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Posts: 2687
Location: Hayward, WI | I am looking into getting into the big bait thing this year, and am looking for a good all purpose rod. I would like to get one rod, and would like throw stuff ranging from 10 inch Jakes, Cowgirls, and plastics all the way up to 13" Suzies, Curly Sues, and Pounders.
Would the Edge Series rod be able to cast and work baits in this size range properly? Can ANY rod throw baits as light as 3-4 ounces (Cowgirls and crankbaits), up to the big plastics weighing nearly a pound? Probably 90% of my fishing would be using baits from the 4 ounce range up to Mag Dawg sized lures at about 8 ounces. Would most likely just be throwing the really big stuff for the two or three weeks I fish later in the fall.
Lambeau was talking about throwing the 13" Shack Attack baits on his XH Pro Edge 'Edge Series' rod. I looked on the Pro Edge website and could only find the Edge Series in an all purpose action rated for 3-6 ounce baits for $169. Is there an XH available, and does anybody know what the cost of that one is?
I know I can contact Keith, and probably will before buying the rod (If I choose to), just looking for some outside input also.
curleytail
Edited by curleytail 1/1/2008 10:13 AM
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Posts: 134
| Any rod will "do it all" you just have to give something up at the high or low end of its range, i.e., castability or lure controll and even rod destruction. Talk to Keith at Professional Edge, the man knows his business, if there is a "do it all" rod he will know.
Joe W |
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Posts: 2037
Location: lansing, il | hi had keith make me an 8/4 edge series all purpose rod this past summer. i threw everythign from bucktails to 13" suzie suckers (didnt throw them alot, but did throw the 11" alot this fall)with it. no problems at all. contact keith direct he wont steer ya wrong. |
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Posts: 75
Location: Aurora, IL. | Curley,
I just ordered a stick from Keith this past week (my third), although I ordered a Diamonback 9' foot heavy for similar purposes you mentioned. He was also explaining to me that he highly reccommends the Edge series 9' footer as well for the same purpose. I didnt get the Edge because I fished the hell out of my Diamondback's last year and loved them.
Not sure if you have but before you run off and buy an extra heavy stick I'd try someone else's. IMO that type of rod is going to be pretty much one dimentional. It'll launch the suzy's and pounders just fine but will probably not load well when throwing anything lighter and I mean DCG's.
Good luck and talk to Keith whether you buy from him or not, he'll give you the straight scoop.
Joe |
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Posts: 375
| curly...i am in the process of ordering two rods from keith made on the st. croix legend bass mega swimbait blanks...keith is a very patient and straight-up guy...he taught me alot about rods period and those that can be considered as close to all-purpose rods as you can get which led me to settling in one on the ones stated above...talk to keith...you'll be glad you did...!
stan |
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| I use Keith's rods exclusively and so do my clients.
I am a "One Rod" does all type of guy. I have one rod, an 8'6 heavy. You do not need to get an extra heavy or an xx heavy.
In 2007 I threw every cast, with ONE rod. From Rat-L-Traps to Pounders. All gliders, 10 inch Jakes, Grandma's, bucktails, topwaters, etc....Every cast one rod.
Get an 8'6 heavy from Keith, you'll be very happy.
MIKE HULBERT |
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Posts: 108
Location: Toronto, ON | Mike, which "one rod", Edge or Diamondback? Thanks. |
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Posts: 401
| I will try and explain the new Edge Series. sorry for this being so long. This is a blank that I helped design last summer to meet the needs of the folks I build for. I was looking for something with added strength, length, the ability to have a one rod that does almost everything but I did not want to add a bunch of weight to meet those needs.
First the blank is strong. I watch Lambeau load that stick with a pound of lure and cast it. I wanted to see if he could break it. That did not happen.
Length. I get this stick as an 8-6 blank. That means it can be built out to 9-6. The market is asking for long sticks. I thought 8 feet was long a couple years ago but I built a longer stick this summer and sold all my 8 footers.
One rod can cast anything. XX, XXX, cowgirls, weagle, bull dawgs are all perfect baits for this blank. I rated it as a heavy with a softer tip. When most manufactured rods say heavy that means very little tip bend. Tip bend is one of the most important qualities of a good musky rod (my opinion). Not so much to make it really bend but enough to let the blank load and do the casting. Also it loads when there is a fish on. With braided line (no stretch) it is important to have a give point to allow pressure to the fish’s mouth.
Not a heavy stick. This is one of the lightest blanks I have built on that can throw that much weight and still be able to handle most every lure on the market.
There is one downside to this blank. There is only one action. This blank gives up performance on the small baits. Maybe next year there will be another action.
I hope I did not change your original post. I know you were asking for others to respond. As for Hulbert. His clients threw the Edge Series and he threw a Diamondback. Diamondback is still a great blank don’t get me wrong. One of the best blanks on the market. Mike wanted something built to 8-6 in length and the Edge Series from last year was a shorter blank so I could not do that.
Sorry for being so winded.
See you in Chicago.
Keith
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Posts: 2687
Location: Hayward, WI | Thanks for contributing Keith. I was looking for as much information as I could get, and was actually hoping you would chime in. It still sounds like this rod might be promising. I have other rods that can throw the standard sized stuff, so I am covered for throwing lighter bucktails, Suicks, gliders, topwater, and all that. I just couldn't cast anything bigger than a Regular Dawg, and wanted to get into throwing some of the bigger plastics. Also wanted something that would work well with the drag from double 10 bucktails. I'm guessing if the rod can throw them, it should do okay with 10 inch Jakes and 9 inch Grandmas too (I think they weigh about 4 ounces).
I would still like this rod in the 8 foot length if that length is still available. I used an 8 footer almost exclusively this year, and liked the length, but much longer would be a touch too long. I might have to give you a call before too long about this rod. I'm sure it's a lot easier to ask and answer questions over the phone than it is online.
I appreciate the help so far, and would be willing to read more if others have information to share.
curleytail |
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| I would go with the Edge Rods myself.
In my opinion a person can NOT tell the difference in weight vs. the diamondback.
Keith's Edge Series rods are top notch and I might even say the are a step above a diamondback with their strength.
MIKE HULBERT |
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Location: Sun Prairie, WI | I am in agreement with Mike...I got an 8-6 heavy D-back this past season from Keith. I still used my St. Croix MH for bucks and topwaters most of the time, but towards the end of the season I made my 8-6 heavy D-back my workhorse for just about everything. The St. Croix 8' MH is gonna be sitting a lot this next year. I use the D-back 8-6 for most everything now except small bucks and jerkbaits. Keep in mind I don't throw anything larger than a Mag Dawg, Kickin Minnow, or a 12" Dunwright Lifelike and my 8-6 handles them with ease. |
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