Bream Outfit - Graphite or Glass

[adamk]

Purchased a Daiwa ProCasterX series 2 weeks ago and just last week I snapped the rod in half.

Apparently your not suppose to arch these rodsover the 90deg mark as you normally would with other rods. I'm use to pulling hard and arching the rods all the way on my Ugly Sticks and Silstar power tips when chasing anything so I think I have to change my tactics. But then I say that If you can't arch the rod and play the fish the way you want to then why have one of these rods.

I am considering in also buying a Glass tipped (standard) spin rod aswell. Any recommendations on doing this or should I just stick to another graphite.

These graphites seem so weak and flimsey. Scared to use it now as I might break it again

cheers
AdamK

wanna fish

[pw-bream]

I think the problem might be the bit where you say;
'arch these rods over 90 degrees as you normally would'

You normally wouldn't. The only time I see rods bent past about 90 degrees is in ads for Ugly Sticks and the like. Don't make the mistake of using your bream rod as a stunt prop :-)

It sounds like you are 'high-sticking" your rod and that is a recipe for trouble, don't raise your rod so high and don't grip the rod above the foregrip. Once the rod is bent into it's working curve there is nothing to be gained by forcing it into a tighter bend.
It is possible that the rod you purchased is too light or slow actioned for the type of fishing you are doing too.

I've fished with graphite rods from makers like Daiwa since they were a new thing and never had the misfortune to break one and I've sure pulled hard on some fish in that time. Sure modern ultra light graphite blanks/rods are thin and fragile, but you would be unlikely to break on casting and fighting a fish with one if a few simple precautions are taken. Careless handling and accidents are the usual cause of broken rods, rather than overdoing things on a fish.

[Stuie_02]

Adam

unfortunately you had to learn the hard way with the pros n cons of graphite. yu do need to change your style less agressive or less highsticking (i can be a expensive learning curve).

I would look at a totally fiberglass stick if you want a rod that is able to handle toture and punishment. Silstar for me are one of the only true fiberglass rods, dont go for the new half graphite half fiberglass rods as this defeats the purpose of the rod. If you have to go for the half half combos penn are rolling some of these things out in the same factory as ugly stick and you can save around $30 - $40 on one of these sticks.

I think the ugly sticks have a combination (dont really know never owned one). There are the silstar power tips but if you like to pull really hard. go witha pure fiberglass stick. Can you find a old butterworth not much of caster but brilliant rod.

Graphites need to have some serious TLC they are light and very responsive, chuck lures into another time zone. Not really good when the fine tip rattles on the edge of your boat and then splits, never go beyond 90 degrees or you will find six degrees of seperation (hey i been there and done that).

If you get another graphte reduce your action alot as the graphite is a lot less forgiving (flip side a lot more responsive). have a look at other rods that have a lower modoulus (less graphite) or a slightly heavier stick. What ever it is you need to release the rod isnt a stump puller.

Cheers
Stuie

[jimi]

Adam, the other guys have summed it up pretty well. If you're wondering what "high sticking" is, it's a fly fishing term and basically means that you are holding the rod too close to vertical. This forces the tip into a tight curve with the inevitable outcome of a broken rod. Fly rods are notorious for breaking like this as they are even more delicate than light spin rods.

You really don't need to do that with bream (or any fish). Use the power in the lower part of the rod to stop the fish. Alternatively, set your drag light to until you learn not to high stick (at least that will save you some money on a new rod).

Don't give up on graphite though. If you are going to get into lure fishing, a graphite rod/braided line combination is the only way to get the feel and sensitivity you need to be successful.

James

[Stuie_02]

Ooops

Peter Must of got this post just before me. you can pull unbelievable weights if you aim directly at the target. If you start pulling the weight upwards the rod snaps.

The tachnical reason is the fibers on the graphite are up and down it recovery very quickly after casting. This helps the lure to cast even futher. Now the downside is that when you pull up and down the forces/weight is working against the grain of the rod. Then Bang and then booo hhoooo :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

Cheers
Stuie

[adamk]

Okay you've all convinced me - I will stick with Graphite.

Thanks for such in depth answers. You guys sure love your graphites.

Now I have to practice what to do and what not to do's

cheers
AdamK

[mark savage]

The only time I see rods bent past about 90 degrees is in ads for Ugly Sticks and the like. Don't make the mistake of using your bream rod as a stunt prop :-)

I guess you haven't done battle with many GT's then ;):D :D

Seriously though, Stuie raises some very good points about looking after graphite blanks. I've seen a few disintergrate under load - particularly with braid - after having a rough life around rocks and in boats. Small nicks and scratches have the potential to seriously compromise the strength of the blank.