Rod Considerations for Tube Use:

[MillerJ]

I've always been a believer in premium fishing equipment, as my dad always taught me to be, but lately I've been reconsidering this stance, since taking up fishing from a tube. Now more than ever, I find my rods and reels are getting wet, submerged etc. I keep things clean and lubed, but Im beginning to notice some sloppiness and roughness in my reels. In particular I've had this one Shimano Sustain for about 9 or 10 years, and just lately Im getting a feeling the end is nigh for that one.
And the places Im prone to fishing these days tend to be a little more off the beaten path, thus my rods in particular take a beating while Im bushwacking and carrying a bunch of gear.

So here's the dilemma I guess:

Do I sacrifice some of that nice sensitivity and smoothness I get when fishing a loomis or a st. croix, for some durability and a little less pain when the things finally fail? I was looking at some of these Ugly Stik Lite combos that Cabela's and Basspro have right now, and I was thinking of buying a 6' ML, a 6'6'' M, and 7' MH combo specifically for fishing from the tube. Has anyone else taken this approach? Cheapened down a bit on your gear so you're less worried about screwing it up? Did you miss using some of the nicer stuff? Do you catch fewer or more fish?

Also, do you take things into consideration, such as the rod handle material when considering it might spend some significant time wet? Do foam handles hold up any better than cork? Any particular reel brands you would avoid because they corrode quickly?

I could use some advice on tube-specific rod and reel combos.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Sounds like you are hard on gear. I keep my rods in an elevated rod rack that keeps rod handles and reels well up out of the water. I simply keep my reels clean and lubed and have no problems with dirt and grit in them. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I build my own rods, and do not buy the high end blanks. I do just fine with IM6 or IM7 blanks for about $30, and I use mostly foam handles. I like cork, for appearance, but foam is better for tubing. I also put shorter rear handles on my rods when fishing from tubes. Cuts down on catching the rod on fishing vest or clothing.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I used to build mostly 7 foot rods for tubing but now lean toward 6 and 6.5 footers. Longer rods are good for longer casts, better line control and better shock absorption when fighting large fish on light line. But shorter rods are less cumbersome in a tube and make for more accurate casts.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have been tubing over 50 years and have fished just about every kind of rod and reel made. Sorry, but I cannot justify buying "prestige" tackle for tubing. When you are able to get up close and personal in a tube, you don't have to fish as "fine and far off" as boating or bank tangling. My whole game is finesse and touch, with light tackle, and I don't miss many light takes or many fish.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Ugly sticks are okay, but heavier for size than higher percentage graphite. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Reels? I have long been a Shimano fan myself, but in recent years I have been buying a lot of Okuma reels. I use a lot of the light #10 and #15 sizes, even for some pretty big fish. The drags are super smooth and the reels are a good value.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]If you enjoy quality, don't give up the good stuff. But, if you want to build a tubing arsenal, you can do it cheaper and just as effectively if you lose the snob appeal.[/#0000ff]
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[MillerJ]

Generally, I am not hard on gear, as I've had some of my gear for going on 10 years now. But this tubing thing seems to really be taking it's toll on stuff. My rod holder also keeps the stuff out of the water, but it never seems to fail that I end up dunking a reel somehow or get hit with a wave or something. Also some of my rod handles are longer from the factory so they do dangle a bit.
Guess I might start with 1 rod and just see if I can stand using it. Thanks for the post.
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[flygoddess]

First off let me tell you, as far as NEW gear, my hubby builds beautiful Fly Fishing rods so I can tell you without a doubt, GOOD cork is almost impossible to find any more. You might see a good looking cork handle, but look closer you might see allot of fill which does fall out over time. This is true with ANY rod out there so think twice about a cork handle.

I have said this before and TD has tried to explain (and for the record I do know about spinning gear and have had some of the very high end).
In fresh water, I don't grab how water can hurt them. Salt yes, fresh no. Not even the moss in Strawberry concerns me. The bearings are sealed.
I agree with cleaning after each trip and maybe a little lube, but their too, I have found out over time, not all lube is the same.
But things do wear out from use and time.

If I were to buy a spinning outfit, I definitely would go with Ugly Stick.
I like the reputation, the light tip action and the construction.
If the gear you have right now, you feel is special and worth too much to replace, I would go with less expensive because you are in the middle of a lake and anything can happen.
My Brother lost a brand new rod/reel/line by turning around quick and bumping it out of the rod holder.

Good luck and keep us up to date on what you choose.
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[pontoonman]

[quote flygoddess]First off let me tell you, as far as NEW gear, my hubby builds beautiful Fly Fishing rods so I can tell you without a doubt, GOOD cork is almost impossible to find any more. You might see a good looking cork handle, but look closer you might see allot of fill which does fall out over time. This is true with ANY rod out there so think twice about a cork handle.

I have said this before and TD has tried to explain (and for the record I do know about spinning gear and have had some of the very high end).
In fresh water, I don't grab how water can hurt them. Salt yes, fresh no. Not even the moss in Strawberry concerns me. The bearings are sealed.

Yes, on the bearings, but the case containing the gears itself is not submersible on the spinning type. You can get a wicking effect even with the best seals on cases. Water itself between the meshing gears is not the problem if it remains liquid. If there is some way for the water inside the case to evaporate, it might leave solid mineral residue or tiny pieces of the organic soup imbeded in the grease between the gears. If that has accumulated over the years, it might explain the rough action that was referenced.
I agree with cleaning after each trip and maybe a little lube, but their too, I have found out over time, not all lube is the same.
But things do wear out from use and time.

If I were to buy a spinning outfit, I definitely would go with Ugly Stick.
I like the reputation, the light tip action and the construction.
If the gear you have right now, you feel is special and worth too much to replace, I would go with less expensive because you are in the middle of a lake and anything can happen.
My Brother lost a brand new rod/reel/line by turning around quick and bumping it out of the rod holder.

I like my rods as short as practical when using on my pontoon and attach a rod floater so long as there is no interference with action of the rod. Most of my fishing is done on rivers and longer rods are a problem hanging up on low branches,brush or if the tip hits the side of a river bank when sitting flat, for example. This can be bad especially if fighting a current.
I have some interline rods bought at low cost when they went out of style several years back. I really like them because there are no exterior line guides for hooks to get hung up on. I can get more casts in that way, since I don't have to stop to untangle unless it occurs on the lure itself.

Pon

Good luck and keep us up to date on what you choose.[/quote]
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[macfly55]

I have several ugly stik combos.. 6.5 to 7 foot ml to mh action.. I also have one or two of their ultralite series of combos.. 5 to 6 foot rods.. all of these rods have sensitive tips and upkeep is well easy.. lol.. I have beat the crap out of all of these rods.. I mean stepping on them...tangling them in limbs.. dunking them all of it.. and they are like a timex watch.. take a licking and keep on ticking.. :-)

MacFly
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[OlDirtyBasser]

Sounds like it's kind of a problem specific to where you fish. No waves anywhere I tube (even in salt water), and although there's sometimes a little walking involved, it's not like I have to blaze trails.

I do try to only use quality tackle (nothing extravagant, my rod/reel combos are in like the $300 range). I just try my best to be aware of keeping it all out of harm's way. I specifically measured and tested my rodholders to keep everything dry, even my 7 1/2 foor swimbait rods with long handles. When I have to walk a reasonable distance to launch, I use rod wraps to keep them all lashed together.

I have to say though, if my gear was any more high-end and using it from a tube started to be detrimental to it, I would probably get a couple of combos that were a "small" step down in quality just for tubing purposes. I guess that would bring me back to where I am now. :-)

For the record, I use mostly 7 foot rods with standard handles (mostly cork) in weights to handle line from the 8 to 20 pound range.
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[forgiven]

Ugly sticks are OK and way tough. They are too clunky for finesse fishing IMHO.

I have a 7' medium action Ugly Stick spinning rod. I use it for crank baits, spinner baits in or near the weeds and sometimes for bobber fishing for Steelhead.

Bang for the buck? I like Cabela's IM6 & IM7 spinning & casting rods. They are nice rods, sensitive, decent looking & very reasonably priced way under $100.00. Some are under $50.00 and are great rods They have higher modulus graphite than that if that is what you are into for around the $100.00 mark.

Bank for the buck fly rods? That opens a HUGE can of worms. (Or flies as it may be) That said I like Cabelas LST and the new L-Tech looks promising. The L-Tech is the lightest rod made right now with the 2 piece 9' 5 wt weighing in at 2.6 ounces. It is about $225.00

I have not personally casted it but my brother who works at Cabela's has & he says it is really something. He owned a fly shop for 15 years & has casted & owned practically every premium rod made and I respect his opinion.

Plus if you have a problem and live near a Cabela's store like I do you can just take in in & they will give you another.

Another great rod for a great price is Temple Fork Outfitters. I know a lot of folks have bought these for back up rods only to have them become thier go-to rod. I have a Temple Fork TiCR in a 9' 5wt and find it hard to tell the differance between it & the Loomis GLX I owned.

Are the $600.00 rods better? Yes they are but not that much IMHO and only a seasoned, skilled fly caster can tell the differance.
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[flygoddess]

Assuming you are talking FF GLX @ the 9' 5 wt. description, because there is a GLX Spinning rod also. The poster is talking spinning/bait
I don't have much experience in spin fishing and it has been a long time, but I don't remember the Ugly stick being Clunky, must be just me.
I do have a nice 7' custom light spinning rod...if I just remember where it is...LOL

Thanks for the answer on the reel pontoonman. As I mentioned, clean and dry the reels out after each use. That is true with FF also

Forgiven, you like STIFF fast action rods/poles from you description. I don't agree with there being a "LITTLE" difference between a Streamdance GLX and a TFO TiCr, but they are both Fast with the TFO being more....clunky LOL
How much finesse can you get with this canon's? I know they can shoot into next week, but I feel a slower action is better for finesse......just me.
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[prvrt]

I would have to agree on the Ugly Stiks. I have at least 8 of them and just got an Ultra Light 7' spinning for X-mas and love it. Most my others are 6'6" med for spinning/bank fishing, 8' heavy for trolling, and my new 8'6" Lite Steel Head Heavy action rod that I customized a bit. You can not beat them for strength and reliability. I would not trade my Ugly Stiks for nothing. I do have other higher end rods, but most are for fly fishing like my Orvis or St Croix. I do make a few of my own rods and do have a few cheap rods I keep for back packing or trail riding like a 7pc 4wt ($40 Ebay special I built) or my 6'6"-12" collapsable Eagle Claw spinning pole($35 with reel). I have a few other that bounce around behind the seat of the truck. I have a few spares in the trailer just in case. I have Ugky Stiks that are 10 years old and still going. I do go through a few reels, but that is usually due to something like braided line or -0 temps I have fished in. I do like the foam handles and they do work great as long as your not using rocks for a rod holder. There is also a new heat shrinkable grip on the market you can get for your rod handles that would help them to last longer.
I think you have started to figure it out a bit. Some rods are nice and last forever, great sensitivity, but are not really made to be bush beaters. Others are cheap but dependable and work great in not so great conditions. Going cheaper only shows you have learned that a $20 rod can catch a fish just like a $200 rod, but when you break the $20 rod, it is not a big deal. Just my 2 cents.
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[macfly55]

as I said before I have beat those rods into the ground.. literally and figuratively.. like you I like the foam grips.. they are comfortable.. and durable (I use rocks to hold em in place and have not lost a grip yet).. I do have a little higher end rods as well .. like the abu garcia and the pfluger.. both are great bait casting rigs .. but I prefered the uglies on any given day..

MacFly [cool]
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[pontoonman]

Thanks for the answer on the reel pontoonman. As I mentioned, clean and dry the reels out after each use. That is true with FF also

Seems to me you would have to open the case and rinse out the gears of reels that are repeatedly submerged. Shake out the excess and leave open to dry out before reassembling. Don't think exterior cleaning or even submersion would help the gears that much, FWIW.
Pon


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[forgiven]

[quote flygoddess]
Forgiven, you like STIFF fast action rods/poles from you description. I don't agree with there being a "LITTLE" difference between a Streamdance GLX and a TFO TiCr, but they are both Fast with the TFO being more....clunky LOL
How much finesse can you get with this canon's? I know they can shoot into next week, but I feel a slower action is better for finesse......just me.[/quote]

You guessed it! I LUV them fast action flyrods 'cause the fish are always WAY OVER THERE are they not? LOL

For me a fast action rod, be it spin, bait casting or fly is more sensitive. I can "feel" better it seems. A slow tip seem to dampen the feel a bit. Visuals might be easier with the slow tip but hey to each his own! There is an outfit for everybody out there.

Flygoddess, I agree that the GLX is a better rod in many ways than the Temple Fork offering and I know an expert caster like yourself can tell the differance but the GLX costs three times as much! I don't think it is three times better. But hey that is just my opinion. I don't think the average caster can tell the differance.

But hey I like a good deal and honestly that is part of the attraction of the Temple Fork & Cabelas rods for me! [] I got my 9' 5wt G. Loomis GLX for just under $200.00 in an employee rod deal through my brothers fly shop before he closed. I got my 9' 5wt Temple Fork from the Cabela's Bargan Cave for $50.00. My next fly rod will probably be a Cabelas L-Tech (Brother works there so I can get a deal and hey! I love a deal! LOL) Go cast one see what you think. I'll do the same & we can post head to head reviews! that would be fun![]
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[bigpikeguy]

Im gonna go with prvrt. I could not have said it better myself. Ugly Stiks are awesome. I got everything from bluegill to Big ole Pike on mine. Cant go wrong with them.
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