|
|
Posts: 1937
Location: Black Creek, WI | I'm looking for a rod that can handle casting the Pounder size bulldawg yet still has a SOFT enough tip to hang onto a GIANT fish once you pin up. Thus, I'm looking for feedback in regard to the ACTIONS on these two St. Croix Rods.
Sling Blade and Big Dawg
St. Croix's website has all the specs on these two rods... but it doesn't help me answer how the two rods LOAD UP. The Sling Blade is a Heavy Action and the Big Dawg is an EXTRA Heavy Action. It sure would be nice if they had parabolic curves defining what Extra Heavy means in regard to how the rod loads.
I know that the best way to make an opinion/decision about these rods is to hold one in your OWN hands and see for yourself.... but these rods are not very accessible in retail stores just yet. Thus, I'm looking for opinions from anyone who may have used these rods already.
Maybe I should re-state my question. Do you feel the Sling Blade rod rated for 2-6 oz. can handle casting almost exclusively a 14 oz. lure? Heck, even the Big Dawg is only rated to 10 oz.... but my fear with the Big Dawg is that it will have the action of a Pool Cue.
If you have any experience with either of these rods... please respond. Thanks. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 231
| I know you asked (ANY EXPERIENCE) with either of these rods..... The answer is no, but I've held both & thought the sling blade was a little softer (not as much as you would think). Both are truly qaulity rods, as is ST. Croixs whole Legend line up. With this being said, I would suggest looking into a Calstar (built for saltwater). You can snap cast pounders with this blank. The tip is soft enough yet to keep a fish pegged, but PLENTY of backbone to stay in charge. Frank customs built one that I purchased, and all I can say is WOW!! Definatley the rod for throwing the the heavy lobsters (as I like to call them, LOL) IMHO.
Chas |
|
| |
|
Posts: 494
Location: midwest | For a dedicated pounder / big suzy rod I agree. Look into a custom built off a Calstar blank. Physical rod weight will be heavier but it is what you are looking for in a pounder rod with good fish fighting characteristics. |
|
| |
|
| I agree the Calstar blank is good for big plastics..I've had one for a few yrs...
Though I don't use it that much as it is now relegated to a sucker rod...I have a St Croix Legend, built to 9' by Keith at Pro Edge that I think you would like Jason..it has enough tip to really feel like it will be able to sling big plastics all day and isn't too stiff to sling D10s....
I ordered a 9' Custom Sling Blade rod though....to me, having a rod just for mag dawgs/pounders etc is what I wanted, so I got the Legend and have other rods for D10s...though the Legend will toss them at times |
|
| |
|
Posts: 375
| i too have had keith @ proedge build me some custom croix legends. two out of the bass mega swimbait blanks which are fantastic for light to mid-weight baits and db 10's to a point and the other out of the big dawg blank for the heavier plastics which from what i have heard can also do a good job with db 10's since it won't load up nearly as much in the eight compared to the swimbait blank with their heavy resistance in the water. i just downsized my number of rods in the boat and can't justify a slingblade rod as well when i beleive i pretty much have "things" covered... |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1937
Location: Black Creek, WI | Thanks for feedback on alternatives to consider (especially the custom options), however in this post I'm only interested in comparing these two rods.
I have plenty of good sticks in my rod locker now for fishing blades. But, I'm still seeking a solid stick for pitching big rubber. Been using Heavy Action rods with rubber now and the STIFF action has cost me some fish. I refuse to take the risk of using those stout rods in 2009.... and its also why I'm a little gunshy of the Big Dawg.
So... if I buy a Sling Blade rod with the intent of making it my pounder rod.... will I be disappointed in its performance (too soft for casting or too stiff for fighing fish)? |
|
| |
|
Posts: 814
| Go with the Calstar, its tip is fiberglass for about 2 feet then blends right into graphite, mine is built to 9 feet, with a 18 inch handle. it handles rubber like a champ, plus it cost LESS than both of the croix's your talking about. And if you want to go even cheaper (under 250) go with the Jason Hamernick rod you can get a 9 footer for under 200 bucks. I spoke with several guys at the show including Jason and they have used this rod for a couple seasons and caught a bunch of big fish casting pounders and big curly's during the late fall period with great results. I am not sure what retailers carry this rod but I know you can get them in milwaukee or directly through Jason. hope this helps
Edited by mskyhntr 1/12/2009 7:45 PM
|
|
| |
|
| Just curious, in regards to the Sling Blade, what is the purpose of the exposed rod blank in the butt section, and the extra short foregrip above the reel?
Thanks |
|
| |
|
Posts: 90
| The purpose of the exposed handle or poodle handle is aesthetics. Some people like it some don't, you can buy the rod with or without it. It's been done in customs for awhile now to have something different. You could say you lose weight by not using that cork, but it is negligible.
The rod is lighter then the bigdawg, I think it going to be a better rod for throwing mag dawgs and pounders, but the rod loads a lot like the big dawg rod. It definately is not too soft for casting them. If you were unsatisfied with the way the dawg rod reacted while fighting fish you probably will feel the same about the sling blade. If you thought, "man I wish this was just a bit lighter" you will love it.
If I were you I would buy the Loomis steel 25 and be done with it. I can cast pounders all day with it and it fishes a lot like an IMX. It has the tip action you are probably looking for, but you don't lose power and it isn't that slow glass action. Not quite as fast as a Diamondback. You would have to get the steel as a custom but even then they end up cheaper then the $330 for the sling blade as long as you don't go overboard on the wraps or guides.
Edited by veha45 1/12/2009 10:28 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 46
Location: Central Illinois | I have the 8'6 extra heavy Legend Elite St. Croix and it works great for what I want it to, tossing pounders. For anything else it's to heavy. I would like it to have just little more flex in the rod but overall I've been very happy with it. I've never used a sling blade, only held one so I can't really compare them. |
|
| |
|
| veha... so you're saying the steel 25 has a softer action than the slingblade? |
|
| |
|
Posts: 90
| It has a faster action and is not nearly as heavy in power or weight (also 6in shorter for blank length). The tip is softer. The closest rod it acts like is a Diamondback and the best way to describe the power is between the Heavy and Jerkbait blanks, but not quite as fast as a Diamondback. |
|
| |
|
| Thanks veha... VERY helpful info.
Back to the slingblade... how does it compare to the 'old' 8' Heavy Avid? (if you're familiar w/ that blank) |
|
| |
|
Posts: 90
| The Avid? I love that rod, going to tear mine down this winter and rebuild it to 8'9, I was not happy when they discontinued that rod. I would say that in terms of power they are close, but the main thing is how much quicker that sling blade acts. The Avid has a softer tip where you don't really start getting into the power right away due to the tip, where the Sling blade, you start to feel the power right away. The sling blade is going to feel stiffer due to the faster action in the tip, but the rod has the ability to let you put way more power into hooksets or while fighting a fish. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1937
Location: Black Creek, WI | Hold on. Either we are not using terminology the same... or we are talking about different rods.
The entire reason I am looking for a new rod is because I am not happy with my 8' Heavy action AVID. I had previously retired this rod, but started using it again last year to help with fishing Pounders for extended periods of time. This rod is very stiff and has virtually NO TIP ACTION in my opinion. Basically, an 8 foot pool cue. Casts the pounders great.... but absolutely horrible for surviving "the big heavies" created when a truly big fish starts to headshake. Thus, my 8' Heavy Avid is now retired and is FOR SALE in 2009.
I want to replace that rod with either the Sling Blade or Big Dawg. Thus, my questions regarding their "actions". I want as soft of a tip as possible yet a powerful enough rod to cast those big, heavy lures. Can the Sling Blade do it???? |
|
| |
|
Posts: 231
| jlong - 1/13/2009 2:51 PM
I want to replace that rod with either the Sling Blade or Big Dawg. Thus, my questions regarding their "actions". I want as soft of a tip as possible yet a powerful enough rod to cast those big, heavy lures. Can the Sling Blade do it????
jlong,
If you're completely set on St. Croix, then yes.....IMO the Sling Blade would would "do it". From reading what you're looking for in this stick, I would encourage again to look in to having a Calstar built. The nice thing about the Calstar is the blank comes in 8,8 1/2,9' (no extendors needed).
Steve Jonesi could probably better explain this. I know he's experimented with every blank/manufacturer under the sun. LOL
Chas
Edited by Chas 1/13/2009 3:12 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 90
| We are talking about the same blank, my rod is built out to 8'6 right now so it acts differently then your 8ft the tip is much softer being longer. Every rod type does have a range of lighter and softer actions so it also very well could be that we have rods with different actions. I loved my Avid for mag dawgs but it killed me when I was casting the pounders all weekend, but didn't have issues fighting fish.
Can the Sling Blade do it????-Yes Is the tip soft enough??? I don't think it is what you are looking for as it is not as soft (spongy might be a better description) as the avid that I am used to, |
|
| |
|
| jlong I gotta agree... I sold my avid. Way too stiff. Sounds like I can scratch the slingblade off my list. I can't believe st. croix thinks you need a rod that stiff to throw double 10's. I think I'm going to go w/ a steel 20 for big blades and possibly a steel 25 for big stuff. Have to get up to Thorne' soon. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 375
| just my opinion but maybe it is not st. croix that "thinks" that at all. possibly they got many opinions concerning the good vs. not so good aspects of existing rods that folks were using for db 10's and realized the majority wanted a rod that wouldn't load in the eight as much but could still throw them ok...? |
|
| |
|
| JLong, the sling blade rod is not built for pounders, it is built for double tens, so it is going to have a stiffer tip than you probably want. built for the pull of d10s at speed, hence the stiffer tip. It wasn't built for pounders so imo it's not the rod you want. If you want a rod that can load up, has a softer tip, but has lots of back bone for these giant fish you are targeting, then take the advice of others, do yourself a favor and look at the Calstars.
Sling blade blanks weren't built for pounders.
Try the Calstars, I bet it would be just what you want
|
|
| |
|
| So the big dawg has a softer tip than the slingblade? |
|
| |
|
Posts: 814
| Jason, I'll take some photo's of the calstar tonight and post them up so you can check it out.....if you are going to milwaukee show I'll be there on Sunday and would be willing to bring the calstar for you to check out if its what you migh want in a big pounder plastic rod.....Mike |
|
| |
|
| mskyhntr - 1/14/2009 4:16 PM
Jason, I'll take some photo's of the calstar tonight and post them up so you can check it out.....if you are going to milwaukee show I'll be there on Sunday and would be willing to bring the calstar for you to check out if its what you migh want in a big pounder plastic rod.....Mike I would interested in seeing these photos as well. Thanks |
|
| |
|
Posts: 814
| Jason here's the photo of the Calstar rod, the first 4 photo's are just some detail of the butt wrap and the handle, the next couple of pics are of me putting average pressure on the rod as most people do when checking action,where the blank loads etc. Then I hung a twinkie pounder off of it so you can see how the tip bends with the pounder attached, the last 2 photo's are of the 8 ft St Croix hvy avid. One is of me loading the rod and the other is with a walleye pounder hanging from it so you can tell the difference. I used this since you are familiar with it and I no longer have the big dawg rod, I sold it because it reminded me of the pool cues used back in the day just it was 9 feet long instead of 6 foot, the tip was way to stiff for my liking.
The Calstar is my big rubber rod and sucker rod, and trolling rod, It will do it all, I even threw the 2 pounder with it and it casted no problem, You can snap cast pounders with this all day. No need to worry about the lob cast, this blank was intended for saltwater use....you won't break it.
I hope this helps If you need any more help talk with Frank from Frank's Custom Rods he built it. here is his #1-630-309-8055 Again if your going to Milwaukee and are serious I'll bring it so you can check it out. I'll even let ya bomb cast a pounder in the parking lot if you would like( a used one of course) Mike
Attachments
----------------
 P1140001.JPG (105KB - 285 downloads)
P1140002.JPG (104KB - 193 downloads)
P1140003.JPG (87KB - 170 downloads)
P1140004.JPG (100KB - 134 downloads)
P1140006.JPG (48KB - 129 downloads)
P1140007.JPG (70KB - 198 downloads)
P1140008.JPG (82KB - 123 downloads)
P1140012.JPG (55KB - 112 downloads)
P1140013.JPG (86KB - 228 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 108
Location: Toronto, ON | Frank makes a great rod, no question. Which Calstar blank did he build the rod on? Thanks. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 231
| Mike, very sharp looking! If I knew how to post a pic, I would throw some pics up of the Calstar I just got from Frank. It would give some different ideas for grips (rear & fore). Again nice stick!
Chas |
|
| |
|
Posts: 4266
| Jason, I have them both and used both during Sept, Oct, and Nov of last year. They are both great rods, and were designed for specific applications. I took my Sling Blade and tried to see how far I could push it before my casts became lobs. The Sling Blade has a ton of backbone, but IMO it's tip is too soft for pounders. I used it with spinnerbaits up to 2 oz, and 11" Suzies, but that is a long way from the weight of a pounder. The Big Dawg has give in the tip, but it is in no way soft. The "tip" bends from the tip back to the fifth guide (about a foot), then after that the rest of the blank will give. The rod bends plenty when you are fighting a fish, but you can skim hammer handle pike right along the surface if you want. The power on the hook-set will impress you with both rods.
So, in answer to your question, if you want a rod for nothing else but Pounders, then you want the Big Dawg. The Sling Blade can handle just about everything else but Pounders.
Beav |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2089
| Frankie uses the Graphfighter(sp) blank from Calstar. The rod/blank is an absolute rocket launcher. My 9' er will do multiple duty as well. Trolling monster baits on Shield water, casting big rubber and an awesome sucker rod. Versatility at its finest. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1937
Location: Black Creek, WI | So neither of the St. Croix rods will load up anything like this?
Attachments
----------------
Tip Action.jpg (3KB - 128 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
| Which Calstar Grafighter blank is the one pictured above? There are quite a few different actions on their website. |
|
| |
