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| Sorry to beat a dead horse, but the amount of information coming back from the search function is overwhelming.
I'm in the market for a new, general purpose rod/reel combo. I use a left handed baitcaster, and have my mind set on a low profile reel, so the revo toro 51 or 61 seem like logical choices. Any others?
I'm 5'7" and have an 8 foot rod locker. I have a fairly limited lure arsenal, but the rod will be used for most of it - everything from spinnerbaits, bucktails, and topwaters, to crankbaits, to double tens and and the occasional bulldawg.
I know that in an ideal world I would get a few, but that's not in the cards. My only other musky rod is a 7' Pete Maina "Crankbait/Bucktail" rod that I will continue to use for smaller stuff. I'm looking for something a little longer, a little heavier, and more versatile.
Thanks. |
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Posts: 1058
Location: Medford, WI | If you're going for a great deal at a lower price, I would go with the 8' H or XH Shimano Compre for a rod. Can't really beat the deal and it's a great rod. As far as reels go, I don't have any low profiles so I can't give my opinion on that.
-Jake Bucki |
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Posts: 1030
Location: APPLETON, WI | I've been practicing with my new set-up every week now and absolutely love it.
I got my Revo Toro 60 (61 or the lefty) on eBay for $219 + free shipping coupon. And also picked up a rod from James at Tackle Industries (1-piece, 8'6" mag heavy) I've thrown everything with it now from showgirls to Magnum Bulldawgs and this combo handles everything I've thrown with it thus far. *shrug* My two pennies. |
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Posts: 582
| i personally don't use a low profile, but have tried the Revo. It will work and many are using them so i don't think you could go wrong. As far as rods, there are many. If your rod locker is 8', stick with and 8' rod. Personally, okuma, st croix or tackle industries would get the nod. I would go with TI or Okuma before SC just due to cost. They are all very nice rods. Even the compre as mentioned is a good all purpose rod. Okuma and shimano have a lifetime warranty as well. I found a fantastic rod that is made by "reaction strike" the same people who make the bulldawg but its their off brand. Same rod, lesser guides but this rod is a clear winner for $70. That is another one i like alot. I paired mine with an AC300 SC reel and its going to be a go to rod for alot of things. |
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| Thanks.
I know there has been a ton of posts about the okuma telescopic rods, but most of them seem to be about which would be good for chucking pounders all day. Is there one of those rods that would work as a good all-rounder?
Also looking at the St. Croix premier 8' H (PM80HF), but if there's comparable rods for half the price, I'm all over them.
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Location: Northern Wisconsin | I think the 8'6" xh okuma would be a great all around rod. I got mine for throwing mag dawgs which are around 8 oz but I have a feeling I'll be using it for much more than that. I also have a shimano compre, which is a great rod, and a st. croix premier 8' mh which is awesome. I have never used a 8' H premier but I held one at gander mtn and it felt quite stiff and kind of on the heavy side. I didn't get to put a reel on it so that may change the balance a bit. |
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Posts: 107
Location: central illinois | I have an 8ft. heavy 2-6oz. premier. I personally don't think of it as an all-around rod it's heavier than the 2-6oz. rating. It throws mag dawgs with ease, 10 inch weagles 2 miles. It handles the hard pulling cowgirls but I can't cast them as far as I would like. It's a really good heavy rod. My personal favorite rod that I use is the 8ft 3/4-3oz. premier. I use that rod more than any other rod I actually have 3 of them. |
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Posts: 582
| i have the 8'6" XXH okuma and it would be a little much IMO to use as a general purpose rod. It could be, but it's a little heavy duty for that. Okuma makes a nice 8' heavy that is a great all purpose. |
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Posts: 897
| If it were me, and I were just buying one all-purpose set up, i'd buy a Calcutta TE 401. I'm also a lefty and that is by far the most used reel in the boat. I have mine on a Compre 8' H. I also have a Revo 61HS. Nice reel so far (still basically a first year model product), but doesn't touch the TE in my opinion.
I know you said you are looking at low-profile reels, but I'd reconsider. I've never owned a better all-purpose reel than the TE.
Edited by whynot 4/2/2010 9:47 AM
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| for low profile reels, in addition to the Revo Toro, also consider the Shimano Curado 300E. The Curado is a GREAT reel for most applications. I have both the Toro and Curado, they are both nice but the Curado may be my first choice. |
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Posts: 3240
Location: Racine, Wi | As for the Okuma all around rod, the 8'6 xh will throw anything from 6" slammer minnow baits up to mag dawgs, so I would go with that out of their line up. Great rod at a great price, and the telescoping feature will make sure it fits in your rod locker nicely. |
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Posts: 1906
Location: Oconto Falls, WI | Best all-arounder rod I have ever used is an 8’6” Lamiglass X-Heavy rod (don’t let the rating fool you), and coupled with either a Calcutta 400B or TE. This is my main set-up in the boat for me and clients, and we throw everything with them. Well everything but pounders. |
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| The telescoping rods will easily fit in your rod locker, get an 8'6" okuma as stated. If you are looking for an all around reel, i would say the toro and the 5.3 to 1 version. |
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Posts: 531
Location: Hugo, MN | The Okuma rods mentioned above would make great all-purpose rods. If I had to pick just one to fill the role, it would be an 8'6" XH. I have an 8' H paired with a Shimano Curado 300DSV, and use it for most of my lighter stuff. It works great for topwaters, including Weagles, suicks, jigs, tubes and gliders. I think it's a good light-duty all-purpose rod, but it is a bit whippy for mag dawgs and big crankbaits. I've used the 8'6" Heavy, and the 8'6" XH, and would have to say the XH is a more versatile rod as it can handle the heavier baits with ease. If you are going to burn double tens, none of these three rods are great for that, but the XH will do the job for normal retrieves. The telescoping feature is perfect for guys like me who don't have 9' rod lockers, and for transporting in your vehicle when you fish with a buddy.
If you're leaning towards a St. Croix, I'd go with the 8' Heavy. A St. Croix Heavy is much stiffer than an Okuma Heavy, and the Okumas I have used have had more of a moderate-fast action than a comparable St. Croix.
Hope this helps. |
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Posts: 233
Location: Iowa | I have two 8'6" TICA and I really like them. There pretty light and have had no issues with them. Plus they telescope down to under 7'.
Jeremy |
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Location: Northern Wisconsin | Just used my okuma 8'6" xh to throw the 7 inch suicks and it threw them surprisingly nice |
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| Thanks everyone!
Looks like I'll need to check out the 8' St. Croix medium heavy, the 8'6" xh okuma, and the shimano compre rods, as well as the revo toro and the Shimano Curado.
I really appreciate all the input.
Pete |
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Posts: 81
Location: Indiana | I know it won't fit in your rod locker but I picked up a 9' Musky Armor Mike Hulbert series stick and It will handle everything but pounders. I've been throwing mepps musky killers, mag dawgs, 10" kickin minnows and the extra length is nice for the fig 8's. |
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Posts: 1425
Location: St. Lawrence River | Tackle Industries 8'6''-9' rods break down a few inches under 8' when the handle has been removed.. Sounds like it would be a good fit for your rod locker. |
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| I've got one of the Ticas too and love it. Light and great balance, stores easy. |
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Posts: 906
Location: Canada | I just picked up a Revo Toro 61 Winch (4.6:1 gear ratio) and am very pleased with it so far. This thing is light, built solid and tough, it's low and wide and the paddles are so far apart on the handle that it really feels right.
Edited by CU301DSV 4/10/2010 10:22 AM
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