Fluke Rod and Reel Reviews

[IrishAyes]

By the sounds of it, most prefer the same action on the rod, just referring to it in different terms. 

[hareball]

Last Season I didn't have an outfit for Fluke so I used my "goto" Rod and reel a Tsunami TSMG661XXH with a Penn Torque 200 with 50lb mono.

This Season i'm going to try a Tsunami TFSC-66MH with a Quantum Accurist AC570PTs and 15-20 pound Braid.

[Luna Sea 5]

50lb mono.

for fluke? 

[mboy]

By the sounds of it, most prefer the same action on the rod, just referring to it in different terms. 

Not in Nick's case 

[bassnblues]

My 3 Favs:

Lite:
Shimano Calcutta rod CLC66m w/ Garcia Ambassduer 5500

Med:
Crowder Shoreline SLC708 w/ Garcia Ambassabeur 6500

Heavy:
Loomis Bucara br863c w/ Garcia Ammbassadeur 7000.

[gottog]

From shore and for light bucktails I use a custom ImpactDNY spinning rod with a Tica Camry 3000 spooled with 14# Fireline.  I use this for tossing 3/8oz jigheads tipped with Gulp, spearing, or soft plastics as well as buktails under 1.5oz.

Theresa uses a Lami XPS704 teamed with a Tica Camry 3500.  Also uses a custom Lami Muskie stick for heavier weights and dragging bait with the Kil-R-rig.  Not sure of the model of that one.

From the boat, my go-to bucktailing stick in the bay is a custom GUSA 704DHX with an Abu 4600 C4-W(3.8gears) spooled with 14# Fireline.  This is good for 1 to 4oz bucktails with the sweet spot being 1.5-2ozs.  Spiral wraaped conventional of course

For heavier bucktails, dragging bait, or live bait, another custom GUSA SW70MH with an Abu 5600 C4-W spooled with 20# Fireline.  Can fish up to 8ozs with that set up, but sweet spot is 4-6ozs.

I had another SW70MH made that's a bit longer and doesn't have split cork grips that's my newest rod for porgies and seabass, but doubles for deep water fluking as well.  Theresa also has one made on the identical blank, but with purty pink wraps

These are all graphite rods with fast/very fast tips, yet have a bend/action that is more akin to a composite rod.

For bucktailing, especially very lightweight ones, braid is key.  For dragging bigger baits, mono does work just fine, however, almost all my reels are spooled with braid/superlines.  I even fish for the bouncy porgies with a graphite rod and braid

[hareball]

50lb mono.

for fluke? 

Yup, I've been a Mono fan all my life and just now switching over to Braid. We do alot of deepwater stuff and if something big grabs my hook I want to make shure I get to see what it is.

[Luna Sea 5]

By the sounds of it, most prefer the same action on the rod, just referring to it in different terms. 

Not in Nick's case 

I don't know how to catch FLUKE...   Mike, can you please teach me this season... 

[Luna Sea 5]

50lb mono.

for fluke? 

Yup, I've been a Mono fan all my life and just now switching over to Braid. We do alot of deepwater stuff and if something big grabs my hook I want to make shure I get to see what it is.

makes sense.. thats whats great about braid.. you can still use the 50 lbs strength, with the diam. of 10 lbs test. 

[mboy]

Only if you lose the spinning reels

I never said you couldn't catch them, only that you use feminine tackle to do so

[IrishAyes]

SPINNING REELS!!!!! Might as well just wrap some line around a coffee can. 

[Luna Sea 5]

another reason for a stiffer rod...  I light my light weight loomis because it can still handle a 5 oz weither without the tip bending over an hitting the but... Most light weight rods can't handle the heavy weight. From what I used in the past, loomis is the lightest, stiffest rod that can handle a good amount of weight..

[mboy]

Love my new GUSA SW70mH. handled live bunker and blues to 12lbs with ease.

[Luna Sea 5]

SPINNING REELS!!!!! Might as well just wrap some line around a coffee can. 

hey now.. did you guys forget.. I did switch this season..

[mboy]

 

[IrishAyes]

[fishinfool]

What do you or have you used and how would you rate it on Price and Performance?

A good topic for the search engines and those looking for a new Rod and Reel for the up coming season.

Please use Part #'s and any specs you have if possible.

What do you use Rod? 

[Hotrod]

The reason for this post

I Joe will be picking up a pair of his favorites Hope they come faster than the hats

Old set up's are Pen 100's on a 6' ugly sticks

Nothing special..

[Bucktail]

Using the same format as bassnblues, these are listed from light to heavy.  The first two are my favorite back bay combos.  The second two are mostly used out front.


Rod:  6'6" Shimano JHC66MX w/ extra fast tip, rated for 8-17lb. line and 1/8 to 1/2 oz. lures
Reel:  Shimano Calcutta 150 w/ 20# braid


Rod:  7' St. Croix Avid AC70MH fast action, rated for 10-20 lb. line and 3/8 to 1 oz. lures
Reel:  Shimano Calcutta 250 w/ 30# braid


Rod:  7' St. Croix Tidemaster TC70MHF fast action, rated for 10 -20 lb. line and 1/2 to 1 1/2 oz. lures
Reel:  Penn 955 w/ 30# braid


Rod:  7' G. Loomis  MUR843C MH fast action rated for 12 to 25 lb. line and 1/2 to 2 oz. lures.  This rod is great for up to 10 oz. of lead and I've had as much as 16 oz. on it in a pinch with no problems.
Reel:  Shimano Calcutta 400 w/ 50# braid

[mboy]

Nice setups Bucky!