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Huck_NorrisOops... Just deleted my well-written response instead of quoting it. Sonofabitch!
Here goes again lol: I'd go with the Supreme XT for several reasons. Its lighter, less expensive, magnesium bodied and has a host of features that make it look and feel like a really really nice reel as well as the buttery smooth action Pflueger is known for. The FJ is a nice reel from a great company but it is heavier, more expensive, made from aluminum which is more prone to corrosion and also lacks really any of the distinguishing features on the XT such as carbon fiber handle shaft, nice finishes and feels etc... It does look and feel kind of plain. To even come close you'd realistically have to upgrade to the Ci4, and then you're talking #225+ and it would still be a tough call... But a Patriarch is still more reel and less money IMO.
IMO the Pflueger Spureme XT is by far the best bang for the buck of that price range. I can honestly say that because I had to make this decision about a year ago and spent weeks weighing all the different design features, trying them out and such and my obsessive, detail-scrutinizing and penny pinching ass went with it so there's my .02 haha it just has the majority of the big features of the patriarch but without a few sexy bits like titanium shaft and carbon fiber spool that I don't really feel are that important. Sexy, but not that important. XT has a slightly faster retrieve as well.
As far as rods go, why 2 piece? Unless you're really planning on packing it, I don't think I would. If I were you I'd REALLY call Ron at valley Sports (his # is 360-757-8171, peep the selection! http://www.beatthebigboxboys.com/store-categories-Fishing-Rods_3038975.html ) out in WA- he has special rates on rods that you can call for that are literally too low to publish. I have heard of him knocking off $80-100 a rod before and he carries Dobyns, Denali and a few others of note but you have to call to get that price.
I really should ask you what kind of bait you'll be wanting to throw though. If this an everything kind of setup? Different baits will be better or worse for different tip actions and so forth, also most people will go with a medium action over a MH for an "all things" application since it works better with lighter baits and trebles, but a quality one will still have the backbone to deal with big shit too.
$450 is actually a lot to be able to spend. You could pay full retail and still afford a Patriarch/Dobyns Champion spin combo of your choice which is actually quite fkn fancy!!! Either that or an Envy Black rod if you want extra fast taper instead of fast but shit man... IMO that is about as much as you can possibly spend before shit starts just getting out of hand- the point of diminishing returns if you will. I bet if you called Ron though, he could talk you right into a perfect combo and save you a ton of dough. It always helps to talk to a pro.
I have always said that you get the best bang for your buck with pflueger. The only gripe I have with them now is that they seem to have made the reels smaller in the last couple of years (at least in the supreme and purist, didn't try an xt). If you have bigger hands the bail will hit your knuckles as you reel in unless you keep your whole hand flat against the rod. But besides that they are amazing reels
I figured he wanted a 2 piece because he must have a smaller car... but now that I think about it more a 6'6" is a good length for all around rod, and should fit in pretty much all cars if you fold the seat down. I agree, if you can fit a 1 piece in your car, i'd get that over a 2 piece
.Hugo.I have always said that you get the best bang for your buck with pflueger. The only gripe I have with them now is that they seem to have made the reels smaller in the last couple of years (at least in the supreme and purist, didn't try an xt). If you have bigger hands the bail will hit your knuckles as you reel in unless you keep your whole hand flat against the rod. But besides that they are amazing reels
I figured he wanted a 2 piece because he must have a smaller car... but now that I think about it more a 6'6" is a good length for all around rod, and should fit in pretty much all cars if you fold the seat down. I agree, if you can fit a 1 piece in your car, i'd get that over a 2 piece
Yeah if I had $450 to spend and was getting one setup to rule them all, I'd probably get a Patriarch or XT with a Dobyns Champion 683. (6'8" Medium/Fast)
No offense but I could never spend that much on fishing rods or gear. Call me cheap, seriously cause I am, but I just couldn't spend that kind of money on a rod and reel even if I had it to burn.
I'm currently fishing with two 30 dollar spinning reel/rod combos. 2 surf rods that were maybe 150 a piece with the rod and reel, and a 25 dollar fly rod and 30 dollar reel.
I may not catch tons of fish, I may have equipment issues at times, but I sure have fun every time I'm out and I don't feel like I broke the bank doing so. I also don't wanna kill myself if I accidentally close my rod tip in the tailgate.
To each their own, spend however much you want on whatever you want. I could just never do it.
I'm the same way with skiing though, been using the same skis and binders I bought used for 300 or so like 6 years ago, on the same boots I bought new like 5 years ago. I just don't like shiny new shit I guess.
Guess what I'm ultimately saying is you'll see more latest catch pics in this thread from me instead of latest purchase pics ha.
I will be comparing the Stradic FJ vs the Supreme XT this week and am already leaning towards the Pflueger as I found it pretty cheap. The Patriarch was nearly perfect, but would love to spend less if possible for the same smoothness. I'm not sure if the Shimano comes with an extra spool or not, but I like that the Supreme XT does, and also includes a reel bag.
I personally prefer a 2 piece rod because I travel/hike a lot when I fish and don't want to deal with a 1 piece rod and a pack through the woods. Since this will be my everyday fishing rod, I need something that I can travel (fly/drive) with easily as well. If I had an everyday rod already, I would be getting a 1 piece for sure. I have an Xterra, so no real limits on rod length there, just convenience factor outweighing my decision making.
My current rod is a 15 year old $40 Cabela's Pro Guide IM6 MH action with Fast tip, 6'6" 2 piece that I have caught more fish than I could ever begin to count with, paired with a Quantum Kinetic PTi3000 of nearly the same age. They are still working somewhat; both need repair and attention, but will end up being the spare rod my wife will use once they are fixed up.
I don't necessarily need to spend $450 on a new setup, and surely don't intend to, but I needed to set some kind of budget as fishing gear has somehow gotten crazy expensive since the last time I really paid attention. $1000+ reels is ridiculous.
I paid $40 for a rod that has worked better than I ever would have imagined, but I'd like to purchase an American made rod this time around. I'll be researching rods a lot more before pulling the trigger. But finding a short and stout 2 piece rod isn't as easy as I would've hoped. Since I can't find what I am currently looking for in stores locally, I am trying to expand my search parameters.
For the reel, I will go with the best deal I can get. The Supreme XT is available online for $119, it doesn't appear to get much better than that.
When fishing back home in MN, I am really only fishing for large pike. In the past I most often used spoons ranging from 1/2 - 1oz, large spinnerbaits, and inline spinners. My old rod's maximum capacity was 5/8 oz, things got pretty shaky trolling with 1oz lures, so I'd like something a little more stable. I'll probably be buying most of my spoons at a maximum of 3/4oz for this summer.
Here in WA, I'll be using a variety of lighter gear (hard/soft) when going for trout and salmon. No luck yet this year unfortunately.
division.bellFor the reel, I will go with the best deal I can get. The Supreme XT is available online for $119, it doesn't appear to get much better than that.
Where did you find that? I may just have to pick one up also
division.bellWhen fishing back home in MN, I am really only fishing for large pike. In the past I most often used spoons ranging from 1/2 - 1oz, large spinnerbaits, and inline spinners. My old rod's maximum capacity was 5/8 oz, things got pretty shaky trolling with 1oz lures, so I'd like something a little more stable. I'll probably be buying most of my spoons at a maximum of 3/4oz for this summer.
Yeah for this application you'er going to want at least a MH or H rod, but it's going to be very tough to find that in a 2 piece in spinning configuration.
Have you ever considered going baitcaster for that heavy setup? I honestly think it would serve you far better. Go spinning for your trout setup, but for those heavy baits I would bet you'll appreciate the beefier drag and design that's built around throwing big stuff. There will also likely be a better selection of gear ratios as well.
Huck_NorrisYeah for this application you'er going to want at least a MH or H rod, but it's going to be very tough to find that in a 2 piece in spinning configuration.
Have you ever considered going baitcaster for that heavy setup? I honestly think it would serve you far better. Go spinning for your trout setup, but for those heavy baits I would bet you'll appreciate the beefier drag and design that's built around throwing big stuff. There will also likely be a better selection of gear ratios as well.
Food for thought. :)
...don't I know it. I've decided to pull the trigger on the Supreme XT and will be doing so later this evening. I am going to look into rods more before I hit the road this summer. I absolutely do need the 2 piece rod this time around, which unfortunately complicates matters, so I may just end up buying a newer and burlier version of my Cabela's rod if nothing else. Time will tell.
Still totally open to suggestions regarding a 2 piece MH (3/4oz -1oz lure max capacity) spinning rod with a max length of 7' 6".
I have considered switching over to a baitcaster but just can't do it. I don't have a good reason other than the fact that I just feel way more comfortable handling a spinning setup versus any sort of casting setup (deep sea fishing excluded). Yeah, I'd have a much easier time getting a rod that exceeds my requirements and a wide assortment of reels to complement said rod, but I just prefer the operation and overall ease of the spinning reels. After dealing with my co-workers baitcaster last Friday, it only furthered my love for the spinning reels.
That's not to say that I haven't been looking though! There are some amazing reels out there; maybe someday, but I'd have to spend a lot more time fishing with one before I would spend any money.
division.bell...don't I know it. I've decided to pull the trigger on the Supreme XT and will be doing so later this evening. I am going to look into rods more before I hit the road this summer. I absolutely do need the 2 piece rod this time around, which unfortunately complicates matters, so I may just end up buying a newer and burlier version of my Cabela's rod if nothing else. Time will tell.
Still totally open to suggestions regarding a 2 piece MH (3/4oz -1oz lure max capacity) spinning rod with a max length of 7' 6".
I have considered switching over to a baitcaster but just can't do it. I don't have a good reason other than the fact that I just feel way more comfortable handling a spinning setup versus any sort of casting setup (deep sea fishing excluded). Yeah, I'd have a much easier time getting a rod that exceeds my requirements and a wide assortment of reels to complement said rod, but I just prefer the operation and overall ease of the spinning reels. After dealing with my co-workers baitcaster last Friday, it only furthered my love for the spinning reels.
That's not to say that I haven't been looking though! There are some amazing reels out there; maybe someday, but I'd have to spend a lot more time fishing with one before I would spend any money.
Ok I did a little looking for you. Found a St. Croix Premier in a 6'6" length in a MH/F 2 piece. It's a 1/2oz-1oz capacity, full longer cork handle for armpit tucks and a great company to boot too. Price is $140 Model number PS66MHF2.
It's a little shorter than you may have been looking for but still plenty of rod IMO. If compact carry, quality and big lures are your primary concerns, this would be a great do-it-all choice IMO.
Nobody else posting pics of their catches??? SLACKERS... Crankbait, had about 10-12 people come up and watch me while I was fighting this hog, 3and a half punder, looks small because im holding my gopro an arms length away! This thing was a typical slodge, jumping 2-3 out of the water shaking its head. I.Am.Bassmaster.
Reallllly want a bass boat so I can fish tournys : (
Huck_NorrisOk I did a little looking for you. Found a St. Croix Premier in a 6'6" length in a MH/F 2 piece. It's a 1/2oz-1oz capacity, full longer cork handle for armpit tucks and a great company to boot too. Price is $140 Model number PS66MHF2.
It's a little shorter than you may have been looking for but still plenty of rod IMO. If compact carry, quality and big lures are your primary concerns, this would be a great do-it-all choice IMO.
Thanks Huck! This is one of the small handful of rods on my short list.
In other news I basically ordered everything else I needed last night. Just need to restock my plastics and decide on a rod and I'll be set. Pics to come as things arrive.
.frenchyNobody else posting pics of their catches??? SLACKERS... Crankbait, had about 10-12 people come up and watch me while I was fighting this hog, 3and a half punder, looks small because im holding my gopro an arms length away! This thing was a typical slodge, jumping 2-3 out of the water shaking its head. I.Am.Bassmaster.
Reallllly want a bass boat so I can fish tournys : (
The bite has been extremely slow around here so far unfortunately. Water has been suuuuuper high. That and I have been skunked by weather within minutes of being out every single time so far this year- either extreme wind, rain, silly high flow rates in the rivers or I'm stuck at work. Total jinx so far. Been putting a lot of emphasis on finding new spots before the season starts and gearing up so far, but it's about time to get my ass in gear and really start trying to bring 'em in. The water is just about prime temp for pre spawn and the lilies are starting to break the surface of the water so primetime is right around the corner. They also just closed the dam spillway near my work where I like to fish the most, so that opens up a whole new set of options for me now that it isn't an inaccessible raging biblical flood.
Nice fish though! Can't wait to start pulling things into my boat that I didn't tie on the line myself ;)
Huck_NorrisThe bite has been extremely slow around here so far unfortunately. Water has been suuuuuper high. That and I have been skunked by weather within minutes of being out every single time so far this year- either extreme wind, rain, silly high flow rates in the rivers or I'm stuck at work. Total jinx so far. Been putting a lot of emphasis on finding new spots before the season starts and gearing up so far, but it's about time to get my ass in gear and really start trying to bring 'em in. The water is just about prime temp for pre spawn and the lilies are starting to break the surface of the water so primetime is right around the corner. They also just closed the dam spillway near my work where I like to fish the most, so that opens up a whole new set of options for me now that it isn't an inaccessible raging biblical flood.
Nice fish though! Can't wait to start pulling things into my boat that I didn't tie on the line myself ;)
Hell yeahh! But really you aren't missing much, the bite here (MA/CT) is just about to really kick in the next couple weeks. Still pretty cold at night : /
Then you have people still ice fishing in Maine/VT.... fuckers.
.frenchyHell yeahh! But really you aren't missing much, the bite here (MA/CT) is just about to really kick in the next couple weeks. Still pretty cold at night : /
Then you have people still ice fishing in Maine/VT.... fuckers.
Don't be too jealous- a lot of lakes up north are dealing with big fish kills as a result of the long ice season.
Huck_NorrisDon't be too jealous- a lot of lakes up north are dealing with big fish kills as a result of the long ice season.
One of the best bass lakes around me had a HUGE winterkill this year, and this is a lake that is 40 feet deep and has never winterkilled before... this winter has been brutal in MN.
All the lakes around me still have ice on them, although it is finally starting to recede from the shorelines. At this rate bass won't even be spawning here until mid june
Nice fish frenchy. I'm glad someone is actually catching something right now.
.Hugo.One of the best bass lakes around me had a HUGE winterkill this year, and this is a lake that is 40 feet deep and has never winterkilled before... this winter has been brutal in MN.
All the lakes around me still have ice on them, although it is finally starting to recede from the shorelines. At this rate bass won't even be spawning here until mid june
Which lake is that?
Sounds like things will be interesting up north this summer.
Bite finally came alive last night. The water wolves are out in full force and fkn huge already but the bass are still kind of hard to find, still caught a few healthy little guys though.
Hell yeah buddy! Nice slime darts, bite will start to come more and more!
Got my May edition of bassmaster mag and it had the top 100 fisheries in the world (aka the US).... I was stoked to see a ton of places around me on there (CT/MA,VT,NH,ME)!
.frenchyHell yeah buddy! Nice slime darts, bite will start to come more and more!
Got my May edition of bassmaster mag and it had the top 100 fisheries in the world (aka the US).... I was stoked to see a ton of places around me on there (CT/MA,VT,NH,ME)!
Yeah CA, japan and FL generally get all the Big Bass love, but you'd be a fool to sleep on the NE's fishing. We have some epic conditions for sure and in many places far less competition for what is there.
Fortunately though, some of the best spots will never make it into Bassmaster. My favorites are a real pain in the ass to get to and don't generally even have road access, but are untouched and unfished once I do get the boat in so it's totally worth it.
Got out for the first time this afternoon. Since MN is gay there is no catch & release season before the actual season opens, so I can't "technically fish for bass". So I just trolled around with little crankbaits and caught a few northern, crappie, and 1 bass.
Water temp ranged from 55 to 58 so the bass will be spawning soon!
Did a bunch of stand up paddling fishing this weekend, first time trying SUP but it was fun and surprisingly awesome to fish from. Caught a bunch of fish and had a freakin' awesome weekend of food and friends. Fuck yeah.
Just caught the first smally in my life i think. Thing was a pig.... first cast!
I say its the first because there arent many smally lakes near me, and I don't count the fish I caught when I was a youngin. Easy 2lb, first time fishing that lake/reservoir.... I'll be there a lot now fishing deep water in the summer. Thank god I got it on my GoPro
.frenchyJust caught the first smally in my life i think. Thing was a pig.... first cast!
I say its the first because there arent many smally lakes near me, and I don't count the fish I caught when I was a youngin. Easy 2lb, first time fishing that lake/reservoir.... I'll be there a lot now fishing deep water in the summer. Thank god I got it on my GoPro
Easy rule of thumb: If the jaw hinge is in front of their eye, it's a smallie. If it's behind their eye, it's a Larry.
.frenchyJust caught the first smally in my life i think. Thing was a pig.... first cast!
I say its the first because there arent many smally lakes near me, and I don't count the fish I caught when I was a youngin. Easy 2lb, first time fishing that lake/reservoir.... I'll be there a lot now fishing deep water in the summer. Thank god I got it on my GoPro
Smallies are pound for pound the hardest fighting fish, they never fucking stop. That is why if I could catch 1 fish the rest of my life I would choose them.
Finally got all my new gear together for a quick picture this morning before stuffing it inside my tacklebag.
This is all of the gear I have purchased in the past 6 weeks, only a few things have actually touched water as you can see. I still need to track down a rod, and pick up some plastics, then with my existing gear not shown in the picture below, I'll finally be done.
^That is some SHIT dude, def belongs in the "So while I was fishing" thread haha
Last night was AWESOME. Best day of fishing so far this year. Largies left and right, I caught so many I stopped taking pics. Man I wish someone else was there so I could have gotten better shots of some of these because they were super fat- the lame ass fish selfies just aren't doing them justice. At all.
What a great day. Hope everybody else is getting after it, pre-spawn is going off!
Man I really wish I lived down south haha like in Georgia. Growing season for bass is almost all year long as opposed to CT where its like 3 months.... I get stoked over a 2lber here, hell, even a pounder.
.frenchyNice man!! Those are some chunks for sure.
Man I really wish I lived down south haha like in Georgia. Growing season for bass is almost all year long as opposed to CT where its like 3 months.... I get stoked over a 2lber here, hell, even a pounder.
You have more teeth than the entire state of GA combined. Trust me, go for a visit- and when that visit is over, run back to the NE and love it even more for not being GA. I wouldn't live there for all the largemouth bass and waffle houses in the world haha
.frenchyMan I really wish I lived down south haha like in Georgia. Growing season for bass is almost all year long as opposed to CT where its like 3 months.... I get stoked over a 2lber here, hell, even a pounder.
If you want monster fish, Texas and Cali are the states to go to. Cali for the absolute MONSTERS, and Texas for more consistant BIG fish.
Also nice fish huck^^. Getting me beyond stoked to get out. If only I didn't have to work and things would stop breaking on my boat
Larry, Larry quite contrary
How does your fat ass grooooowwwww?
Flawless day out there. Hope some of yous have been able to sneak away and get it wet, shit's primetime out there. Beers, bowls, bass and beautiful weather. It doesn't get much better without snow.
^^ thats awesome!! cali weather has been on point lately, going camping with some buddies this weekend by a few lakes, planning on just living off of trout! hopefully it works out good and we're not starving, excited to hit the water though its been a little while
Caught some nice bass this morning... they're in full spawn right now. I even saw some bass squirtin their man juice onto a bed.
But for me there is no better sense of accomplishment in bass fishing than dancing back in forth with a bedded bass trying to get that sucker to bite. Putting your bait right on his nose multiple times and he doesn't even flinch, then finally making that lock jawed bastard to swallow it up. I dueled this 17.5 incher for a good 20 minutes before I finally got him to take the bait... awesome feeling.
Lost my $100 pair of polarized sunglasses today though... i'll never gun it in my boat with shades up on my hat again.
Off to my buddies cabin up north for some walter and smallie fishing this weekend. Gonna get shitfaced and fish all damn day
Huck_NorrisI'm pretty sure this is the part where we harass you for pics haha
I didnt take any haha. I was by myself and when I'm fishing for bedded bass (especially illegally out of season) I like to get em back in the water asap so they can get back to their bed....
I did take this though because it was such a beautiful calm morning.... it will have to do
Wow it is so nice I might have to take a little break from packing shit into boxes to hit the water for a bit. Haven't been in like a week and it is SEXY out.
