(Posted this in error on the general board)<br><br>Hi,<br><br>I need some advice on buying a travel rod to fill out my growing collection of rods and reels.<br><br>I'm mostly a saltwater spin and surf fisherman, have Shimano Baitrunners, 4500 and 6500 with 10'6" Loomis rods, as well as an Alvey/Snyder 14' 6" surf rig.<br><br>I travel regularly, but shipping rods even in a bazooka case is a pain, always special handling, (which meant on my last trip to Ireland a crushed and damaged supposedly unbreakable rod case-don't ask how)<br><br>I've done some review searches and turned up references to St Croix Tidemaster Travel offering the TS70 series.<br><br>I thought I'd match it with one of my Shimano baitrunners, but I'm considering venturing into a casting combo.<br><br>So this is two questions, first what is a good travel rod in the $100-200 range that I can carry as hand luggage, and which casts best with accuracy, a spin or a casting reel, and if so which make and model.<br><br>Tight lines.<br><br>Tom<br><br><br>Work is the space between fishing. <br><br><br>Work is the space between fishing.
No drama about the other post Tom. <br><br>I would like to start by asking you how you find that Oz Alvery side caster reel you have. One of our regulars here "Real Sea Sick" bought a graphite 6500 not so long ago and has been having a ball with it. <br><br>As for your travel rod, are you planning to spin/cast mostly from land with that as well. <br><br>If so, then the choice between reel types (IMHO) come down to species being targeted first, and then personal preference second. Why? Well if was chasing bluefish then I would want a reel that could crank line in fast if needed e.g. using a jig. <br><br>So give that some more thugh if needed and then let us know which way your leaning. <br><br><br>Burnin Thumbs!<br><br>Steve B <br>Moderator Lures/Baits Forum<br><A HREF="http://www.demonjigs.com" target="_new">http://www.demonjigs.com</A>
Hi MJB<br><br>At the outset, being an expat Aussie resident in New York City gives me more than a little soft spot towards the Alvey surf rig. I grew up with them, so I'm biased.<br><br>But this rig will seriously outcast just about anything in the surf. The reel is the Alvey 650GRBC, very impressive, the fastest retrieve in any reel I've ever owned, and smooth.<br><br>While it may be slightly heavy than most, it is a balanced rig with the 14' 6" rod.<br><br>I get more than a few questions about it, particularly one day last year when I was tossing poppers across Shinnecock inlet, on one cast, I managed to snag the roof of a passing cruiser on the other side of the inlet, I don't know how wide it is, but I think its definitely over 400 yards wide. Definitely impressed all there, even myself.<br><br>I can only recommend them as a surf combo, particularly for no problem night fishing. Just make sure the rod is designed for an Alvey, and you'll be passing this rig down as an heirloom.<br><br>We digress though, I was looking at the St Croix TS70MF3 as an all round travel spin rod, but primarily as a boat rod. It's a three piece and the reviews said this was an excellent rod.<br><br>Aside from my other travel, father in law (an old Tarpon hunter) lives in Florida, so we travel down there regularly, and the thought of trusting my irreplaceable Loomis rods to the airlines again disturbs me no end.<br><br>Hence the travel rod, at 7ft, it breaks down no longer than 2'6", about as wide as my suit bag, so it will "hide" at the bottom of the bag. The carry on restrictions are easing, so this won't be a problem for much longer.<br><br>This rod is rated for up to 17lb line and lures from 1/4 to 3/4 oz, it had some glowing reviews and impressive fish caught, so I wanted to check if these were real or just reviewers hyperbole.<br><br>Since I would be fishing mainly inshore waters in Florida and in Long Island sound (boat based), and eventually Australia if I can ever prise my yankee wife out of new york city, this seemed a good rod to round out the arsenal.<br><br>The reel question is academic, the Shimano baitrunners are just great reels, accurate to a point, but I am looking for precision and balance for this rig, and I needed some opinions from experienced users.<br><br>For a casting reel I've been considering the Shimano Calcutta CT400 and the Daiwa Sealine SL20SH, but having little experience with casting reels I needed the sage advice of others with more experience than mine.<br><br>I hope this helps.<br><br>Tight lines, <br><br>Tom<br><br><br><br>Work is the space between fishing.
G'day Scottie<br><br>Just wondering where your up to on the that travel rod. Got one yet and if so what did you decide on?<br><br><br><br>Burnin Thumbs!<br><br>Steve B <br>Moderator Lures/Baits Forum<br><A HREF="http://www.demonjigs.com" target="_new">http://www.demonjigs.com</A>
