03-24-2009, 06:50 PM
[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]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#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]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#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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[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#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]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#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]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#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]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Ugly sticks are okay, but heavier for size than higher percentage graphite. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#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]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#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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