guys thanks for all the info!! I do believe I am going to get the slingblade. Dfkiii - thanks for asking that question, I was just going to post up tonight and ask. Thanks for all the info, probably going with the split because I palm the reel. Thanks!! |
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Posts: 692
Location: Pelican Rapids, MN | Cool, you won't be sorry! It's an awesome rod! |
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Location: Sawyer County, WI | Jsondag - 5/7/2009 9:34 AM
Cool, you won't be sorry! It's an awesome rod!
The only thing I'm sorry about is that I didn't do the research earlier. I spoke with Thorne Bros who are out of stock until mid/end June. I also spoke with the St. Croix store in Park Falls and they won't have one in stock until July 4th.
#*^@. |
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Posts: 692
Location: Pelican Rapids, MN | Yeah, tough rod to nail down with it's popularity. I'd scour the earth for one. I'll keep my ears open! |
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Posts: 186
Location: Kaukauna, Wisconsin | What!?!?! I talked to the store in park falls and they said they should have one in the store at the end of the month... That sucks, I'll have to go to the store in town and see if they got one. |
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Posts: 223
Location: Minn. | I traded an Avid for a Slingblade, under their trade up program. That was a month ago, and was informed that the rod would not be in St. Croix warehouse until mid to late June. They will send rods out on a order by order basis. The demand for this rod has certainly surpassed supply. I read that Keith at Proedge was buying as many as he could earlier. Maybe he still has some. |
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Posts: 692
Location: Pelican Rapids, MN | The demand for this rod has exploded! I have been to the factory several times since the conception of the Slingblade*, and on only one visit was there any finished models in stock. So I made sure I grabbed one! You think this is a tough rod to get, lucky your not a bass fisherman in need of a Mojo rod - every model is so hot they can't keep up with the demand!
* A St.Croix trivia question - When the "Slingblade" was in the final decision stage, there was 3 blanks they were deciding between. They were the A-Blank, B-Blank, C-Blank Which one made the cut, and is now known as the "Slingblade"?
I'll give you the answer after the first handful of answer posts. |
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Posts: 529
Location: Not Where I Want To Be | I have one on order that i was told will be in May 11th. We'll see if that holds true. Not exactly counting my chickens after reading this post. |
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Posts: 4343
Location: Smith Creek | That's classified information, Jerry!  But if I had to guess I'd say C. |
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Posts: 692
Location: Pelican Rapids, MN | Well the first guess was correct, the C-Blank it is! I was pushing for them to call it that , but they went with Slingblade - Someone must have been a Billy Bob Thornton fan! |
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Posts: 4343
Location: Smith Creek | I like muskies with my french fried potaters UH HUH! |
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Location: Sawyer County, WI | bridgeman - 5/8/2009 8:51 AM
I have one on order that i was told will be in May 11th. We'll see if that holds true. Not exactly counting my chickens after reading this post.
If you've already ordered it you should be fine. The dates I was given were referring to new orders. Guess I'll be waiting for a while......  |
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| If you are looking for one I would check www.reedssports.com. I ordered mine last week after seeing this post about places being out and mine will be to my house on Wednesday.
Not only that but it was 20% off. |
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Posts: 186
Location: Kaukauna, Wisconsin | Hey guys just thought i would let you know I got a slingblade, wasn't the split grip but I love it. It was my main rod the whole weekend, used it with big bladed spinnerbaits and cranks, I love the length of it and everything else, wish I had enough money for another... |
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Location: Oswego, IL | That 20% off at reeds is over, ended last week, St. Croix ended the promo. I also got another one from them while at the 20% off, already at home! great place, they dont tax me either and free shipping, well those in MN may get taxed I think.
This week should be great, got new lures coming any day now, as well as another Saltist. (40), oh and finally my F'N wiley X glasses for that Toro Rebate. Man that took awhile. |
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